[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 159 (Tuesday, December 13, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S13496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR PAKISTAN

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, this past year, the world has witnessed 
multiple natural disasters including the tsunami in South Asia and 
Hurricane Katrina in the gulf coast. Most recently, the devastating 
earthquake that struck northern Pakistan in early October has been 
equally catastrophic. More than 73,000 people were killed in the 
immediate aftermath, while tens of thousands more were wounded. Just as 
troubling, millions more have been left homeless having lost their 
life's possessions in this tragic event.
  As Pakistan approaches the bitter winter months, many are still 
without adequate shelter. The United Nations estimates that at least 
350,000 will remain in the mountainous regions of Pakistan through the 
winter and will require sufficient food and materials to winterize 
their tents in order to survive. Exacerbating the situation is the 
recent cancellation of helicopter sorties that deliver humanitarian 
relief due to deteriorating weather conditions. In addition, UNICEF is 
conducting a massive immunization campaign to vaccinate individuals 
from the measles following an outbreak at a camp outside of 
Muzaffarabad in early December. For all these reasons, it imperative 
that countries honor their commitments to this ravaged country to 
ensure humanitarian relief is provided to the victims of this tragedy.
  To date, the international community and private industries have 
pledged aid for relief an reconstruction, and the United States has led 
the effort. After recognizing that our original pledge of $50 million 
would be inadequate to assist the victims, the United States 
substantially increased the amount of aid to Pakistan by pledging a 
total of $510 million.
  In addition, the United States has provided rescue teams and aircraft 
to assist in locating victims in remote areas. The U.S. military has 
helped deliver humanitarian supplies, as well as evacuating casualties 
from the region. Currently a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, MASH, unit 
has been established in the most devastated parts of the country to 
perform urgent surgery and attend to less critical patients.
  While I applaud these efforts, we should remember that Pakistan has 
been a critical ally in the war on terror. Unfortunately, our image in 
the Muslim world has been distorted though propaganda and 
misperceptions of America's intent in the Middle East. Humanitarian aid 
can assist in dispelling these myths and will clearly demonstrate that 
the American people are deeply compassionate toward all those in need.
  With the upcoming winter months, it will be vital that the 
international community continue to honor the commitments it has made 
to Pakistan. I believe that the United States should lead these 
efforts. We have a moral obligation to reach out and assist those who 
are so desperately in need, and I look forward to working with my 
colleagues to ensure the victims of this earthquake receive adequate 
humanitarian assistance.

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