[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CONCERNING FLOOD ASSISTANCE TO PAKISTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 2010

  Mr. SHERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today out of concern for the 
people of Pakistan who have been affected by the catastrophic flooding 
this monsoon season. As reports continue to emerge detailing ever-
increasing numbers of displaced families and deaths, I want to express 
my deepest sympathy for the victims of this tragedy.
  Estimates indicate that over 20 million people are affected by the 
flooding and over 1,600 have died. In addition, almost 900,000 homes 
have been destroyed or damaged. According to the UN, millions of people 
went unaided in the days and weeks after the flooding began. We must 
also remember that even after the waters recede, the lack of shelter, 
food, and clean water may bring ongoing suffering. And as croplands and 
farming equipment are destroyed, the threat of future famine looms.
  The devastation these floods have wrought is widespread and affects 
people in multiple Pakistani provinces. In the Sindh province alone, 
estimates from August 10th indicate that 1.4 million people and 2,534 
villages have been affected by the floods, and as of August 18th new 
flood warnings continue to be issued. Through communications with the 
Sindhi-American community over the past year, I have learned of the 
challenges that the Sindh and other provinces face. These floods have 
exacerbated the situation. We must ensure that our relief efforts reach 
all affected people and do not inadvertently neglect the individual 
regions.
  The U.S. has responded rapidly trying to provide relief assistance, 
and it is my hope that our efforts will continue to ensure that the 
death and disease tolls do not rise as winter approaches. Through 
September 14th, total U.S. government assistance reached over $300 
million. Much of the assistance provided by the State Department and 
the U.S. Agency for International Development has been distributed in 
partnership with several international agencies including the United 
Nations and the Red Cross.
  While the U.S. continues to play a leadership role in the global 
effort to assist the people of Pakistan in this difficult time, it is 
my sincere hope that our efforts reach all those affected by this 
tragedy. I raise this concern in light of troubling reports that 
followed the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir. Even one year after that 
devastating event, Oxfam reported that administrative bottlenecks and 
corruption had stymied progress toward reconstruction. We must ensure 
that such an occurrence is not repeated.
  Last year, Congress passed The Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act 
of 2009 which is now public law. Title III of this legislation was 
written to ensure that U.S. assistance reaches all the people of 
Pakistan fairly and equitably. I wish to reiterate the concerns that 
prompted this title and to urge the agencies spearheading our relief 
efforts to follow appropriate protocols for monitoring the assistance 
related to the recent floods.

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