The Honourable Dave Denine, Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs
and Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector, today
announced that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will donate
$100,000 through the Canadian Red Cross to help with relief efforts in
flood-ravaged Pakistan.
"On behalf of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, I would like
to express our sincerest condolences to those who have been impacted by
this disaster, especially those who have lost loved ones and are dealing
with the damage caused by the flooding," said Minister Denine. "This is
an extremely difficult time for the people of Pakistan as well as those
living outside of Pakistan who have family members living in the flood
area. We want to contribute to the help already being offered to those
affected."
Flooding in Pakistan began in July 2010 after heavy monsoon rains
affected three of the four provinces of the country. Specifically, these
include Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and the lower parts of Punjab. Over
1.8 million houses are reported as either damaged or destroyed and parts
of southern Pakistan are still under water. Just over 20.5 million
people have been affected and it has been reported that close to 2,000
people have perished.
"There is still a lot of work to be done to help the people of
Pakistan and we want to unite with others across the country and the
world in relief efforts," said Minister Denine. "Our thoughts and
prayers are with those who are dealing with the devastation as well as
those who have travelled to the area to provide aid to those who need it
so desperately."
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Media contact:
Lesley Clarke
Communications Specialist
Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat
Voluntary and Non-Profit Secretariat
709-729-6026, 699-2910
lesleyclarke@gov.nl.ca
2010 09 14 4:25 p.m.