Flood relief appeal launched by Fox News terming the scale of catastrophe ‘unfathomable’

WASHINGTON, Sep 05 (SABAH): An urgent appeal for flood relief was launched on Fox News to United States philanthropists and civic organizations to step forward and help the flood victims of Pakistan. The appeal was made by renowned anchor Tom Fitzgerald during his live interview with Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, on his program “On the Hill”.

Tom Fitzgerald, in his introductory remarks, said that flooding in Pakistan has caused a catastrophic damage, killing nearly 1300 people with one third of the country underwater.

Expressing condolences over the huge losses, Tom said, “We have certainly had catastrophic flooding in our country as well too but, we see, on a human scale in your country right now, something that is unfathomable.”

Ambassador Masood Khan in his remarks while highlighting the magnitude of the disaster said that “the scale is so big. We could not have prepared for it.”

Masood Khan said that Pakistan had developed an apparatus after undergoing natural disasters in past but that apparatus was inadequate for the present calamity of unparalleled proportions.

On the most critical needs at this moment, the Ambassador said that Pakistan was looking forward for assistance of international community in relief and rescue operations. Shelter, food and medicines were immediate were immediate requirements.

We have to save lives and therefore anything that saves lives, gives shelter and provides support to the displaced persons was an urgent requirement, stated the Ambassador said

The Ambassador also thanked the US government and its leadership for provision of $30 million towards relief and rescue and for expression of solidarity and sympathies with the people of Pakistan at this difficult hour.

Thanking philanthropic organizations in the United States, the Ambassador said that “the scale (of disaster) is so big that we will have to multiply our efforts inside the country and also by the international community.”