EU proposes major aid package: Pakistan, India urged to step up cooperation
By Shadaba Islam
BRUSSELS, Oct 24: The European Commission on Monday called for an aid package worth 80 million euros to help survivors of Pakistan’s devastating earthquake, saying part of the resources must be earmarked for reconstruction assistance for the country.
European Union external relations chief Benita Ferrero-Waldner told Dawn she was hoping for a quick decision by the bloc’s governments and the European Parliament allowing the funds to be channelled to Islamabad as soon as possible.
“The first signals are rather positive,” Ms Ferrero-Waldner said, adding that further EU humanitarian aid may also be granted in the coming weeks.
Details of the package earmarked for reconstruction assistance would depend on a needs assessment survey being conducted by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, with help from the Commission, Ms Ferrero-Waldner said.
The Commissioner said it was crucial to help people get back to work again. “With millions now homeless, and practically all infrastructure destroyed, the challenge of reconstructing lives and livelihoods in the aftermath of this terrible natural disaster will be with us for many years,” she said.
Asked about giving Pakistan additional trade benefits, Ms Ferrero-Waldner said Islamabad would have access to the bloc’s normal Generalised System of Preferences as of 2006, a move which would help stimulate the country’s economy.
But she admitted that giving Pakistan benefits under the “GSP Plus” scheme was not on the agenda, given that the country did not meet EU criteria for defining a “vulnerable” economy.
Ms Ferrero-Waldner also urged Pakistan and India to step up cooperation in the wake of the disaster, saying she was encouraged by the first post-quake contacts and joint aid actions by the two sides.
“We encourage both to look at the tragedy as an opportunity to enter a new phase in relations, she added.
“We are in a race against winter” to get relief supplies to the northern regions of Pakistan, the EU external relations chief underlined.
The Commission was determined to help Pakistan despite a shortage of funds due to internal budgetary restraints and demands from other disaster-struck regions, she said.
“Our budget resources are being stretched to the limit,” Ms Ferrero-Waldner said.
The Commissioner said the new aid package was meant to address the immediate needs of the victims of the quake and also provide Islamabad with funds for rehabilitation and reconstruction.
The aid proposal must now be agreed by EU governments and the European Parliament. A first meeting to discuss the package is expected this week, ahead of a United Nations meeting on Pakistan to be held in Geneva on Wednesday.
In separate comments, EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel said aid funding must be significantly increased to speed up the purchase and delivery of tents, blankets and other assistance as well to boost the transport capacity of humanitarian agencies.
With humanitarian aid funds available for 2005 exhausted, the Commission said it was seeking to draw money from the EU’s emergency reserve.
Of the new 80 million euro aid package, 50 million euros are being set aside for reconstruction assistance to rebuild quake-destroyed housing and medical facilities as well as schools, roads, water pipes and other basic infrastructure.
The Commission announced emergency aid worth 13.6 million euros for Pakistan in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.
