LAHORE Asian Football Confederation (AFC) chief Mohamed Bin Hammam pledged support to Pakistan and expressed hope the international community will continue aiding the country amid the current flood crisis.

“As rescue and prevention efforts continue, allow me to express profound sympathy and sincere condolences to the people of Pakistan on my behalf and that of AFC,” Hammam said in a letter to Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) President Faisal Saleh Hayat.

Deploring the destruction caused by the ravaging floods, Hammam said the reconstruction phase following the current relief work will need more international aid than what has been committed to Pakistan.

“What makes this unique is the scale of the disaster and its effect throughout the country,” Hammam said in the letter. He offered commensurations and condolences on massive loss of lives and colossal damage to properties and infrastructure and assured humanitarian aid to help deal with the disaster.

“Please rest assured that we stand ready to provide all the assistance PFF may desire.”

Hammam promised to involve football's governing body in helping Pakistan during the crisis.

“I will follow the matter with Fifa and I pledge all possible support to you.”

“The scale of the devastation caused by the current flooding in Pakistan is staggering, and the resulting needs are daunting...it is imperative that your country receives the supports of the international community,” the Asian football chief said.

The number of people suffering from the massive floods in Pakistan exceeds 13 million - more than the combined total of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Pakistan-Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. —PPI