As fresh floods hit Pakistan, Liberal MPs reiterated their call for matching funding to provide humanitarian relief, and lambasted the Harper government for waiting so long to help alleviate the suffering affecting an estimated 20 million people.
“For weeks now, millions of people have struggled to survive as water engulfed their homes, yet the Conservative government has done the bare minimum,” said Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff. “Basic human decency and regional stability demand a swift and substantial commitment to humanitarian aid for those affected, before its too late.”
Liberal MPs reiterated their initial call for the government to match donations from Canadians and to expedite family reunification for those from affected regions of Pakistan. They also encouraged the government to offer direct assistance to the government of Pakistan through Canada’s military Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART).
Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis also announced that he will lead a team of ten Canadian doctors to provide on-the-ground medical help in Pakistan’s flood-affected regions.
“While the Harper government drags its feet, we’re taking matters into our own hands,” said Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis. “The immediate needs are enormous, but our government has fallen short while reacting far too slowly.”
The need for food, shelter and clean drinking water continues to mount as six million people, including 3.5 million children, are at risk of water-borne diseases due to the floods, including typhoid, cholera, and hepatitis.
