World has not done enough for Pak flood victims: UN ambassador

MULTAN: UN Secretary General's special envoy for Pakistan, Rauf Engin Soysal, has said Pakistan is still in dire need of support of the international community, especially for the agriculture sector which was destroyed during last year's flood.

"We can't say that we have done enough, it is time theworld should do more for rehabilitation, to make earlyrecovery and provide aid," he said in an interview to APPduring a brief visit to UN projects launched in flood affected areas.

The projects are going on under the aegis of UNICEF, UNHabitat and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) at PirDargai Shah, Gahribabad and Ara Akbar Shah. Soysal said UN teams had visited flood affected areas thrice and tried to come closer to people. "We are planning to continue good work and there is a need to remain vigilant and coordinate among district and provincial governments with UN agencies to support the local community", he added.

The UN ambassador assured every possible support to affected families with community schools and building skills.

To a query, the UN ambassador particularly hailed Japaneseassistance, saying that it did not withdraw its pledges despite facing a worst disaster in the country. "It's true that no country can alone cope with disastrous situations and the entire world should step forward to assist Pakistan", he said.

He praised that there had been continuity of cooperation between NGOs and donors agencies which saved the future of the country in collaboration with the government of Pakistan.

Later, he mingled with locals. "I feel I am a Pakistani though I ama Turk. Your sufferings are my sufferings, your happiness is my happiness and your hopes are my hopes," he added.