Time:
2010 Aug 26 15:00 - 16:00

Language:
The speech and Q & A will be in English

Summary:
PRESS CONFERENCE
Noor Muhammad Jadmani, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Asad Gilani, Counsellor, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Description:
The worst floods in the history of Pakistan have caused at least 1500 deaths and affected more than 15 million people in the country. Due to heavy monsoon rains since July, the four provinces of Pakistan are now facing severe difficulties. Large parts of the country remain submerged after weeks of heavy rain.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, after visiting Pakistan, said "make no mistake, this is a global disaster." In terms of damage, Pakistan's recent floods are worse than the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and Haiti earthquake. The UN has said that 3.5 million children are at risk from deadly waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and dysentery.

The UN launched a special meeting of the General Assembly to boost the international aid commitment to Pakistan. Ban told the session the floods were like "a slow-motion tsunami" that presented an ongoing crisis. Hundreds of villages across Pakistan in an area roughly the size of Italy have been marooned, roads have been cut in half and thousands of homeless people have been forced to set up tarpaulin tents along the sides of roads. Pakistan is in desperate need of help from the world community.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has appealed for swifter aid to provide immediate relief in food, shelter and clean water for the millions affected by the worst monsoon rains on record.

Noor Muhammad Jadmani, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Japan, will speak about the current situation and the level of damage as over 4 million people are forced to live under the open skies or in temporary shelters while the flood surge continues to move south.

Members planning to attend this press conference are asked to reserve in advance, online (http://www.fccj.or.jp - please log in to reserve) or at the Front Desk (3211-3161), so that the staff can make appropriate
preparations. It's free of charge.

Professional Activities Committee