No starvation in Afghanistan due to UN sanctions: Milam

ISLAMABAD (NNI): US Ambassador to Pakistan William B. Milam Monday rejected the criticism that UN sanctions on Afghanistan have led to starvation of people, saying they are aimed at a particular segment of Afghan governing unit.

Speaking at a ceremony at the United States Information Centre Monday where he gave away three cheques of $70,000 to two NOGs for drought affected people of Sindh, Balochistan and Afghanistan, the envoy said that the US was extending more humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.

He was of the view that UN sanctions on Afghanistan have not affected the ordinary people. "Afghan people continue to be recipient of a great deal of American assistance." He said the US will increase the assistance as they were able to determine the extent of drought and its impact.

Milam said the US has contributed $70 million for the people of Afghanistan in 1999 and that includes Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

He said a ship carrying 40,000 tons of wheat would be reaching Karachi within the next two weeks for the people of Afghanistan. He said the US was considering at a very generous additional programme to provide assistance to Afghan people and that they will be very active in pursuing that programme.

He said the United States is the single largest provider of humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan. He said earlier this month the US State department announced a donation 500,000 for emergency drought relief for Afghanistan in response to a UN appeal.

The cheques were given to two charity organizations Church World Service and Mercy Corps International. The funds will be used to provide seed, fodder and clean water to impoverished families in Sindh and shelter and medical supplies to families in a resettlement camp in Balochistan.

He hoped that the assistance would provide significant relief to the drought stricken people.

The Ambassador said if there was an appeal by the Government of Pakistan or the United Nations, US would be more than happy to extend necessary assistance.

He said in Sindh, the US was funding a project to provide seed, fodder and clean water in Tharparker area to assist 500 families.

In Balochistan, the US is providing shelter and medical supplies to a large settlement of 1400 families. They have been provided 250 tents and medicines for two months.

He said the United States is also concerned about plight of people in Afghanistan and working with humanitarian organizations to provide assistance to the people.