Rich countries ‘failing to respond’ to quake appeal

RICH countries have failed to donate enough to the UN appeal to help the victims of the earthquake which devastated Pakistan earlier this month, according to a leading charity.

Research for Oxfam revealed the UN appeal for $312 million (€257m) in aid has seen only $90m (€74m) pledged so far.

Individual contributions were gauged according to the relative size of a country’s economy as a proportion of the OECD total.

Only Sweden, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Denmark have given more than their fair share, the charity claimed.

The US, Italian, German and Japanese governments have all given less than 20% of their share and governments in Belgium, France, Austria, Finland, Greece, Spain and Portugal have contributed nothing at all.

Oxfam said that although some of these countries might have given resources outside of the UN’s fund, it is vital to ensure the organisation’s appeal is also met.

Ireland pledged an extra €2m for relief in Pakistan yesterday bringing the Government’s pledges to €5m.

The money has been allocated to Irish and international non-governmental organisations and to UN agencies working to meet basic requirements including blankets, food, water, tents and other shelter.

Minister Conor Lenihan made the announcement yesterday at a meeting of EU development ministers in Leeds after a briefing by UN emergency relief coordinator Jan Egeland.

The October 8 quake has killed at least 51,000 people in Pakistan and 1,300 in Indian Kashmir, as well as injuring more than 74,000 and leaving more than three million homeless.

The charity said some countries have not responded generously enough and must announce new donations at today’s donor conference in Geneva.

Oxfam policy director, Phil Bloomer, said: “Governments are once again failing to respond to an emergency appeal. The logistical nightmare in Pakistan is bad enough without having to worry about funding shortfalls as well.”

Oxfam is urging the creation of a global emergency fund that will plug the gaps and be in a position to deliver aid immediately.