Donors pledge €4.6bn to quake victims

Donors have pledged $5.4bn (€4.6bn) in quake aid to Pakistan, surpassing the amount sought for relief and reconstruction, the country’s prime minister said today.

Pakistan had hoped to get $5.2bn for rebuilding from the October 8 quake, which killed 86,000 people in Pakistani territory and another 1,350 in neighbouring India.

International development and lending agencies and about 50 nations attended a donor conference today in Islamabad.

“The rough total we have as of now is $5.4bn,” Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told delegates. “We are really touched by your generosity, by your feeling of sharing our grief.”

“Everything will go, each and every cent we receive and goods ... for the earthquake-affected areas,” Aziz said. “We in the government are committed to total transparency, total accountability.”