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Press release: U.S. and Other World Leaders Must Send 160+ Helicopters Now
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS: Mitch Stoller, Bennet Ratcliff
(310) 806-6200, (323) 397-0687, (310) 261-0408 [email protected], [email protected]
U.S. and Other World Leaders Must Send 160+ Helicopters Now
Or Tens of Thousands More May Die in Earthquake-stricken South Asia
?Call to Action? issued by SAQUAKE.ORG, a newly-formed relief alliance of
South Asian American Professional and Non-Profit Organizations
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, October 26, 2005 ? In conjunction with today?s international relief agency conference in Geneva, Switzerland, SAQUAKE.ORG today issued an urgent appeal for the United States and other leading world governments to urgently send much-needed helicopters, tents and other relief supplies to Northern Pakistan and Kashmir.
According to UNICEF estimates, 10,000 children could die of hunger, hypothermia and disease within the next few weeks. Many of these homeless are isolated with their surviving families in remote villages unreachable except by helicopter. As the Himalayan winter rapidly approaches, they are at risk of dying from hypothermia, disease and hunger.
?Time is running out ? an additional 160 helicopters must be dispatched immediately to aid relief missions or thousands more will needlessly die, and only a handful of governments can make this happen. We must step up now or forever regret our inaction,? said Dilawar Syed of the Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America (OPEN).
Earlier today, Senator Joseph Biden (D-Delaware) echoed this call, citing the need for the immediate shift of more ?Chinooks, Blackhawk?s and other suitable craft? from ?right across the border in Afghanistan.? Currently, there are an estimated 60 operational relief helicopters in Northern Pakistan and Kashmir and another 20 expected. However, the United Nations and other relief agencies estimate an additional 160 helicopters are required to carry out a successful evacuation of earthquake victims.
?The United States must not miss a unique opportunity for public diplomacy with Pakistan, a key ally. The Bush administration ultimately delivered much needed ? and appreciated ? Tsunami relief to Indonesia. Now is the time to make a similar commitment to South Asia by supplying helicopters ? and building goodwill in this important region,? said S. Asif Alam, President of Association of Pakistani Professionals (AOPP).
Key Facts to Consider (Source: Weekly National Security Index or as listed)
Official Death toll of the earthquake 49,739 persons
Number of displaced children expected to die in the next few weeks (UNICEF) 10,000 children
Total U.S. humanitarian assistance committed to the region $26.4 million
Immediate assistance needed for first six months (U.N. OCHA estimate) $550 million
U.S. assistance provided to nations affected by December 2004 Tsunami $907.3 million
Number of Homeless (U.K. department for International Development) 3.2 million
About SAQUAKE.ORG
SAQUAKE.ORG is an alliance of South Asian American professional and non-profit organizations working jointly on aid relief efforts in the aftermath of the South Asian earthquake of October 8th, 2005. It comprises the Association for the Development of Pakistan developpakistan.org), the Association of Pakistani Professionals aopp.org), Developments in Literacy dil.org), the Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America (OPEN) opensiliconvalley.org) and Youth Outreach DIL yourdil.org).
(310) 806-6200, (323) 397-0687, (310) 261-0408 [email protected], [email protected]
U.S. and Other World Leaders Must Send 160+ Helicopters Now
Or Tens of Thousands More May Die in Earthquake-stricken South Asia
?Call to Action? issued by SAQUAKE.ORG, a newly-formed relief alliance of
South Asian American Professional and Non-Profit Organizations
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, October 26, 2005 ? In conjunction with today?s international relief agency conference in Geneva, Switzerland, SAQUAKE.ORG today issued an urgent appeal for the United States and other leading world governments to urgently send much-needed helicopters, tents and other relief supplies to Northern Pakistan and Kashmir.
According to UNICEF estimates, 10,000 children could die of hunger, hypothermia and disease within the next few weeks. Many of these homeless are isolated with their surviving families in remote villages unreachable except by helicopter. As the Himalayan winter rapidly approaches, they are at risk of dying from hypothermia, disease and hunger.
?Time is running out ? an additional 160 helicopters must be dispatched immediately to aid relief missions or thousands more will needlessly die, and only a handful of governments can make this happen. We must step up now or forever regret our inaction,? said Dilawar Syed of the Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America (OPEN).
Earlier today, Senator Joseph Biden (D-Delaware) echoed this call, citing the need for the immediate shift of more ?Chinooks, Blackhawk?s and other suitable craft? from ?right across the border in Afghanistan.? Currently, there are an estimated 60 operational relief helicopters in Northern Pakistan and Kashmir and another 20 expected. However, the United Nations and other relief agencies estimate an additional 160 helicopters are required to carry out a successful evacuation of earthquake victims.
?The United States must not miss a unique opportunity for public diplomacy with Pakistan, a key ally. The Bush administration ultimately delivered much needed ? and appreciated ? Tsunami relief to Indonesia. Now is the time to make a similar commitment to South Asia by supplying helicopters ? and building goodwill in this important region,? said S. Asif Alam, President of Association of Pakistani Professionals (AOPP).
Key Facts to Consider (Source: Weekly National Security Index or as listed)
Official Death toll of the earthquake 49,739 persons
Number of displaced children expected to die in the next few weeks (UNICEF) 10,000 children
Total U.S. humanitarian assistance committed to the region $26.4 million
Immediate assistance needed for first six months (U.N. OCHA estimate) $550 million
U.S. assistance provided to nations affected by December 2004 Tsunami $907.3 million
Number of Homeless (U.K. department for International Development) 3.2 million
About SAQUAKE.ORG
SAQUAKE.ORG is an alliance of South Asian American professional and non-profit organizations working jointly on aid relief efforts in the aftermath of the South Asian earthquake of October 8th, 2005. It comprises the Association for the Development of Pakistan developpakistan.org), the Association of Pakistani Professionals aopp.org), Developments in Literacy dil.org), the Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America (OPEN) opensiliconvalley.org) and Youth Outreach DIL yourdil.org).
Comments on this journal
Pakistan?s most critical need remains helicopters to carry aid, heavy equipment and search and rescue teams with K 9 dogs.))
Please call President Bush, thank him for the 8 helicopters he is sending, but request him to send at least 50 more:
President Bush:
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 456-1414
Fax: (202) 456-2461
Please also contact your Senators & Congress persons with this appeal. You can get there contacts at: link/
Please forward this msg to everyone you know.