Labour contender Balls: Support Pakistan flood victims
LABOUR leadership contender Ed Balls has urged Nottingham to continue the UK's "surge of support" for people affected by flooding in Pakistan.
Millions of people have lost their homes and thousands have died in the floods which have ravaged large parts of the country.
Speaking at an event in Nottingham on Saturday, former education secretary Mr Balls said the events in Pakistan were an "absolute disaster".
But he said the message that the country needed more aid and support was becoming more widespread.
He said: "In the 45 years of the Disasters Emergency Committee this is the first time the public response has been bigger in the second week of an appeal than the first.
"I hope people in Nottingham will continue that surge in support.
"There will be a huge amount of agricultural devastation and that is something that will need to be turned round very quickly."
Mr Balls, who is touring the country to drum up support for his bid to lead the Labour party, was a guest at an event hosted by Raja Munshi Khan at his home in Mapperley.
The former member of the Kashmir Legislative Assembly invited prominent people from the Nottingham Pakistan and Kashmir communities as well as Labour activists.
Mr Khan told the audience that the flooding in Pakistan was a "burning issue".
He said: "According to the United Nations this is the worst flooding in 80 years."
One month since the disaster, flood water levels are continuing to rise, with 500,000 people forced to evacuate their homes in recent days.
Cases of cholera and other water-borne diseases are on the rise because of the contaminated water.
And Oxfam says reconstruction efforts must start immediately to avoid devastating long-term consequences.
Nottingham East MP Chris Leslie, who helped organise the event, said he hoped people in Nottingham would "reach out the hand of friendship".
He told the audience they could donate £5 to the Disasters Emergency Committee's Pakistan appeal by texting 'give' to 70707.
Mr Leslie said: "Everyone in Pakistan will know someone who has been hit by this."
Mr Balls – who was born in Norwich but grew up in Keyworth and went to Nottingham High School – was at the City Ground on Saturday to watch Forest take on Norwich City. He told the crowd it was the only occasion that he could not be a Forest fan and that he hoped Norwich did well.
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by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Tuesday, August 31 2010, 3:18PM
“'70s child', international aid should not be used as a scapegoat for the Con Dem Nation's cuts.
That's not the problem. What is is that they have chosen to cut corporation tax, including for the banks, for example.
Accordingly, Micky, why is it a good idea for the goernment to cut Corporation Tax? Thanks to that, the banks will probably not be paying anything back, since the already minute contribution from the bank levy has been all but canceled out by it.”
by Dave, Carrington
Monday, August 30 2010, 8:05PM
“I'd love to know how much Oil profits from the Middle East is pouring into Pakistan,”
by 70s child, nottm
Monday, August 30 2010, 6:16PM
“What about donating money to pensioners who are dying every year from hypothermia in this country. a situation which will only get worse with future cuts. He's only spouting off to try and project himself as a caring person and a cheap grab of votes.Go back to London and take your verbal garbage with you its all just like your second name Ed”
by Mickey Finn, The Gutter Press
Monday, August 30 2010, 4:50PM
“I would love to help Ed, but all my hard earned is disappearing in taxes to support the bank bailout.”
by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Monday, August 30 2010, 3:53PM
“I think he is entirely right.
I know there are those who say 'Charity begins at home' and all that, but I think that's selfish. If we cannot help people who are in such a terrible state...”