Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Search

 

Cablegate: Pakistan Earthquake: Transporting Tents From

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 015856

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CA EAID PK PREF PREL SENV
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE: TRANSPORTING TENTS FROM
CANADA

REF: A. A) ISLAMABAD 15769 (NOTAL)
B. B) BUTENIS-ENGELKEN OCT 20 E-MAIL

1. With snow already falling on some areas affected by the
October 8 earthquake, getting winterized tents or other forms
of shelter to those whose homes were destroyed is quickly
emerging as a critical element of relief efforts. Given the
magnitude of the crisis -- the current estimate is three
million people were left homeless by the quake -- we will
clearly need to draw on tent supplies throughout the world,
and call on the resources of the international community to
help transport them to Pakistan.

2. GOP Vice Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Hayat, contacted
Ambassador on October 19 and explained that a Mr. Khalid
Osman, a Pakistani living in Toronto (tel: 416-938-6909) has
raised funds and purchased 7500 winterized tents, each
accommodating six people, and is now looking for assistance
in transporting them from Canada to Pakistan. (Note: we
have not been able to confirm the whereabouts of these tents
or their suitability for the harsh winter climate of northern
Pakistan. end note.) Apparently Mr. Osman contacted
Pakistan International Airlines, which said it would take
three months to transport all the tents -- clearly too long
to meet the urgent need. The GOP has asked for U.S.
assistance in transporting those tents to Pakistan, but our
own lift capability is already taxed.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

3. Post would appreciate Department or Ottawa contacting the
Canadian Government to ask that, as part of Canada's
contribution to earthquake relief, it arrange to air lift
these tents to Pakistan, either through milair or by
chartering civilian aircraft. Providing winterized tents for
45,000 people would be a major step in addressing the shelter
crisis.

4. On October 21, Embassy raised this with Canadian High
Commission in Islamabad, which is now conveying Mr. Osman's
request to Ottawa.

5. Early response would be appreciated so we can factor this
into our own planning. For Department and Embassy use:
should the tents prove suitable for the affected areas, and
Canadian Government not be prepared to tranport them to
Pakistan, post will recommend using U.S. earthquake relief
funds to charter aircraft to bring them to Pakistan.

CROCKER

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
World Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.