World Vision CEO Reverend Tim Costello earned a standing ovation from the conveners and audience at the Declaration of the 63rd Annual UN DPI NGO Conference in Melbourne following his plea for the International community to pledge more support to victims of the recent floods in Pakistan.
“[Pakistan] has been a compassion blind spot for the world and the slowness of the response and the incredible importance for NGOs to actually raise their voice and stand in solidarity with those that are suffering and do more,“ Reverend Costello said.
“I would invite you to consider that this conference reaffirm our support for the survivors of the Pakistani floods, urge the international community to provide more aid – both in short term relief and long term reconstruction.”
Reverend Costello made his appeal shortly after the vote on the Conference’s declaration was tabled, moving up to a microphone in the aisle of the Melbourne Convention Centre’s Plenary Hall and addressing the audience and convener Mary Norton directly.
To assist Pakistan recover from the disaster, which has left 20 million people displaced and 60 million people homeless, Reverend Costello called on the international community to a three-year moratorium on debt for the embattled nation.
“Pakistan is at present spending three dollars on servicing its debt for every dollar it spends on health, the theme of this conference,” Reverend Costello said.
“I propose that we, representing the global community of NGOs call on the governments of the world to implement a two-year debt repayment moratorium with no accrued interest, to allow Pakistan to assist those displaced by the floods.”
The World Vision CEO’s appeal earned a standing ovation from the majority of the audience. Professor Phil Batterham, the Australian convener of the conference, who was seated onstage for the Declaration, was among those who stood up and acknowledged Reverend Costello’s plea.
The Declaration of the Conference minutes earlier received a similar level of enthusiasm from those in attendance, with only a handful of people choosing to vote against it or abstain from voting.
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Article written by Craig Butt
We are forever grateful and obliged to the Reverend and all the good people who are supporting Pakistani women and children in these trying times and hour of need. By recognizing the health needs, identifying the obstacles to health outreach in the Pakistani populations , will the world community be able to help the most vulnerable, and in need populations of the world in general and Pakistan in particular.
excellent work by Imamia Medics International, World Vision, Oxfam, and Fred Hollows Foundation in remembering and emphasizing the flood ravages and its effect in Pakistan