Joe Biden calls Pak PM to discuss flood relief efforts

Pakistani flood survivors wait for food distribution in Nowshera, Peshawar on Friday. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden called Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and discussed the flood relief efforts.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in a telephonic call with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani discussed the flood relief efforts.

In a statement, the White House said Mr. Biden spoke to Mr. Gilani yesterday to reiterate U.S. support to Pakistan during the current flood crisis.

“Vice President Biden underlined that the United States is standing by Pakistan during this challenging time,” the statement said.

During the telephonic conversation, Biden noted that U.S. has provided around $260 million in emergency humanitarian assistance to the people of Pakistan to date.

It has also provided other civilian and military assistance in the form of halal meals, pre-fabricated steel bridges and other infrastructure support.

U.S. is now using 25 helicopters, two C-17s, and five C-130s to transport relief supplies. It has already delivered more than 4.6 million pounds of supplies and transported more than 13,000 people to safety.

“While we continue our immediate flood relief, Vice President Biden highlighted that we are also pursuing a full-fledged diplomatic effort to encourage additional international resources to help Pakistan rebuild,” the White House said.

The two leaders discussed ongoing co-ordination as Pakistan transitions from relief to recovery efforts, the statement said.

Unprecedented floods that swept the country more than six weeks ago affected over 20 million people.