Australia sending aid to Pakistan

A technical fault has delayed an airlift of $1 million worth of AusAID emergency
relief equipment to victims of Pakistan floods.
Pakistan authorities say the tragedy has affected some 14 million people with 1243
dead but the UN puts the death toll at 1600.
The first of two RAAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft flights to Pakistan was due to
depart RAAF's Amberley base west of Brisbane on Thursday afternoon.
But a defence spokesman said technicians found a fault while preparing the aircraft
and the planned departure has been delayed until Friday morning.
Over the next week the ADF will airlift $1 million worth of emergency relief,
including tents, tarpaulins, plastic sheeting, and water purification equipment to
help more than 10,000 affected families.
They will also carry generators, birthing kits and water containers.
The UN refugee agency UNHCR has welcomed the extra resources but says more is sorely
needed.
They have launched a major fund raising appeal in Australia and are aiming to raise
$500,000.
UNHCR is the key agency providing shelter for the growing number of displaced
Pakistanis.
The agency's spokeswoman Ariane Rummery told AAP from Islamabad that the flood was
an evolving emergency.
"As the waters move south more and more people are affected, and the scale of the
crisis is growing," Ms Rummery told AAP.
"A lot of the infrastructure has been destroyed ... bridges have been washed away,
roads have been washed away so it's difficult to get aid to the people in need.
"But we are getting through. So far we have helped over 160,000 people into
emergency shelter."
UNHCR's main relief work has been in the north where flooding has been most severe.
Ms Rummery said public buildings and schools were becoming overcrowded and many were
camping on roadsides.
"A tent or a piece of plastic sounds like simple items but they are really essential
for them," she said.
UNHCR is also supplying sleeping mats, jerrycans to collect clean water and mosquito
nets.
The aid effort announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Wednesday has received
bipartisan support.
"It is important do our bit for countries in our region, and Pakistan is one of
them," Opposition Leader Tony Abbott told reporters while campaigning in western
Sydney on Thursday.
To donate visit www.UNrefugees.org or phone 1300 361 288.