IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1613 

Expressing condolences to and solidarity with the people of Pakistan in 

the aftermath of the devastating floods that began on July 22, 2010. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 

Mr. BERMAN (for himself, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr. GENE GREEN

of Texas, Ms. LEE of California, and Mr. DEUTCH) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing condolences to and solidarity with the people 

of Pakistan in the aftermath of the devastating floods 

that began on July 22, 2010. 

Whereas heavy rainfall that began on July 22, 2010, and 

subsequent flooding throughout Pakistan have caused a 

humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions that 

has affected over 20,000,000 people, killing more than 

1,750, injuring over 2,700, damaging or destroying upwards of 1,800,000 houses, and displacing millions of 

men, women, and children; 

Whereas the devastation wrought by the floods has been catastrophic, submerging one-fifth of the country and destroying critical infrastructure, farms, schools, homes, 


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•HRES 1613 IH 

and businesses, leaving an estimated 800,000 Pakistanis 

stranded and cut off from all help; 

Whereas according to the Government of Pakistan, the floods 

have affected 30 percent of all agricultural land and 

could lower by one-half Pakistan’s economic growth rate 

for the current fiscal year, further destabilizing a nation 

already beset by multiple daunting challenges; 

Whereas the emergency continues to unfold in Sindh Province, where just under 7,000,000 people have already 

been affected, of whom 1,300,000 are in government relief camps, with new evacuation orders recently having 

been issued; 

Whereas the danger of the floods extends beyond the current 

humanitarian crisis, with the potential to create significant instability in Pakistan; 

Whereas the Pakistani Army, Navy, and Frontier Corps have 

sent humanitarian supplies and medical teams to floodhit areas, while the National and Provincial Disaster 

Management Authorities have coordinated international 

relief activities; 

Whereas the United States has responded to the crisis with 

relief and recovery funds, food and medical supplies, and 

logistical support that account for more than 20 percent 

of total international humanitarian contributions and 

commitments; 

Whereas the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), has supported 26 mobile medical teams, delivered more than 8,000 rolls of plastic 

sheeting to provide temporary shelter for approximately 

247,000 people, and dispatched 13 mobile water treatVerDate Mar 15 2010 00:36 Sep 15, 2010 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1613.IH HR1613

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ment units to support the Government of Pakistan’s 

flood relief effort, which have produced more than 

12,000,000 liters of clean water; 

Whereas USAID’s Office of Food for Peace (FFP) has provided direct support for the United Nations World Food 

Program’s food ration distributions, helping to reach approximately 3,000,000 Pakistanis with more than 48,000 

metric tons of food; 

Whereas the United States Department of Defense has dispatched 23 military helicopters and four C–130 aircraft 

to deliver more than 5,000,000 pounds of relief supplies 

and has rescued more than 13,000 flood-affected individuals; 

Whereas the United States has provided civilian and military 

in-kind assistance in the form of halal meals, prefabricated steel bridges, and other infrastructure support; 

Whereas the United States is working in close partnership 

with United Nations-affiliated and international humanitarian organizations to support relief, recovery, and reconstruction; 

Whereas the Pakistani-American community has demonstrated strong leadership in rallying support for flood 

victims, directing public attention to the crisis, and disseminating information about the response; 

Whereas scores of United States private and voluntary organizations have mobilized quickly to respond to the crisis 

in Pakistan with both emergency relief and longer term 

development assistance, raising over $11,000,000 in private donations for assessing emergency needs, distributing water, food, and relief items, and providing medical 

care and temporary shelter; 


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Whereas the success of United States Government humanitarian efforts depends heavily on the skills, expertise, and 

field presence of international and nongovernmental organizations; 

Whereas United States businesses have contributed more 

than $8,000,000 in humanitarian assistance for Pakistani flood victims; 

Whereas the immediate and swift reaction of United States 

military personnel, diplomats, and development experts 

has saved countless lives and encouraged a generous 

international response; 

Whereas the people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and 

the United States share a long history of friendship, economic cooperation, and enduring family ties, and the interests of both nations are well served by strengthening 

and deepening the bilateral relationship; 

Whereas the United States Congress adopted, and the President signed into law, the Enhanced Partnership with 

Pakistan Act of 2009, which authorizes democratic, economic, development, and security assistance over 5 years 

to help the Pakistani people achieve their aspirations for 

a democratic, stable, and prosperous society; and 

Whereas the United States remains committed to helping the 

resilient and resourceful people of Pakistan surmount 

and recover from this natural disaster: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) mourns the significant loss of life, as well 

3 as the physical damage, caused by the flooding in 

4 Pakistan; 


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1 (2) expresses its deepest condolences and sym2 pathy to the families of the victims of the floods, 

3 and its solidarity with the millions of affected Paki4 stanis; 

5 (3) recognizes that Pakistan is and remains a 

6 close ally and friend of the United States; 

7 (4) recognizes that an effective and accountable 

8 government in Pakistan is essential for the country’s 

9 long-term recovery and stability; 

10 (5) urges the United States Administration and 

11 the international community, including private citi12 zens and foreign governments, to continue providing 

13 assistance to help the people of Pakistan and to help 

14 strengthen and support the capacity of the Govern15 ment of Pakistan to meet the needs of its people; 

16 (6) supports the use of funds authorized by the 

17 Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 

18 for the purposes of providing long-term recovery and 

19 rehabilitation for flood-affected areas and popu20 lations; 

21 (7) urges a reexamination of priorities for 

22 spending the funds authorized by the Enhanced 

23 Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, with a view 

24 toward ensuring that the needs of the Pakistani peoVerDate Mar 15 2010 00:36 Sep 15, 2010 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR1613.IH HR1613

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1 ple are appropriately addressed in the aftermath of 

2 the disaster; 

3 (8) commends the relief and recovery actions, 

4 still underway, by the United States military, the 

5 Department, of State, and USAID to assist the peo6 ple of Pakistan during this critical period; 

7 (9) commends the extraordinary humanitarian 

8 efforts and sustained commitment to helping the 

9 people of Pakistan by international and nongovern10 mental organizations; 

11 (10) recognizes the contributions of the Paki12 stani-American community and United States busi13 nesses to relief and recovery efforts in Pakistan; and 

14 (11) reaffirms the commitment of the people of 

15 the United States to partner with the people of 

16 Pakistan to respond to the immediate crisis and 

17 build the foundations for a successful and lasting re18 covery. 

Æ 


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