In a statement issued on Tuesday the Ambassador said that everyone was aware of the fact that the earthquake of October 8, by its magnitude, by the number of casualties, by the scale and nature of the affected areas, did not resemble any other. "It is one of the most important natural disasters that the world has ever faced."
The Ambassador said that 'Alliances françaises' in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar have decided to launch an appeal for help to the network of 'Alliances françaises' throughout the world
He said that the participation of France, for 16.40 percent in the operations of the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO), a commitment amounting to 93.60 million Euro ($114.14 million) was in addition to humanitarian assistance including 80 tons goods and a team of 30 doctors that was first from anywhere abroad. This team provided medical assistance to more than 2000 patients and carried out more than 140 surgical operations.
Giving details, the Ambassador said, "It is the honour of my country to have been amongst the first to react and bring in help."
On October 10 and 11 the first cargo plane transporting 73 tons humanitarian aid (tents, generators, sleeping bags, blankets etc, etc) supplied by the French Government, various NGOs and private foundations was unloaded at Islamabad airport.
He said that on Sunday, October 9, less than 36 hours after the earthquake, search and rescue specialised teams arrived. They are operational in Balakot since October 10. "Our rescue efforts were rewarded; they saved five children trapped in the debris of their school."
In the night between October 10 and 11, 30 doctors specialised in dealing with emergencies, surgeons, anaesthetists, and nursing staff arrived in Islamabad with necessary equipment and material to install a field hospital. An emergency and a surgical unit was set up in Muzaffarabad which started functioning on October 13. By October 27, these teams had carried out 2038 emergency cases and medical consultations as well as 140 surgical operations.
"Since then, France, following the example of its partners of the European Union and a large number of other countries around the world, has not slowed down its action. I do not only refer to the surgical unit still present in Muzaffarabad or to the replacement of the personnel, which already took place, but also to:
"-The participation of France in the airlift set up by Nato (seven French C-130s in the period between October 19 and 30, transporting 80 tons humanitarian goods).
"-The management by French military personnel of the unloading of freight transported by Nato aircraft between October 19 and 23 (17 planes and 153 tons).
"-The announcement, during the October 26 Geneva Conference, of an additional contribution of five million Euro which will be donated to the Red Cross and the Red Crescent as well as the Unicef for vaccination campaign against Measles."
Belenet said that this report would not be comprehensive if he did not mention the following:
1) The activity of the 16 French NGOs (113 persons) which have been or are still present in different areas in NWFP or in AJK.
2) The participation of France, for 16.40 percent, in the operations of the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO), a commitment amounting to 93.60 million Euro (114.14 million USD)
3) The fact that France is in charge in Pakistan of the "air component" of the assistance provided by Nato in the field of civil engineering.
4) In response to requests made by Pakistani officials an Air France B-747, carrying about 80 tons of humanitarian assistance, donated by NGOs and private companies from France by the Delegation for Humanitarian Action of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already arrived.
5) Concurrently, the French community in Pakistan has mobilised its resources (individuals and companies). The 'Alliances françaises' in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar have decided to launch an appeal for help to the network of 'Alliances françaises' throughout the world.
The Ambassador said, "As it is the case in Pakistan, the mobilisation of the international community is due to be pursued during the emergency phase as well as during the reconstruction phase.
"Every one of us, wherever he or she is, is a witness of the ordeals suffered by the people throughout the world. Now is the time for globalisation of information to imply the globalisation of solidarity," Belenet concluded.