EU calls for steps to avert food crisis

Source: Dawn

Date: 26 Aug, 2010

ISLAMABAD: The European Union indicated on Wednesday it was not bothered about militant groups carrying out relief work in flood-hit areas, but expressed serious concern over a looming food crisis in Pakistan.

 “We have received no feedback from our partners that the militant groups engaged in relief activities were creating any problems by using the disaster for religious extremism,” Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, said at a press conference here at the conclusion of a two-day visit.

 She said the European Union’s work on humanitarian issues was impartial and the focus was on helping the people in need.
She warned of a food crisis in the country if timely steps were not taken to address the challenges posed to the agriculture sector by the calamity. She pointed out that massive tracts of agricultural land had been submerged and food security and livelihood would be a major challenge in coming months.

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