Liz Lynne calls for continued aid for earthquake victims

12.00.00am GMT Thu 17th Nov 2005

The European Parliament today adopted an urgency resolution on access to humanitarian aid in Kashmir. West Midlands MEP and President of the Liberal Democrats Friends of Kashmir, Liz Lynne, who helped negotiate the resolution, spoke in Parliament highlighting the acute humanitarian needs of the survivors of the earthquake on 8th October.

She said,

"The horrifying images and the personal stories following the earthquake on October 8th might have left our television screens and the front pages of our newspapers but let us not forget the need for urgent aid is just as great, particularly because of the onset of winter.

"Already there have been 74000 deaths and getting aid to those in need is a race against time. The Pakistan government put the financial cost of the quake at 5 billion dollars. The EU has already contributed substantially but we must do more, much more, and so should the rest of the international community. But it's not just about money, it's about access; it's about helicopters and other equipment to reach inaccessible areas.

"Access over the line of control between Indian-administered Kashmir and Pakistan-Administered Kashmir is also of vital importance. I'm very pleased that India and Pakistan have opened the five crossing points for goods and I hope there will be other crossing points opened as well. And not just for goods. Civilians should be allowed to cross as well. People with relatives and friends on the other side want to help. They want to bring much needed support and relief. And at present they are unable to do so.

"Already 950 Kashmiris on the Indian side and 2000 on the Pakistani side have asked for permits. I know it's difficult because of long standing dispute over Kashmir but I hope that the applications can be processed quickly.

"This human tragedy demands a compassionate response.

"Let us hope that out of this terrible tragedy, something good will come.

And that the survivors may be allowed to live in peace. I hope that at last a just solution to this 58-year-old dispute over Kashmir can be found. And involving both Pakistan and India, but above all the Kashmiri people, who have suffered enough already."

ENDS.

Notes to Editors:

Liz is President of the Liberal Democrats Friends of Kashmir.

Liz is also a member of the delegation for the European Parliament on South Asia and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).