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2 December 2006
Development minister welcomes earthquake cash
Development minister, Gareth Thomas MP, came to Washwood Heath today to help Cllr Ansar Ali Khan hand over cash raised by local MP, Liam Byrne, for the Kashmir earthquake.
The Jammu Kashmir Development Foundation’s Kashmir Quake Appeal was presented with a cheque for £500 which Liam raised when running the Stratford half marathon earlier this year.
The handover was made following Liam’s successful trip to Dadyal, Azad Kashmir in September in which he spoke to Pakistani ministers about the relief efforts following last year’s earthquake.
Gareth Thomas himself has also recently returned from a trip to Pakistan. The minister in the Department for International Development (DfID) later spoke at a meeting organised by Washwood Heath councillor, Ansar Ali Khan.
The government itself pledged a total of £70 million last year for reconstruction and rehabilitation following the disaster in addition to the £54 million committed to immediate humanitarian assistance and other generous donations from individuals around the country.
A separate Development Partnership Agreement between Pakistan and the UK was signed just under two weeks ago signalling the government’s commitment to helping Pakistan and the Pakistani people. Gareth Thomas talked about his role in the agreement and international development efforts including the doubling of DfID aid to Pakistan from £236 million to £480 million before taking part in a question and answer session with members of the local community.
Liam said:
“I’m pleased that I have been able to do my bit to help the earthquake victims and would like to thank everyone who sponsored me. I am equally pleased that the government is also doing its bit to help our friends in Pakistan.”
Ansar added:
“It’s fantastic that Gareth Thomas has taken time out to come and talk to us in Washwood Heath about the work he has been doing and the efforts since the earthquake. The wellbeing of friends and family in Pakistan is of great concern to people round here and I am proud that our country is doing so much to help reduce poverty in both Washwood Heath and in Pakistan.”
The meeting, which was widely attended, took place at the Naseby Centre in Alum Rock.
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