OTTAWA – New Democrat International Cooperation Critic John Rafferty (Thunder Bay – Rainy River) today criticised the Conservative government’s lack of leadership and slow response to the growing disaster in Pakistan.

“The situation in Pakistan is not improving and time is of the essence. While the government has been dragging its heels, announcing funding in bits and pieces, people remain homeless and hungry while the very real threat of disease has been growing,” said Rafferty. “Stephen Harper needs to contact the government of Pakistan immediately and commit our DART team to help in this time of need. Funding is desperately required but they also need on the ground expertise.”

On August 3, in response to the massive flooding that has affected millions of Pakistanis, Rafferty called on the Government of Canada to offer disaster relief and assistance to the government of Pakistan, including the deployment of the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART).

According to UNICEF nearly 20 million people across Pakistan have been affected by the flooding, including nearly 8 million who have been ‘severely’ affected. Canada last deployed DART to Pakistan for Operation Plateau in 2005 in response to a massive earthquake.

“While we welcome any positive move from this government with regards to Pakistan I would still like to know why their reaction to such a devastating event has been so delayed,” said Rafferty. “The slow response has been nothing short of shameful.”