Pakistan donates $1 mn for typhoon-hit Philippines

, Nov 20:

government Tuesday announced a donation of $1 million as a help in relief efforts for typhoon-hit Philippines.

"To express solidarity with the people of the Philippines, the Government of Pakistan has announced 1 million US dollars as contribution to relief efforts for the calamity-hit areas," reported Xinhua citing Pakistan's foreign ministry in a statement.

Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest in the Philippines history, lashed central parts of the country Nov 8 and has killed at least 3,976 people while leaving nearly 1,600 missing, reported Xinhua citing the Philippines government's statistics.

"The people and the government of Pakistan are deeply grieved by the tragic loss of life and widespread damage to the property caused by super typhoon Haiyan," it said.

Earlier, Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in their messages assured Philippines President Benigno Aquino that the Pakistan was standing by the people and government of the Philippines in this hour of need.

Over four million displaced people in the country need food, shelter, and water, the Philippines government said. The typhoon has also wrecked livelihoods on a massive scale, destroying crops, livestock, coconut plantations, and fishing boats.

IANS