Annan urges post-tsunami style generosity for Pakistan

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan today urged donors to show the same kind of generosity towards earthquake-hit Pakistan as they did in the wake of last year's Indian Ocean tsunami.

Before addressing a gathering of UN and other aid agencies, donor governments and Pakistani officials in Geneva, Annan called for a renewed outpouring of support.

"We saw this generosity at the time of the tsunami. We need it here too," Annan told journalists. "I know it's been a difficult year in terms of natural disasters, beginning with the tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, the disaster in Central America, and now we have the earthquake. There must be a bit of fatigue, but we need your help to save lives."

"We need the support of governments, private citizens, the private sector and anyone who can spare a euro, a pound or a dollar," Annan said. "It is urgent and it is desperate."

"I think that the NGOs that are complaining about lack of response to appeals are right. We share that view," he said.

Asked why the Pakistani quake was capturing less attention, Annan said: "Above all, it was Christmas. People are more generous then. And it was also a catastrophe which affected around 50 countries.

"We saw little children without their mothers, families who had lost everything. There were videos aired all over the place. And the world mobilized to help. We don't have the same kind of situation here, but I hope we will nonetheless be able to help."

Later, in a speech to donors, Annan urged them to do all they could to prevent a new humanitarian disaster in Pakistan with the onset of winter.