Aussie team set to extend Pakistan aid

16 Sep 2010, 9:32 pm   -   Source: AAP
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The Australian health team in Pakistan is set to extend its operations out into the countryside to reach more people affected by the devastating floods.

The Australian health team in Pakistan is set to extend its operations out into the countryside to reach more people affected by the devastating floods.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, making a flying visit to Pakistan's Punjab province, said the nation's military, which is providing security for the 180-member Australian Defence Force (ADF) and AusAid health team had given the go-ahead for the outreach program.

So far, the health team has operated from a compound with armed Pakistani soldiers guarding against any insurgent attack.

Addressing assembled team members, Mr Rudd said they were dealing with malaria, the first signs of cholera and malnutrition in a slowly unfolding disaster.

"I have just spoken to the (Pakistani) general - he has said he is going to authorise you to do field operations," he said.

Mr Rudd said the ADF would ensure it was safe to venture outside the camp.

"Our job is also to make sure that each and every one of you return back home in one piece," he said.

To reach the camp, Mr Rudd travelled from the United Arab Emirates aboard an RAAF transport aircraft to the Pakistani military base at Multan.

Then he flew by Pakistani military helicopter to Kot Adu.

After leaving, he now is heading to Washington for talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about the situation in Pakistan.

He will then attend the United Nations for the global donors' conference to discuss more assistance for the flood ravaged country.

Mr Rudd said the Australian team was treating some 250 people each day, supplementing Pakistan's overstretched primary medical services.

"The scale of this is something as follows: 20 million people affected, 10 million people who have lost homes," he said.

"You have six million people across the country who are now totally dependent on the supply of food from elsewhere.

"Two million of those are kids."

Mr Rudd said he wished he could say the worst was past, but health experts had advised that a second wave of water-borne diseases, including malaria and cholera, was on the way.

Mr Rudd said the mission was set down to run for 90 days.

"Well, we'll see because I am the Australian government - when it comes to AusAid," he said.

"So, we'll see what the local needs are because having spoken to folks about the unfolding needs, we might need to be creative about how we take this forward."

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