Rudd calls for help for Pakistan

20 Sep 2010, 9:07 am   -   Source: AAP
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Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd has told the UN he is very worried about an outbreak of disease in Pakistan, following devastating floods there.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd has told the UN he is very worried about an outbreak of disease in Pakistan, following devastating floods there.

Mr Rudd visited flood-affected areas of Pakistan last week, before heading to the US for his first diplomatic meetings since being deposed as prime minister by Julia Gillard in June.

US President Barack Obama took advantage of Rudd's US visit to honour him with a surprise meeting, a gesture rarely extended to foreign ministers.

An ABC analyst said Obama's visit showed that Rudd is held in higher regard than Gillard in the international political arena.

Humanitarian disaster

Rudd said he was concerned a humanitarian disaster could result from the floods if more wasn't done to help Pakistan.

"We are concerned on the relief effort that we may still see the prospect of a serious epidemic arising from water-borne diseases," he told the UN in New York.

"The early evidences in our field hospitals suggest a rising number of cases of cerebral malaria, other serious diseases, as well as early signs of malnutrition."

Mr Rudd said the situation in Pakistan had to be closely monitored.

"It may be that we avoid this problem," he said.

"But I would rather we turn back in six months time and realised that there was no problem, rather than take the appropriate precautions right now."

Mr Rudd said Australia wanted to help Pakistan rebuild too.

"We ... need to turn adversity into opportunity long-term," he said.

"We are standing ready with our friends in Pakistan to take that challenge to the long-term."

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