Andrew Mitchell praises British people for £47m of donations to Pakistan Floods Appeal

Mr Mitchell, the Secretary of State for International Development, made a statement to the Commons earlier that included these words:

“The floods in Pakistan are extraordinary; and demand an extraordinary response. I am proud that the UK has been at the forefront of the international community’s response to the disaster and was the first major country to come to Pakistan’s support in significant scale in its hour of need. In addition to the UK taxpayer’s contribution, the British people have once again demonstrated their compassion and generosity.

I am sure the House will wish to join me in commending the magnificent response from the British public who have committed more than £47 million to the Disaster Emergency Committee Appeal. We continue to urge people to give, and to give generously, to that appeal.

The UK and Pakistan are bound together by bonds of history and family which underline our support for Pakistan in good times and bad. This bond will remain strong over the coming months and years, as we work together to help Pakistan recover from this unprecedented catastrophe.”