Australian military plane leaves for Pakistan with aid for flood victims

An Australian military plane left Brisbane on Friday for Pakistan bearing tents, generators, birthing kits and water purification kits. A second C-17 Globemaster aircraft is due to depart on Sunday, Australia Associated Press (AAP) reported.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said the government has paid for the two air missions and provided 10 million Australian dollars (9 million U.S. dollars).

Australia would do more if needed, he said.

And the Australian public has contributed just over one million dollars (0.9 million U.S. dollars) to three aid agencies, World Vision, the Red Cross and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to help Pakistan flood victims, according to AAP.

The Greens on Friday have called on the government to increase aid beyond 10 million dollars (9 million U.S. dollars).

"This is unprecedented. It's the worst flood in history for the Pakistanis and it's a huge natural disaster," Greens leader Bob Brown told reporters in Sydney.

The Pakistan floods have left some 1,500 people dead. Aid agencies warned 6 million children are at risk of life-threatening diseases as water lingers on stagnant flood plains. Seven million people need emergency assistance following the floods.

Source: Xinhua