Relief workers face threat from militants in flood-affected areas

Islamabad: Aid workers in flood-devastated Pakistan face the threat of terrorist attacks if the US does not back down on a policy that requires them to use a Stars and Stripes logo on American-funded assistance, according to a letter signed by 11 charities.

Oxfam, Save The Children, World Vision and Care International are among the groups which have written to officials in Washington warning that the US policy of "branding" aid jeopardises their neutrality in a country riddled with anti-American militants.

Charities receiving US funding were given a reminder of their obligation last month after the visit of US Special Representative to Pakistan Richard Holbrooke.

Holbrooke expressed his frustration that the US was not getting the credit it deserved as he toured aid camps.

Some charity chiefs say privately they would rather give up millions of dollars in funding than risk the safety of their staff and the people who receive the aid.

A draft of the letter, seen by The Daily Telegraph, insists that aid must not be seen to "promote a political agenda".

"Instead, there are strong indicators that branding will attract violent attacks for both economic and ideologically motivated reasons," it says.

"Branding in flood-affected areas must not be used as a test case because the outcomes are likely to be fatal and impact on the longer-term ability of humanitarian agencies to deliver assistance in Pakistan."

Kidnappers

The risk to aid workers from Taliban and Al Qaida fighters is well known. On Friday, Linda Norgrove, a Scottish development worker, was killed in Afghanistan as US special forces tried to free her from kidnappers.

International charities keep a low profile in Pakistan and many avoid using their own logos. However, the terms of receiving grants from the US Agency for International Development require them to display a red, white and blue logo bearing the legend "USAid: From the American People".

Although American officials say the only purpose of aid is to save lives, few doubt it also has a role in presenting a more benign face of the Obama administration even as CIA drone strikes hit Pakistan's lawless tribal areas.

The US aid directive issued following Holbrooke's visit allows waivers in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber Pakhtunkwa - the areas worst affected by insurgents - but has angered charity workers who believe other areas also hold risks.

"One response would be to say that we will only use the logos in parts of the country that are safe enough for American embassy staff to travel without a bulletproof car but that would leave only Islamabad," said an aid worker.

Instead the letter sets out an alternative strategy, using media packs to raise awareness of the American contribution without identifying specific locations or projects.

Mohammad Qazilbash, Pakistan country director of Save the Children, said: "We understand the need for branding but it must be done in a way that will ensure the safety and security of our personnel and the beneficiaries as well as our local partners."