US Flood aid to Pakistan peaks at $200 million
The US has diverted $50 million from its long-term aid package to Pakistan, taking the total flood relief assistance to the country to USD 200 million. This USD 50 million chunk is money that will be redirected from other priorities.
The US has diverted $50 million from its long-term aid package to Pakistan, taking the total flood relief assistance to the country to USD 200 million. This USD 50 million chunk is money that will be redirected from other priorities, including pre-positioning of supplies in Pakistan to be able to more effectively assist the people of Pakistan when the flood waters begin to recede according to State Department spokesman P J Crowley said. He also adding US will be re-evaluating its projects.
The diversion of funds came after USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah visited flood-hit areas of Pakistan recently. The US is also providing temporary bridges, and mobilising significant US military and civilian resources to rescue victims of the disaster and deliver emergency supplies. US military and civilian aircraft continue to support flood relief operations.
By August 25, these aircraft have evacuated about 8,010 people and delivered more than 800,000 pounds of relief supplies. An additional 1,000 rolls of plastic sheets have been delivered to Pakistan, bringing the total of the shelter materials to 5,063 rolls. The plastic sheeting is supposed provide temporary shelter for approximately 152,000 people.
Three additional mobile water treatment units arrived today, bringing the total to nine. US water treatment units have produced more than 5.4 million litres of clean water since August 8. So far, the US has brought in an additional 40 Zodiac inflatable rescue boats, bringing the total to 58. On August 25, US Air Force C-130 aircraft, based from Afghanistan, delivered 53,430 pounds of food and relief supplies from Rawalpindi to Sukkur and Rajanpur.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has also provided almost 1.9 million flood-affected beneficiaries with more than 22,300 metric tonnes of life-saving food. As is United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), which is partially funded by USAID, is providing 4.2 million packets of oral rehydration salts and 2.1 million zinc doses to female health workers conducting community-based management of diarrhoea in children under five years of age in flood-affected areas.