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US aid package diverted for flood reconstruction
The US, UK, China and Saudi Arabia continue to assist Pakistan in ongoing relief efforts.
U.S. Aid Chief Rajiv Shah said that much of the spending was already earmarked for the energy, agricultural and water sectors. PHOTO: AFP
The United States plans to redirect part of its existing $7.5 billion aid package for Pakistan to aid in flood reconstruction.
US Aid Chief Rajiv Shah, on Wednesday, said that much of the spending was already earmarked for the energy, agricultural and water sectors, all three of which were affected by the floods. Shah said the United States would continue to urge nations to donate, but warned that other nations would only contribute money if Islamabad could ensure it would be well spent. He said the American government is so far impressed with the commitment of the Pakistani government.
Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank have also agreed to give loan worth three billion dollars to Pakistan.
Britain
The Pakistani community in Manchester donated over Rs20 million for flood affectees to Sahara Trust, welfare Organization of singer Ibrar-ul-Haq, while Britain announced that it would distribute six million pounds through UNICEF in flood hit areas.
Baroness Sayeeda Warsi said Britain increased the aid amount from three million pounds to six million pounds.
Saudi Arabia
A Saudi plane-load carrying 77 tons of relief goods arrived on Tuesday night. The relief goods included dry ration, blankets as well as tents.
China
China announced that it increased its flood relief assistance for Pakistan by an additional nine million dollars. China has already contributed relief worth ten million dollars.
In the recent weeks six aircraft sorties have delivered tents, blankets, generators, water purifiers, food items, bottled drinking water and medicines to flood affected areas in Pakistan.
This assistance will help provide 10,000 tents.
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Thank you to international community for helping Pakistan in the hour of need.
In five years time, Pakistan faced two natural disasters, in 2005 earthquake and then in 2010 flood.
In both natural disasters, international community rose to the occasion for which Pakistani people are grateful for timely commitment of donations.
Thank you once again for your kind gesture.Recommend
Thank you America for stepping up the game and showing the world that we actually do care. I am proud to be a part of American society. And a proud Pakistani. May the efforts of USA come to the people of pakistan that need it most. We hope that Pakistani nation will not play blame games anymore. Enough is enough. Let’s move forward!Recommend
thank you United States,
for record breaker assistance.
All misunderstanding has been removed
for your favorable activities at the time
of test.
Now we would move forward for getting
our prime target.Recommend
Can we request the Prime Minister to donate half of his Cabinet for the flood relief fund? link textIt is high time to tighten our own belts rather than expecting others to help us. link textRecommend
We criticise our government so much that we and no one else trusts us. While we criticse Benazir Income support programme without spending time on finding the truth, one British charity worker told me it’s not that bad and is helping many deserving families he knows.
Shehzad Roy was on ARY the other day and he was saying when weather conditions got worse, both he and other charities had to abandon earthquake areas. He was saying that it was only government (including army) that stayed and worked throughout the year.
Those who don’t want to trust the government and NGOs, take a truck or two of relief supplies and end up beating up the victims with sticks because they are in thousands and desperate, whereas relif supplies are minimal! This is what happens when we don’t co-ordinate.
Even here US AID admits that Pakistani government performance is impressive.
I was watching BBC where International development secretary Andrew Mitchels was saying that Pakistani government is doing much better than widely believed. He said it is not only his personal observation but he is getting similar reports from British experts and international charities on the ground. An English man has spoken, atleast we should trust our government a bit more now!Recommend