US to give Pakistan aid for 'immediate disaster relief'

The United States on Wednesday announced an additional $1 million disaster aid grant to Pakistan after heavy downpours inundated and damaged various parts of the country.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the US stood by Pakistan in times of distress and offered “support to flood victims”. He maintained that in addition to the immediate disaster relief of $100,000 the US would give Pakistan “$1 million to build resilience against natural disasters”.

“We continue to work together to mitigate future impacts of the climate crisis,” the secretary said through his official Twitter handle.

According to the US Embassy in Islamabad, US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome on Tuesday issued a declaration of humanitarian need and in response, the USAID would provide $100,000 to the affected populations.

“This USAID International Disaster Assistance funding will help purchase urgent supplies to save lives and reduce suffering among the most vulnerable affected communities,” Ambassador Blome said.

Read: PM Shehbaz says world can't afford US-China cold war, bloc politics

The ambassador maintained that the floods had resulted in “a catastrophic loss of life, with many losing their loved ones, their livelihoods, and their homes”, he avowed that USAID would work closely in coordination with partners on the ground to support “these crucial humanitarian assistance efforts”.

Pakistan floods

The monsoons first hit Pakistan in the middle of June. The country’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said they brought 133% more rainfall than the annual average, which has not happened in years.

The downpour triggered floods that wreaked havoc across provinces, swallowing up entire villages, roads and bridges. For days, people were trapped, landlocked with little help, the BBC report added, quoting local media reports.

Read More: Balochistan rail link severed

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of a new monsoon spell, expected to bring strong winds and heavy rains to some parts of the country. This comes just as water levels were beginning to subside, and the water level in many rivers was starting to go back to normal.

Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change despite contributing less than 1% of global emissions, according to the Climate Change Risk Index 2021 by NGO German Watch. Local weather experts have warned there are already signs of the climate crisis.