US pledges $30m in assistance

China to grant another batch of emergency humanitarian supplies

ISLAMABAD :

Friendly countries and international development partners opened their coffers for Pakistan to enable the country cope with devastating floods on Tuesday.

The United States gave assistance of Rs6.5 billion. The development partners, including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Health Organization, Unicef, and Red Cross also responded positively to the appeal.

Earlier, China, the United States, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and other countries announced immediate aid. The assistance from many countries, including Turkiye and the UAE, had already reached Pakistan.

Also the assistance from various international organisations, including the United Nations institutions also continued. The announcements included important aid items – tents, medicines, food and drinks – in addition to cash aid.

Earlier, China, the United States, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and other countries announced immediate aid. The assistance from many countries, including Turkiye and the UAE, had already reached Pakistan.

Also the assistance from various international organisations, including the United Nations institutions also continued. The announcements included important aid items – tents, medicines, food and drinks – in addition to cash aid.

The US embassy in a statement said that Washington would provide $30 million in life-saving humanitarian assistance to support people and communities affected by severe flooding in Pakistan through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

"The United States is deeply saddened by the devastation caused by flooding throughout Pakistan. Through @USAID, we will provide $30 million more in life-saving humanitarian assistance to those who have lost their loved ones, livelihoods, and homes." -DB #AmbBlome 1/2 pic.twitter.com/OL4r0YgV6Z

— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) August 30, 2022

The United States, through the USAID, on Tuesday announced an additional $30 million in life-saving humanitarian assistance. Pakistan’s government has declared the floods a national emergency, with 66 districts declared “calamity hit.”

“In response to the Pakistani government’s request for assistance, the United States will prioritise urgently needed food support, safe water, sanitation and hygiene improvements, financial help, and shelter assistance,” the statement said.

Also read: US 'saddened' by devastating floods in Pakistan, offers assistance

 “This support will save lives and reduce suffering among the most vulnerable affected communities. The United States will continue to monitor the crisis in close coordination with local partners and Pakistani authorities,” the statement added.

The announcement came as a USAID disaster management specialist arrived in Pakistan on Monday to assess the impact of the floods and intensify coordination with partners on response efforts. The United States had already provided over $1.1 million in grants and project support.

China boosts assistance

In Beijing, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian told his regular media briefing that in light of the situation on the ground and based on Pakistan's needs, China would provide another batch of emergency humanitarian supplies, including 25,000 tents to flood-hit Pakistan.

He also announced that Chinese Air Force had dispatched a cargo plane to deliver humanitarian supplies, including 3,000 tents to Pakistan. “We believe that with joint efforts of the Pakistani government and the people, the people in the affected areas can prevail over the flooding and reconstruct their homes.”

The China Economic Net (CEN) reported the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force dispatched two Y-20 cargo planes to provide emergency humanitarian supplies including 3,000 tents, to flood-hit Pakistan on Tuesday.

“After receiving the order, the PLA Air Force arranged two Y-20 planes to take off at dawn to get to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in the early morning for urgent air transport preparations. The planes are scheduled to arrive at Karachi airport at 16:00 Beijing time today,” the report said.

“Pakistan rushed to our assistance after the Wenchuan earthquake in China in 2008. As I come from Sichuan, I deeply feel the brotherly friendship between the two countries. I also want to express my support for the Pakistani people with the successful completion of the mission,” said pilot Liu Xiaojun.

The China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) said that the government had decided to provide 100 million yuan (around $14.5 million) in emergency humanitarian assistance, including 25,000 tents and other disaster relief materials urgently needed by flood-hit Pakistan.

Last week, CIDCA Chairman Luo Zhaohui met with Pakistani Ambassador Moinul Haque and discussed the establishment of a joint working group and the designation of liaison officers to implement emergency relief. The new batch of flood relief supplies was scheduled to be delivered by August 30.

So far, under the social and livelihood cooperation framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, (CPEC) China had provided 4,000 tents, 50,000 blankets and 50,000 pieces of waterproof tarp to Pakistan, which had been delivered to the frontline of disaster relief, spokesperson Zhao said.

“The Red Cross Society of China will provide $300,000 in emergency cash assistance to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society. While the All-Pakistan Chinese Enterprises' Association (APCEA) has donated Rs15 million to the Prime Minister's Flood Relief Fund,” he added.

"We are standing with them [Pakistan]. Going forward, China will continue to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in disaster prevention and mitigation and global climate response and provide more assistance to Pakistan in its flood relief efforts and post-disaster reconstruction.”

Also, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other international financial institutions, including the World Bank, started work on an aid programme worth billions of dollars for the reconstruction and rehabilitation in the flood-affected Pakistan.

ADB officials said that aid would be provided for the reconstruction of flood-affected areas, in addition to the financing worth around $2.3 billion during the current fiscal year 2022-23. Other institutions including the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank would also provide flood assistance.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that seven military aircraft, carrying relief goods from Turkiye had arrived at Karachi and three military aircraft from the UAE landed at Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi, carrying tents, medicine and food items.

The ISPR further said that two aircraft from China, carrying 3,000 tents, and a consignment of tarpaulins and shelters from Japan would also reach Karachi on Tuesday. The ISPR said, Canada had announced $5 million in aid, the UK had pledged £1.5 million and Azerbaijan has announced $2 million.

The Canadian aid was announced by its Minister for International Development, Harjit Sajjan. Pakistan High Commissioner Zaheer Janjua thanked the minister for the aid. He urged the nearly 500,000 Pakistani expatriates in Canada to come forward to help their brothers and sisters back home.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)