World Bank to provide $1.3b emergency relief

Financial support being offered to subsidise urea for farmers

ISLAMABAD:

The World Bank on Wednesday said that it was planning to provide Pakistan with $1.3 billion for emergency, agriculture and housing relief in the wake of devastating floods, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of National Food and Security.

During a meeting with the Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir Cheema, World Bank Regional Director for Sustainable Development John A Roome said, “The World Bank will provide financial support to subsidise urea for the flood and rain affected farmers. The funds will be released after approval from the international lender’s board meeting in December.”

Appreciating the timely support, the federal minister said that floods have resulted in colossal losses, especially for the farming community. “The gravity of the disaster was completely unforeseen. Now, the farmers need a helping hand and we are trying our utmost to provide relief and assistance, and help them in rehabilitation,” he said.

The minister assured his ministry’s full support for the World Bank’s projects and initiatives in Pakistan.

“Providing relief to the farming community will also help in achieving food security in the country,” said Cheema.

Speaking on the occasion, Additional Secretary Mohammad Asif informed the World Bank official that the database of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) could be used to identify farmers for the targeted subsidy. He added that the National Flood Response Coordination Centre (NFRCC) had also developed a digital application which could also help in making relief deliveries to the farmers.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2022.

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