The Senate Standing Committee on Planning and Development was informed on Thursday that Pakistan had so far received financial foreign assistance worth over $4 billion to support flood relief activities in the country.
Officials from Economic Affairs Division informed the committee that out of the total financial assistance, the international development partners had extended an amount of $3.64 billion in the form of loans and $435.03 million in the form of grants.
The meeting was informed that the development partners and the countries had dispatched in kind assistance for the flood victims.
The meeting of the committee was presided over by Senator Attaur Rehman and was attended by senators Dost Muhammad Khan, Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Saadia Abbasi, Hidayat Ullah, Tahir Bazinjo and Nuzhat Sadiq.
The meeting was informed that out of the total loan amount, the World Bank had extended $1.78 billion loan while the Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided loan worth $559 million.
Similarly, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank also extended $500 million loan.
It was highlighted in the meeting that out of the total grant, ADB extended grant of $8.28 million while Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) provided grant of $700,000.
The meeting was informed that the United Nations in coordination with government of Pakistan launched a $160.3 million flash appeal on August 30, 2022 of which $148 million has been pledged by the humanitarian commitments as of September 15, 2022.
The revised appeal, however, urgently seeks $816 million to respond to the growing lifesaving needs of the people – a jump of $656 million from the initial appeal of $160 million.
The UN organisations – WHO, UNFPA and FAO – provided financial support of $3.06 million whereas China also provided $112.33 million for the rehabilitation and reconstruction process in flood hit areas.
The United States extended financial assistance of over $95 million while Japan provided $7 million of financial support.
Likewise, it was informed in the meeting that Canada, Australia, the European Union, the UK and European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) extended grants worth of $4.22 million, $3.48 million, $19.57 million, $62.52 million and $30.67 million, respectively.
The officials told the meeting that the UK (FCDO), Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Qatar, Azerbaijan, and South Korea extended grants of $62.5 million, $58.87 million, $0.99 million, $1.05 million, $1.95 million, $0.5 million, $8.6 million, $2.1 million, $2 million and $4.86 million, respectively.
Senator Saadia asked the authorities to ensure transparency in the utilisation of the funds and that the progress report be presented before the committee in two-month time.
The official told the committee that Ministry of Economic Affairs has the mandate to coordinate, negotiate and arrange foreign assistance.
The district-wise utilisation of the foreign assistance/aid is the mandate of the provincial governments, PDMAs and NDMA.
It was highlighted that the World Bank was itself monitoring the whole process and recommended private experts to overlook the process.
The meeting also discussed agenda of damages incurred to the Mohmand Dam during the recent rains and floods.
Donors Conference
Preparations for the Donors Conference have entered the final stages to mobilise financial resources for flood prevention and relief activities, and to improve the food situation in the flood-affected areas, besides ensuring climate-resilient recovery and reconstruction.
A Steering Committee for Coordination of International Assistance for Flood Relief Activities was formed to coordinate with development partners.
The sixth meeting of the steering committee for coordination was held at the Ministry of Economic Affairs under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
World Food Program Country Director Chris Kaye briefed the steering committee on the food situation, urging the development partners to provide humanitarian assistance.
(With input from APP)
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