EU grants over Rs30b more for flood resilience

Sign five new agreements aiming to support recovery

ISLAMABAD:

The European Union (EU) has pledged an additional EUR 100 million to strengthen Pakistan’s resilience following the devastating floods of 2022. The floods had a severe impact on the nation, and the new funding aims to support recovery efforts. According to a press statement issued by the Economic Affairs Division, EU Ambassador to Pakistan, Riina Kionka, and Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Dr Kazim Niaz, formalised this commitment by signing five new grant agreements.

“These agreements are part of Team Europe’s response to the 2022 post-flood Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework. The funding, amounting to nearly EUR 100 million (equivalent to over Rs30 billion), underscores a significant commitment,” reads the statement. This brings the total Team Europe response to the 2022 floods to over EUR 930 million. The focus areas include revitalising the rural economy in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and restoring disrupted livestock value chains in flood-affected Balochistan.

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The package aims to fortify Pakistan’s long-term resilience by making targeted investments in human rights, gender equality, and civil society. Niaz expressed gratitude to the EU for their support and highlighted the remaining unmet needs in flood-affected areas that require assistance from development partners. EU Ambassador Riina Kionka highlighted that Pakistan is not alone in overcoming economic challenges and flood recovery. She stated, “The EU and Team Europe partners are committed to building back better, sustainably improving lives in the most affected communities in K-P and Balochistan.”

Annually, the EU provides approximately EUR 90 million in grants, supporting Pakistan’s initiatives to combat poverty, enhance education, promote good governance, human rights, rule of law, and ensure sustainable natural resource management. The EU’s cooperation spans across Pakistan, with a special focus on K-P, G-B, Balochistan, and Sindh.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2024.

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