EU pledges €100m in flood response
An aerial view shows properties surrounded by floodwater, in the aftermath of Storm Henk, on an island in the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames, Britain, January 5, 2024. PHOTO: REUTERS
The European Union (EU) pledged around EUR100 million (Rs30 billion) by signing five new grant agreements in their effort towards the post-flood rehabilitation and resilience in Pakistan.
The agreements were signed by the EU Ambassador to Pakistan, Riina Kionka, and Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Dr Kazim Niaz in the federal capital on Monday.
The support package comes as part of team Europe’s response to the 2022 post-flood resilient recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction framework, said a press release on Monday.
The grants bring the total post-flood aid supplied by the EU to a value of over EUR930 million.
The aim of the support package is to encourage resilience in communities affected by the 2022 flood by resurrecting the rural economy of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Read: Flood-hit people suffer bitter cold under open sky
Dr Niaz expressed his gratitude to the EU for its continued support in addressing the unmet needs of those affected by the flood who still require more assistance.
EU Ambassador Riina responded by saying, “Pakistan is not alone in overcoming its economic challenges.
The EU and Team Europe are committed to building back better, sustainably building lives in KP and Balochistan.”
The floods that hit Pakistan in 2022 were the worst in a decade, leading to the loss of almost 2,000 lives and affecting around 33 million people who still suffer in its aftermath.
Rehabilitation efforts are still underway to restore the incurred economic losses and refurbish areas that were damaged in the catastrophe.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2024.