Disbursements not matching words

Pakistan receives just 17.5 per cent ($113.3million) in cash and goods of total aid pledged by the global community.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has so far received just 17.5 per cent ($113.3million) in cash and goods of the total aid pledged by the international community for the early recovery of over six million people affected by the worst floods, underscoring the need for rush to save hundreds of thousands of lives exposed to water-borne diseases.

Official documents available with The Express Tribune reveal that as against Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s claim of $815 million commitments, 56 bilateral and multilateral donors have promised to provide $ 649.07 million assistance.

Out of the total commitments, cash pledges amount to $436.7 million, less than the UN flash appeal for $460 million to reach out six million worst affected people, out of the estimated 20 million people. The donors have so for disbursed $62.64 million, which is just 9.7 per cent of the total commitments, including goods. The international community has provided $50.6 million worth of goods to Pakistan, taking the total disbursements and deliveries to 17.5 per cent of the total aid pledges.

The US is the largest donor, as it has pledged $157.8 million but so far, according to the documents, it has not released even a single dollar either in shape of goods or cash. The UK committed $64.6 million but it, too, did not disburse the money.

The EU, a bloc of 27 nations, also pledged $25.6 million but has not released the money. However, it has promised another $155 million but the Economic Affairs Division has not received anything in black and white, thus the additional amount is not part of the total commitments. India’s $5 million commitment is part of the plan but nothing has been released yet. The floods that started swamping the country on July 28 are still submerging plains of Sindh and Balochistan. Initial estimates put the number of affected people at 20 million, the damages are to the tune of billions of dollars. The UN has repeatedly asked the donors to come forward and save millions of lives before the outbreak of water-borne diseases and severe winter weather take on the shelter-less people.

The flooding has been dubbed as the worst “human catastrophe that is still evolving”. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is discussing this week the implications of the floods for the budget and long-term growth targets and how the IMF can help Pakistan as part of an ongoing $11 billion loan programme. The Economic Adviser Wing of the finance ministry has estimated that inflation would surge to 25 per cent and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would slip to zero per cent as a result of the floods.

The UN has disbursed $27 million, which is 100 per cent of the commitment. Turkey has given $5million in cash and delivered $1million worth of goods out of its $11million pledges. Spain also disbursed 100 per cent by giving $1.3million in cash. Saudi Arabia has committed $112.3 million and disbursed $5.3million in cash and delivered $40million worth of goods.

Malaysia has also provided $1million. Italy has disbursed $1.92 million out of its $5.12million pledges. Germany has provided $12.81million in cash, half of its total commitment. France, Finland and Afghanistan have made full disbursements. Kabul gave $1 million, Finland, $5.67million and France $1.34 million.

Out of the committed $649 million almost three-fourths would come through the UN and the international NGOs. The donors would give $166.2 million.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2010.