U.S. Pledges $30 Million In Support For Pakistan Flood Response
Following heavy rains and flooding, the U.S. pledges 30 million in support for pakistan flood response, the American embassy in Islamabad announced on Tuesday. In responseto Pakistan's severe flooding, the U.S. announced today an additional $30 million in life-saving humanitarian relief through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Author:Hajra ShannonReviewer:Paula M. GrahamAug 31, 202295 Shares23.7K Views
Following heavy rains and flooding, the U.S. pledges 30 million in support for pakistan flood response, the American embassy in Islamabad announced on Tuesday.
In responseto Pakistan's severe flooding, the U.S. announced today an additional $30 million in life-saving humanitarian relief through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The US Embassy in Islamabad issued a statement on Tuesday stating that it would give priority to urgently needed food assistance, clean water, sanitation and hygiene improvements, financial assistance, and housing assistance in response to the Pakistani government's request for aid.
Prior to the natural disaster, the Canadian government offered $5 million in funds to assist the global response.
Last week, Pakistan received assistance from Azerbaijan ($2 million) and the European Union (EU), ($1.8 million).
Cargo flights from Turkiye, China, the UAE, and Qatar have been despatched with critically needed supplies such food packages, tents, and personal hygiene kits.
According to Iranian media, Iran is supplying hundreds of tents, carpets, and blankets over the southeast Chabahar border.
33 Million Pakistani Are Affected By The Flood
The floods in the provinces of Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab have affected almost 33 million people.
A US$160 million emergency plan was launched by the UN on Tuesday to assist Pakistan in addressing the situation.
The nation's 5.2 million most vulnerable citizens are the target population.
According to Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN humanitarian coordination office, half a million displaced people are taking refuge in relief camps, roughly one million homes have suffered damage, and 700,000 animals have perished in the floods.
According to the UN official, 3,500 kilometers of roads and 150 bridges have been damaged, making it harder to distribute relief.
The Floods Kill 1,100, Including 380 Children
More than 1,100 people have been murdered in Pakistan as a result of torrential rains and flooding, including 380 children, according to a Tuesday appeal for relief from the UN for what it called an "unprecedented climate catastrophe."
As the unprecedented flood, brought on by unusually severe monsoon rains, devastating homes, businesses, infrastructure, and crops, 33 million people—or 15% of the 220 million-strong South Asian nation—were affected. Army helicopters rescued stranded families and dropped food supplies in inaccessible places.
The nation received 390.7 millimeters of rain, or over 190% more than the 30-year normal, in the quarter ending in August of this year (15.38 inches). The 50 million-person Sindh province was hardest hit, receiving 466% more rain than the 30-year normal.
Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman told Reuters that "one third of the country is literally under water" and called the disaster's scope "a catastrophe of unknown precedent."
She predicted that the water would not go down any time soon.
At a press conference held at his office in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif informed media that at least 380 children were among the victims.
In a video message, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared that Pakistan was "awash in suffering" as the organization began an appeal for $160 million to aid the South Asian country.
"The Pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids - the relentless impact of epochal levels of rain and flooding," said one observer.
According to a U.N. official, Guterres would visit Pakistan the next week to observe the consequences of the "unprecedented climate catastrophe."
He claimed that the severity of the climate calamity required the attention of the entire world.
In addition to moving more than 50,000 people to two government shelters in the northwest, a state-run disaster management agency reported that almost 300 stranded individuals, including some tourists, were flown to northern Pakistan on Tuesday.
Hussain Sadiq, a 63-year-old villager who was staying at one of the shelters with his parents and five children, told Reuters that life there was "very painful" and that his family had "lost everything."
Conclusion
According to Hussain, the facility frequently saw cases of fever and diarrhea as well as inadequate medical care.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the head of the Pakistani army, visited the northern Swat Valley to monitor rescue and relief efforts and noted that "rehabilitation will take a long, long time."
In a statement, the American embassy in Islamabad announced that the government would donate $30 million to USAID to help Pakistan deal with the floods. It added that it was "deeply saddened by the devastating loss of life, livelihoods, and homes throughout Pakistan."
Hajra Shannon
Author
Paula M. Graham
Reviewer
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