Ironic that the United States has been perhaps the most pro-active and generous country in helping us with flood relief. Pakistanis, especially those were stranded for days are grateful for such a timely help. Contrary to the propaganda unleashed by several vested interests about how great friends China and the Muslim countries are, the US has proved to be our friend when we needed it the most. Yet, there will be many among the skeptics who would term this as ‘strategic’ given the state of things in dear homeland and in its neighbourhood. It is time that we acknowledge what needs to be acknowledged with no ifs and buts. Here is a fact sheet sent to Pak Tea House through reliable sources on the assistance so far. About time the self-styled US haters (rather entrenched in the country) take notice of this. US may have its own interests in stabilizing Pakistan, their response has been (and remains) substantive.
U.S. Response to Pakistan’s Flooding Disaster
To date, the United States is providing approximately $150 million to support relief efforts in Pakistan, including funding for the operations of the Pakistan National Disaster Management Authority, the UN’s emergency relief plan, and the many local and international organizations responding to this disaster. These funds are also being used to provide critical supplies to flood affected populations.
The U.S. also is providing millions of dollars of additional in-kind and technical assistance. We are expanding pre existing programs in flood-affected areas, providing temporary bridges, and mobilizing significant U.S. military and civilian resources to rescue victims of the disaster and deliver needed supplies. U.S. military and civilian aircraft continue to support flood relief operations.
Through August 22, these aircraft have evacuated 7,835 people and delivered more than 1,600,000 pounds of relief supplies.
Latest Developments:
. On August 22, U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft, based from Afghanistan, delivered 79,000 pounds of food and relief supplies yesterday from Rawalpindi to Sukkur and Multan.
. The World Food Program (WFP) has reached more than 1.3 million flood-affected beneficiaries with almost 16,000 metric tons of food assistance, approximately 50 percent of which is provided by the United States.
. USAID’s Office of Food for Peace has provided WFP with an additional $32.3 million for local and regional procurement of food, bringing the U.S. total contribution to more than $51 million.
. Since August 8, U.S. water treatment units have provided approximately 4.8 million liters of safe drinking water.
