USAID provides $20 million aid to Pakistan

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Washington DC, 10 September 2022 (TDI): The United States through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided an additional $20 million in humanitarian aid to the people of Pakistan, in the light of recent floods.

The people of Pakistan as been affected by the extreme flooding in Pakistan caused by monsoon rains, landslides, and glacial lake outbursts.

The effects of recent floods have been widespread throughout Pakistan. An estimated 33 million individuals have been affected, with approximately 1,400 fatalities and over 12,700 injuries.

More than 1.7 million dwellings, an estimated 13.8 million acres of agriculture, thousands of miles of road, and hundreds of bridges have been damaged or destroyed along the course of the storm.

This assistance is in addition to the $30 million in humanitarian aid announced for the people of Pakistan devastated by the tragic floods. Since the 12th of August, the United States has provided Pakistan with about $50.1 million in disaster aid.

With these new funds, USAID partners will continue to deliver emergency relief supplies. It also includes delivering of cash and housing assistance, support for livelihoods, logistics, and systems for coordinating humanitarian response.

Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) assistance will also be prioritized by USAID as a preventive strategy to limit the predicted spread of waterborne infections.

Furthermore, USAID has also sent a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to Pakistan to lead humanitarian response activities. This specialized team made of USAID disaster specialists is surveying the damage, and identifying priority needs. Additionally, it is also communicating with the Pakistani government and humanitarian partners.

Also read: USAID deploys Disaster Assistance Response Team to Pakistan

US-Pakistan Relations

Following Pakistan’s independence in 1947, the United States established diplomatic ties with Pakistan. The fundamental objective of the US aid program is to assist Pakistan in achieving security, stability, and prosperity via partnership.

US assistance has concentrated on initiatives promoting economic growth and bilateral trade and energy. Moreover, it also includes assistance in refugees and refugee-hosting communities, law enforcement, civil society, and people-to-people interactions.