U.S. promises $30 million plus aid for Pakistan flood victims with potential for more

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Washington announced $30 million in assistance to help victims and families in Pakistan affected by devastating floods in that country, with the promise of more aid after assessing the extensive damage.

In her press briefing August 31, 2022, White House spokesperson Karine Jean Pierre said, “We are saddened by the tragic loss of life and destruction as a result of the severe flooding in Pakistan.  We send our deepest condolences to all the individuals and families impacted.  The United States stands with communities in Pakistan as they experience severe flooding and landslides.”

The day before, on Aug. 30, 2022, the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID, announced it is providing an additional $30 million in humanitarian assistance to support the people affected by the severe flooding.  “With these funds, USAID partners will prioritize urgently needed support for … food, nutrition, safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene, and shelter assistance,” Jean Pierre said.

A USAID disaster management specialist is also in Islamabad to assess the impact of the floods and to determine additional humanitarian assistance that the U.S. government may provide.

“The United States has and will continue to be a strong supporter of the people of Pakistan,” Jean Pierre said, adding, that the U.S. is the single-largest humanitarian donor” to Pakistan, having provided more than $33 million in humanitarian assistance.

“We will continue to closely monitor the situation in Pakistan for further needs following this horrific tragedy,” the spokesperson said.

ADDON FROM REUTERS (Aug. 31, 2022)

Torrential rains and flooding have submerged a third of Pakistan and killed more than 1,100 people, including 380 children as the United Nations appealed for aid on Tuesday for what it described as an “unprecedented climate catastrophe.”

Army helicopters plucked stranded families and dropped food packages to inaccessible areas as the historic deluge, triggered by unusually heavy monsoon rains, destroyed homes, businesses, infrastructure and crops, impacting 33 million people, 15% of the 220 million-strong South Asian nation.

The country has received nearly 190% more rain than the 30-year average in the quarter through August this year, totaling 390.7 millimeters (15.38 inches). Sindh province, with a population of 50 million, was hardest hit, getting 466% more rain than the 30-year average.

“One third of the country is literally under water,” Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman told Reuters, describing the scale of the disaster as “a catastrophe of unknown precedent”.