Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
AUSTRALIA will give a further $24 million to help flood-ravaged Pakistan
Prime Minister of Australia Hon. Julia Gillard announced on Tuesday 17th August that Australia will provide an additional $24 million to support emergency humanitarian relief in flood-hit Pakistan.
In a statement, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the funding would be directed through the Red Cross and Red Crescent agencies and non-government organisations, and came in response to the United Nations and the Pakistan government's call for further assistance. It brings Australia's total commitment to $35 million.
"Australians remain deeply concerned as the flood disaster in Pakistan continues to worsen," Ms Gillard said in a statement.
"It is now estimated that up to 20 million people have been affected by the floods. More than 750,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed.
"Despite the ongoing international assistance effort, people affected by the floods are facing new difficulties. Without safe drinking water, food and shelter the risk of waterborne disease, dehydration and malnutrition is escalating.
"Today, in response to the United Nations and the Pakistan Government’s appeal for further assistance, Australia will provide an additional $24 million to support emergency humanitarian relief efforts.
The Hon Stephen Smith MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade and Deputy Leader of the House announced the details of the Australia’s Aid to Pakistan. In Canberra FM said:
Over recent days the flood disaster in Pakistan has worsened. The Pakistan Government now estimates that more than a third of Pakistan is being directly impacted on by the floods. Up to 20 million people have been adversely affected and over 750,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed. Dehydration and water borne diseases such as Cholera are of increasing concern. The total Australian assistance to date will be $35 million.
$10 million to the World Food Programme to provide food to two million people over the next fortnight and feed a further six million people by the end of September
$5 million to UNICEF to provide clean water and sanitation services to two million people to halt the spread of disease
$3 million to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees to provide emergency shelter and blankets for the estimated 300,000 families who have lost their homes.
$2.5 million to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to deliver emergency shelter and supplies to more than 175,000 people and help evacuate families at risk
$2.5 million to Australian Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) for food, shelter and other emergency relief to help at least 250,000 people
$1 million to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to coordinate and support the Pakistan Government’s response to the crisis.
Australia was one of the first donors to respond to the emergency. As the disaster unfolded in the first week of August, Australia announced $10 million in humanitarian relief, of which:
$4 million has been provided to the World Food Programme
$4 million has been provided to the Pakistan Emergency Response Fund and Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement
$2 million has been provided to Australian Non-Government Organisations, including $500,000 to Oxfam Australia; $500,000 to Save the Children; $500,000 to Care Australia; $350,000 to World Vision Australia; and $150,000 to Action AID.
Australia is also providing $1 million in relief supplies airlifted to Pakistan by the Australian Defence Forces.
The first Australian C-17 Globemaster defence aircraft landed in Pakistan on 14 August and delivered tents, tarpaulins, water purification supplies, birthing kits and generators to the Pakistan National Disaster Management Agency and the UN Population Fund.
These relief items are being airlifted by the Pakistan Military to affected populations in the south of the country.
A second flight carrying tents, tarpaulins, and water storage and purification supplies left the RAAF base at Amberley yesterday.
A third relief flight is scheduled to depart Amberley on Thursday 19 August.
In addition, 10 Australian humanitarian experts are being sent to Pakistan to join the relief effort. Two people will work with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to coordinate relief efforts. Two people will join the World Food Programme to assist with food distribution. Six personnel will work with the Australian Red Cross to provide affected communities with safe drinking water and primary health care.
Australia is also participating in the United Nations Disaster Assessment Mission currently underway in Pakistan and is prepared to support the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to undertake damage and needs assessments.
Australian officials remain in close contact with United Nations agencies and the Pakistan Government to assess what more can be done.
Australian NGOs have called for public contributions to their Pakistan appeals and As a Foreign Minister of Australia, I encourage people of Australia to give generously for Flood Relief in Pakistan.
