By Wajid Ali Syed – Washington Correspondent for Asian Tribune
Washington, 20 May, 9Asiantribune.com): United States has announced 110 million dollar for humanitarian support to Pakistan. This decision was taken after Pakistan requested to help the IDPs which increased immensely in the last few days.
The Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton announced the aid amount today at a press briefing at the White House. She started off with the supply of aid saying that the money will help ease the plight of about 2 million Pakistanis who have fled fighting. "Providing this assistance is not only the right thing to do, but we believe it is essential to global security," she said. "And we are prepared to do more as the situation demands." She added that she had a long discussion with President Obama on the issue.
Clinton told the reporters that US aims to "invest in the people of Pakistan", meaning to create jobs for locals. "we have also decided to purchase a bumper crop of wheat from Pakistan."
The secretary also announced a new text messaging system which will be launched in Pakistan to alert the locals in case of any danger.
She added that United Nations and other humanitarian organizations like Red Cross are already involved in the services.
The new funding announced will be used in a number of ways, including to provide relief kits and to purchase wheat and other items from local sources.
The breakdown of the assistance is as above:
• $20 million from the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance to provide family relief kits, tents, FM radios, and generators that will provide light and water.
• $26 million for the immediate purchase of wheat, other food, and related items from local sources.
• $17 million from Food for Progress for 50,000 tons of wheat arriving in May and June.
• $10 million to respond to forthcoming emergency appeals by the United Nations.
• $15 million for shipments of food items such as lentils, dried peas, and other basic foodstuffs.
• $12 million for an emergency response center for direct humanitarian needs.
In addition, there is $10 million from Department of Defense to be used for water trucks, halal food, and large tents with environmental units, such as air conditioning and for hot weather.
- Asian Tribune -
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