U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome announced an additional $30 million in humanitarian assistance to support flood-affected populations in Pakistan.
This new funding brings the United States total assistance to Pakistan for flood response, food security, and disaster preparedness and capacity-building efforts to $97 million this year.
Ambassador Blome made the announcement during a visit with USAID’s implementing partner, ACTED in the Shikarpur District of Sindh, where he helped to distribute emergency shelter, latrine, and hygiene kits to flood-affected people.
Blome also traveled to Makhno Village where USG emergency shelter kits are being used as temporary housing by the flood-affected community. He had an interaction with flood victims to learn about the impact of the flooding and understand their needs
The new funding will expand efforts to address immediate needs, scaling up assistance to the most affected communities and enabling USAID to reach more than 4 million people. With the additional funding, the U.S. government, through USAID, will provide life-saving food, nutrition, and health assistance to mitigate increased food insecurity and malnutrition resulting from the impact of the floods, as well as curb the rise of diseases resulting from stagnant flood waters, the U.S. Embassy said.
The funding will also provide shelter supplies to help families rebuild as well as winterization kits to help families prepare as cold weather approaches. The United States is providing increased protection support to prevent gender-based violence as well as provide support for survivors because women and girls are disproportionately impacted by natural disasters, like flooding.