Islamabad, June 3, 2009 — The U.S. government is set to provide an additional $200 million in urgent humanitarian assistance to aid internally displaced persons (IDPs) in North West Frontier Province.
The assistance, announced by Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Richard Holbrooke upon his arrival in Islamabad today, will be used to purchase items such as hygiene kits, basic medicines, emergency water, household items and clothing for IDPs. Apart from providing humanitarian assistance, the donation will be used to support reconstruction and development efforts within the affected areas.
During his visit, Holbrooke will visit camps, schools, distribution sites, medical units and meet with internally displaced people — and local families housing internally displaced people — in the areas affected by the ongoing conflict. He will also meet with Pakistani government, local and provincial officials, relief organizations, doctors, and villagers.
On May 28, U.S. Ambassador Patterson to Pakistan announced a $26.6 million award to the UN’s World Food Program funding urgent humanitarian relief efforts. May 19, U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton committed $110 million in immediate humanitarian assistance to assist IDPs. This includes the $26.6 million to the World Food Program and approximately $28 million in agricultural commodities including 50,000 metric tons of wheat valued at $16.8 million and 6,800 metric tons of vegetable oil valued at $11.2 million. The U.S. has also provided $4.9 million to purchase tents, blankets, cooking sets, jerry cans, soap, and bedding. Americans also provided logistical equipment including generators and transformers to power water pumps, laptop computers, and rental cars to assist in emergency support operations.
Since 2002, the United States has provided more than $2 billion to Pakistan to improve economic growth, education, health, and governance and to assist with earthquake reconstruction.
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