Islamabad: United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power announced on Friday that Washington will provide an additional $20 million in humanitarian assistance to Pakistan to mitigate the effects of the devastating floods.
“I’ve announced an additional $20 million for Pakistan. During my time here, I’ve seen the staggering devastation of the floods up close,” said Power in a tweet.
I've announced an additional $20 million for Pakistan. During my time here, I’ve seen the staggering devastation of the floods up close. This support brings total US assistance to $50 million, & will help @USAID reach even more people with emergency aid. https://t.co/JS9IbgBYei
— Samantha Power (@PowerUSAID) September 9, 2022
The USAID administrator also shared the details of her visit to the flood-stricken Dadu district, where she spoke with families “displaced by the floodwaters”.
In Dadu, Pakistan I spoke with families who have been displaced by the floodwaters.
One man said that in his 60 years, he has “never seen such a rainfall.”
Young children shared how their schools had been completely destroyed, and they didn’t know when they’d be able to return. pic.twitter.com/Q6GGI6SeWA
— Samantha Power (@PowerUSAID) September 9, 2022
The statement issued by USAID said: “Today in Islamabad, Administrator Samantha Power announced that the United States, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing an additional $20 million in humanitarian assistance to support the people affected by severe flooding in Pakistan resulting from heavy monsoon rains, as well as landslides and glacial lake outbursts, that have been ongoing since June.”
The agency said that the additional support builds on the announcement made last week of $30 million being offered by the US in humanitarian assistance to Pakistan.
Massive floods in Pakistan
The massive floods in Pakistan affected more than 33 million people and submerged one-third of the country with hundreds and thousands forced to leave their homes.
The Pakistani government says the lives of nearly 33 million people have been disrupted.
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is visiting Pakistan on a two-day solidarity visit, said on Friday that initial estimates of the losses caused due to heavy rains and flood in Pakistan are around $30 billion.
