ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON: The United States has announced a $1 million grant in support of Pakistan’s efforts to address recent floods and other natural disasters that caused heavy loss of life and property across the country.
In a tweet, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “In addition to $100,000 in immediate relief, the US announced $1 million to build resilience against natural disasters, and we continue to work together to mitigate future impacts of the climate crisis.”
“We stand by Pakistan in hard times and offer our support to flood victims.”
We stand by Pakistan in hard times and offer our support to flood victims. In addition to $100,000 in immediate relief, the U.S. announced $1 million to build resilience against natural disasters, and we continue to work together to mitigate future impacts of the climate crisis. https://t.co/eDSeZOrvaE
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) August 17, 2022
More than 580 people have died and thousands have lost their homes across Pakistan as torrential rains batter the country.
An estimated one million have been affected by heavy rainfall, flash floods and landslides since July as Pakistan endured more than 60 percent of its normal total monsoon rainfall in three weeks.
Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh have been the worst affected, with heavy rainfall predicted across Pakistan until Friday. At least one man was killed in Karachi on Tuesday as non-stop rains hit Pakistan’s largest city for two consecutive days.
More than 40 people have died in Karachi due to heavy rains since July.
Approximately 200 people have died in Balochistan — Pakistan’s biggest and poorest province — which is suffering its worst floods in more than 30 years. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said the province had received 305 percent more rain than the annual average.
Meanwhile, the prime minister directed the NDMA and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to carry out relief and rehabilitation activities in the flood-hit towns in southern Sindh.
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan, he expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property caused by the record rains.
He asked the disaster management authorities to pace up relief operations, stressing to ensure the rescue of the victims on a priority basis.
Shehbaz Sharif also instructed his team to provide financial assistance of Rs50,000 to each affected family.
He emphasised an immediate supply of food and clean water to the victims and asked to ensure the provision of facilities of accommodation and medicines.
The prime minister also instructed the authorities concerned to be vigilant in the wake of potential flooding besides taking necessary measures.
