The United States announced a $1 million disaster assistance grant to Pakistan for addressing challenges in the aftermath of natural calamities. US Ambassador Donald Blome announced the grant while in a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.
According to the details, the grant is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). It will build the resilience of agricultural communities in Sindh Province, and support Pakistan’s disaster management authorities in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan provinces to better respond to future disasters.
Currently, due to the intense bout of the monsoon season, Pakistan has faced flooding in many areas. Balochistan and Sindh have been the worst hit by the floods.
Read more: Recent floods in Balochistan and its implications
As per Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the death toll from recent monsoon rains and floods in different parts of Balochistan has risen to 182, including 81 men, 45 women and 56 children, while 75 persons have been injured. Meanwhile, the heavy rainfall had badly damaged eight districts of three divisions in Sindh.
“Our hearts are with the families who lost loved ones in the floods across Pakistan and who are also dealing with recovery efforts,” Ambassador Blome said.
Ambassador Blome met with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and announced a a new $1 million U.S. government grant to bolster Pakistan’s ability to address natural disasters, such as the ongoing flooding. https://t.co/Lbx7gq0Kpu
— US Consulate Karachi (@usconsulatekhi) August 12, 2022
US gives Pakistan 36 vehicles
The US has been very active in helping Pakistan. Last week, the US government, through the USAID donated 36 vehicles to the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department to help strengthen the tracking and management of infectious diseases, including Covid-19.
Ambassador of the US to Pakistan Donald Blome handed over the 36 vehicles to KPK health minister Taimur Khan Jhagra.
Read more: Coronavirus Pakistan: Rapid increase in cases & deaths
“We [US] enjoy 75 years long cooperation with Pakistan. Our country is assisting the host population in addressing their public health issues through disease surveillance initiatives and will continue with it,” Ambassador Blome said at the ceremony.
Pertinent to mention that the US has donated 61 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to date, with an additional 16 million pediatric doses announced and expected to arrive soon.