Aaj English TV

Sunday, November 24, 2024  
21 Jumada Al-Awwal 1446  

US commits $190m for Pakistan’s flood victims

The United States is providing an additional $190 million to Pakistan for flood recovery efforts, a contribution that “demonstrates the commitment of the United States to a comprehensive, long-term partnership with the people and government of Pakistan.”

Frank Ruggiero, acting special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, said the money will go to the Pakistani government’s Citizen’s Damage Compensation Fund (CDCF), which “is directly benefiting flood-affected families in their time of greatest need.”

Ruggiero announced the new commitment January 6 after meeting with Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh in Islamabad.

The money is part of the Kerry-Lugar-Berman legislation, under which the U.S. Congress authorized $7.5 billion in assistance projects for Pakistan.

Ruggiero called the $190 million “further proof that the United States will continue to provide assistance and reconstruction to help Pakistanis rebuild their lives.”

The U.S. government has committed nearly $600 million in disaster assistance to date, “directly helping millions of Pakistanis with shelter, food, clean water, agricultural assistance and health care,” the embassy release said.

In addition to direct assistance to Pakistan, the United States is a major contributor to the flood recovery and relief efforts led by the World Food Programme and local and regional nongovernmental organizations.