Update: U.S. Response to Pakistan's Flooding Disaster
Fact Sheet
The United States has responded immediately and generously to Pakistan's call for assistance following the tragic and devastating floods that began July 29. To date, the United States is providing approximately $150 million to support relief efforts in Pakistan, including funding for the operations of the Pakistan National Disaster Management Authority, the UN’s emergency relief plan, and the many local and international organizations responding to this disaster. These funds are also being used to provide critical supplies to flood affected populations.
The U.S. also is providing millions of dollars of additional in-kind and technical assistance. We are expanding pre-existing programs in flood-affected areas, providing temporary bridges, and mobilizing significant U.S. military and civilian resources to rescue victims of the disaster and deliver needed supplies. There currently are 21 U.S. military and civilian aircraft supporting flood relief operations. To date, these aircraft have evacuated more than 6,300 people and delivered more than one million pounds of relief supplies.
As Secretary Clinton announced today, the Department of State has established the Pakistan Relief Fund for all Americans to join in the tremendous relief, recovery and reconstruction effort. Americans can send much needed help to the people of Pakistan by contributing to this fund at www.state.gov or by sending $10 through mobile phones by texting the word FLOOD, F-L-O-O-D, to 27722.Latest Developments:
- U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft, based from Afghanistan, delivered 75,490 pounds of food and relief supplies today from Rawalpindi to Jacobabad, Quetta, Sukkur and Multan.
- The U.S. delivered 530 rolls of heavy-duty plastic sheeting to Karachi August 18 for use in the construction of temporary dry shelter. This brings the number of rolls to 2,463, providing shelter approximately 74,000 people.
- As of August 18, the World Food Program (WFP) has provided a one-month emergency ration to almost 1 million beneficiaries in Pakistan. The U.S. is providing approximately 50 percent of food provided to flood-affected families through the WFP.
- A total of 440,928 halal meals were delivered to civilian and military officials in Pakistan via U.S. Air Force airlift, a contribution of about $3.7 million dollars.
- Emergency relief items, totaling about $4 million, were delivered to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The items include: 18 Zodiac rescue boats, 6 water filtration units, 10 water storage bladders, 30 concrete-cutting saws, 12 pre-fabricated steel bridges and a 25kw generator which was provided to the Frontier Scouts-KPk to support their flood relief efforts.
Private Sector Response:
- Working with mGive, Americans are also contributing to Pakistan flood relief by texting the word “SWAT” to 50555. The text results in a donation of $10 to the UNHCR Pakistan Flood Relief Effort. Every $10 helps provide tents and emergency aid to displaced families.
- The Government of Pakistan and the Pakistan cellular phone industry are inviting Pakistanis to contribute to the Prime Minister’s Fund for Flood Relief beginning August 5 by texting the amount of their donation to “1234.” A number of NGOs and companies have announced the establishment of trust funds or donations to the Prime Minister’s Fund.
- American Business Council members in the U.S. and Pakistan have announced contributions to flood relief efforts: Abbott Labs, Agility Logistics, AT&T, Becton Dickinson, Chevron Pakistan, Cisco Foundation, Coca-cola Export Corporation & Coca-Cola Beverages Pakistan Ltd., DuPont, EMC, Feros Sons Laboratories, Hadayat Sons, Johnson & Johnson, MDS Foods, Proctor and Gamble, Pfizer Pakistan, Silver Star Enterprises, 3M, Visa and Wackenhut Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd.
- The Lahore-based American Business Forum has collected donations from: Coca-Cola, Environment Consultancies & Options, Levi Strauss Pakistan, Kabani & Company, General Electric, Monsanto AgriTech, Al-Bario Engineering, and Netsol Technologies.
Public Donation Information:
- The most effective way people can assist relief efforts is by making cash contributions to humanitarian organizations that are conducting relief operations. Cash donations allow aid professionals to procure the exact items needed (often in the affected region); reduce the burden on scarce resources (such as transportation routes, staff time, warehouse space, etc); can be transferred very quickly and without transportation costs; support the economy of the disaster-stricken region; and ensure culturally, dietary, and environmentally appropriate assistance.
- A list of humanitarian organizations that are accepting cash donations for flood response efforts in Pakistan can be found at www.interaction.org. Information about organizations responding to the humanitarian situation in Pakistan may be available at www.reliefweb.int.
- More information can be found at:
o www.state.gov/pakistanflooding
o USAID: www.usaid.gov/pakistanflooding
o The Center for International Disaster Information: www.cidi.org or (703) 276-1914
PRN: 2010/1132