The State Department's Pakistan Relief Fund

Office of the Spokesman

Washington, DC

August 19, 2010

Today during remarks at the United Nations General Assembly’s special session on Pakistan, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the establishment of the Pakistan Relief Fund. Created by the United States Government through the Department of State, the Fund serves as a mechanism for the public to contribute money to the ongoing efforts in Pakistan.

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 relief, recovery and reconstruction 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.

How to Give:
There are three ways people can contribute to the Department of State’s Pakistan Relief Fund:

1. Go to www.state.gov (or directly to www.state.gov/pakistanrelief) and complete an on-line form to donate via credit card or ACH account. [Look for this feature Friday, August 20]
2. Go to www.state.gov (or directly to www.state.gov/pakistanrelief), download a donation form, and send a contribution by mail.
3. Text the word FLOOD to 27722 to automatically give $10 through a mobile phone. The charge will appear on the monthly statement.


About the Pakistan Relief Fund:
The American people have always shown tremendous generosity to others facing crises. The Department of State’s Pakistan Relief Fund allows the public to give money to help the more than 20 million Pakistanis who have been affected by the floods.

• Contributions will go towards programs run by the Department of State and other federal agencies for relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts in Pakistan, or to provide funds to international organizations, non-profit organizations and other appropriate recipients for relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts in Pakistan.
  
• Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.
  
• The Fund will accept contributions from individuals as well as organizations. It was established under the authority of a variety of government gift authorities available to the Department of State, including Section 635(d) of the Foreign Assistance Act, Section 3(a)(2) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act, and Section 25 of the State Department Basic Authorities Act
  
• The Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, the Under Secretary of State for Management and the Deputy Director of Foreign Assistance will allocate donations to State bureaus and other federal agencies for relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts in Pakistan, or provide such funds to international organizations, non-profit organizations, the government of Pakistan and other appropriate recipients for relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts in Pakistan.

Further Public Donation Information:

• Text SWAT to 50555 to send $10 to the UNHCR for ongoing emergency relief efforts.
  
• 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:
  • www.state.gov/pakistanflooding
  • www.usaid.gov/pakistanflooding
    
• The Center for International Disaster Information: www.cidi.org or (703) 276-1914