The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing an additional $30 million in humanitarian assistance to support the people affected by severe flooding in Pakistan. This new funding brings the United States’ total assistance to Pakistan for flood response, food security, and disaster preparedness and capacity building efforts to $97 million this year. Ambassador Donald Blome made the announcement today during a visit to affected communities and USAID partner ACTED in Sindh, where approximately 120 families received shelter and hygiene kits.
With these new funds, the United States will expand upon its existing flood response efforts, scaling up assistance to the most affected communities and enabling USAID to reach nearly two million people. USAID partners will provide life-saving emergency food and nutrition assistance, which includes both in-kind and cash-based food assistance, as well as screening and treatment for severe acute malnutrition. Because women, girls, and marginalized communities are disproportionately impacted and placed at risk by natural disasters, like flooding: USAID is also providing increased support to prevent gender-based violence as well as support for survivors of such violence.
Since the start of the flooding, more than two million homes have been damaged or destroyed. To support those impacted, the new USAID funding will also provide shelter supplies and logistical support to help families rebuild, as well as winterization kits to help families prepare as cold weather approaches.
The flooding in Pakistan, which was caused by severe monsoon rains and resultant flooding, landslides, and glacial lake outbursts, has killed approximately 1,730 and injured approximately 12,900. Nearly 1.2 million livestock have also been killed, which is a major source of livelihoods and food in rural communities.
The United States is deeply saddened by the devastating loss of life and livelihoods throughout Pakistan. We stand with Pakistan during this difficult time.
For the latest updates on USAID’s humanitarian assistance in Pakistan visit: https://www.usaid.gov/humanitarian-assistance/pakistan.