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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
USAID Adds to Disaster Response Team in Pakistan
Agency Has Committed Over $10.9 Million For Earthquake Relief
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2005
2005-095
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov
Contact: USAID Press Office
WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that eight more members of a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) have arrived in Pakistan to assist in relief efforts for the earthquake that struck South Asia on October 8, 2005.
The DART team leader arrived on October 10, and today eight other team members joined him in Islamabad. The team's mission is to assess humanitarian needs, to assist with targeting and coordination of U.S. assistance, and to provide technical assistance as needed. The DART is coordinating with the U.S. Embassy, USAID/Pakistan, and the humanitarian community.
To date, USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) has committed over $10.8 million in humanitarian assistance to Pakistan.
- In response to the U.N. Flash Appeal, USAID/OFDA has provided $9.3 million in funding to date. These funds will support the following U.N. agencies and activities:
- IOM - Movement of supplies to affected populations and movement of those populations to safe areas.
- WHO - Assessment of the health sector to ensure that immediate health needs are met and critical gaps in the response are identified; support for the Ministry of Health and local authorities in coordinating the health response; and support for critical public health initiatives including communicable disease surveillance, detection, and response, as well as access and availability of secondary and tertiary health care.
- UNICEF - Provision of safe drinking water and access to sanitation facilities to affected populations.
- WFP - Support for a Humanitarian Air Service for essential relief cargo and passenger service.
- WFP - Support for a Joint Logistics Center that will solicit and prioritize requirements for air transportation through a Strategic Coordination Cell, conduct infrastructure assessments, collate and disseminate logistics information.
- A USAID airlift of 10 WHO emergency health kits is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on October 14. The 10 kits contain sufficient medical supplies to treat 100,000 people for 3 months. The total value of the kits, including transport, is approximately $122,500.
- On October 10, a USAID airlift of relief commodities arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, carrying 250 rolls of plastic sheeting-sufficient for approximately 2,500 families-5,000 blankets, and 5,000 water containers. The value of this assistance including transport is $170,000. The commodities are consigned through USAID/Pakistan to Save the Children for distribution to affected populations in Mansehra and Batagram Districts, NWFP.
- On October 9, USAID provided $1 million to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts.
- On October 8, USAID provided an immediate $100,000 for emergency relief supplies.
In India, USAID has committed $100,000 for emergency relief activities, bringing the agency's total amount committed in the wake of the earthquake to over $10.9 million. A USAID/OFDA Regional Advisor is in India to assist USAID/India with conducting damage assessments, identifying needs, and making recommendations regarding any additional assistance. The U.S. Government has pledged up to $50 million in humanitarian assistance.
For more information on USAID's response to the South Asia Earthquake, visit http://www.usaid.gov/locations/asia_near_east/south_asia_quake/.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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