August 26th, 2010  - by Najam

ISLAMABAD: The United States has so far provided 150 million dollars support for immediate relief efforts in Pakistan, through the Pakistan National Disaster Management Authority, United Nation’s emergency response plan, and local and international organizations.  According to a US embassy statement, an additional $50 million has been allocated for initial recovery efforts to assist with reestablishment of communities impacted by the floods. The United States is now providing $200 million as well as significant in kind and technical assistance specifically to address the impact of these floods.

“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. The U.S military and civilian aircraft continue to support flood relief operations,” the statement said. Since August 25, these aircraft have evacuated 8,010 people and delivered more than 1,800,000 pounds of relief supplies. American businesses and private citizens also are making generous contributions to assist the people of Pakistan.  In recent developments, USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah visited Pakistan August 24-26 to consult with the government and relief organizations on ways to expand and improve flood relief efforts.
He announced on August 25 that the U.S. is providing $50 million to support early recovery programs, such as rehabilitation of community infrastructure and livelihood recovery activities.   This $50 million will be provided from funds as authorized under the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, known as the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Act.   The additional funding will support early recovery programs, such as rehabilitation of community infrastructure and livelihood recovery activities.  The statement said people in Pakistan are invited to share information and updates by SMS texting the word FLOODS to 7111.  People using the country’s active Humari Awaz (“Our Voice”) cell phone network are able to update each other about the latest flood news, valuable NGO grant and business opportunities and to make new announcements of support by SMS texting the word FLOODS to 7111.
The Humari Awaz social network was launched by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Government College Lahore during her visit to Pakistan in October 2009.   Since the launch, the network’s subscribers collectively have sent over 350 million messages. To learn how to use Humari Awaz mobile users need only SMS the words “HELP” or “MADAD” to 7111 The U.S. sent an additional shipment of 1,600 rolls of plastic sheeting to Pakistan, bringing the total of the shelter materials to 4,063 rolls. The plastic sheeting will afford temporary shelter for 121,890 people.
On August 25, U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft, based from Afghanistan, delivered 53,430 pounds of food and relief supplies from Rawalpindi to Sukkur and Rajanpur. The World Food Program (WFP) has provided one-month emergency food rations to more than 1.75 million flood-affected people in Pakistan. The U.S. has provided more than $47 million for this response.

Source: News Agencies