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Press Releases 2010

Fact Sheet Update: U.S. Response to Pakistan's Flooding Disaster

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

September 8, 2010

The United States has responded immediately and generously to Pakistan's call for assistance following the tragic and devastating floods that began July 29.  The United States Government is now providing $258 million to assist with relief and recovery efforts, which does not include considerable in-kind and technical assistance specifically to address the impact of these floods.

This includes approximately $208 million to support immediate relief efforts in Pakistan, through many local and international organizations, the Pakistan National Disaster Management Authority, and the UN's emergency response plan.  An additional $50 million has also been allocated for initial recovery efforts to assist with rebuilding communities impacted by the floods.  The U.S. also has provided civilian and military in-kind assistance in the form of halal meals, pre-fabricated steel bridges and other infrastructure support, as well as air support to and within Pakistan to transport goods and rescue people at an approximate value of approximately $36 million.* Through September 7, these aircraft have evacuated 12,000 people and delivered more than 3.9 million pounds of relief supplies.  We are also expanding pre-existing programs in flood-affected areas.

American business and private citizens are also making generous contributions to assist the people of Pakistan.

Latest Developments:

  • An additional $33 million is being provided from the United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund (ERMA) to meet unexpected and urgent refugee and migration needs, related to humanitarian needs resulting from recent devastating flooding in Pakistan.  The funds are for programming by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
  • The first two of four additional U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters arrived at Pano Aqil Air Base near Sukkur, Pakistan, yesterday as part of the continued U.S. humanitarian assistance to Pakistan in support of flood relief.  This brings to six the number of U.S. military helicopters currently operating out of Pano Aqil.
  • The aircraft are part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.  The incoming aircraft were delivered via U.S. Air Force cargo aircraft to a U.S. base in Afghanistan, reassembled, and then flown to Pano Aqil today.  They join 17 other U.S. Navy and Marine Corps helicopters already in Pakistan supporting flood relief efforts. Two more CH-53E helicopters are scheduled to arrive in the coming days.
  • The U.S. Government has airlifted additional emergency relief supplies into Pakistan in the last two days.   The most recent flights were loaded with more than 85,850 blankets and 46,800 10-liter water containers.
  • Through September 7, U.S. military aircraft supporting flood-relief efforts in Pakistan have transported more than 3.9 million pounds of humanitarian assistance supplies and rescued more than 12,000 people within Pakistan, delivering aid and providing transport to people who urgently need emergency assistance.

Selected U.S. Contributions To Date:

  • In total, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided 13 mobile water treatment units that each produce enough clean water for 60,000 people a day; ten 20,000-liter water bladders for the storage of clean water; 151,750 10-liter water containers; 58 Zodiac inflatable rescue boats; 96 concrete saws and saw blades; 194,380 blankets; and 6,663 rolls of plastic sheeting for the construction of temporary shelters.  These relief supplies brought in from USAID warehouses in Dubai, Italy, and the United States are in addition to the supplies purchased locally by USAID partners that are providing to those in need.
  • On September 1, the U.S. launched a new program to provide 21 days of work to approximately 4,800 households in Swat that will help quickly infuse cash into local economies and repair flood-damaged infrastructure.
  • WFP Pakistan and partners have reached nearly 3 million beneficiaries with more than 34,100 metric tons of food during the month of August.  Over the first three days of September, WFP Pakistan and partners have reached nearly 270,000 beneficiaries with more than 3,100 metric tons of food.  The U.S. has provided $51.5 million in food assistance to date.
  • By September 1, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which the United States is supporting through the State Department, had assisted over 370,000 flood-affected beneficiaries around Pakistan.  In Kyhber Pakhtunkhwa province alone, UNHCR has distributed over 20,800 tents, 65,000 plastic sheets, 149,000 blankets, 99,000 sleeping mats, 49,000 quilts, 49,000 jerry cans, 50,000 plastic buckets, 24,000 kitchen sets, 37 metric tons of soap, and 49,000 mosquito nets to the flood-affected population.

Private Sector Response:

  • To date, the private sector has donated $8.39 million in contributions to flood relief efforts.  American Business Council members in the U.S. and Pakistan that have contributed include: 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.)  In addition, 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.
  • 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.


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.
  • 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.
  • As Secretary Clinton announced August 18, the U.S. government, through the Department of State, has established the Pakistan Relief Fund for all to join in the tremendous relief, recovery and reconstruction effort.  Individuals, corporations, and other organizations can send much needed help to the people of Pakistan by contributing to this fund at www.state.gov.  In the U.S., individuals can send $10 through mobile phones by texting "FLOOD" to 27722.
  • 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.
  • 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:

 

*The in-kind figure is not included in the calculation of the current USG total.  It is an estimate of costs to date. The amount will be adjusted as additional information becomes available.