UK announces $33.5 million to help flood victims

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

* Medical supplies from Indonesia to reach Pakistan today

ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom has pledged to provide $33.5 million to meet the immediate needs of at least 800,000 people affected by the floods.

The British aid, which is being channelled through United Nation’s agencies and other partner organisations, will be used to provide food, shelter, water sanitation and healthcare to the flood affected people. The British government’s Department for International Development (DFID) has also agreed with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to accelerate the provision of new bridges to replace destroyed bridges in the province.

DFID had announced in March that temporary bridges, having 30 years of life, would be installed in conflict-hit areas of FATA with the help of $16 million. The project would now be launched before its scheduled opening.

Victoria Francis, DFID head of communications, said that the previously identified points for the installation of the bridges would be readjusted due to the new needs and priorities.

This is in addition to the $8 million that the DFID has already contributed to the UN-run Pakistan Emergency Response Fund.

Indonesia has sent medical supplies worth $1 million that will arrive at the Chaklala Airport today (Saturday). The Indonesian ambassador in Pakistan has also said that a special 20-member team of doctors was ready in Jakarta to travel to Pakistan. The team comprises doctors, surveillance expert and paramedical staff.

Emergency relief items from the US continue to arrive in Peshawar and the cumulative total now includes 18 Zodiac rescue boats and six water filtration units.