Pakistan is set to receive an extra €15 million of additional funding from the EU as part of humanitarian aid to help victims of the floods. Pakistan has been affected by major flooding in recent years, with around 5.8 million people affected by the floodwater in 2011 and 2.2million affected earlier this year.
Conservative MEP and Chairman of the European Parliament Friends of Pakistan Group welcomed the move. He said:
“Major humanitarian disasters require major humanitarian efforts. The EU has been swift in assisting the victims of those affected by the floods in Pakistan . For the last three years the country has suffered from devastating flooding which has killed livestock, damaged infrastructure and taken countless lives. I welcome the move from ECHO (European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection) to increase funding so that it reaches those in desperate need.”
Earlier this month the EU also voted through a trade waiver which gives preferential access on 75 goods for Pakistan to export to the EU. Mr Karim said:
“Not only has the EU increased its humanitarian efforts, but it has also given Pakistan a trade option which will play a significant role in Pakistan to rebuild its economy after the floods. This will be a great boost for the country and give it an opportunity to lift itself out of the crisis.”
The increased funding brings the European Commission’s 2012 humanitarian contribution for Pakistan to a total of €70 million and will also be used to assist those affected by the ongoing conflict in the north of Pakistan .
The additional assistance to be provided for those affected by both crises will include emergency food and nutritional assistance, safe drinking water and the rehabilitation of public water points, hygiene and sanitation facilities, basic health care services, emergency shelter materials, as well as camp coordination and management. Disaster risk reduction and disaster preparedness components will be integrated in order to try to alleviate the impact of future natural disasters.
دوسرا گستاخ رسول پیدا ہوا تو اس کے قتل کیلئے بھی انعام دونگا،بلور
نیو یارک : پاکستان کشمیر کے متعلق اپنے موقف پر قائم ہے، صدر زرداری