United States of America (USA) and its people stand by the people of Pakistan in these trying times of tragic and devastating floods and is committed to help Pakistan in this hour of need. "USA has so far announced a financial assistance of 55 million dollars for flood affected population and more help will be provide depending on the requirements and magnitude of devastation", said US Consul General Bill Martin while addressing a press conference here on Wednesday.
He said the money was provided by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to international organisations and established NGOs to provide food, healthcare and shelter for those displaced by the floods. "US response is consistent with our humanitarian values and our deep commitment to Pakistan. The support included both financial assistance and resources, provision of urgently needed supplies and services", he added.
He said, "teams of US Consulate are in the flood-affected areas of Balochistan and Sindh especially in Sukkur and assessing the situation. We are closely watching the changing flood situation. I will also be going to flood affected areas to personally see the magnitude of devastation and monitor relief work," he added.
Martin pointed out that USA was supplying relief goods through National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and non-governmental organisations to ensure that the relief should reach to affected people. He said US army helicopters had began humanitarian assistance operation in Pakistan on August 5, and so far evacuated 2,328 people and delivered 213,600 pounds of relief supplies in partnership with Pakistani military. US diplomat said that a Boeing 747, carrying 1,100 rolls of plastic sheeting and 17,000 blankets had already arrived in Islamabad.
The plastic sheeting would benefit 11,100 families or 66,000 people, he added. "So far, we have provided a month's ration of food to about 168,500 people through its partnership with World Food Programme. Food rations are reaching about 20,000 on daily basis," he noted. Martin said US had also delivered 436,944 Halal meals worth 3.25 million dollars to civilian and military officials in Pakistan.
He said the emergency relief items including 18 Zodiac rescue boats, six water filtration plants (each capable of providing clean water to 10,000 people a day), 10 water storage bladder and 13 concrete cutting saws, had also been delivered to NDMA in Peshawar. He pointed out that 12 pre-fabricated steel bridges had also been provided as temporary replacement for damaged highway bridges in floods. Responding to a question, he said USA would be assessing the magnitude of losses in consultation with international partners.