The Government of Japan has decided to extend nearly $209,370 (Rs 17.45 million approx.) financial assistance to Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) for supporting the flood affectees in Nowshera-a district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The agreement for the project was signed on Wednesday at the Japanese Ambassador's residence in Islamabad by Chihiro Atsumi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan and Senator Nelofar Bakhtiar, Chairperson PRCS.
The grant will be utilised for supplying dry ration to the 3,800 most deserving families (about 30,000 individuals) in the Union Councils of Nowshera Kalan and Mohib Bandi in Nowshera District, which have been badly affected by the recent flood. Through this project, the affected families who have lost their property, livestock, crop and shelter by the flood disaster would be provided some relief in this time of need.
At the signing ceremony, PRCS displayed the Food Packs, which would be provided to the flood affected people. Speaking at the occasion, Ambassador Atsumi appreciated the efforts of the PRCS and its volunteers for providing their services at the time of emergencies. He stressed that the serious damage of the disaster area was of great concern and enormous attention needs to be given for the early recovery and rehabilitation.
Ambassador Atsumi expressed the hope that the said project would help in improving the living conditions of the affected people. He also hoped that the current emergency relief extended by the Government of Japan would further strengthen the existing friendly relations between the people of Japan and Pakistan.
Japan has so far extended approximately $20 million in the form of Emergency Grant Assistance through the UN system ($13 million), relief activities of Japanese NGOs ($6 million), relief goods ($0.4 million), Grant Assistance Grassroots Human Security Projects ($0.6 million). The Japan Disaster Relief Team has completed its air transport and medical support activities in Southern Punjab.