Pepsico Foundation has provided a $700,000 grant to the American Pakistan Foundation (APF) to develop and execute a year-long flood recovery and rehabilitation programme for the most devastated regions of Pakistan. The grant is part of a broader Pepsico Foundation commitment to disaster-relief in Pakistan that has so far totalled $1,000,000.
Pepsico has supported and enabled the APF to work with non-government organisations in Pakistan to leverage their expertise in addressing some of the country's most significant recovery challenges after last year's torrential rains and mass flooding. These efforts have focused on improving the infrastructure of damaged schools, supporting livelihoods through livestock programs, and building water and irrigation micro-infrastructure.
"The floods last year left severe and serious challenges for Pakistan, and we hope that this multi-faceted approach to recovery and rehabilitation will assist communities that are still recovering from the disaster," said Umran Beba, President, Asia Pacific Region, Pepsico. "Pepsico Foundation, the APF and all of the humanitarian agencies involved, are working closely together to build programmes that are helpful, impacting and sustainable over the long-term."
"The APF's grant from Pepsico Foundation has enabled us to address immediate needs in re-building Pakistan after the floods last year," said Awais Khan, CEO, APF. "Pepsico Foundation's support at a time of immense need is a testament to their commitment to Pakistan, and APF is proud to work with our partners to further our mission of supporting Pakistan's long-term development."
APF leveraged its partner networks in Pakistan and worked closely with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to conduct a needs assessment, identify the most critical issues being faced by the worst affected populations and determine gaps in relief work being conducted. Four organisations were chosen as partners on the ground in Pakistan to implement the recovery and rehabilitation program. These partners are the Rural Support Programmes Network, Relief International, Save the Children and the International Rescue Committee.
The massive floods that occurred in Pakistan in 2010 were the worst in the country's history. They covered one-fifth of the land and affected over twenty million people, leaving thousands dead and millions struggling to rebuild their homes and villages.-PR