THE GOVERNMENT has announced extra funding of €550,000 towards flood relief efforts in Pakistan.
This sum is in addition to the €200,000 released immediately after the floods struck last month, bringing to €750,000 the total amount of aid provided by the Government to help alleviate the crisis.
The funds are being allocated to Concern, Trócaire and the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin and Minister of State for Overseas Development Peter Power announced the additional aid yesterday after reviewing reports from humanitarian agencies in Pakistan.
“It is clear that the humanitarian situation in Pakistan remains extremely grave,” Mr Martin said. “The flooding . . . is the worst in 80 years and with more rain on the way.
“It is important that the international community responds immediately.”
Concern will receive €300,000 towards the distribution of food and essential humanitarian supplies to those who have been displaced by the flooding. Trócaire will be provided with €100,000 for the distribution of similar supplies. Mr Power said the funding would be used to bring relief to thousands of affected families.
“There is an urgent need for food and water as well as essential items to enable people to survive after they have been forced from their homes by flooding,” he said.
“Working through Concern and Trócaire, Ireland is providing these items to people who desperately need them.”
Mr Power put the Rapid Response Corps, a volunteer corps established to respond to international crises, on standby last week. “They remain ready should their expertise be requested,” he said.
