This week I’m attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and I’m looking forward to joining a broad and historic international body to discuss the wide spectrum of global issues we face today. My week at UNGA began with a meeting about a topic of immediate urgency – relief and recovery efforts for the more than 20 million Pakistanis affected by the devastating flooding.
On my recent visit to Pakistan, I witnessed the severe devastation and unimaginable loss experienced by the flood victims. I’m proud to say that from the beginning, USAID has been at the forefront of the U.S. government response along with our colleagues at the Department of State and Department of Defense. To date, the swift and immediate response has addressed the wide range of needs in Pakistan, from sending in emergency food supplies and water purification units to ensure safe drinking water, to facilitating waterborne disease warning detection systems and funding anti-malarial medications.
In mid-October, The World Bank and Asian Development Bank will present a Damage and Needs Assessment to give us a more comprehensive picture of the scale of the damage. Undoubtedly, that picture will be grim and the upcoming months will be daunting, especially as winter descends on Pakistan. But as we face the extreme scale of the disaster, the most critical question we will be asking ourselves is: How are we improving the lives of Pakistanis? USAID is committed to a long-term relief, recovery, and reconstruction.
Olfata, second from right, sharing high nutrition biscuits with sisters Seema on the left, and Sidiqa in her arms, and brother Faisal on the right. Photo credit:USAID Pakistan
How are we impacting the life of Olfata, a ten year old girl caring for her young siblings in the aftermath of the flood and in the face of tremendous loss? How are we supporting Nadeem, whose family struggled to find shelter and make ends meet after their home near the Swat River was destroyed?
USAID will continue responding to these situations on the ground, and work closely with the Government of Pakistan and our partners. We are committed to a long-term relief, recovery and reconstruction effort. This week, on the world stage of the United Nations General Assembly, we will continue to work with the international community and the Government of Pakistan as they rebuild their country.
To find out more about what USAID has done on the floods so far, see http://www.usaid.gov/pakistanflooding/
To contribute to humanitarian and relief operations: www.interaction.org
US taxpayers are the largest contributor of aid to flood victims in Pakistan. I hope that USAID or other US government agencies find ways to ensure that the people of Pakistan are aware of this generosity. Scanning the Pakistani language (Urdu) news papers one does not get this impression and news about USAID contributions are few and far between. Is it possible to develop a strategy so every Pakistani knows about the enormous help extended by the people of the United States?
The recent efforts of USAID are a great start in combating the flood in Pakistan. The flood has put an estimated 21 million people out of their homes and many whom are injured. In comparison to the Haiti earthquake, there is not nearly as much media coverage of this disaster. There is a tendency for many developed countries to have an “out of sight-out of mind” attitude; therefore there must be more awareness in order to increase both corporate and grassroots relief efforts. The upcoming World Bank and Asian Development Bank “Damage and Needs Assessment” is a very responsible action to take. It will allow US government agencies and others understand where the damage is located and how to allocate resources effectively. I do wish there was a speedier process for implementing the assessment in order to maximize relief before the winter season. USAID is taking admirable measures to help the people of Pakistan in the long run with relief, recovery and reconstruction.
As an NGO our field survey and research reveals that the important thing which the USAID is currently missing is the perception management of Pakitani people through aid. We would suggest that USAID need to invest in Sport (sports events and facilities) among the youth which will provide healthy activities plus reduce their tendencies towards extremism.
The USAID has done great work in help the poor in Pakistan i just wish more papers would write about it. So the people can know where to go to get the help they need.
Like Tarik say the USAID has done great work in help the poor in Pakistan but this is still not enough. Whole world must be united and do something big for that country.