Canada Pledges $33 Million in Aid to Flood-Ravaged Pakistan

Strategic Insights -

The Canadian government has pledged up to $33 million to support flood-affected populations in Pakistan, with a focus on meeting priority needs such as food, water, and sanitation, emergency medical care, and shelter. The announcement was made by the Honourable John Baird, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, and the Honourable Senator Salma Ataullahjan, who stated that the funds would help meet the urgent needs of over 6 million people affected by the disaster. The floods, which have been described as the worst in at least 80 years, have left hundreds of thousands of people displaced and destroyed up to 85% of the infrastructure in affected regions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Canadian government has pledged up to $33 million in aid to flood-affected populations in Pakistan, with a focus on meeting priority needs such as food, water, and sanitation, emergency medical care, and shelter.
  • The funds will be provided through CIDA for humanitarian assistance, with a contribution of up to $25 million, and the Global Peace and Security Fund, managed by DFAIT, which will provide up to $8 million in urgently needed equipment to help the Government of Pakistan provide security to those affected by the disaster.
  • The $8 million will be allocated in two phases - immediate and short-to-medium term - with the immediate phase providing bridging equipment and the short-to-medium term phase considering the provision of tents, equipment for life support, water purification, and communications.
  • CIDA's funding will support the efforts of experienced partners, such as United Nations humanitarian agencies, the Red Cross Movement, and Canadian non-governmental organizations, to provide food, clean drinking water, medical care, emergency shelter, protection, essential household goods, and logistics and coordination.
  • The funding builds on more than $69 million in CIDA funding since fiscal year 2009-2010 for Pakistan, including $37 million for humanitarian assistance for initiatives such as food assistance, emergency shelter, water and sanitation facilities, and basic health care for conflict-affected people.

Statistics:

  • Over 6 million people in need of emergency assistance
  • Hundreds of thousands of people displaced
  • Up to 85% of infrastructure destroyed in affected regions
  • $2 million provided by CIDA on August 5, 2010, as an initial response to the floods in Pakistan
  • Up to $1 million provided by CIDA to deploy emergency relief supplies, including tents, jerrycans, and mosquito nets
  • Total CIDA funding for Pakistan since fiscal year 2009-2010: over $69 million
  • DFAIT contribution: up to $8 million for materials to construct temporary bridges

Sources:

  • "Government of Canada pledges further support in response to floods in Pakistan." Canadian International Development Agency - CIDA. August 14, 2010.
  • "Humanitarian assistance." Canadian International Development Agency - CIDA. August 14, 2010.
  • "Pakistan: CIDA's programming in Pakistan." Canadian International Development Agency - CIDA. August 14, 2010.
  • "Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade - Press Release." Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade - DFAIT. August 14, 2010.