UK announces £15mn for Pakistan’s flood response

ISLAMABAD: The UK government on Thursday announced providing urgent life-saving support of £15 million to Pakistan following devastating floods that have left a third of the country underwater.

The flooding in Pakistan has affected more than 33 million people, with 1,100 lives lost. The latest funding announced by the Foreign Secretary comes after the UK provided £1.5 million to the disaster last weekend.

Following the launch of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Pakistan Floods Appeal today, the UK Government has announced it will match pound for pound the first £5 million of public donations, as part of today’s total £15 million pledge.

The rest of the UK funding of £10 million announced today will go to international aid agencies on the ground to help them respond to people’s immediate needs, including through providing water, sanitation, shelter, and protecting women and girls. It will also support families to repair their homes and maintain their livelihoods.

According to a press release by the British High Commission in Islamabad on Thursday, the humanitarian support totaling £15 million from the UK will help provide shelter and essential supplies to people across the country.

“The UK stands with Pakistan, as tens of millions of people face devastating floods, which h have left a third of the country – an area roughly the size of the UK – underwater. “As a major humanitarian donor, we will do all we can to get life-saving aid to the most vulnerable, including through this £15 million package of support,” the statement read.

It is important to mention that the Pakistan and the UN launched a joint appeal on 30 August for US$160 million to help the long-term recovery. Early estimates of the damage suggest it will have a US$10 billion impact.