U.S. Provides $3 Million in Assistance Through Pakistan Red Crescent Society

For Immediate Release

Saturday, August 21, 2010
USAID Press Office
202-712-4320

WASHINGTON D.C. - USAID has provided $3 million dollars through the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to provide emergency shelter, immediate health care and access to clean water and sanitation for an estimated 25,000 families in flood-affected areas.

The PRCS has 150 trained disaster response team members, 35 disaster management cells and 20 mobile health units that can be mobilized to assist in the relief effort. And up to 150 additional staff and volunteers can be deployed to further boost its capacity.

USAID is working to provide assistance through international and local non-governmental organizations with the capacity to implement emergency programs effectively and accountably. This approach will help increase host country ownership, and U.S. commitment to building a long-term partnership with the Pakistani government and people.

The United States is working in support of the Government of Pakistan - lead by the National Disaster Management Authority - to provide assistance through international non-governmental organizations, U.N. agencies and Pakistani humanitarian aid agencies. This new donation brings the total assistance provided by the US Government to over $93 million dollars.

For more information about USAID and its programs around the world, visit www.usaid.gov.