In response to the ever increasing scale of the humanitarian crisis, the Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Kristalina Georgieva, announced today that the Commission will mobilise an additional €30 million in urgent relief assistance. This latest funding will bring the total humanitarian aid funds allocated by the Commission to assist the flood-affected populations to €70 million. On 23 August, Commissioner Georgieva will travel to the affected area in Pakistan and will meet with authorities and relief experts, as well as with people affected by the floods."
Commissioner Georgieva said: "The flood damage in Pakistan is massive and many millions of people are suffering. The additional funds will be used to boost the humanitarian aid operations carried out by the European Commission's humanitarian aid partners. Commission's relief experts are also active on the ground in Pakistan. They are working with our partners to ensure that funds are being used in the most efficient way possible to the benefit of the desperate victims of these disastrous floods."
Since 31 July, the European Commission has provided €40 million in humanitarian aid for the flood victims in Pakistan (see IP/10/1018 and IP/10/1048). In the last twelve months, the Commission has provided a total of €111.25 million in humanitarian aid for people in need in Pakistan, not including today's announced request.
The Commission’s humanitarian aid and civil protection department (ECHO) has a support office in Islamabad. ECHO experts closely follow the developments in the humanitarian situation and monitor the use of the Commission's relief funds.
The Commission-funded humanitarian projects are implemented by non-governmental relief organisations, specialised UN agencies and the Red Crescent movement. Activities covered include health, food, water and sanitation, (emergency) shelter, non-food items (blankets, plastic sheets, hygiene sets, kitchen sets, etc.), psychological support, emergency communication, livelihood support and protection.
Relief partner organisations which have received funds or are in the process of receiving imminent support include Acted, ActionAid, Concern, Cordaid, Danish Church Aid, Hope87, International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), International Rescue Committee (IRC), Merlin, Oxfam and Save the Children.
EU Civil Protection action
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated on 6 August. The Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) within ECHO is in touch with the 31 countries participating in the Mechanism, of whom several are providing in-kind assistance to Pakistan (e.g. water purification units, emergency health kits, tents, electric generators). A MIC liaison officer is in the ECHO office in Islamabad to facilitate the coordination of EU civil protection assistance and to liaise with the UN system.
For further information: http://ec.europa.eu/echo/index_en.htm
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