ISLAMABAD:
The United States (US) has delivered flood relief assistance to Pakistan following weeks of catastrophic floods and torrential rains that have displaced millions and destroyed homes and farmland.
In a statement issued by the Department of State on Sunday, it said the US stands with the people of Pakistan, whose lives have been uprooted by widespread, devastating flooding.
The statement added that food, shelter, and other emergency supplies were being provided to affected communities, while the US military flew in critical equipment for the Pakistan Army.
The first C-17 and C-130 aircraft landed at Nur Khan Air Base, carrying relief items. US Mission to Pakistan Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker was present as the shipments were unloaded.
She extended her condolences to the victims, saying the US was “profoundly saddened by the loss of life and destruction of homes and livelihoods.”
“In response to a request from the Government of Pakistan, the Department of State and the US military approved foreign assistance funding and critical supplies and equipment to augment national response efforts in the most affected areas,” Baker said.
Read More: US approves flood relief aid for Pakistan
Last week, the US approved a relief assistance package for Pakistan in the wake of recent devastating floods, marking the first international aid initiative of its kind under the Trump administration, state-run Pakistan Television reported.
According to the US State Department, the funding will provide food, shelter, and other emergency support in flood-affected regions. The US government said it would work in coordination with Pakistani authorities and trusted humanitarian organisations to deliver the aid.
The US had already dispatched humanitarian assistance to Pakistan. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a consignment arrived at Nur Khan Air Base, where US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker and the Commander of US ARCENT formally handed over the supplies to the Pakistan Army.
ISPR said the aid would be sent to Army Flood Relief Camps for onward distribution. “The government and people of Pakistan are thankful to the US government and military for standing by the affected population of Pakistan in these testing times,” the statement added.
