<!-- IMAGE -->The United States continues to help the Pakistani people in their moment of crisis. During his recent visit to Pakistan, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke explained how the United States will spend another $165 million of the more than $380 million it has pledged since last August to assist those forced to leave their homes during the Pakistani government's offensives against Taliban extremists.
Already since May, the United States has spent more than $113 million for food, shelter, medical supplies, generators, and other assistance for the displaced families, both in camps and in host communities.
Holbrooke said that these funds "will boost the capacity of critical programs to meet the changing needs of displaced families in Pakistan."
The funds will be used to meet the needs of those who still live in displacement camps and host communities and to aid returning families as they rebuild their homes and communities. $45 million will go toward rebuilding basic infrastructure such as water systems, health facilities, schools, roads, and bridges in the North West Frontier Province, or NWFP. Wherever possible, local labor and resources will be used. An additional $20 million will be used for school reconstruction across Buner, Dir and Swat.
Also in damaged parts of NWFP, $30 million will be spent on small-scale infrastructure, such as local roads and irrigation systems, while $25 million will help families rebuild their homes and livelihoods. In Buner and Swat, $10 million will go for immediate livelihood and agriculture programs, and for mobile health units.
The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees will receive $23 million for humanitarian relief, and for helping displaced families return to their homes. The International Committee of the Red Cross will use $12 million from the United States to assist returning families as they rebuild their lives.
The Obama administration, said Special Envoy Holbrooke, "is committed to supporting Pakistan and its people during this complicated, challenging time."
Already since May, the United States has spent more than $113 million for food, shelter, medical supplies, generators, and other assistance for the displaced families, both in camps and in host communities.
Holbrooke said that these funds "will boost the capacity of critical programs to meet the changing needs of displaced families in Pakistan."
The funds will be used to meet the needs of those who still live in displacement camps and host communities and to aid returning families as they rebuild their homes and communities. $45 million will go toward rebuilding basic infrastructure such as water systems, health facilities, schools, roads, and bridges in the North West Frontier Province, or NWFP. Wherever possible, local labor and resources will be used. An additional $20 million will be used for school reconstruction across Buner, Dir and Swat.
Also in damaged parts of NWFP, $30 million will be spent on small-scale infrastructure, such as local roads and irrigation systems, while $25 million will help families rebuild their homes and livelihoods. In Buner and Swat, $10 million will go for immediate livelihood and agriculture programs, and for mobile health units.
The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees will receive $23 million for humanitarian relief, and for helping displaced families return to their homes. The International Committee of the Red Cross will use $12 million from the United States to assist returning families as they rebuild their lives.
The Obama administration, said Special Envoy Holbrooke, "is committed to supporting Pakistan and its people during this complicated, challenging time."