As a direct reaction to the acute emergency of the population, the federal government decided on Wednesday in the Council of Ministers to pay out two million euros, as stated in a broadcast.
One million euros each will be made available to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRK) to alleviate the humanitarian crisis. “In view of the heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan and their devastating consequences for the local population, we as the federal government are supporting the humanitarian efforts on site by making two million euros available from the funds of the Foreign Disaster Fund. This is another support service in the spirit our humanitarian tradition of on-site aid. The funds provided will go to the international aid organizations that are currently helping to alleviate the suffering of those affected,” said Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP).
The massive flooding has already claimed more than 1,100 lives within a very short time. According to the Pakistani government, 33 million people, mainly women and children, have been affected by the effects of the monsoon rains and have been made homeless. At least 5.2 million people are in acute humanitarian need, and the number is increasing rapidly. “The floods in Pakistan are another extreme weather event that demonstrates the accelerating consequences of the climate crisis. It is our responsibility to help those affected and mitigate the consequences of this catastrophe. That is why we are making the distribution of two million euros today the Foreign Disaster Fund. In this way, humanitarian emergency aid can be provided unbureaucratically. But it is also our job to intensify climate protection efforts as quickly and immediately as possible,” said Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens).
The funds provided are to be used in the “2022 Pakistan Floods Response Plan (FRP)” launched by the United Nations together with the government of Pakistan at the end of August for life-saving measures in the areas of food security, emergency aid in agriculture, shelter, first aid, protection of vulnerable population groups , water and sanitation, women’s health and educational support.
Source: Nachrichten
