ISLAMABAD-The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced that it is working quickly to provide a significant package of relief and rehabilitation following the devastating floods in Pakistan.
“This is designed to support people, livelihoods, and infrastructure immediately and in the long-term. Short- & medium-term, we’ll use ongoing projects to: repair damaged infrastructure, including roads and irrigation infrastructure. Support the development & financial stability of the agriculture sector to boost food security,” the ADB said on Tuesday.
The ADB further said that it is also processing countercyclical support to help the poor & vulnerable, especially women & children; weather the impacts of food prices & other external shocks. Long-term, the bank would prioritize projects that support post-flood reconstruction & strengthen climate & disaster resilience. “This is in addition to the $3 million we’ve already approved for the immediate purchase of food, tents, & other relief goods” it added.
The ADB said that it would provide more details of our new assistance package when it is finalized. “We will work closely with the govt & other international agencies to help rebuild the lives & livelihoods of the more than 33 million people affected by the disaster”. We stand with the people of Pakistan, it concluded.
Earlier on August 31, the ADB approved a $3 million grant to support the government of Pakistan’s emergency relief efforts amid widespread floods across the country. The grant, financed from the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund (APDRF), will help fund the immediate purchase of food supplies, tents, and other relief goods to support flood victims across the country. APDRF is a special fund designed to fast-track grants to ADB developing member countries affected by disasters triggered by natural hazards.
Heavy rains across Pakistan have triggered flash floods, landslides, and glacial lake outbursts. In July, the country received more than 60% of average annual monsoon rainfall in just 3 weeks. Over 33 million people are estimated to have been affected by the floods with more than 1,000 deaths reported and about 1,500 injured. Almost half a million people are currently in relief camps. Pakistan has identified several priority needs, including food security, agriculture and livestock, health, water, sanitation, hygiene, shelter, and nonfood items.
It is worth mentioning here that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had also assured its support to flood relief and reconstruction efforts. Esther Perez Ruiz, the IMF resident representative to Pakistan, said the Fund would “work with others in the international community to support, under the current programme, the authorities’ relief and reconstruction efforts and especially their ongoing endeavour to assist those affected by the floods while ensuring sustainable policies and macroeconomic stability”. In a statement, she said the IMF was deeply “saddened by the devastating impact” of the floods in Pakistan and “our sympathies go to the millions of victims of the floods”.