US pledges extra $25 mn for Pakistan flood victims

ISLAMABAD - The US Thursday announced an additional $25 million in aid to help Pakistan deal with the worst floods in the country’s 63-year existence.

The US, which sees Pakistan as a key ally in the fight against terrorism, has already provided $10 million for flood survivors.

It has also provided six helicopters to ferry relief items to four million people affected by the disaster, which has devastated millions of hectors of agricultural land, destroyed thousands of houses and killed more than 1,600 people.

“The US is making a new contribution of 25 million dollars in assistance to flood-affected populations, bringing its total commitment to date to more than $35 million,” a statement from the US embassy in Pakistan said.

“The money will be provided by USAID to international organisations and established Pakistani NGOs to provide food, health care and shelter for those displaced by the flood,” the statement added.