Current aid only part of commitment: USAID

ISLAMABAD: Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Dr Rajiv Shah said on Thursday that $150 million pledged by Washington for the flood-affected people of Pakistan is part of a longstanding commitment to help the country overcome consequences of natural disasters and economic challenges.

Dr Shah was speaking as chief guest in the Radio Roundtable programme launched by Radio Pakistan. The series is aimed at discussing major issues facing Pakistan and Thursday’s programme was devoted to the role of donor agencies and radio as an industry in rebuilding Pakistan. Dr Shah said his current visit to the country was aimed at understanding the scale of the disaster in order to ensure that the US government is fully prepared to respond effectively in meeting immediate requirements of the affected people.

Dr Shah pointed out that 4.3 million acres of land or 23 percent of the total cultivated area has been inundated by floodwater, inflicting heavy losses on agriculture. He said the USAID would ensure that farmers get quality seed to restart farming. He said the agency would also provide support to farmers in marketing and distribution of their produce. staff report

Home | National