The United States has announced an additional USD 100 million for Pakistan's recovery and reconstruction efforts following last year's devastating floods, which killed 1,739 people and affected 33 million people.
The funding also includes humanitarian assistance to aid in flood relief and recovery efforts in refugee-hosting areas, according to State Department Spokesperson Ned Price, who spoke to reporters at a press conference here on Monday.
"I am pleased to announce that the United States announced an additional USD 100 million in recovery and reconstruction funding today, bringing our total contribution to more than USD 200 million," he said.
According to Price, the new USD 100 million will be used for flood protection and governance, disease surveillance, economic growth, and clean energy, climate-smart agriculture, food security, and infrastructure reconstruction.
According to the spokesperson, the United States' flood-related assistance complements its broader efforts to form a US-Pakistan green alliance that addresses a range of climate and resilience issues central to Pakistan's reconstruction.
"In the months and years ahead, Pakistan's recovery and reconstruction will be a continuing process, and we will continue to support Pakistan in its efforts to build a more climate-resilient future for its people," Ned Price said.
Also on Monday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated during the opening session of the 'International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan' in Geneva that the country would require a minimum of USD 16.3 billion over the next three years to bridge funding needs, half of which is expected to be met by foreign assistance.
