By Martha Moss - 11th August 2010
With a disaster of these proportions, the support from the EU will have to be significant, now and in the coming months, because people have lost everything with the floods
Natalia Alonso, the head of the Plan EU liaison office
The European Union stands ready to support Pakistan both in financial and political terms in dealing with the consequences of this terrible event
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton
First assessments show that the flood victims are in dire need of clean drinking water, shelter, food, non-food items (like blankets and hygiene kits) and medical assistance
EU humanitarian aid commissioner Kristalina Georgieva
The European commission has announced that it will provide an extra €10m of aid to help people affected by the floods in Pakistan.
The funding comes in addition to the €30m allocated last month for humanitarian assistance, which was directed at the most vulnerable people and particularly the victims of internal conflicts.
It will be used to provide drinking water, shelter, food and medical support for the 14 million people affected by the floods, the commission said.
EU humanitarian aid commissioner Kristalina Georgieva warned that the number of flood victims could rise as waters move towards the south of Pakistan.
"One third of the country is flooded and so far more than 290,000 houses have been damaged," Georgieva said.
"First assessments show that the flood victims are in dire need of clean drinking water, shelter, food, non-food items (like blankets and hygiene kits) and medical assistance.
"Our additional emergency funds of €10 million will cover these needs through relief operations in all flood-affected areas in the country."
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton added, "My heartfelt condolences go to all those affected by this crisis and the European Union stands ready to support Pakistan both in financial and political terms in dealing with the consequences of this terrible event."
The news came as development organisations warned that the floods, which resulted in the loss of some 1.4 million acres of crop harvests, could result in a food crisis in the country.
"The crops were ready for harvest and then it was time to plant the crops for the winter, but seeing the extent of damage caused by the water and mud we cannot even begin assess the impact it will have in the coming months," said Rashid Javed, Plan International's Pakistan director.
Natalia Alonso, the head of the Plan EU liaison office, added, "With a disaster of these proportions, the support from the EU will have to be significant, now and in the coming months, because people have lost everything with the floods."
The latest tranche of funding brings the amount of EU aid provided for victims of humanitarian crises in Pakistan over the last year to €111.25m.
