An eight-member delegation of US officers and experts headed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Pakistan Country Director Dr Andrew Sisson and acting Consul General in Karachi Jason Kight visited Badin on Tuesday.
During the visit, the US team distributed relief goods among the rain- and flood-affected people at two camps. Badin District Coordination Officer Dr Kazim Jatoi briefed them about the situation in the district in a meeting. Later, National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza also joined them.
Speaking on the occasion, Kight said that he visited Badin to personally observe the situation in the flood-hit areas and problems being faced by displaced people. “These people here [rain-hit people] make clear the urgency of the situation,” he said. “The US cares about the plight of Pakistani people and is responding to their woes,” he added. The acting consul general said that the USAID is coordinating US’s relief efforts. “The US is moving as quickly as possible to deliver assistance, maximizing impact for those in need,” he added.
He said that the US has responded generously during past crises in Pakistan, including the earthquake in 2005 and last year’s devastating flood during which it contributed over $600 million. “We help because of a deep commitment to Pakistan and to a strong belief in our humanitarian values,” he added. He said that in addition to the ration packs for Badin, humanitarian aid distributions are also underway in Mirpurkhas, Tando Mohammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Tharparkar, Umerkot and Hyderabad. “American assistance is going immediately to over 50,000 suffering families, who are already receiving food packs, drinking water and medical services,” said Kight. So far, the US has announced $2.9 million in emergency aid for the rain-affected districts of Sindh.
