September 17, 2010 - 12:07PM
An extra $40 million in Australian government aid to flood-devastated Pakistan will provide urgent necessities and help with the replanting of crops.
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd made the announcement while making a flying visit to Pakistan's Punjab province.
Australia's commitment now totals $75 million.
Included in the latest package is $11 million to help address urgent humanitarian needs for food, health, water and sanitation through the World Food Program, UNICEF and the World Health Organisation.
A further $9 million will be funnelled to Australian non-government organisations for emergency relief and recovery efforts.
The bulk of extra funding, $20 million, will assist farmers to replant their crops, get children back to school and rebuild damaged health facilities.
Mr Rudd was in Punjab on his way to Washington where he will hold talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about the situation in Pakistan.
He will attend a United Nations conference for global donors to discuss more assistance for those affected by the worst floods in Pakistan's history.
Mr Rudd visited Camp Cockatoo to make the announcement where armed Pakistani military have been guarding the 180 defence and AusAid workers from insurgents.
While at the camp, he gave the group the nod to start an outreach program and said the Australian Defence Force would ensure the aid workers were protected as they delivered aid.
Mr Rudd said the Australian team was treating about 250 people each day, supplementing Pakistan's overstretched primary medical services.
The mission was scheduled to run 90 days but that period could be extended.
"Well, we'll see because I am the Australian government - when it comes to AusAid," Mr Rudd said.
"So, we'll see what the local needs are because having spoken to folks about the unfolding needs, we might need to be creative about how we take this forward."
Pakistan floods: how to help
Following the terrible Pakistan floods, these aid agencies are accepting donations and support in Australia.
ActionAid Australia: 1300 66 66 72, www.actionaid.org.au
Australian Red Cross: 1800 811 700, www.redcross.org.au
Caritas Australia: 1800 024 413, www.caritas.org.au
CARE Australia: 1800 020 046, www.care.org.au
Oxfam: 1800 088 110, www.oxfam.org.au
Plan International: 13 75 26, www.plan.org.au
Save the Children: 1800 760 011, www.savethechildren.org.au
UNHCR: 1300 361 288, www.unrefugees.org.au
UNICEF Australia:1300 884 233, www.unicef.org.au
World Vision: 13 32 40, www.worldvision.com.au
AAP
This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/national/australian-aid-to-pakistan-boosted-to-75m-20100917-15f5e.html
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