As Pakistan struggles with its worst floods in 80 years, much has been made in the West of the influence of hard-line charities providing relief in a region where the US is trying to win hearts and minds. But in Pakistan, people say they simply want to get as much help to the region as possible — and quickly.
In response, USAID announced Tuesday that it will send heavy-duty plastic to provide temporary housing for more than 140,000 victims of the Pakistan flood.
The US previously announced $35 million in emergency assistance to Pakistan in the wake of a disaster that Pakistani government officials describe as “beyond imagination” and setting the country back years if not decades.
The $35 million is above the $7.5 million already spent by USAID to assist in the massive flooding there that has killed thousands and left hundreds of thousands of people displaced.
So far, 436,000 halal meals have been delivered, along with 12 pre-fabricated bridges, 14 rescue boats, six large-scale water filtration units and a 25kw generator. About 1,000 people were rescued by helicopter, according to National Security Advisor Gen. Jim Jones.
The US has also diverted six Chinook transport helicopters from the Afghanistan war to Pakistan over the past 10 days for rescue missions and aid delivery.
A White House official said that Pakistan has not delivered a formal request for more helicopters or vastly increased aid, but that "we are, of course, trying to respond to every request and to assist as best we can as it becomes evident what it is that they need."
With the monsoon rain showing no sign of abating, the government estimates that 1,600 people have been killed, 650,00 homes have been destroyed, and more than 50,000 square miles are under water in a disaster still in its early stages.
Some South Asia experts say that while the aim behind the US coordination with the Pakistani government’s efforts may be understandable, it also inevitably puts the US in close association with a government that is not held in high regard by the Pakistani public.
The Obama administration has carefully calibrated its assistance to Pakistan over the past year to win popular support without exacerbating Pakistani suspicions of expanded US military and intelligence activities.
