TAN – The Afro News

Amir Mai and her family have camped under the trees on this sand dune for more than a week in order to let their surviving livestock access water and fodder. Photo credit: World Vision

PAKISTAN – Evacuation is not easy for the poor. Amir Mai, a young mother of four children, walked miles with her seven-year-old daughter in tow, trying to find food for her family of eight after the floods destroyed her family home.

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Canadian aid being delivered to Pakistan.

Ottawa (Ontario) ─ A shipment of Canadian supplies has arrived in Pakistan, bringing 1,000 all-weather tents, 7,060 jerry cans, 1,000 tarps and 3,840 mosquito nets in support of ongoing emergency relief operations by the International Federation of Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS).

“Canada was one of the first countries to respond to this devastating flood, and our relief efforts are helping save the lives of thousands of people,” said the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation. “Canadians can be extremely proud of the ongoing work we are doing to help alleviate the suffering created by this humanitarian disaster.”

The relief supplies, which arrived in Pakistan on August 17, have been transported to Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, for distribution to flood-ravaged areas. Canada’s contribution will help meet priority needs, which include food, water and sanitation, emergency medical care and shelter, essential household goods, and logistics and coordination efforts.

The flooding in Pakistan has worsened considerably since the monsoon rains began. On August 14, the Government of Canada announced that it was increasing its response to up to $33 million to respond to the most urgent needs of people hit hardest by the floods

The shipment is part of the Government of Canada’s response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the worst flooding in at least 80 years in Pakistan, which has left millions in need of emergency assistance.

“Canada continues to monitor the situation closely and our total contribution of $33 million will go a long way to meeting the needs of the affected populations,” added Minister Oda.

Canada’s contribution builds on more than $69 million in CIDA funding for Pakistan since 2009. This includes bilateral aid programming, as well as $37 million for humanitarian assistance, for initiatives such as food assistance, emergency shelter, water and sanitation facilities, and basic health care for conflict-affected people in Pakistan.