MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Australia is to provide an additional $4 million in assistance to earthquake-ravaged Pakistan, taking the total to $14.1 million.
The aid, through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) will be dispersed to international organisations and Australian non-government organisations (NGOs).
Two million dollars will be provided to the World Food Programme to source more than 2,750 metric tonnes of high-protein pulses to help meet food shortages.
Australian NGOs with programs in the region able to immediately respond will be provided with up to $1 million.
Australia will contribute $500,000 to the World Health Organization (WHO) for emergency health kits for families and communities.
Blankets and water purification tablets worth $500,000 from Australia will be sent to Pakistan and additional blankets and medical items have been ordered.
We are also investigating the possibility of sending Australian-sourced food to Pakistan.
The latest contribution to the region follows Australia's initial $10 million for immediate medical, food and shelter assistance, including $2.5 million to WHO for immediate medical needs.
Australia has also deployed a Critical Infrastructure Assessment Mission to Pakistan to help the Pakistan Government assess damage to critical infrastructure and to plan for the future.
Aftershocks continue in the region, following the major earthquake two weeks ago.
The Pakistan Government says the quakes have killed more than 51,000 people, injured more than 74,000 and left 3.3 million homeless.
Media contact:
Chris Kenny (Minister's Office) 0419 206 890
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590