MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Australia will add to its emergency relief efforts by providing non-food relief items and emergency medical services to flood-damaged communities in Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.
Heavy rains and flooding across South Asia in August caused massive damage to infrastructure and communications, leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless. More than 13.5 million people have been affected in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal.
Australia's contribution of a further $3.6 million will be provided through the Australian Red Cross, Caritas, Austcare, Oxfam, World Vision and CARE and will assist an estimated 565,000 people.
Support will include the provision of mobile health facilities, essential medicines such as anti-diarrhoeal and anti-malaria medication and antibiotics to treat infection, and utensils, hygiene kits, water purifying tablets and equipment for building temporary shelters.
In addition, basic education materials, clothing, livestock and economic support will be provided in Bangladesh.
Longer term, communities will be supported through Cash for Work programs to assist the restoration of village infrastructure and in re-establishing livelihoods. This will include the distribution of agricultural seed for the summer cultivation season and livestock distribution.
This assistance is in addition to $4.7 million already provided in response to UN and Red Cross appeals for international assistance in the region.
It brings Australia's total contribution to flood-affected communities in South Asia to $8.3 million.
Media contacts:
Malcolm Cole (Minister's Office) 02 6277 7500
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590