Australian High Commission
Islamabad
Pakistan

Humanitarian Assistance

AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION
ISLAMABAD

Press Release

 Australia Announces Additional Humanitarian Relief for IDPs


The Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Stephen Smith, announced an additional A$5 million dollars on 1 July to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of civilians fleeing the conflict in north-west Pakistan. This brings Australia’s total contribution since September 2008 to humanitarian relief in north-west Pakistan to A$23 million.

Australia’s assistance is in response to urgent calls by the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations.

Today’s contribution of A$5 million will provide essential food through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and support the deployment of Australian logistics experts to support United Nations programs such as the WFP and UNICEF. It will enable the WFP to transport local stockpiles of wheat flour to those in need and will feed around one million displaced people over the next six months.
Australia’s assistance has helped alleviate the suffering of the adversely affected displaced people through the provision of essential health services, food, safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.

Australia stands side by side with the Pakistani Government in its efforts to combat militancy and extremism and is committed to helping Pakistan become a safer and more prosperous country, free from intimidation and fear.

Contact: Mr James McGarry – 051 835 5500

  1 July 2009