Australian High Commission
Islamabad
Pakistan

Australia Announces Additional Assistance for IDPs

AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION
ISLAMABAD

Press Release

Australia Announces Additional Assistance for IDPs

Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Stephen Smith, responded to an urgent call for support from the World Food Programme (WFP) on 21 November and announced Australia would provide a further $5 million to help people displaced due to conflict in North-West Pakistan.

This assistance is in addition to the $23 million dollars in humanitarian assistance Australia has given to IDPs since October 2008, and is in addition to the recent doubling of Australian development assistance to Pakistan to $120 million over two years.

During the announcement, Mr Smith said: “The WFP continues to deliver crucial assistance to more than 10 million people across Pakistan, often in difficult and dangerous conditions.

“Australia applauds the work of United Nations and other humanitarian agencies for their courage and determination in such difficult circumstances. The WFP lost five of its staff members in a terrorist attack on its headquarters in Islamabad last month.

“Australia condemns the series of attacks on the Pakistani people and their democratic and political institutions, including recent attacks in Peshawar.
“These are callous attacks and Australia extends condolences to the Government of Pakistan and to the Pakistani people for the serious loss of life which has occurred.

“Australia stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Government in its efforts to stare down extremism, including through its offensive in South Waziristan.”


Contact: James McGarry, 051 835 5500

23 November 2009