Aid to Pakistan
August 6, 2010The German government announced Thursday it was doubling its aid commitment to Pakistan's flood-ravaged northwest. The German foreign and development ministries bumped up their pledges to Pakistani flood victims by 1 million euros ($1.32 million), bringing the total German aid commitment to 2 million euros.
The German government said that Pakistan was particularly in need of food, clean drinking water, tents and medical supplies. The latter is becoming more urgent as waterborne diseases and other illnesses break out.
The United Nations reported that more than 4 million people have so far been affected by disaster, which has been underway for two weeks. At least 1,500 have died as a result.
The US State Department also promised Thursday to increase its aid commitment, providing $25 million - on top of the $10 million it had already pledged.
Many victims have complained that they have not seen any of the aid money.
Author: David Levitz (AFP/AP/dpa)
Editor: Nancy Isenson