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ACFID Applauds Increased Aid to Pakistan
17 September 2010
10-2010
ACFID Applauds Increased Aid to Pakistan
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd's announcement of $40 million emergency aid to flood devastated Pakistan has been applauded by the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).
ACFID is the peak body for Australian aid and development agencies, representing over 70 organisations that operate in over 100 countries worldwide.
The announcement of additional aid takes the total Gillard Government aid allocation to $75 million and has the potential to motivate other countries to do the same as they come together at the UN crisis meeting this Sunday.
"Even as world leaders gather at the UN to discuss the Pakistan flood crisis, the flood waters are still rising," ACFID Executive Director, Marc Purcell said.
"The $40 million aid package places moral pressure on other donor countries to respond in a similarly generous way.
“The Pakistani Government is estimating an overall flood recovery price-tag of $43 billion. So far, the international community has pledged just over $1 billion - or around 2 per cent of what is required.”
The package includes $9 million directly to non-government organisations (NGOs) working on the ground.
“We commend the Government for recognising the essential role of NGOs. This increase in funding is a step in the right direction,” Mr Purcell concluded.
Further information, contact:
Joy Kyriacou0412 084 782
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