On Sunday, the U.S. announced an initial contribution of 10 million U.S. dollars in humanitarian assistance to Pakistan, as the death toll from the country’s worst floods rose to more than 1000 people.
A westerly weather system entering from Iran and Afghanistan, combined with heavy monsoon rains, has triggered the worst floods on record in Pakistan this week.
U.S. military planes delivered thousands of meals from U.S. supply depots to Peshawar.
[Elizabeth H. Rood, U.S. Consul General in Peshawar]:
“Today, we are bringing in, through the United States military, 62,000 meals, ready to eat. These are prepared meals that can be easily consumed. More of these meals are on the way.”
Earlier on Sunday, U.S. flew into a Pakistani air force base in Chaklala, near the capital Islamabad, and delivered about 50,000 meals for flood victims.
Officials said more consignments would be coming over the next few days.
The U.S. embassy in Islamabad said it was providing immediate aid, including two water filtration units and more than 50,000 meals for affected areas.
The embassy also provided helicopters on Friday that helped rescue 400 people struck in flooded areas.
Officials say massive flood surges will enter the southern Sindh province this week and could cause widespread damage to property and farmland around the riverbanks and in low-lying areas.
