ISLAMABAD Oct 16 (APP): The Canadian Government on Saturday announced further support in agriculture sector for those affected by the recent floods in Pakistan.Minister of International Cooperation Canada Beverley J. Oda, in a news release issued here said the contribution responds to agricultural recovery needs by providing seeds, fertilizers, and tools and by supporting the rehabilitation of the land and livestock sector in Pakistan.
“The floods have washed away more than 4 million acres of crops and affected more than 30 per cent of Pakistan’s farmlands, leaving half of the country’s food at risk. This means families will face hunger and lost income over the next growing seasons if action is not taken now,” Minister Oda said.
“Today, Canada is providing urgently needed agricultural support to make sure that farmers can recover and plant on their land in time for the critical wheat season currently underway. Our help will also prevent further loss of livestock that is critical to the well-being of farmers in the flooded regions.”
A total of $11.5 million will be provided by CIDA from the Pakistan Flood Relief Fund to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization ($6 million), Save the Children Canada ($3.5 million), and Development and Peace ($2 million), allowing these organizations to help meet the humanitarian and early recovery needs associated with the agricultural sector for the current rabi wheat season.
“Save the Children is extremely pleased to learn of CIDA strong support of agricultural livelihoods and child protection through this latest funding round,”
said David Morley, President and CEO of Save the Children. This will ensure that farming families get the support they need to get back on their feet before the winter months and will enable hundreds of children to be protected from the most harmful forms of labour and exploitation that often exist after an emergency of this scale.”
“Thanks to this funding from CIDA Pakistani families will be able to return to their homes and plant crops,” said Michael Casey, Director General for Development and Peace. “This will allow them to not only feed their families, but to also gain an income. It is giving them a new start after so many months of hardships.”
With today’s announcement, the Government of Canada’s response to the flood relief efforts in Pakistan now totals $52 million. Previous financial contributions were for the provision of emergency food, water, sanitation, shelter, relief supplies, health services, protection, and coordination and logistics and for the restoration of links to communities cut off by the flooding.
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