ASIA: US to send 100 mln dlrs in emergency aid for Pakistan: official
20 May 2009 12:59 AM
WASHINGTON, May 19 AFP - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is to announce on Tuesday the release of $US100 million ($A130.8 million) in emergency aid to help displaced civilians in Pakistan, a State Department official said.
Clinton, who was due to make the announcement around 11.15am (0115 AEST) at the White House, intends to "help them with their needs" in tents, food, water and other supplies, the official told AFP on the condition of anonymity.
The humanitarian aid does not require the approval of Congress because it is drawn "from existing funds," the official added.
US officials earlier announced the intention to aid more than two million people whom UN officials said were forced to flee the northwest of the country in the face of a Pakistani military offensive against the Taliban.
A second US government official who asked not to be named told AFP the Pentagon planned shortly to announce another $US10 million ($A13.08 million) in humanitarian aid, for a total of $US110 million ($A143.92 million).
The official said he expected tents to be bought in the United States but other supplies would be bought in Pakistan.
"Some of the things they will buy locally to give the Pakistani economy a jump," he said.
Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said on Monday that the Defence Department was drawing up preliminary plans to fly food, water and tents to help those displaced by the Pakistani army's offensive against the militants.
"The Pakistanis could use some basic humanitarian assistance that the United States is prepared to provide," Whitman told reporters.
A request was pending from Islamabad for humanitarian aid and final details were being worked out through the State Department, he said.
The aid would include packaged Halal meals, water trucks and tents, he said.
"We're looking at providing assistance in those three categories, and potentially in other areas," he said.
"We want to be there to help them," Whitman added. "We want to demonstrate that we are good partners."
Islamabad ordered the offensive under mounting US pressure, after the insurgents took up positions just 100km from the Pakistani capital, having broken out of their hub in Swat.
