WASHINGTON — The U.S. is sending US$110 million in aid to Pakistan to help it cope with the refugee crisis in the north-west. At a White House news conference on May 19, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton revealed the details of the package, which focuses on help for people who have fled fighting between the Pakistani government and Taliban.
The money will be used to provide generators, tents, water trucks and food to some of those forced to flee. An initial $26 million has been allocated for the immediate purchase of wheat and other food produced in Pakistan itself.
Analysts say the aid package underlines Washington's new strategy towards Pakistan of attempting to counter the appeal of the Taliban.
"One of our guiding principles is that this should be more than just the delivery of supplies", Clinton said. "It should be an investment in the people of Pakistan, so we will buy locally from the bumper crop of wheat, and we will work to help create quick impact job programs that will put Pakistanis to work making goods for their fellow citizens."
Clinton praised the current Pakistani military offensive against the Taliban, and said she was encouraged by a "national mood change" on the part of the Pakistani people.
Nearly 1 million people have left their homes to escape the Taliban and avoid injury, according to the UN. Some parts of Pakistan’s Swat valley have been emptied of their entire population.
Many of the displaced have poured into camps seeking refuge, and are now living in tents. International aid agencies have been calling for urgent and massive help to respond immediately to the crisis.
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