US announces $9.3m aid for IDPs in north Pakistan

The United States Embassy in Pakistan on Tuesday announced an additional contribution of USD 9.3 million to help Pakistan meet the health, water, sanitation, and livelihood needs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from North Waziristan tribal region bordering Afghanistan during ongoing military operation.
A spokesperson for US embassy in Islamabad in a statement said that these funds will be provided through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
He added the US government will provide USD 7 million dollars to UNICEF/Pakistan to improve health, hygiene, water, and sanitation services for IDPs with the remaining funds used to ensure the health of livestock.
Pakistan has launched a comprehensive military operation 'Zarb e Azb' against the foreign and local militants in North Wazristan tribal region on June 15, following a deadly attack at its largest airport in southern Karachi city. Over 460 militants have been killed and around 0.9 million people have been displaced so far during the operation. Earlier last month, United States had announced USD 8 million in food assistance for IDPs and the new funding brings the total US contribution benefiting IDPs from North Waziristan to USD 17.3 million.
While commenting on the assistance package, US Ambassador in Pakistan Richard Olson said that the United States stands ready to help the Government of Pakistan prepare and respond to the considerable humanitarian needs emerging in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
He added our additional USD 9.3 million contribution reiterates the importance of the partnership between the Government of Pakistan, development organizations and the United States.
Meanwhile, Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz chaired an inter-Ministerial meeting on Tuesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad to discuss rehabilitation of IDPs from North Waziristan after the military operation.