Oxfam reaction to €30 million extra by the European Commission for survivors of Pakistan floods

The European Commission (EC) has announced today an additional €30 million in urgent relief assistance for the people affected by the devastating floods in Pakistan. This announcement comes on top of the €10 million offered by the EC last week as new money and €30 million focusing on conflict affected-people in the north-west of Pakistan allocated in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, of which some part might be re-directed to flood survivors.

Elise Ford, head of Oxfam's EU office, said:

"We welcome the European Commission's injection of new cash for the survivors of Pakistan's worst ever flooding. The announcement places the EC as the second largest donor, only behind the US and ahead of European governments. Yet, even with this new money, the UN appeal remains dangerously underfunded. As the situation continues to worsen, only just over two thirds of the $460 million needed to see the country through the next three months has been received so far."

"€30 million sounds a lot of money but it will take billions to rebuild the country. The Pakistani people need food, shelter, clean water and medical help now. But they will also need support for long-term recovery and development. Many of these people have lost everything - their homes, family, agricultural produce and livestock. They are going to need help for many years to come to get them back on their feet."

"The EC's move today needs to be a rallying call for those EU countries that have failed to adequately respond to this disaster of an unprecedented scale. More money is urgently needed to avert the risk of a public health crisis."

"In the build up to the EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on 10 September, Member States must now dig deep to come forward with a generous European package for immediate relief, ensure maximum coordination of efforts, and start the all important careful planning for support for the massive reconstruction efforts which will be required."

Notes to editors

To check level of funding from each EU member state, please consult the breakdown of commitments pulled together by the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

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