National News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): The Australian Government has announced a
contribution of AUD $ 3 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to cover the costs of milling, fortification, transportation and distribution of 8,126 metric tons of wheat donated by the Government of Pakistan.
This wheat four will be provided to 102,000 Temporarily Displaced
Persons (TDPs) and returnees in the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA).
The Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), Lt.Gen
(R) Abdul Qadir Baloch, UN Resident Coordinator, Neil Buhne, WFP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, David Kaatrud and WFP Pakistan Representative Lola Castro were present on the occasion.
To recognize the support provided by the Australian Government, WFP
has held an advocacy event to announce this contribution, Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Margaret Adamson, made the announcement at the WFP office here on Monday.
“Australia has a long standing history of working together
with Pakistan to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected
by crisis. Australia’s support is designed to help the most
vulnerable and to promote stability, said Margaret Adamson.
Australia places particular emphasis on the protection and
empowerment of women and girls.”
“WFP welcomes this donation and looks forward to continuing
the excellent and long lasting partnership with the Government of
Australia” said Lola Castro.
The relief rations are especially crucial for the populations
affected by shocks whose ability to purchase or produce food is
limited while assisting returnees in the resettlement process so
that they can build durable food security, she said.