ISLAMABAD – A ground-breaking collaboration between the United Nations, the governments of China and Pakistan has helped the people affected by natural disasters and displacement in Balochistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). With generous funding from the People’s Republic of China, and in partnership with the FATA Secretariat and the Government of Balochistan, the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) project, of USD $4 million, has benefitted 80,269 people and 8,100 temporarily displaced families Kurram, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Khyber and Orakzai Agencies in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). In Balochistan Naseerabad, Jafferabad and Sohbatpur districts, which were worst affected by the 2010 floods, new furniture, and education kits were provided to 19,000 school children in 423 schools. In its first ever contribution to WFP in Pakistan, China contributed US$1 million to enable the World Food Programme (WFP) food assistance for 158,000 people in Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Bannu districts of KP, in addition to North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Khyber, Kurram, Mohmand and Orakzai agencies in FATA. These include both those who are returning to FATA and those who are still displaced. Thanks to China’s contribution, WFP procured and distributed food assistance which included yellow split peas, iodized salt, vegetable oil and ‘Mamta’ – a nutritious supplementary food. In addition, 5,600 children under five months and pregnant and nursing mothers received six months of support to prevent malnutrition. By providing assistance to the most vulnerable families, China Aid is helping marginalized communities to manage shocks and build a foundation for the future. These initiatives build upon the Government of China’s continued commitment and contribution to the international emergency response efforts under the framework of the China South-South Cooperation Fund, managed by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China. Lijian Zhao, the Chinese Deputy Head of Mission to Pakistan said, “The South-South cooperation fund is set up by China Government to shoulder its international responsibility, as a special fund dedicated to helping developing countries to pursue sustainable development goals.
