Blome pledges continued US support for flood victims

ISLAMABAD: Emphasising the vulnerability of Pakistani communities impacted by the severe 2022 floods, which killed over 1,700 people and caused $30 billion in damage, the United States has vowed to maintain its support for them.

“As millions of Pakistanis still need urgent support, we will continue to stand with Pakistan and its vulnerable communities as millions of Pakistanis work to recover and rebuild. That includes the work we are doing to address malnutrition, build more resilient education facilities, improve access to clean water and sanitation, and provide needed equipment to ensure better health outcomes for women and children,” US Ambassador Donald Blome told a function held at the Maersk Company’s warehouse at Port Qasim in Karachi on Monday for handing over lifesaving nutrition aid to Pakistani authorities for fighting malnutrition.

More than 486 metric tons of ready-to-use therapeutic food items were delivered for 29,000 Pakistani children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Mr Blome said it’s slightly more food by weight than a fully loaded 747 jumbo jet – plane and cargo both – a considerable amount that would save tens of thousands of young lives here in southern Pakistan. He added that more than half of the assistance would be used in Sindh province, while the rest would go to Balochistan – the areas most affected by the 2022 floods.

“Since 2022, the United States has provided assistance to help the poorest and hardest hit by supporting Pakistan in meeting acute water, education and health needs. That includes nearly $100 million to address acute malnutrition in Pakistan, with $15 million dedicated specifically to treating severely malnourished children.”

The ambassador said after today’s donation, his country had provided emergency food and health care to more than 317,000 Pakistani mothers and children. He said the US had supported UNICEF and local basic health units in providing screening and treatment to improve the health of children under five years old and women who were pregnant or breastfeeding.

“Our support has enabled more than 779,000 frontline health workers to offer nutrition counseling to caregivers on optimal feeding practices for infants and young children to prevent malnutrition in the first place,” he said.

Mr Blome said the US had also helped Pakistan meet acute maternal health needs, including by donating equipment and kits to heroic community midwives whose work reduced maternal infant mortality by improving community access to timely, high-quality maternal health services.

Highlighting the importance of the first 1,000 days after a child’s birth for their cognitive and physical development, the ambassador said nutrient deficiencies during that period could have lifelong consequences.

“We must act with urgency to address this crisis and save the lives of an entire generation of Pakistani children. The ready-to-use therapeutic food we are delivering today will provide at-risk Pakistani children the basic nutrition they need to grow, succeed in school, and live a healthy and productive life.”

Mr Blome said the fight against malnutrition was a complex challenge requiring a united effort. He commended the front-line healthcare workers, women’s and maternal healthcare providers, social service providers, doctors, and volunteers for responding to the malnutrition crisis saying their work has saved countless lives.

“I’d also like to express the United States’ gratitude and appreciation to the provincial health minister, the health department, UNICEF, and our other nutrition partners. This aid’s handover is a testament to our enduring commitment to the Pakistani people, to Pakistani women and children, and to vulnerable communities. Every Pakistani child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong, and to have the chance to reach their fullest potential,” he said.