Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pledges US$100 million to help vulnerable populations in Pakistan

(Islamabad/New York, 24 September 2009): The United Nations has received a pledge of US$100 million from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support the humanitarian efforts of the United Nations and their implementing partners to assist the people in need in Pakistan.

"This contribution from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the single largest contribution received for the vulnerable populations of Pakistan," said Martin Mogwanja, Humanitarian Coordinator for Pakistan. "It will enable the humanitarian community in Pakistan to reach hundreds of thousands of people in need and help restore their homes and livelihoods. Coming at the culmination of the Holy Month of Ramadan, this contribution reflects the deep sense of humanitarian solidarity between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan," he said.

Millions of people have been affected by the conflict, and humanitarian assistance is needed for those who are still displaced, those who have returned to their areas of origin, host families, and those who never left the conflict-affected areas.

Of the 2.7 million people displaced since the start of the conflict in August 2008, 1.03 million are still living with either host families or in the 19 camps supported by the humanitarian community. About 1.64 million people have returned to their homes since July 2009 but ongoing military operations are still triggering new displacements, in parts of the North West Frontier Province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

The UN-led humanitarian country team together with their implementing partners will assess the situation and determine where this additional humanitarian assistance is most needed.

The humanitarian agencies will closely cooperate with the Saudi Fund for Development to ensure the funds will provide urgent relief for the most vulnerable populations in Pakistan.

To date, almost 55 percent of the $680 million revised requirements for the Pakistan Humanitarian Response Plan has been funded by more than 20 countries and private individuals and organisations.

For further information, please call:

OCHA Pakistan:
Billi Bierling, mobile +92 300 850 2397, bierling@un.org;

OCHA New York:
Stephanie Bunker, + 1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 347 244 2106, bunker@un.org;
Nicholas Reader, +1 212 963 4961, mobile +1 646 752 3117, reader@un.org

OCHA-Geneva:
Elizabeth Byrs, +41 22 917 2653, mobile +41 79 473 4570, byrs @un.org

OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int