US Congressmen pledge long-term help in rebuilding
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Members of the United States House of Representatives here on Thursday during their visit to the quake-torn Allai Valley met Pakistani military officials, local village elders and children as they toured the camp and assured continued US support for victims still struggling to recover from the October 8th earthquake.
The delegation included Dan Burton (R-IN), Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Steven Pearce (R-NM), Al Green (D-TX) Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) visited the Mehra Tent Camp in the Allai Valley Thursday.
With rapidly falling temperatures, the delegation brought winter hats for the children in the camp. They also heard stories from quake victims who lost family members and whose homes were destroyed.
“President Bush and the people of the United States are committed to helping the people of Pakistan recover and rebuild after this devastating earthquake. Immediately after the quake, USAID was on the ground bringing aid to those in need,” said USAID/Pakistan Mission Director Lisa Chiles. “USAID remains focused on helping the people of Pakistan now and in the future, and we look forward to assisting in the reconstruction process.”
The Mehra Tent Camp which sits on the banks of the Indus River in the Allai Valley is a temporary shelter for almost 9,500 people, the majority of whom are children. USAID, through its implementing partners, is meeting a diverse set of needs at the camp. Approximately 1200 families have received one-week food rations and all camp residents will receive monthly food rations throughout the winter months. USAID is funding the construction of 40 communal kitchens, complete with 400 cooking stoves. Through its implementing partner, Save the Children, USAID is also providing short-term employment opportunities and funding teacher training and livelihoods programs in the camp. After leaving the camp, the delegation, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, toured the earthquake-affected area by helicopter. USAID has spent more than $54.85 million of its $300 million commitment for commodities and relief assistance through its implementing partners.
The U.S. Government has in the past week substantially stepped up its assistance to Pakistan earthquake relief. U.S. Government assistance has been increased by $17 million, bringing the total pledge to $527 million as of December 1, going well above the $510 million financial contribution pledged by the United States at the November 19th donors’ conference.