World Bank to help flood-hit farmers with $22.2M
The World Bank (WB) will provide financial assistance of $22.2 million as part of a project to rehabilitate flood-affected farmers, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research said in a statement.
Record breaking monsoon rains and melting glaciers in the mountains of northern Pakistan have caused floods that have affected more than 33 million people and killed more than 1,500 people, including children. The floods are blamed on climate change.
In July and August, Pakistan received 391 mm (15.4 inches) of rain, almost 190% more than the 30-year average, while Sindh received 466% more than the average.
The World Health Organization said millions of people in flooded areas needed humanitarian aid. The announcement was made during a meeting between the World Bank’s Regional Director for South Asia, John A. Roome, and Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Tariq Bashir Cheema, in Islamabad.
The statement said the two sides discussed rehabilitation and relief efforts in areas affected by floods and rains, with particular reference to the farming community and food security.
Cheema said the floods and rains have devastated the agricultural sector and devastated the farming community. “At this critical time, we are only focusing on rehabilitation measures in flood-affected areas to restore normalcy,” he added.
He said his ministry plans to subsidize seeds and fertilizers to help farmers affected by the floods. Under the proposal, the federal government will provide subsidized contributions to flood-affected farmers for the upcoming Rabi season, based on cost sharing with the provinces.
Cheema said the grant proposal could be submitted to the federal cabinet soon. “We plan to provide subsidized grain and edible oilseeds and lots of fertilizer per hectare to farmers in disaster-affected areas,” he said.
The official presentation stated that the payment will be made through the provincial governments and NDMA. Cheema hoped the farmers could get back on their feet after this support. During this national emergency, the federal government is supporting provincial ministries of agriculture in every way possible, Cheema said.
On this occasion, John A. Roome said that the World Bank would help Pakistan in this time of need through projects aimed at rehabilitating the affected community.
He has agreed to support the rebuilding of the farming community in flood-affected and Locus-affected areas through the World Bank’s Locust Emergency and Food Security (LEAFS) project.
He said the World Bank was working with provincial departments of agriculture to support the farming community. Cheema appreciated the support of the WB group as recovery and rehabilitation assistance is needed more than ever. John A Roome said he will ask the board of directors of the WB Group to increase support for Pakistan to recover from the devastation caused by unprecedented floods.
In another meeting, Cheema instructed the Plant Protection Department (DPP) to come up with a comprehensive plan to deliver the seeds and fertilizer to the flood-affected areas by the end of the month.
World Bank to help flood-hit farmers with $22.2M
He also approved the department’s request to recruit technical personnel to monitor locust outbreaks and diseases. The federal minister feared that recent floods and rains have increased the likelihood of a locust attack.
He ordered a rigorous inspection of the breeding and swarming areas to take corrective action. “The recruitment of security personnel and the purchase of vehicles will increase the department’s ability to respond immediately to any unjustified situation,” said Allah Firm Abid, general manager of the plant protection department.
