ISLAMABAD: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced on Thursday that it would give $21 million in food assistance to Pakistan.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) will use this financial contribution to turn approximately 26,000 metric tons of Pakistani government-provided wheat into fortified flour, which will be distributed to those who need it.

WFP will also use USAID funds to purchase and distribute more than 6,500 tons of food to families, especially in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

“The United States is committed to combating hunger in Pakistan, but we know we can’t do it alone,” said Mission Director John Groarke. “By working alongside the WFP and the government of Pakistan, we’ve been able to feed more people, save more lives, and support more communities than any one of us could have achieved alone.”

Speaking on the occasion, WFP Country Director Lola Castro said that the strong and strategic partnership among the United States government, the government of Pakistan, and WFP has made the lives of millions of vulnerable Pakistanis better, especially in areas affected by natural and man-made disasters.

“The generous funding from USAID over the years has improved food security and nutrition as well as the livelihoods and resilience of those in need,” she said.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2016