ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has donated 150,000 metric tons of wheat to World Food Programme (WFP) in 2013 as the country is emerged as second largest donor for the United Nations body.

“This year's donation, valued at Rs5.5 billion (US$52 million) has placed Pakistan as WFP's second largest donor in 2013 which demonstrated the government's continued ownership of development process and a strong commitment to helping its people in need.”

The international donors have provided complementary funding of US$29 million out of the total requirement of US$ 43 million, WFP Spokesman, Amjad Jamal said on Thursday.

The assistance was provided at a time when critical funding shortages threatened the provision of emergency food assistance in the country.

According to WFP Pakistan, it aims to assist 8.3 million people between 2013 and 2015 at a total cost of US$535 million with projects to improve economic opportunities and promote social inclusion in FATA, boost community resilience in disaster-prone areas, and address nutrition and education needs in the country.

Jamal said more than 70,000 metric tons of wheat was successfully delivered to both displaced and flood-affected communities in 2012, following a highly positive response from other donors to WFP's appeal for complementary “twinning” funds.

He said aiming to assist about 8 million people at a total cost of US$540 million over the next three years, the operation also seeks to improve economic opportunities and promote social inclusion in FATA, and prevent and treat moderate acute malnutrition among young children and women in country's most food-insecure districts.