ISLAMABAD, Nov 14: The European Union has donated an amount equivalent to Rs67 million to Pakistan for humanitarian projects related to flood relief efforts in Sindh, centring around Badin and Thatta districts.

A press release issued by the EU cited floods that hit parts of Sindh at the end of July and August 2003, adding: “Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan were all affected, with districts in Sindh the most severely hit and the most in need of assistance.”

Terming the initial emergency relief response “sufficient,” the press release said the European Commission felt the need for further supporting the initial rehabilitation of livelihoods in the affected areas, enabling affected communities to return to self-sufficiency.

The funding has been allocated through three international NGO’s, including Islamic Relief, Save the Children Fund UK and Oxfam.

Project activities, the press release said, would focus on the provision of clean drinking water at the household level accompanied with the promotion of improved hygiene practices and distribution of agricultural seeds and tools as well as livestock and fishery activities.

The press release stated that funds had also been allocated to replace lost schoolbooks to ensure a timely return to educational activities for school-going children.

It said the livelihood support and rehabilitation activities would continue until the next agricultural harvest expected in March-April 2004.

The press release stated that ECHO, the EU’s humanitarian aid office, continued to monitor the humanitarian situation in Pakistan and remained prepared to respond to severe humanitarian needs as they may occur.