U.S. Contributing $100,000 for Afghanistan Winter Emergency Needs

Friday March 04, 2005 (1312 PST)

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WASHINGTON, Mar 05 (Online): In response to a request from the government of Afghanistan, the United States is contributing $100,000 in emergency assistance to alleviate suffering caused by unusually heavy snowfall and cold temperatures in Afghanistan.

The Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) is providing $50,000 in FY-2005 funding to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) from the Bureau's existing budget for South Asia. IFRC will use the funding to purchase and transport emergency supplies to affected populations in Kabul and in the provinces of Bamian, Ghazni, Paktika, and Baghlan, says a statement issued by the US State Department.

These provinces are home to many former refugees who repatriated from Iran and Pakistan following the fall of the Taliban regime.

The U.S. Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign DisasterAssistance (USAID/OFDA) is providing $50,000 in FY-2005 funds through the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to the Afghan Red Crescent for purchase and distribution of relief supplies. In addition, ongoing humanitarian projects have been modified to help meet immediate needs and to prepare for possible flooding in the spring.

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