Status Update of US Government Efforts in Pakistan

December 10, 2010

A peaceful, strong, and stable Pakistan is in the interest of the U.S., the region, and the world at large. The friendship between our two nations has existed since the founding of Pakistan. We continue to strengthen this relationship through the Strategic Dialogue, our growing assistance to Pakistan, and high level diplomatic engagement. The U.S. is firmly committed to a long term, enduring partnership with Pakistan and to peace and stability in the region.

Flood Assistance

The U.S. is the leading foreign donor for assisting Pakistanis displaced by the floods. The U.S. has:

• Provided more than $600 million in humanitarian assistance to the 20 million people affected by the floods.
• Committed $500 million in civilian assistance to flood reconstruction efforts.
• Provided 20 pre-fabricated bridges to the provide access in flood areas;
• Integrated international and Pakistani NGOs in U.S.-led flood response activities.

Education

• The U.S. has partnered with Pakistan for the largest U.S. professional exchange in the world. Hundreds of Pakistani leaders from all sectors of society to the United States to learn from and build collaboration with U.S. counterparts.
• The largest scholarship program for English language instruction is in Pakistan, with more than 5,000 Pakistani students enrolled every year.
• Pakistan is the recipient of the largest Fullbright program n the world, with more than $20 million invested to bring Pakistanis to colleges and universities in the United States.

Water

The United States initiated and funded key programs to support water management throughout the country, including the:

• Jacobabad and Peshawar Municipal Water Projects, which will improve the water services in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa;
• Municipal Services Delivery program will provide safe water and sanitation to more than 40 vulnerable districts and help a population of 50 million people;
• Gomal Zam Dam Irrigation Project will enhance agricultural opportunities for approximately 30,000 farming families;
• Satpara Dam Irrigation Project will 3.1 million gallons of clean drinking water daily for Skardu's 280,000 local residents;
• High Efficiency Irrigation Project will reduce water, fertilizer, and pesticide use, increasing crop yields 30-100%; and the
• Balochistan Water Storage Dams will create a series of water dams throughout Balochistan.

Energy

Pakistan committed to taking effective short and medium-term steps to address the energy deficit in Pakistan, including:

• Construction of the Gomal Zam Dam, which will electrify 25,000 households serving 200,000 people and have flood control, irrigation and water supply benefits;
• Construction of the Satpara Dam in the Gilgit-Baltistan territory, to provide 17.36 MW of new power and energy tothe local grid; and
• Provide Natural Gas Assistance to develop Pakistan's natural gas resources in order to provide long-term supply security for its electric power plants.

Agriculture

The U.S. has partnered with Pakistan to implement key agriculture program to strengthen yields and improve the economy, including the:

• Rural Dairy Project, a public-private partnership designed to improve the status and ability of women to manage agricultural business; and
• Under the Mango Export Project, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has partnered with leading mango farms in Punjab and Singh to allow the importation of fresh mangoes from Pakistan to the United States.

Health

The U.S. has launched the Signature Health Program which includes initiatives such as:

• Increasing Pakistan's immunization rate from 50 percent to 90 percent.;
• Completing three polio vaccination campaigns;
• Providing more than 1 million women with pre-natal care and guidance on family planning, reproductive health, and labor education; and
• Construction and renovating hospitals in Jacobabad, Karachi, and Lahore.

Communication

The United States is committed to improving communication access in Pakistan and promoting positive messages. Initiatives include:

• Providing more than 200 journalism and administration internships;
• Supporting facilities to allow Pakistani TV stations without a U.S. correspondent to receive reporting directly from the U.S.;
• Doubling the Public Affairs staff in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar to increase media appearances and expanded engagement of grass-roots publics;
• Assisting Pakistan's national broadcaster build a network of radio towers in remote regions, to bring outside news and opinions for the first time to zones under extremist influence;
• Displaying the "handshake" logo so that the roles of the United States and the Pakistani government are recognized.