Press Releases 2009
U.S. Provides Urgently Needed Air-Conditioned Tents, Electrical Generators to IDP Camps
May 26, 2009
Islamabad - More urgently needed U.S. relief supplies earmarked for those displaced by Pakistan's ongoing military operations against extremists were turned over to Pakistani officials at Chaklala Air Base near Islamabad today.
The shipment of 50 air conditioning units, 25 power generators, and associated electrical distribution hardware will be sent to camps housing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). In addition, the U.S. also provided 500 shovels and 5000 sandbags to anchor the tents. The supplies, valued at approximately $334,000, were purchased locally using U.S. government relief funds.
Pakistan's Army is coordinating relief operations for IDPs and will distribute and erect the tents at IDP camps.
This follows last week's deliveries by U.S. aircraft of more than 120,000 pre-packed halal meals and environmentally-controlled tents. On May 19, U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton committed $110 million in immediate humanitarian assistance to assist IDPs. This is in addition $4.9 million provided to purchase tents, blankets, cooking sets, jerry cans, soap, and bedding. The United States also sent logistical equipment including generators, and transformers to power water pumps, laptop computers, rental cars, and internet connectivity to assist in emergency support operations. In addition, $28 million in agricultural commodities including 50,000 metric tons of wheat valued at $16.8 million, and 6,800 metric tons of vegetable oil valued at $11.2 million was provided by the United States.