Govt, EU ink new deals to back post-flood response
The European Union has fulfilled its pledge of an additional grant assistance of 100 million euros (Rs30 billion) to enhance the post-flood resilience in Pakistan. EU Ambassador Dr Riina Kionka and Economic Affairs Division (EAD) Secretary Kazim Niaz signed five new grant agreements in Islamabad on Monday. These agreements, under Team Europe’s response to the 2022 post-flood Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework, signify a substantial commitment of the European Union towards Pakistan. The new EU support package aims to fortify Pakistan’s resilience in the aftermath of the floods, bringing the total Team Europe response to the 2022 floods to over 930 million euros. The specific focus areas include revitalising the rural economy in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and restoring the disrupted livestock value chains in flood-affected areas of Balochistan. Notably, these activities align with the expansive EU Global Gateway initiative, the largest EU investment programme designed to propel the global green transition.