The aid decision, agreed today, takes immediate effect and comes as an addition to the €30m for humanitarian assistance allocated by the Commission at the end of July.

Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Commission Vice-President said, ‘My heartfelt condolences go to all those affected by this crisis and the European Union stands ready to support Pakistan both in financial and political terms in dealing with the consequences of this terrible event.’

Pakistan’s terrible floods are thought to have affect almost 14 million people and these numbers could rise as flood waters continue to move towards the more densely populated south. One third of the country is flooded and so far more than 290,000 houses have been damaged.

First assessments show that the flood victims are in dire need of clean drinking water, shelter, food, non-food items (like blankets and hygiene kits) and medical assistance. The funds from the European Commission will help to cover these needs through relief operations in all flood-affected areas in the country.

Pakistan are in need of urgent assistance as they have no more capacities to cope with a reiteration of natural and man-made disasters.

Over the last twelve months, including today’s allocation the Commission has given a total of €111.25m in aid for the victims of humanitarian crises in Pakistan.

The Commission’s humanitarian aid and civil protection department (ECHO) has experts on the ground in Pakistan who closely follow the developments in the humanitarian situation and monitor the use of the Commission’s relief funds.