Iraqi government donates wheat flour to help flood victims in Pakistan

[News_Editor]

Iraqi government donates wheat flour to help flood victims in Pakistan

2010-12-13 20:31:13 GMT+7 (ICT)

BAGHDAD (BNO NEWS) -- The Iraqi government on Monday donated a shipment of wheat flour to help some of the flood victims in Pakistan, who continue to suffer nearly five months after the disaster began.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said the Iraqi government sent a total of 4,000 metric tons of wheat flour. The shipment, which is valued at around $1.6 million, left the southern Iraqi port of Um Qasr on Monday.

The wheat flour donation is the first Iraqi government contribution to the World Food Programme as a sign it supports humanitarian relief efforts not only inside Iraq, but also beyond its borders.

"We are most grateful for this contribution from the Iraqi people to their brothers and sisters in Pakistan especially during the harsh winter months," said WFP Representative and Country Director in Iraq, Edward Kallon. "WFP welcomes the commitment and support that the government has provided for our programs inside Iraq and the extension of support to our work in other emergencies."

The Government of Luxembourg has paid the cost of transporting the Iraqi-donated wheat flour to Pakistan, where millions of people are continuing to suffer after flooding which began in July following heavy monsoon rains. It left more than 2,000 people killed and affected more than 21 million others.

In addition to Monday's contribution, the Iraqi government also contributes more than 50 percent of the total funding required for school meals and flood relief projects in the most vulnerable areas of Iraq.

Earlier this year, Iraq contributed $17 million in support towards a national school feeding program that reached over 500,000 primary school children.

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