News
USAID distributes $100 vouchers among quake survivors
ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 : The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has said it is providing $100-vouchers to ten thousand families in the Bagh District.
The vouchers enable families to purchase items of their choice to supplement shelter kits containing corrugated iron and plastic sheeting. The shelter kits were distributed to residents before the onset of winter.
Yesterday in Rangla, USAID implementing partner GOAL distributed some of the $100 voucher packages to approximately 400 needy families. The voucher system gives survivors flexibility to address their own needs while stimulating the local economy.
Families are able to use their vouchers to purchase goods from nearly 140 local merchants participating in the voucher program. Households may purchase needed items such as a large tin box to protect goods from the harsh winter weather or food such as rice and sugar to supplement their diet.
The voucher program has been well received by local merchants who have seen their revenue stream increase while helping their neighbors recover and rebuild. Programs such as the USAID-sponsored voucher program are contributing to long-term sustainability and self reliance in the earthquake affected region.
The United States, through USAID, is providing more than $1.5 billion in development assistance to Pakistan over the next five years to improve education, health, governance and economic growth. In addition, the United States has pledged a total of $510 million in earthquake relief and reconstruction efforts to assist the people of Pakistan and to support Pakistani government relief and reconstruction efforts.