The Republic of Korea donates funds to help Pakistan combat locust invasion
Islamabad (PPA) – Republic of Korea has pledged to donate US$200,000 to help the Government of Pakistan respond to the worst locust infestation in more than two decades.
“Sympathizing with Pakistani farmers’ suffering and damages from desert locust, the Korean government has decided to participate in helping Pakistani government’s relief effort” according to a joint statement issued by Republic of Korea’s Embassy, World Food Programme (WFP) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Korean Ambassador Mr. Kwak Sung-Kyu also said that “I hope this support will serve as a good momentum to upgrade bilateral agricultural cooperation between Korea and Pakistan including the currently on-going project to establish KOPIA center in Pakistan.”
The contribution from Korea is to be channeled through the United Nations WFP and the FAO of the United Nations and goes towards supporting smallholder farmers who are most at risk of food shortage due to the crisis.
The statement quoted the FAO Representative in Pakistan, Minà Dowlatchahi, as saying that “Concerted efforts will help address the imminent threat of desert locust to ensure food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture.”
“We are grateful for the timely support from the Republic of Korea,” Meanwhile Chris Kaye, WFP Representative and Country Director also said that “Our priority is not only to help communities protect their crops and livelihoods but also build their resilience so that they withstand such shocks better in the future.”
WFP and FAO experts are working together under the ‘critical support for Desert Locust prevention and control operations in Pakistan’ project to build the capacities of the relevant government departments and local farming communities living in locus-prone and affected areas.
Korea-funded project will be implemented in close collaboration with the Departments of the Plant Protection and Agriculture, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs).
– PPA