ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK EXTENDS LIFELINE TO PAKISTANI FLOOD VICTIMS

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 (Bernama) -- The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group is
extending a lifeline to the flood victims of Pakistan.

A technical delegation from the bank has begun providing immediate relief
efforts and basic needs to victims of the recent floods which continue to wreak
havoc in the country.

Currently, there are more than 20 million flood victims in Pakistan. Of this
number, two million have been made homeless.

The delegation has held meetings with officials from Pakistan's ministry of
finance, national crisis management cell and other relevant ministries and
government bodies, to seek ways and means of helping the victims.

According to an IDB statement made available to Bernama here, the group, through
an extensive cooperation programme with the Qatari Red Crescent Society, has
embarked on distributing food and shelter.

Already, the Jeddah-based bank has a list of projects to finance in the primary
reconstruction process in Pakistan, covering agricultural and housing sectors,
as well as providing drinking water.

In the wake of the devastating floods, the bank has approved US$11 million in
emergency relief and rehabilitation package for the country.
-- BERNAMA