Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Accepted
The FCDO should continue to carry out aid programmes aimed at helping covid-19 recovery, particularly...
Recommendation
The FCDO should continue to carry out aid programmes aimed at helping covid-19 recovery, particularly addressing the impact among marginalised communities, especially children. (Paragraph 34) Development challenges in Pakistan
Government Response Summary
The government states that they already spent £88.2 million responding to Pakistan's COVID-19 response in 2020, with specific allocations to humanitarian programs, economic growth, education, governance, and support for helplines for vulnerable people.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Response: COVID-19 has exacerbated existing inequalities in Pakistan and increased the risk of reversals in gains made so far in poverty reduction, gender equality and human rights. In 2020, we spent £88.2 million responding to the Government of Pakistan’s priorities on COVID-19 response. • £21 million was committed under the Pakistan Multi-Year Humanitarian Programme. • Our economic growth portfolio pivoted to respond to COVID-19. We provided £139,350 to one of the leading diagnostic chains, Excel Labs, to build their capacity to conduct COVID-19 tests. • Our education portfolio explicitly addresses catch-up learning for girls and marginalised groups, whose education was impacted by COVID-19. UK aid to Pakistan: Government Response to the Sixth Report of the Committee, Session 2021–22 ix • Through governance programming we supported the development of an economic stimulus and social protection mechanism to address the impact of COVID-19 worth £778 million in Punjab and a similar package in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) worth £161 million. • We are collaborating with UNFPA and a local NGO to strengthen multiple government-run helplines for women and marginalised people who experienced or were at risk of stress, abuse and gender-based violence, including due to the pandemic.