PepsiCo Foundation Provides $700,000 Grant To American Pakistan Foundation For Long-term Flood Relief Program In Pakistan

PURCHASE, N.Y., July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- PepsiCo Foundation provided a $700,000 grant to the American Pakistan Foundation to develop and execute a year-long flood recovery and rehabilitation program for the most devastated regions of Pakistan.  The grant is part of a broader PepsiCo Foundation commitment to disaster-relief in Pakistan that has so far totaled $1,000,000.

PepsiCo Foundation's grant has supported and enabled the American Pakistan Foundation (APF) to work with non-government organizations in Pakistan to leverage their expertise in addressing some of the country's most significant recovery challenges after last year's torrential rains and mass flooding. These efforts have focused on improving the infrastructure of damaged schools, supporting livelihoods through livestock programs, and building water and irrigation micro-infrastructure.

"The floods last year left severe and serious challenges for Pakistan, and we hope that this multi-faceted approach to recovery and rehabilitation will assist communities that are still recovering from this disaster," said Umran Beba, President, Asia Pacific Region, PepsiCo.  "PepsiCo Foundation, the American Pakistan Foundation and all of the humanitarian agencies involved, are working closely together to build programs that are helpful, impactful and sustainable over the long-term."

"The American Pakistan Foundation's grant from PepsiCo Foundation has enabled us to address immediate needs in re-building Pakistan after the floods last year," said Awais Khan, CEO, American Pakistan Foundation.  "PepsiCo Foundation's support at a time of immense need is a testament to their commitment to Pakistan, and APF is proud to work with our partners to further our mission of supporting Pakistan's long-term development."

APF leveraged its partner networks in Pakistan and worked closely with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to conduct a needs assessment, identify the most critical issues being faced by the worst affected populations and determine gaps in relief work being conducted. Four organizations were chosen as partners on the ground in Pakistan to implement the recovery and rehabilitation program. These partners are the Rural Support Programmes Network, Relief International, Save the Children and the International Rescue Committee.

Some of the highlights of the program, which will impact over 29,000 lives, are as follows: