Pakistan Flooding Updates

August 26, 2010

On August 22 the Federal Government announced it would create a "Pakistan Floods Relief Fund" by setting aside an amount equal to that raised by Canadian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like The United Church of Canada for Pakistan flood relief.

We expect that funds received by The United Church of Canada, designated for Pakistan Relief and that meet certain criteria, will be eligible for match by the Canadian Government. 

The United Church will also seek to access funds in the new funding mechanism.

The government's Pakistan Floods Relief Fund is separate from the funds raised by charities like the United Church and will be administered separately by the Government of Canada. This means that NGOs declaring donations will not automatically receive government support for their efforts: all aid organizations must present a plan, on a competitive basis, to the Canadian International Development Organization (CIDA) in accordance with CIDA guidelines.

The United Church expects to submit one or more proposals to CIDA and the new Fund under the banner of Canadian Churches in Action (CCA), an ecumenical coalition of 10 Canadian churches and church agencies. Together, CCA members represent 4.5 million Canadians. Projects will be implemented by ACT Alliance member agencies or CCA member churches/agencies that are working on the ground in Pakistan.

Learn more from the government's full announcement about the Pakistan Floods Relief Fund.

For information on how to donate to The United Church of Canada's "Pakistan Flood Appeal" and on the government's matching fund initiative, please visit Pakistan Flooding: How United Church Members Can Help.