Country Program Estimate 2011–12: $79 Million

Country program estimate 2011–12: $79 million
Total estimated official development assistance (ODA) 2011–12: $92.8 million

Government Primary School, Bogharmang Union Council, Siran Valley, Mansehra district, Khyber–Pakhtunkhwa. The objective, through co-curricula activities, such as sports and other play activities, is to engage children and increase the retention rate at schools (drop-out rate in Pakistan is 50 per cent). These activities contribute to the teaching of values such as discipline, team work and individual performance. Photo: Giacomo Pirozzi.
Australian assistance to Pakistan is growing, as part of a substantially increased Australian engagement with Pakistan. Since 2008, Australia’s aid to Pakistan has increased steadily.
In 2010 Australia's program grew in response to the devastating floods which swept through Pakistan in July of that year. More than 1.7 million homes, 8,000 schools and 24,000 kilometres of road were damaged or destroyed, reversing many development gains the country had achieved. The relief and early recovery needs were estimated by the United Nations at US$2 billion, while the World Bank and Asian Development Bank estimated reconstruction and rehabilitation costs at up to US$8.9 billion. The impact of the floods has increased Pakistan's need for humanitarian, reconstruction and development assistance dramatically. The Australian aid program was affected by the impact of the floods, and had to be quickly adjusted to respond to the new, immense and immediate needs that arose. Australia will continue to support Pakistan as it recovers from the floods, including for the ongoing early recovery and reconstruction phases.
Overall, the objective of the Australian aid program is to work with the Government of Pakistan (GoP) towards a stable, secure, democratic country through broad-based social and economic development and poverty reduction in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Australia's program to Pakistan will...