Tuesday, 19 May 2009 18:59 UK 
US unveils Pakistan emergency aid
Hillary Clinton announces new US aid
The US is sending $110m (£71m) in aid to Pakistan to help it cope with the refugee crisis in the north-west.
Details of the package were revealed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a White House news conference.
She said the US wanted to do more to help the more than two million people who have fled fighting between the Pakistani government and Taleban.
The money will be used to provide generators, tents, water trucks and food to some of those forced to flee.
An initial $26m will go towards the immediate purchase of wheat and other food produced in Pakistan itself.
Correspondents say the aid package underlines Washington's new strategy towards Pakistan of attempting to counter the appeal of the Taleban.
Pakistani displaced people wait their turn to receive food from a World Food Programme distribution point at the Jalozai camp in Peshawar, Pakistan on Tuesday
Aid agencies stress the need is huge
"One of our guiding principles is that this should be more than just the delivery of supplies," Mrs Clinton said.
"It should be an investment in the people of Pakistan, so we will buy locally from the bumper crop of wheat and we'll work to help create quick impact job programs that will put Pakistanis to work making goods for their fellow citizens."
Mrs Clinton conceded US policy towards Pakistan over the past three decades had been "incoherent".
She praised the current Pakistani military offensive against the Taleban, and said she was encouraged by a "national mood change" on the part of the Pakistani people.
Nearly 1.5 million people have been displaced from the north-west this month alone, according to the United Nations. Some parts of the Swat valley have been emptied of their population.
Many of the displaced have poured into camps seeking refuge from the conflict, and are now living in tents, and aid agencies have been calling for urgent and massive help.
US unveils Pakistan emergency aid
Hillary Clinton announces new US aid
The US is sending $110m (£71m) in aid to Pakistan to help it cope with the refugee crisis in the north-west.
Details of the package were revealed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a White House news conference.
She said the US wanted to do more to help the more than two million people who have fled fighting between the Pakistani government and Taleban.
The money will be used to provide generators, tents, water trucks and food to some of those forced to flee.
An initial $26m will go towards the immediate purchase of wheat and other food produced in Pakistan itself.
Correspondents say the aid package underlines Washington's new strategy towards Pakistan of attempting to counter the appeal of the Taleban.
Pakistani displaced people wait their turn to receive food from a World Food Programme distribution point at the Jalozai camp in Peshawar, Pakistan on Tuesday
Aid agencies stress the need is huge
"One of our guiding principles is that this should be more than just the delivery of supplies," Mrs Clinton said.
"It should be an investment in the people of Pakistan, so we will buy locally from the bumper crop of wheat and we'll work to help create quick impact job programs that will put Pakistanis to work making goods for their fellow citizens."
Mrs Clinton conceded US policy towards Pakistan over the past three decades had been "incoherent".
She praised the current Pakistani military offensive against the Taleban, and said she was encouraged by a "national mood change" on the part of the Pakistani people.
Nearly 1.5 million people have been displaced from the north-west this month alone, according to the United Nations. Some parts of the Swat valley have been emptied of their population.
Many of the displaced have poured into camps seeking refuge from the conflict, and are now living in tents, and aid agencies have been calling for urgent and massive help.
