Islamabad, In a special ceremony on Pakistan Day, March 23, 2024, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan awarded USAID Administrator Samantha Power the ‘Hilal-e-Quaid-i-Azam’ for her exemplary leadership during the catastrophic floods in 2022. The award acknowledges the vital role played by the United States, under Power’s guidance, in supporting Pakistan through one of its most challenging natural disasters in recent history. The ceremony highlighted the strong ties and continued partnership between the United States and Pakistan, aimed at mutual progress and cooperation.

According to Embassy of The United States of America, the award was accepted on behalf of Administrator Power by USAID Mission Director Kate Somvongsiri, who emphasized the honor’s significance. Administrator Power, in a video message, expressed her gratitude for the recognition, reaffirming USAID’s commitment to assisting Pakistan in its recovery and future development challenges. She also acknowledged the generosity of the American people, whose contributions significantly bolstered the relief efforts.

The United States, through USAID, played a crucial role in the aftermath of the 2022 floods, providing over $215 million in aid. This support, coupled with over $37 million in donations from American citizens and corporations, was instrumental in delivering essential aid to the flood-affected populations across Pakistan. In addition to immediate relief efforts, USAID’s ongoing projects in water management, climate-smart agriculture, and climate adaptation finance aim to enhance Pakistan’s resilience to natural disasters and climate change impacts, paving the way for a sustainable future.