The Agency for International Development will provide $1 million for coastal shipping in East Pakistan to move food grains and other supplies to survivors of last November's cyclone, it was announced today (June 10). The funds will enable the Government of Pakistan to charter six to eight boats and crews from other countries for four months for the distribution of supplies.

Cyclone survivors in the more than 3,900 square miles of devastated area are in dire need of food as a result of the crop losses created by the cyclone, which swept away about 400,000 tons of rice crops along with 470,000 cattle, goats and sheep and 9,000 fishing boats. Cyclone survivors will continue to need outside food supplies throughout this year until their principal rice crops can be harvested.

Within a few days, the Government of Pakistan is expected to issue an international request for bids for shallow-draft vessels of less than 1,000 tons, with crews.

Altogether, including the S1 million for the boats, the United States has provided about $10 million worth of supplies and money for cyclone disaster relief in East Pakistan.