BERLIN, Dec 11: Germany has given Pakistan 50 million marks ($22.8 million) in additional aid to fight poverty, improve education and health care and support Afghan refugees, the overseas development ministry said Tuesday.

Berlin said the aid package was intended in part to recognize Pakistan’s anti-terrorism efforts and in particular its acceptance of thousands of Afghan refugees since the US-led war began.

“The German government has taken into consideration the role Pakistan has played in the war on terrorism as well as the additional burden placed on it by the influx of refugees from Afghanistan,” the ministry said in a statement.

The funds will go mainly to projects in the north and northwest of the country, such as schools for Afghan refugees living in camps in Pakistan and the development of renewable energy.

Germany will also support projects targeted specifically at women and girls, the ministry said. —AFP