ISLAMABAD (APP) The USAID projects this year received half a billion less funds as promised under Kerry Lugar Berman bill that authorized $1.5 billion annually for five years to promote and enhanced strategic partnership with Pakistan. Instead of $1.5 billion during 2011, the USAID could get only $947.2 million due to across the board cut on international assistance by the US government. Although USAID spent $1.321 billion in 2010 and $1.147 billion during 2009 but was facing shortage of funds during 2011 due to financial constraints in Washington this year. USAID Pakistan Mission Director Dr. Andrew B. Sisson in an interview with APP said despite constraints in the funds, the USAID has been providing financial assistance to Pakistan in various sectors. He explained that during 2010 and 2011 the USAID Pakistan funding is being used for stabilization, education, energy, humanitarian assistance, health, earthquake reconstruction, social assistance, agriculture, economic growth and governance. He said the US response to the catastrophic flooding was the most immediate, and visible focus of U.S. assistance during 2010. In close cooperation with Pakistani civilian and military counterparts, the US was first in, with the most among the international donors. He explained that USAID has provided over $547 million for relief and recovery efforts. USAIDs assistance has focused on providing shelter, food, water, health services, and essential supplies to affected communities and displaced families. We work closely with Pakistan government, business community, civil society and NGOs for effective utilization of the USAID funds, he added. Dr. Andrew said,Main purpose of USAID projects in Pakistan is to help develop Pakistan and for the better future of people living here. We have had excellent cooperation and its a continuous process with Pakistan government and civil society, he added. He said energy sector is now at top of the list of the USAID projects and during 2011 an amount of dollars 254 million were allocated only in energy sector as compared to dollars 86.5 million spent in 2010. He said, We are also planning to provide assistance for big energy projects like Bhasha Dam, Satpara Dam and Gomal Zam projects, that will generate bulk of electricity. He said USAID had also been working for the upgradation of Tarbela Dam which is also a big project to reduce energy crisis in Pakistan. Referring to another project for energy sector, Dr. Andrew said, USAID has also launched a project to improve tubewell motors in Pakistan that will save 1000 MW of electricity. He said so far USAID has reached to 1000 farmers in this regard and the initial target is to reach 11,000 farmers. Regarding assistance for Agriculture sector, the USAID Pakistan Mission Director said following the last year floods, USAID provided seeds to the farmers well in time that helped them to increase wheat crop this year. Another important project is upgradation of mango farmers and enable them to export Pakistans most delicious mangos to international market including America and Europe. Horticulture and dairy development, will be the next important segments in the rural areas of Pakistan, where USAID would provide technical and financial assistance, he added. He said USAID experts would also help Pakistan in improving its Agriculture Policy Reforms so that the potential available in agriculture sector could be utilized in a better way.