New York, 16 May: A UN Early Recovery Plan for Pakistan launched Tuesday aims to bridge the transition from relief to reconstruction operations following the October 2005 earthquake.
The disaster devastated the Asian countrys Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) and Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) region. Over 73.400 people died, 3,3 million Pakistanis were left homeless and 69.400 seriously injured.
The Early Recovery Plan aims to redirect efforts from saving lives to restoring livelihoods of the stricken communities. It offers concrete proposals to mobilize 190 million US dollar worth of pledges and will play a catalytic role in making sure that the rest of the 6,2 billion dollar (ca 36 milliarder DKR) pledged in grants and loans at the Islamabad Conference will materialise.
By laying out activities over a 12-month period from May 2006 to April 2007, the plan charts programs in priority sectors such as education, health, water and sanitation, housing, shelter and camp management and disaster risk reduction. It is a result of joint efforts and broad consultations between the Government of Pakistan, the UN and Non-Governmental Organizations partners.
The 8 October earthquake was unprecedented for Pakistan. – Never since Pakistans foundation has the country been confronted with a natural disaster of such magnitude, said Altaf Salim, Chairman of the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) in Pakistan.
– The national response to the earthquake was exceptional. Operations in Pakistan were an extraordinary challenge for the government of Pakistan, its people and the international community, said Jan Vandemoortele, UNDPs Resident Representative in Pakistan.
– The topography of high altitudes in the affected areas was a logistical nightmare for rescue and relief operations, with the race against the oncoming winter adding to the challenges to help displace people and keep relief operations going at a successful level, added he.
– In the past, relief work activities have tended to dwindle as relief operations come to an end and before reconstruction activities can fully take off. If this were to happen in Pakistan, many survivors could face another difficult situation next winter. Timely support needs to continue to arrive to the affected populations who are starting to rebuild their normal lives now so that they no longer have to rely on humanitarian assistance, says Vandemoortele explaining:
– The smooth return of displaced persons from camps and host families is an important step in the transition from relief to recovery and that is one of the many areas where the Early Recovery Plan hopes to make a difference.
– The priority is to ensure that tens of thousands of families return to their villages and hamlets in a voluntary, informed and dignified manner and ensure that essential services follow the people, he concludes.
The Early Recovery Plan for Pakistan can be downloaded at
www.un.org.pk/undp/publication/ERRA-UN.pdf
