Follow @Kalpoint_com

$440m needed for flood affectee"s rehabilitation

Posted on: Wed February 22, 2012

Islamabad Responding to the long-awaited SOS call by flood affected people, Pakistan Government and the UN has jointly launched the Floods 2011 Early Recovery Framework on Tuesday, requesting US$440 million for the swift relief to recovery of the distressed. Speakers termed the Recovery phase essential for the restoration of livelihoods, support for food security, basic social services, shelter, community infrastructure, health, nutrition, water and sanitation.

"Emergency is not over" declared Timo Pakkala, UN Resident Coordinator in Pakistan. "Waters may have receded and media attention might not be same, but millions are still struggling with their lives in Sindh and Balochistan."Soliciting support for the flood affectees, Pakkala said "it is critical that the international community support this effort to make communities safer, more resilient, and better prepared in the event of possible future flooding and other disaster", because out of the total affected people, 35 percent have been hit by floods second year in a row. It was noted that UNICEF had to close around 260 nutrition centres in Pakistan due to low resources.

Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue, and Planning and Development, appreciated the support and assistance provided by UN agencies, National and International donors who worked hand in glove with the National and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities and Pakistan Government Agencies, while responding to immense needs in the affected areas. Responding to a question on the transparent utilisation of Prime Minister"s Relief Fund, Hafeez told that "much more was spend on the rehabilitation of the flood victims than the actual amount received by the Relief Fund."

Courtesy: pakobserver