UNDP Calls ToSupport Pakistan Early Recovery

UNDP Calls For Support To Pakistan Early Recovery Projects

Islamabad, Pakistan, 18 September 2010The United Nations appealed for just over US$2 billion for humanitarian and early recovery needs for flood-ravaged Pakistan. Within the overall context of the UN response to the disaster, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) put forth a host of early recovery programmes designed to help communities get back on their feet. This package includes restoring livelihoods through job creation, repairing community infrastructure, and re-establishing local government offices to get public services running again.

Heavy rain and flash floods have inundated more than a fifth of the country since July, leaving 20.5 million people significantly affected, and 1,750 dead. Seventy percent of roads and bridges in the flooded areas were washed away, along with millions of homes and livelihoods.

“Millions of people have lost their livelihoods and their communities to these devastating floods, and they need help now to get back on the road to recovery,” said Jordan Ryan, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and the Director of the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery. “With the early recovery initiatives outlined in the Revised Response Plan, millions of affected families will be able to get back on their feet and reclaim their lives.”

The Revised Floods Emergency Response Plan launched in New York includes just over US$1 billion for UN-wide early recovery programmes. UNDP’s initial request totals $89 million.

The needs for early recovery are great. Every province in the country has suffered from the floods, which continue even this week. In many districts, local administrations were seriously affected and in some cases government records were washed away. Individuals too have lost essential documents and may face problems reclaiming what is left of their properties.

Community infrastructure including roads, bridges, and flood protection structures, along with health, education and water facilities have been damaged. Agricultural lands are covered with silt while livestock, equipment and storage facilities have been swept away. Small and home-based businesses have also been destroyed.

To address some of these needs, UNDP is seeking $89 million for projects in the following areas:

Restoring local governance institutions in targeted areas. This means providing support to local public institutions and community organizations to facilitate citizens’ access to public services, recover essential damaged and lost records and legal documents while having access to relief and early recovery services and legal aid.

Reviving agriculture and livelihoods in targeted areas. These initiatives will include rapid employment opportunities, grants for affected businesses, provision of agricultural seeds and tools and restocking livestock.

Restoring basic and critical community infrastructure and services. A participatory approach will be used to repair access roads, community water facilities, protections walls and community centers. Cash-for-work will be provided for communal and public works including removal of rubble, mud and waste.

For more information on UNDP’s work in Pakistan, please visit: http://undp.org.pk/

ENDS

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