ISLAMABAD: China and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan on Friday signed a 4 million US dollar agreement to provide assistance in four months to areas of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Balochistan that have been affected by natural and man-made crises.
According to UNDP, the “China South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund for the Recovery Project in FATA and Balochistan will help 8,100 families returning to the affected areas in FATA to rebuild their lives. In Balochistan, about 19,000 school children will benefit as schools that were damaged in the 2010–2011 floods are refurbished.”
Ambassador of China to Pakistan Yao Jing speaking on this occasion said, “The successful launching of this project renews our commitment to deliver strong support to the people of Pakistan.”
He said that in the future, China will continue to increase assistance to Pakistan, enriching different categories and sectors, expanding the input into areas with pressing demands including FATA and Balochistan.
Economic Affairs Division Joint Secretary Muhammad Aslam Chaudhry speaking on the occasion said, “We are thankful to the Chinese government for their initiative to provide immediate response for the needs of communities in FATA and Balochistan; this project will support the people in restoring their livelihoods and help rebuild their lives.”
Pakistan UNDP Country Director Ignacio Artaza addressing the ceremony said, “FATA and Balochistan are amongst the country’s least developed regions and, in recent years, have been severely affected by disasters and this support from China will help temporarily displaced families get back on their feet as they return home after years of uncertainty, and help ensure that schools in Balochistan meet the necessary conditions to keep young students in school.”
The recovery project is supported by the China Ministry of Commerce and implemented by UNDP. The project aims to provide immediate response to meet the needs of affected individuals, as well as, communities through the distribution of essential supplies.
This initiative builds on UNDP’s ongoing support for early recovery and rehabilitation of affected populations in Pakistan and will provide 56,700 people (8,100 families) in Kurram, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Khyber and Orakzai agencies with construction kits to rebuild their homes, as well as essential household items.
In Balochistan’s Naseerabad, Jafferabad and Sohbatpur districts, which were the worst affected by the 2010–2011 floods, 375 schools will receive new furniture and education kits.
The project will be implemented in partnership with government stakeholders including the Disaster Management Authority, FATA Secretariat, Temporarily Displaced People Secretariat, and in Balochistan the departments of Education and Planning and Development.
