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Dar seeks international help for rehabilitating IDPs, flood victims
APP
ISLAMABAD: Finance Miniser, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Friday urged international community to join hands with the government and people of Pakistan for rehabilitation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and also extend a helping hand for the flood victims.
“While the international community had an obligation to join hands with the Government and people of Pakistan for rehabilitation of the IDPs, they were also expected to extend a helping hand for the flood victims,” Dar said while chairing a meeting here at the Prime Minister’s office.
The meeting was convened to apprise prospective donors about the requirements for rehabilitation of flood victims and IDPs.
The Finance Minister drew the attention of the diplomatic corps, representatives of international agencies and development partners, attending the meeting towards the anti-terror action being taken in North Waziristan.
He said a large number of people were affected in the area and had to leave their homes and hearths, adding to the overall number of IDPs in the country besides the thousands affected by recent floods in Punjab, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Resettlement / Rehabilitation of IDPs alone needed USD 2 billion.
He said while the international community had an obligation to join hands with the Government and people of Pakistan for rehabilitation of the IDPs, they were also expected to extend a helping hand for the flood victims.
Finance Minister said a multi sectoral initial rapid assessment (MIRA) report had already been prepared, giving an overview of the damages caused by the floods.
He said a proper transparent, accountable mechanism was in place to receive and disburse all kinds of assistance.
There would be an oversight committee including donors, representatives of international financial institutions and government officials to keep a check.
Ishaq Dar said he had asked concerned departments to come with complete recovery need assessment(RNA) and damage need assessment (DNA) reports so that a clear picture could be presented before prospective donors and international community regarding the financial requirements for rehabilitation work.
He said a detailed briefing for all the donors would be arranged by third or fourth week of October. He thanked all participants for their keen interest in extending assistance for the flood victims.
Earlier, representative from the Punjab government briefed the meeting about the damages caused by recent floods.
He said these were the worst floods in Punjab keeping in view the history of the last fifty years and added that 3450 villages were devastated, displacing over half a million people.
He said hectic rescue operation was carried out and the focus needed to be shifted to rehabilitation process now.
He said a better picture of the actual damage would come out when the water recedes.
He said that 35000 beneficiaries had been paid Rs 25,000 each and disbursement had been made in 16 districts of Punjab through 78 disbursement centres while compensation for each dead had also been paid at Rs 1.6 million. On the occasion, Chairman NDMA said that 23 districts in Punjab, 5 in GB and 10 in AJK had received the major jolt due to floods. Overall 2.41 million acres of land had been inundated.
About the economic losses, he said Punjab had suffered the highest losses followed by AJK and GB while damage to life and property was also monumental, he said.
On the occasion Ambassador of EU said it was worrisome to see Pakistan hit by floods 5th time in a row and the situation called for effective preventive measures.
Country Director ADB emphasized the need to put in place some mechanism for rehabilitation activities that could also serve as a model for future. Country Director, World Bank also expressed the willingness of the WB to help Pakistan on these issues.
Representative from the USAID said his organization has always been very supportive adding it was important for donors to assess which are the important areas to focus while Ambassador of Turkey also assured support from his country.
The meeting was attended by High Commissioners of Canada, Australia UK, Malaysia, Ambassadors of France, Argentine, China, EU, Indonesia, Italy, Kuwait, Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Qatar, Russian Federation, Spain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Country Directors World Bank, ADB, UNDP, Mission Director UISAID, Head of Office UK Department, Development Advisor EU, Delegation of the European Union, Chief representative JICA, acting Deputy chief of Mission USA, Coordinator Humanitarian Aid Swiss Agency, Counsellor Development and Head of Aid, CIDA, Country representative UNICEF, Office In charge UNOCHA, Counsellor Development Operations AUSAID, Country Representative FAO, Head of Residence Country Office UNRCO, Resident Coordinator, UNRC and Country Representative WHO.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk