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Saturday, January 29, 2011
UNHCR launches power plant in Swat
PESHAWAR: The UN refugee agency has inaugurated the first 20 kw micro hydel power plant in Barikot, Swat, capable of producing electricity for more than 80 households in the remote village of Mian Jai Wajoor Bandai, said a release issued here on Friday. The project is one of the UNHCR’s community-based interventions to light villages in the remote areas affected by floods. The UN refugee agency through its main partner Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) has launched 12 community-based power generation projects worth Rs 30.8 million (USD 350,000). In total, UNHCR is supporting 12 such community-based initiatives in the region, benefiting 1,755 households. Ahmed Warsame, head of the UNHCR in Peshawar, addressed the inauguration ceremony. The hydel power project is one of the UNHCR’s 16 Quick Impact Project (QIP) initiatives in accessible flood-hit areas that are targeted to benefit some three million people. UNHCR has been operating in Swat valley since the return of 2.3 million IDPs who fled for safety in mid 2009, extending protection and shelter to vulnerable population affected in the military operation. In the immediate aftermath of the devastating floods, UNHCR responded with emergency shelter and essential household items for flood-affected population. This winter, UNHCR completed winterisation assistance for 14,601 families in Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Lower and Upper Dir. staff report
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk