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Pakistan
earthquake: survivors must steer efforts to rebuild their lives and
communities 29 March 2006 Six months after the deadly Pakistan earthquake, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is stressing the importance of enabling survivors to decide for themselves what their reconstructed communities will look like. “It’s essential that local populations spearhead the reconstruction effort,” said Azmat Ulla, the International Federation’s head of delegation in Pakistan. “They are in the best position to know what they need and helping them to take the lead is a vital part of the healing process,” he added. “What’s more, when there is a sense of ownership and people are empowered to improve their environment, there is a greater chance of bringing about long-term, community-inspired change in areas such as health care and schooling.” Now that winter has ended and people are starting to return to where they once lived, the focus of the humanitarian operation has begun shifting from relief to recovery. The International Federation has revised its initial emergency appeal upwards from 152 million Swiss francs ($117 million USD or € 98 million) to just over 227 million Swiss francs ($172 million USD/ € 145 million) to include the recovery phase. The initial appeal for 152 million Swiss francs is now 83 per cent covered. By the end of February the Federation had spent almost 89 million Swiss francs. Therefore the additional amount required is 100 million Swiss francs. The additional funds will be used to support the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in assisting more than one million people to rebuild their lives and communities over the next three years. The recovery plan includes the improvement of primary health care services, the reconstruction of vital public infrastructures, such as schools, water, sanitation, and health facilities, and increasing the capacity of the PRCS to carry out the recovery efforts and deal with future disasters, such as landslides and flooding caused by spring rains. “This is not only about enabling people to resume their normal lives,” said Khalid Kibriya, Secretary General of the PRCS. “The reality is that this area is very vulnerable to natural catastrophes, so the recovery process also provides an opportunity to make communities stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the next time disaster strikes.” The Pakistan government is overseeing the reconstruction of the majority of permanent housing and is leading an owner-driven construction scheme, which allows individuals to rebuild their own homes through cash grants. However, some vulnerable groups may not be in a position to benefit from the government’s initiative, so the International Federation will be ready to provide durable shelters for around 10,000 families if required. The earthquake, which struck northern Pakistan on 8 October, 2005, killed over 73,000 people and left more than 3.5 million homeless in a mountainous and rugged area roughly 28,000 square kilometers in size. The sheer scale of the disaster presented the humanitarian community with the tremendous challenge of getting urgent aid to tens of thousands of people in remote regions before the start of winter. During the emergency and relief phase of the operation, the PRCS, with the support of the International Federation, provided assistance to over 740,000 people in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province. This included 18,000 tonnes of aid, such as winterized tents, corrugated iron sheeting, tarpaulins and blankets. Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross has been working alongside the PRCS in Pakistan-administered Kashmir to assist the affected population. Audio visual: European Broadcasting Union will be broadcasting a VNR between 11.00-12.00 GMT today. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: In Islamabad: John Tulloch, Communication Coordinator Tel: + 92 300 555 4505 In Islamabad: Arzu Ozsoy, Information Delegate Tel: + 92 301 524 9672 / Sat: +88 216 898 56286 In Islamabad: Anna Nelson, Media Officer Tel: + 41 79 724 2046 In Geneva: Siân Bowen, Manager, Media Service Tel : + 41 79 217 33 88 / +41 22 730 4428 Media Service, duty phone Tel. + 41 79 416 38 81 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 183 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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