Rebuilding lives: UN pledges support for reconstruction

The UN and UNDP to help flood survivors restore their livelihoods and work for basic social services.

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations and UNDP will help flood survivors restore their livelihoods, and work for basic social services and community infrastructure during the early phase of reconstruction, said United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) administrator Helen Clark.

Clark met several high-level government officials, including Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, during her visit to the country and discussed implementation of the government’s “New Growth Strategy” that UNDP and the planning commission are collectively working on.

“UNDP’s early recovery programme has so far mobilised $90 million of its $120 million target to support Pakistani people after this unprecedented disaster,” said Clark.

“While we work together with people and communities to build houses, repair roads and schools, it is also crucial to put in place systems which will reduce the impact of future disasters,” she added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2011.