2010 floods: OXFAM urges concrete reconstruction strategy

The agency says devolution of ministries to provinces will likely slow down the development process.

ISLAMABAD:

Eight months on from the devastating floods of 2010, OXFAM Great Britain has stated that the government of Pakistan has yet to publish a reconstruction strategy.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, OXFAM Country Director Neva Khan said that last year’s devastating floods have affected millions of people and as the country moves into the recovery and reconstruction phase, the government of Pakistan has yet to provide a plan to the agencies.

Khan said that the delay has meant that urgent rebuilding and recovery work has barely started even eight months after the disaster and urged Pakistani authorities to chalk out a clear plan placing the needs of the most vulnerable at the top.

Khan said that after the 18th amendment, as well as due to the devolution of ministries to provincial levels, a number of changes have been taking place in the government, which will likely slow down the development process and add to the challenges of the flood-affected population. “Who is going to take the lead here? There are targets that need to be met on time,” said khan.

Khan highlighted the need for the government to present a concrete document in which standards are demonstrated so that all stakeholders involved can understand the process. “It’s high time we are presented with a comprehensive plan,” Khan said.

As far as the availability of the funds are concerned,  the country director said that it was too soon to say whether the government would be launching a new appeal as Pakistan is still struggling to fully fund two earlier appeals – the appeal for IDPs and for the floods.

She said that donors should encourage the government to develop a reconstruction strategy not only focusing on people’s needs but ensuring its implementation.

“People who are planning Pakistan’s recovery need to stop the risk of wasting scarce resources and missing an opportunity to rebuild a stronger Pakistan,” said Khan. “The government should be leading with reconstruction of infrastructure with the funds they receive from world bodies like the World Bank and ADB. Agencies should be working with smaller communities.”

According to a survey conducted by Free and Fair Election (FAFEN) for OXFAM an overwhelming 70 per cent of those stricken by floods in Pakistan want reconstruction to generate jobs.

A total of 2,040 people in all provinces in areas affected by floods were interviewed and the survey states that 34 per cent of them said that the country needed to prioritise the production of cheaper food; 23 per cent said the country needed to prioritise building homes and over 36 per cent see corruption in reconstruction as one of the most serious problems facing the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th,  2011.