In order to work together for the support of flood-affected people in Sindh and Balochistan, the Pakistan government and the United Nations on Tuesday launched the Floods 2011 Early Recovery Framework, seeking US$440 million for the restoration of livelihoods, support for food security, basic social services, shelter, community infrastructure, health, nutrition, water and sanitation.
“We highly appreciate the unflinching support and assistance provided by the international community to the people of Pakistan, during these testing times. The United Nations agencies, foreign governments, donors, national and international NGOs, and private philanthropists all worked jointly with the national and provincial disaster management authorities and other relevant government agencies, responding to immense needs in the affected areas,” said Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics and Planning and Development Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.
During the early recovery phase, the government, the United Nations and its partners will support communities by engaging in planning and exploring solutions to reduce the devastating impact of the 2011 floods and helping communities to quickly return to a normal life pattern while adopting measures for safer living with better preparation to meet the event of a disaster.
The government is committed to ensuring transparency in utilisation of funds in all activities related to the framework. At the same time it will facilitate the international community for smooth execution of the framework. “The Floods Early Recovery Framework is a collaborative effort of the government, the UN and civil society to bridge relief to recovery. It is critical that the international community supports this effort to make communities safer, more resilient and better prepared in the event of possible future flooding and other disasters,” said Timo Pakkala, UN resident coordinator and humanitarian coordinator in Pakistan.
An initial rapid response plan for the 2011 floods launched in September is currently funded at 47 percent and US$168 million of the US$356 million is required to meet humanitarian and early recovery needs. The government, UN and its partners have delivered food for more than 3 million people and provided emergency shelter to more than 450,000 households along with non-food household items. More than 1.2 million people have received clean drinking water, and 1.35 million people have received essential medicines and emergency health care. Further funding is critical, people are still at risk – especially during this pivotal time where people have moved home and crucial early recovery activities are needed to restore livelihoods and rebuild lives.
