BASF in collaboration with the Government of Japan and UN-Habitat handed over 113 newly constructed shelters to the residents of Gul Mohammad Gandhro Village, Sonda Town, Thatta in a prestigious ceremony.
The massive floods of 2010 inundated the entire village of Gul Mohammad Gandhro as 113 houses of families, mainly fishermen, were washed away forcing the residents to live in make shift arrangements. The project involved constructing durable shelters and structures which could endure vagaries of rough weather.
Work commenced in February 2011 and through traditional methods of construction, 113 shelters, 42 latrines, water storage tank and a community space, have been constructed. In addition, landscaping and tree plantation, a children’s area, constructed wetlands and a verandah for vulnerable people have also been developed.
The ceremony was attended by district government officials, ministerial representatives, diplomats from the German Consulate in Karachi and the Government of Japan, corporate sector representatives, UN-Habitat staff, print and electronic media.
The project is financed by the Government of Japan, Global Construction Chemicals Division through BASF Social Foundation, Ludwigshafen, Germany and, technically executed on their behalf by UN-Habitat Pakistan.
The Deputy Consular General, Government of Japan Abe Masamichi in his speech said that, “I am very happy to be here at Gul Mohammad Gandhro. From my visits to Sindh after the floods, I realised how badly Thatta, Badin and Mirpur Khas were affected. Since then in Sindh, through the Government of Japans funding 3,710 shelters have been made by UN-Habitat.”
Divisional Commissioner Hyderabad, Ahmed B Narejo also spoke at the event stating that the government was very happy to support the UN and the donor community in their efforts. The governments contribution at Gul Mohamad Gandro in the form of land had helped the people in resettling and he was very proud of the people efforts in the rehabilitation of their village.
