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| December 21, 2005 | Wednesday | Ziqa’ad 18, 1426 |
NWFP, AJK governments to implement, ERRA to coordinate reconstruction policies: Musharraf RAWALPINDI, Dec 21 (APP): A top-level meeting Wednesday decided that the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) would coordinate and monitor rebuilding of quake-shattered areas, while the NWFP and the Azad Kashmir governments would carry out the reconstruction of the quake-hit areas. President General Pervez Musharraf chaired the meeting, which was also attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. A three-tier implementation framework has been adopted for the earthquake reconstruction policy. At the federal level, ERRA would be responsible for coordination and monitoring. At the provincial level the reconstruction agencies of NWFP and AJK governments will pursue the objective, while at the district level the reconstruction units would implement the policies. The NWFP and AJK governments will have an authority each to supervise rebuilding of infrastructure including education, health, tourism, government buildings, roads, bridges, mosques and services etc. Musharraf also approved a website, which would contain complete information down to the village level of the relied efforts. He said all contributions would be accounted for and the government would update the website regularly. "This will certainly encourage confidence among all sponsors including Pakistani expatriates and foreign countries, donors, organizations and individuals," he stated.(Posted @ 20:24 PST)
US defense chief Rumsfeld visits quake-hit Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (AFP) - US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld arrived here early Wednesday and later flew to Muzaffarabad, the quake-devastated capital of Azad Kashmir and visited the main US MASH hospital. He also visited a US surgical unit at Shinkiari in northwest Pakistan. Rumsfeld also met pilots and crew of US Chinook helicopters at Qasim airbase in Rawalpindi , which have been shuttling the bulk of the relief supplies for millions of quake survivors.Rumsfeld said there were currently around 850 US military personnel, 12 helicopters and two medical facilities set up to help the effort in Pakistan, where more than 73,000 people were killed.(Posted @ 13:00 PST)
UNHCR boosts winterization campaign in relief camps ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (APP): The UNHCR is stepping up its winterization campaign in relief camps by starting a new round of blanket distribution and exploring ways to keep quake survivors warm while minimizing the risk of tent fires. On Monday, UNHCR staff started the third round of distribution to camps in Mansehra and Muzaffarabad to supplement earlier dispatches of aid. "We are providing each person with three blankets, and each tent with four mattresses, two plastic sheets and one stove", said UNHCR's emergency coordinator for earthquake relief in Pakistan, Indrika Ratwatte. Many relief items have already been distributed in the last few weeks, and this latest round of distribution is to fill gaps to make sure everyone receives the full package needed to help them cope with winter. The blankets and mattresses provide personal insulation, while the plastic sheets are used to cover the tents' roof and ground for additional warmth. Muslim Hands camp in Mansehra on Monday received 3,741 blankets and 734 mattresses, while four camps in Muzaffarabad received 7,550 blankets and 570 plastic sheets. In total, UNHCR will distribute more than 77,000 plastic sheets, 250,000 blankets and 29,000 stoves in this round of distribution.(Posted @ 13:10 PST)
Former U.S. president pleads for conversion of Pakistan's soft loans into aid WASHINGTON, Dec 21 (APP)- Former president Bill Clinton has supported the plea that soft loans of Pakistan be converted into aid, and proposed the lenders to do so "to help Pakistan." He observed this in talks with Rasheed Ahmed Chaudhry, the Pakistani-American Democratic Party leader, who met him recently. Mr. Chaudhry said: "Mr. Clinton said he would work out, and make a plan" and that he would try to contribute towards raising of funds for quake-affectees. (Posted @ 09:10 PST)
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