ISLAMABAD, Jan 18: Delegates at the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies’ donors conference that concluded here on Wednesday pledged Rs1.5 billion for reconstruction of infrastructure in earthquake-affected areas.

Delegates from more than 23 countries attended the conference hosted by the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), says a press statement.

They pledged to help PRCS in rebuilding schools, hospitals and vocational centres in the affected areas of Azad Kashmir and North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

Al-Shifa Trust USA branch pledged to help in the construction of an Eye Hospital in Chakoti. Other overseas Pakistanis also pledged to support the reconstruction plan.

PRCS Chairman Lt-Gen (retired) Jahan Dad Khan thanked all the delegates for their help and said their contribution would go a long way in mitigating the sufferings of the people hit by the devastating earthquake.

He said the Pakistani government as well as the people were thankful to the Red Crescent and Red Cross societies for their timely help in this hour of need.

He said the needs were immense in terms of rebuilding health, education, housing communication and public sector infrastructure. He said Pakistan Red Crescent had to figure prominently in the National Reconstruction Plan.

He said the government as well as people of Pakistan would certainly like to draw knowledge, expertise and support to measure up to the sacred trust reposed on the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.

Jahan Dad Khan said the conference was a great success and it would help Pakistan Red Crescent to materialize its reconstruction plan which included 50-bedded hospital, four high and six middle schools, four vocational institutions, two children villages, construction of Chanari and Gari Duppata colleges, two rural health centres, four basic health units and one eye hospital in Chakoti while the same projects would also be carried out in the affected areas in the NWFP.