January 25, 2006	Wednesday	Zilhaj 24, 1426

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: Chief Relief Commissioner Major-Gen Farooq Ahmad Khan has ruled out any possibility of irregularities in the utilization of funds meant for relief and reconstruction in the quake-hit areas. Talking to a seven-member Russian delegation comprising media representatives and academicians, which called on him here on Tuesday, he reaffirmed the commitment that funds meant for earthquake relief would be managed in a transparent manner.

“To guard against any irregularities in fund management, only one fund (President’s Relief Fund) has been established where donations stand at Rs6.6 billion,” he said, adding any appropriation from the fund was done only for a specific project, to make sure that there were no chances of irregularities.

He said the Relief Commission would continue to work in harmony and coordination with the donor community, international organizations and NGOs to ensure a concerted response and manage the post-earthquake situation in the affected areas. Timely provision of shelters, food and medical support was the main reason for gaining the confidence of people who were affected by the Oct 8 earthquake.

“We are facing the challenge of caring and rehabilitating over 1,820 widows, orphans and destitute, 731 paraplegics and 634 amputees,” Gen Farooq informed the visiting delegation.

He said that over 282,833 one-room shelters had been constructed by the army, international organizations and NGOs. Forty-four field hospitals from friendly countries are working in the affected areas while 47 medical teams are providing health cover.

He appreciated the monetary and logistic support extended by the Russian government, specially the 600,000US-dollars pledge which was made in Geneva against the UN flash appeal. He also thanked the Russian people and government for sending a search and rescue team, a medical assistance team and over 70 tons of relief goods.

Meanwhile, talking to another delegation comprising Hugh Thomas Goyder of Disaster Management Committee UK and Syed Abdul Razzak and Ms Sadika Salahudin of Islamic Relief UK, he said support of the international community is vital in the transition and reconstruction phase. International organizations and NGOs will be requested to stay longer to enable Pakistan to perform the relief and rehabilitation task efficiently in all earthquake-affected areas.

“Our relationship with donors, international organizations and NGOs is based upon trust and we share data with every organization working in the affected areas to avoid duplication of work. In our future endeavours for relief and rehabilitation, we would like to utilize the full potential of NGOs who have expertise in this respect and would facilitate their operations in the affected areas to every possible extent,” Gen Farooq added.

Commenting on the media coverage in the post-earthquake scenario, he thanked the national and international media for putting the tragedy in the correct perspective. He, however, emphasized the need for coverage of the rehabilitation phase that would encourage the local population and keep the donor community informed about the utilization of their funds.

Mr Hugh said more funds will be provided for the affected areas keeping in view the needs of rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Disaster Management Committee UK is a consortium of donors that has so far provided one million pounds to the Islamic Relief.

Islamic Relief is busy in constructing 3,500 semi-permanent shelters targeting over 340,000 people in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.