March 11, 2006	Saturday	Safar 10, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, March 10: Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has drawn out a provisional plan of action for reconstruction in the quake-hit areas, with special focus on health and education.

Talking to Dawn, the PRCS president, Lt-Gen (retired) Jehandad Khan, said a specialized 150-bed base hospital would be built in Muzaffarabad under the proposed reconstruction plan.

The project would cost Rs200 million. The hospital will minister to the people of Azad Kashmir and the adjoining areas of NWFP.

Jehandad Khan said details about the hospital would be worked out with the AJK government and Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) in the light of the seismic survey conducted by foreign experts.

He said a 50-bed hospital would be built in Chakothi, while two rural health centres (RHCs) each would be set up in Khaliana and Gujar Bandi. He said four basic health units (BHUs) would be established in Saran, Lamnia, Salmiah and Nardajia areas of Azad Kashmir.

About the reconstruction plan for the NWFP in health sector, he said the society would build an eye department of DHQ Hospital, Mansehra, while the rest of the reconstruction would be carried out by Saudi Arabia. He said two RHCs and two BHUs would be built in the NWFP.

Gen Khan said the society planned to build two degree colleges in Azad Kashmir, one each in Chinari and Garhi Dupatta besides building four high schools, six middle schools and two primary schools for boys and girls.

He said the society would build a girls degree college in Balakot. Two high schools and four middle schools would also be established in the province.

Giving details of the social welfare plans, the PRCS chairman said an orphan or widow village on SOS pattern would be built in Hatian Bala. He said four vocational training and skill development centres each would be established in Azad Kashmir and the NWFP. He said new ideas would be introduced at these centres on the basis of the past experience.

Responding to a question, he said it would be difficult to give a time-line for the completion of the society’s reconstruction projects at this stage. He, however, said some of these could be completed much before the next winter sets in.

When asked about the difficulties he foresaw in the upcoming reconstruction phase, Jehandad Khan said these could be shortage of building material and skilled manpower.

He, however, observed that all these challenges could be overcome with proper planning. He appreciated the idea of establishing construction material hubs in the quake-hit areas given by the former Erra chief, Lt-Gen (retired) Mohammad Zubair.

“Currently, we are passing through a transitional phase from relief to reconstruction,” he said. He further said troops were being withdrawn from the quake-hit areas, while the pullout of NGOs and other relief organizations was expected to be completed by March 31.

Gen Khan said the PRCS had so far distributed Rs1.87 billion worth of relief goods among the quake survivors.