March 24, 2006	Friday	Safar 23, 1427

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

ISLAMABAD, March 23: The Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) will promote time-bound reconstruction in the quake-hit areas as any delays will increase the sufferings and retrograde development. This was stated by Erra Deputy Chairman Maj-Gen Nadeem Ahmad while talking to Dawn here. He said given the scale of the destruction and the limited time in which reconstruction has to be carried out, responsibility for implementation will be shared with as many qualified partners as possible.

He said the process will be based on basic safety and locally-known construction technology will be promoted with pragmatic improvement. The implementation of the programme and its elements will be decentralised to the lowest possible level. Future reliance of the community on technical assistance will be minimized by creating a self-sustainable talent pool in earthquake-resistant construction. This pool will serve as a role model for other communities across the country. Local uniqueness will be respected over mono-

lithic implementation of standards.

He said reconstruction efforts would consider environmental degradation concerns, support environmental-friendly building techniques and promote sustainability awareness.

He said housing reconstruction would be complemented by livelihoods and infrastructure support.

He said opportunity to develop housing standards and earthquake-resistant techniques for non-engineered buildings will be seized.

Unrealistic technical excellence will be avoided in the interest of time and effectiveness of the reconstruction programme.

The Erra deputy chairman said the financial assistance package applies to both Katcha and Pucca houses and will be disbursed directly to the bank account of landlords and tenants as per relevant policy. The payment of installments will be linked to compliance with earthquake-resistant standards issued by Erra.

Financial support will provide each beneficiary with a core house of 400 sq ft. Beneficiaries will receive the grants through local bank branches.

Responding to a question about assistance funds to be disbursed by Erra, he said an initial payment of Rs25,000 has been made to cover immediate shelter needs for destroyed houses.

The balance of Rs150,000 is to be used for permanent housing. It will be paid in three instalments: Rs75,000 for mobilization, Rs25,000 upon completion to plinth level, Rs50,000 upon completion of the walls. A final technical inspection of the roof will be made. For structurally-damaged houses, an initial payment of Rs25,000 has been made to cover immediate shelter needs. A cash grant of Rs50,000 will be paid in one installment.

He said houses without structural damage will not be eligible for government assistance. A final list of beneficiaries is to be determined by local verification.

The implementation of rural housing reconstruction will be decentralised. The Provincial Earthquake Reconstruction Agency (Pera) will act as the secretariat of the provincial steering committee. An Erra regional housing coordinator will be posted in the Pera to supervise and coordinate provincial housing reconstruction activities and will report to both the Pera and the Erra.

Eleven housing reconstruction centres will be established at the district or sub-district level in Bagh, Rawalakot, Dhirkot, Hattian, Muzaffarabad, Patika, Balakot, Shinkiari, Batagram, Bana and Besham.

The housing reconstruction centres will be primarily responsible for training, technical assistance and coordination of activities related to housing reconstruction and will be under the supervision of the district reconstruction unit through the district housing coordinator.

The staff of each centre will include a senior trainer, a team of two training coordinators and a team of two technical experts, management and administrative support staff and one technical staff member responsible for coordination, monitoring and evaluation.