October 24, 2006	Tuesday	Ramazan 30, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 23: Graeme Wheeler, managing director, and Praful Patel, vice-president South Asia, of the World Bank visited quake-affected areas during their visit to Pakistan from October 19-22.

They visited the quake-affected areas of the AJK and the NWFP, accompanied by Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority’s Chairman Altaf Saleem, Deputy Chairman Gen Nadeem and Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund chief executive. They spoke with local communities and saw the progress being made in school and housing reconstruction and the development of village water supplies.

“The progress made in just one year is truly impressive given the scale of this terrible tragedy” Graeme Wheeler said. It is clear that the government under Erra’s management has done a remarkable job and that nearly all of the 3.5 million people, whose lives were turned upside down by the earthquake, will face the winter in temporary or permanent shelter rather than in heated tents.”

Erra estimates that less than one per cent of these people will be occupying tents; and those will be heated. Many families will be able to stay in their newly-built permanent homes, which are being completed in increasing numbers before winter sets in.

Praful Patel, who had visited twice before, said: “The change since June is amazing. I’ve flown over the same areas and visited many communities in the past. This time one had to look hard to find a tent. Shiny roofs were everywhere.”