PESHAWAR, March 1: Women councillors of Mansehra district have complained that they have been sidelined in relief work in earthquake-hit areas. At a one-day consultation the councillors urged the government to let them play an effective role in reconstruction and rehabilitation phase.

According to a press release issued here, the consultation on “Restoration of livelihood for earthquake affectees of Mansehra” was organised by DELTA (Development, Environment, Legal Aid, Technical Support and Advocacy Association) in collaboration with the World Vision (International Relief Agency) at Soom area of Mansehra on Wednesday.

Leader of the opposition in the NWFP Assembly, Shahzada Gustasep, hosted the gathering of over 100 participants of elected representatives of the district.

The participants urged the government to establish industries in the area for employment generation. Deliberations were held on livelihood for both men and women before earthquake and its restoration as part of the rehabilitation phase.

The president of DELTA, Ms Naazlee Sardar and consultant of World Vision, Shaheen Khan, conducted the consultation for formulation of appropriate livelihood strategies for quake victims. Issues like anomalies in assessment lists, accusations against nazims for hoarding relief items, amputees, destitute and female headed households, conflicts between tenants farmers and landlords, earthquake resistant shelters, among many other issues were discussed.

Mr Gustesep urged the government that unlike the 1974 earthquake disaster in the area, this time reconstruction must be earthquake resistant. He said that the contractors responsible for faulty and substandard construction of school buildings, which caused loss of lives of hundreds of students, should be indicted.