UNITED NATIONS, March 1: As UN agencies move from emergency relief to reconstruction in the country’s quake-devastated areas, they are preparing an action plan to prevent an aid gap in the remaining winter period and to improve sanitation to prevent diseases in spring, said a press release issued in New York.

“The action plan will not be an extra appeal,” UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator Jan Vandemoortele said, giving an overview of the achievements of relief efforts and challenges that lay ahead in relation to the transition from relief to recovery and reconstruction, and a voluntary return of displaced families.

“It will be a guideline for donors to identify how and where to spend the money.”

The humanitarian plan will cover a one-year period from April 2006 to April 2007. Early recovery includes activities as transitional shelter, restoration of livelihood, psycho-social support, environmental rehabilitation, protection of vulnerable groups such as children, women and the landless, and the return of internally displaced people.

It also includes health and education services before permanent structures are rebuilt.

The UN has assisted in opening some 900 schools in the quake-hit areas, enrolling over 100,000 children.

It is also assisting with 150 prefab basic health units in the area, training of female staff, and disease early warning systems.

Relief operations may well continue beyond the next harvesting season in September and many survivors are likely to remain dependent on food assistance.—APP