ABBOTTABAD, July 25: The United States will invest $200 million in the Siran Valley in next five years, says Sue Mactyne, head of a delegation from the Office of United States Disaster Assistance (Ofda).

The delegation visited the World Vision’s livelihood project in the Mansehra district. Ofda monitoring and evaluation consultant Kaukab J. Smith accompanied Sue Mactyne.

The delegation went to the villages of Lammi Patti in Sum and Buzbela in Jabori and participated in community meetings.

Through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ofda is funding the World Vision rehabilitation activities in nine villages in Jabori and Sum Union councils to help earthquake-affected communities rebuild houses, water supply system, livelihood, etc.

Under the project, 1,000 households will receive ‘family fund’ vouchers valued at $200 so that people can purchase seeds and farm tools, shelter rehabilitation kits, kitchen utensils and livestock.

“Our approach is to enable households to make their own decisions on how best to meet the needs of family members. We aim to support them in restoring their livelihoods,” says USAID project manager Dr Abraham Hadoto.