ISLAMABAD, Dec 8: International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has said it was committed to long-term, sustained and coordinated reconstruction and recovery efforts in earthquake- affected areas in Azad Kashmir.

In a meeting with Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, International Organisation for Migration Regional Representative Hassan Abdel Moneim Mostafa pledged to build an effective coordination system between the two sides for the provision of assistance required for the affected population.

The AJK prime minister gave a warm welcome to the IOM delegation, which also comprised heads of International Organisation for Migration sub-offices in Muzaffarabad and Mansehra, John Sampson and Arshad Rasheed, and Islamabad-based Media and Public Information Officer Saleem Rehmat.

Sardar Attique appreciated relief and recovery operations carried out by International Organisation for Migration since the earthquake disaster and assured his full support to the organisation’s current and future activities to help the affected Kashmiri people.

“Saving the lives of people is our foremost priority and IOM remains committed to the AJK government’s efforts to help the people rebuild their lives following the devastating October 2005 earthquake,” said the International Organisation for Migration regional representative.

The prime minister accepted IOM’s suggestion to appoint a focal person in his office for an effective and efficient coordination with the government for organisation’s future programmes in Kashmir.

He was also briefed on IOM’s current projects, i.e. rapid response and rubble removal, being carried out with the coordination and support of local governments, Muzaffarabad Municipal Administration, Development Authority, Camp Management Organisation and district health officials.

The meeting underlined the importance of International Organisation for Migration emergency teams this winter for the provision of rapid assistance to vulnerable communities in remote and high-altitude areas.

Both sides also shared their past experiences and future vision for the uplift of earthquake-affected areas.