KARACHI, April 20: The HSBC Group has joined hands with The Citizens Foundation to take on the construction of 14 earthquake-resistant houses in the Bandi Karim Haider Shah village at Muzaffarabad district in Azad Kashmir, says a press release.

It adds that the HSBC has pledged $520,000 for the relief efforts being carried out by different aid agencies in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of October 8, 2005.

“The [Muzaffarabad] project costing US$ 100,000 also caters to the restoration of basic infrastructure ie roads and other basic services… [such as] a waterway which would ensure running water to villagers and other amenities.”

The press release says the construction involves partnership with the local community to build homes. The TCF has also organized capacity building and training workshops for masons, carpenters, electricians and other skilled and non-skilled workers.

“The extensive provision of funding by the HSBC Group and the integral capacity of TCF for managing the construction would go a long way in the economic revival of the village and would definitely improve the quality of life.”