ABBOTTABAD, Jan 13: The Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (Erra) has started the ‘Livelihood Rehabilitation Project’ in two union councils of the district.

The project will cover all nine union councils that had been affected by the October 8, 2005, earthquake.

According to the plan, 10 villages in every union council will be provided funds for three types of projects-- agriculture, livestock and entrepreneurship-- valued at Rs750,000 each. The union councils would be allocated Rs7.5 million each for the purpose.

Syed Kosar Naqvi, chief executive of a local NGO, said the aim of the programme was to give a chance to local people to restart their economic activities and earn a livelihood.

He said that around nine villages had been covered in the consultation process.

Funds for the scheme would be provided by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the project would be completed within six months, he said.

The project has started in Bakot and Nambal.