THATTA, July 27: Popular pop singer Hadiqa Kiyani, who is National Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Development Programme, visited villages in Thatta on Friday to contact people who are being supported by the UNDP in restoring the socio-economic infrastructure in their settlements.

The singer who was accompanied by the UNDP’s Country Director Toshihiro Tanaka and representatives of the Health and Nutrition Development Society (HANDS), Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Sindh Rural Support Programme (SRSP), met people in Makli and Allahdino Khaskheli, Ramzan Hijib and Suleman Jutt villages.

Thatta is among 29 districts in the country which were hit by flash flood in 2010 and where the UNDP has carried out an early recovery programme with financial support from Japan, EU, USAID, EU, AusAid, Italy, Kuwait and COFRA Foundation.

She visited a centre where handicrafts produced by villagers of Makli were on display. It was established with the help of HANDS for enhancing linkages of local women with the main markets in Thatta. Ms Kiyani and the UNDP team were welcomed by children, members of the community and disaster risk management committee of Suleman Jutt.

She visited a biogas plant set up with the help of WWF to provide sustainable access to alternative and renewable energy to rural families.

She also visited a Disaster Management Centre set up by HANDS which provides capacity building support to communities to strengthen their preparedness and ability to respond to calamities.

“I am impressed by efforts of communities who have shown resilience and cooperation in rebuilding lives,” she said. Mr Tanaka praised Ms Kiyani for her commitment and efforts in helping disaster-hit communities. “She is a role model for Pakistani youth,” he said.

“In partnership with UN agencies, NGOs, donors and government, we will support local and national capacity building in creating resilient and sustainable society that adapts and mitigates climate change risks through community-based disaster risk management and sustainable renewable energy,” he said.

Later, Ms Kiyani went to the Thatta press club. Talking to journalists, she said she had been inspired by the courage of flood-affected people who faced hardships with courage and fortitude.

She said now the government had taken precautionary measures and the UNDP would back its efforts to cope with future emergencies.

Mr Tanaka said it was premature to say anything about the possibility of a flood this year.

About dykes on the Indus, he said the district administration of Thatta had informed him that the dykes had been strengthened and faced no threat.