UNDP team calls on Prime Minister

A delegation of UNDP led by its Assistance Secretary General Dr Hafeez Pasha on Sunday called on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here at Prime Minister House and discussed with him the ongoing relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction work in the earthquake hit areas.
The delegation also include Jan Vandermoortel Regional Co-ordinator of UN in Pakistan and Haoliang Xu Country Director of UNDP.
Prime Minister Aziz welcomed the initiative taken by UN and its various agencies including UNDP, Unicef, UNHCR and WHO for the relief of the victims of earthquake in Pakistan.
He also appreciated the personal interest taken by the Secretary General United Nations Kofi Annan for organising international donors conference in Geneva to generate funds to help in relief efforts.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan is organising an international donors conference on November 19 to highlight the relief and rehabilitation work and its requirements.
He said initial estimates of damage caused due to October 8 earthquake and Pakistan's requirement for rehabilitation and reconstruction would be explained in the November 19 conference.
The Prime Minister said due to heavy losses in the affected areas, the reconstruction process would continue for several years.
Explaining the rescue, relief and rehabilitation work being done by Pakistan Army with the help of many national and international organisations, the Prime Minister said government reached to many inaccessible areas to provide relief to the victims.
He said its a big challenge for Pakistan and expressed the hope that the government would face it with the help of international community.
Appreciating the contribution of volunteers from Pakistan and abroad, the Prime Minister said rescue and relief was a global nature and added that now Pakistan also need help, assistance and co-operation from the world for rehabilitation and reconstruction work.
Dr Hafeez Pasha assured full help and co-operation from the UNDP and other sister organisations of the United Nations in the gigantic work of rehabilitation and reconstruction in the affected areas.