World Bank lauds Erra performance

The World Bank has applauded the performance of Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (Erra) in the wake of October 8 earthquake and said: "The progress made in just one year is truly impressive, given the scale of this terrible tragedy."
WB, South Asia, Managing Director Graeme Wheeler and Vice President Praful Patel visited Pakistan from October 19 to October 22 and surveyed the earthquake-affected areas of AJK and NWFP. They were accompanied by Erra Chairman Altaf Saleem and Erra Deputy Chairman General Nadeem along with the PPAF Chief Executive.
During their visit they spoke with local communities and saw progress being made in school and housing reconstruction and development of water supplies in villages.
"The progress made in just one year is truly impressive, given the scale of this terrible tragedy," Graeme Wheeler said. "It is clear that the government under Erra management has done a remarkable job and that nearly all of the 3.5 million people, whose lives were turned upside down by the earthquake, will face the winter in temporary or permanent shelters rather than in heated tents."
Erra estimates that less than one percent of these people will be occupying tents; and those will be heated. Many families will be able to stay in their newly built permanent homes, which are being completed in increasing numbers before the winter starts.
Praful Patel, who had visited twice before, said, "The change since June is amazing. I've flown over the same areas and visited many communities in the past. This time, one had to look hard to find a tent. Shiny roofs were everywhere."
The visitors visited a girls' school that was fully operational, built by Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), while a boys' school was under construction right across the road.
Erra assured the visitors that 100 percent of the schools and health capacity that existed before the October 8 earthquake were up and running, in both permanent and temporary shelter, with many providing a much higher quality of services than before being reconstructed.
The visitors met the Prime Minister, the finance adviser, and the Governor of the central bank along with many senior officials of the Government of Pakistan. They discussed economic issues, particularly the need to keep an eye on external imbalances, the progress on National Trade Corridor, and power and water management challenges.
They also visited Lahore, where they met the chief minister, the chief secretary, Planning and Development Board chairman Punjab and others and discussed the urban development program of Punjab.