World Bank Mid-term Review Mission's findings: Erra's performance termed 'highly satisfactory'

The World Bank Mid-term Review Mission has presented its findings to the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra), expressing satisfaction over the work done so far. The Mission headed by Raja Rehan Arshad presented its findings to Deputy Chairman Erra, Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmad here on Tuesday.
The Mission on the basis of its findings declared Erra's performance in the Rural Housing Cash Grant and Livelihood Cash Support Component as highly satisfactory, the highest grading of the World Bank.
The Mission stated that the Emergency Recovery Programme had been exemplary since the outset, and the implementation arrangements for the project were very good.
The Deputy Chairman Erra appreciating the findings said that achievements in rebuilding the infrastructure in the earthquake-affected areas were possible due to proactive support of its partners. He added that the World Bank always extended meaningful support to Erra in implementation of its programmes across an area of 30,000 sq km.
The Mission reviewed the Earthquake Emergency Recovery Project during December 12, 2007 to January 15, 2008 with the objective to review progress of project implementation in Housing and Capacity Building components as well as assessed completion of Livelihood Support component particularly its extension for most vulnerable households.
The Mission compiled its report after visiting earthquake-affected areas in Mansehra and Muzaffarabad to review progress on the ground, where the Mission also met with relevant officials of Erra, NDMA, representatives of the governments of NWFP and AJK, various donors, NGOs and beneficiary communities/households.
As per the Missions' report the Rural Housing Reconstruction Programme (RHRP) has accomplished impressive milestones at an unprecedented pace, including disbursement of over $1.1 billion in housing cash grants to beneficiaries.
The Mission observed that 42 percent (450,000 houses) of the total houses to be reconstructed under the Programme have been completed and certified up to the lintel level; and 80 percent (280,000 houses) have been completed and certified up to the plinth level.
The Mission endorsed the possibility of an earlier than scheduled completion of the Programme, which Erra expects that substantial reconstruction and retrofitting of around 550,000 houses, will be completed by October 2008, with full completion by late 2009.
The Mission appreciated that almost full donor-financing have been achieved for the Programme that reflects credibility of the Programme and continued donor ownership of the building-back-better agenda that underpins it.
The Mission appreciated the creation of an enabling environment for seismic-resistant housing construction in a high seismic zone, through widespread social mobilisation, public sensitisation, and training in seismic-resistant construction techniques. Over 550,000 beneficiaries and community members were provided orientation training; more than 16,000 artisans and 4,000 local government engineers, sub-engineers and army personnel trained as master trainers, it added.