Funds distribution for reconstruction from next month: Rs 20 billion disbursed among quake victims

The Federal Relief Commissioner Major General Farooq Ahmed Khan has said over Rs 20 billion had been disbursed among quake affected people as compensation while Earth Quake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (Erra) would start distribution of funds for the reconstruction of houses from next month.
Talking to newsmen after speaking as chief guest at the concluding session of the two-day conference on Safe and Quality Buildings in Asia - Review of Practices' at Al-Hamra here on Wednesday, he said the Erra would distribute funds to the tune of Rs 80 billion for reconstruction of houses.
The conference was organised by the Development Times in collaboration with the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore Civil Engineering Department to provide opportunities of interaction between the private and public sector companies, experts, professionals and executives.
The Federal Relief Commissioner said rupees 25,000 had already been given to each victim for the reconstruction of house while Erra would extend second instalment of Rs 75,000 next month.
To a question, he said the steps had been taken to ensure the houses were constructed as per specifications and approved designs adding that third and fourth instalments would be given after inspection and certification that walls and roofs were built as per design using quality material.
Responding to another question, he said the FEC would soon unfold a plan for extending financial help through banks to people in the quake-affected areas so that they could restart their businesses.
Earlier, addressing the participants of the conference, he dwelt at length on relief and rehabilitation work being carried out by the FEC. He said schools, hospitals and roads were almost totally destroyed while facilities like electricity and telephone were also badly damaged besides around 500,000 houses turning into debris.
Appreciating the response of countrymen and international community, he said it was very enthusiastic and "We are all praise for the support extended by International Organisations, NGOs, international community as whole and the countrymen in general. Everybody tried to contribute towards relief and rehabilitation work."
Paying tributes to army for its marvellous role, he said army had been the backbone of all relief and rehabilitation operations.
The Relief Commissioner said, "The disaster also have some lessons for us which we should learn as a nation to avert such huge losses in case of natural calamities."
He said seismological survey of the country should he carried out on the basis of which seismic zoning should be done. Besides, it should be ensured that constructions are made as per engineering designs and building codes and laws are fully followed.He said most casualties in October 8 quake were due to caving in of non-engineering constructions, "RCC roofs were made without following engineering designs ensuring use of quality construction material."
He said steps had been taken to ensure that reconstruction in the quake-affected area was carried out keeping in view the seismic factor and that specific design followed and quality material used.
Earlier, during the technical sessions and deliberations matters relating to the prevailing scenario in the housing and urban development sectors against the backdrop of the October 8 earthquake disaster were discussed in detail.