Balochistan quake: Gilani asks Erra to assess reconstruction cost of houses

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has directed the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) to assess the reconstruction cost of houses damaged by earthquake in Balochistan. Addressing the third annual review conference of the Erra here on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said the government would utilise its all available resources for the rehabilitation of earthquake victims in Balochistan.
He further said the government was committed to construct houses for the rehabilitation of October 2005's earthquake-affected victims. The Prime Minister said though the country faced great challenges in the wake of October 2005's catastrophic earthquake, the solidarity and unity demonstrated by the nation to coupe with the challenge was a great example for the whole world.
Gilani said that health, education and sanitation sectors required due attention in the quake-hit areas, and asked the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and NWFP governments to make all out efforts to improve infrastructure in the areas.
The Prime Minister lauded the assistance rendered by the donor agencies after October 8, 2005 earthquake that helped in regaining normalcy in the affected areas. He hoped that with similar spirit, the quake-hit areas of Balochistan would be reconstructed and the affected people would be provided proper facilities to lead a normal life.
Erra Chairman Altaf Saleem, in his welcome address, said that so far Rs 61.45 billion had been disbursed among the displaced people. He said that except for 44 families, who were living in tents, all families were settled in their houses, while 95 percent of the houses were reconstructed with seismic resistance quality.
Deputy Chairman of Erra Lieutenant General Sajjad Akram (Retd) presented the authority's annual report, and said that Erra worked with a commitment to build back better. He said in AJK and NWFP's affected areas, about 425,323 houses had been completed, while 107,267 were at various stages of reconstruction.
He said 268,000 vulnerable families, of which 58,062 women, were heading their households, received cash grant of Rs 5.346 billion. He said partner organisations set up approximately 500 semi-permanent transitional shelters for schools with a lifespan of 5-10 years.