Rehabilitation of the flood-hit areas in Sindh would take six months due to the massive devastation caused to infrastructures by the raging floods. This was stated by Saleh Ahmed Farooqui, Director General (DG), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) at a seminar on "Land Management and Resettlement in Post Flood Scenario," organised by Shehri-CBE in collaboration with Friedrich Noman Foundation at a local hotel here on Thursday.
Farooqui said that lack of resources is a major challenge for the administration. "We are a nation of rich endowment but due to some circumstances we are unable to utilise our endowment," he added. He said that the authority was focusing on restoration of irrigation system in the affected areas. He appreciated the effort of Shehri.
A member of Shehri, Roland De Souza, who participated in relief activities during the floods as volunteer, said that the government was not prepared to face such kind of natural disasters and the rehabilitation of the floods affectees was a major challenge. Chairman Department of Architecture, NED University, Professor Dr Noman Ahmed in his address gave an overview of the flood scenario. He said that the major issue emerged after the floods other than the loss of life was displacement.
Noman Ahmed said that although the initial phase of rescue and relief operation was over but there were many areas where people were still facing problems and the floods water still present there. He said that resource mobilisation and response of government machinery to the disaster was not matching.
He said that while focusing on revival of community infrastructure, conflict resolution mechanism can be used to deal with the merging disputes, which would make people stand again by their own and the government would have to guide them only, adding that this will generate job opportunities as well. He underlined the need of conducting capacity analysis for ensuring suitability of settlement.
Consultant UN Habitat Babar Mumtaz gave presentation on "How to rehabilitate and reconstruct properly". He elaborated multiple dimensions of disaster and challenges and the policies, which have to be implemented. Mumtaz said that the disasters could be proved opportunities for those who are prepared for change. "When we reconstruct, we must "Build Back Better."
Mumtaz said the policy of building back should take care of local, social, environmental conflicts and priorities. While stressing on housing he said Provincial Disaster Management Authority should establish housing and settlement reconstruction units at provincial level to facilitate the management of housing and settlement programme.
General Secretary Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Sindh, Taj Haider while addressing the seminar said that the main challenge of the time is "Are we ready to broaden our vision?" He added that damages caused by the floods were estimated at Rs 464 billion. Agriculture and housing sector were among the worst affectees, he added.
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