Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) has initiated a livelihood support and community infrastructure project for the poor and marginalised communities of Khyber-Paktunkhwa. The Federal Republic of Germany has provided financing to the tune of approximately Rs 4 billion (€31.5 million) through KfW (German Development Bank) to PPAF for this strategic initiative.
A simple but impressive ceremony to mark the project launch was held here on Friday, which was graced by Governor KPK Barrister Masood Kausar as the chief guest, while KfW Country Director Dr Anna Christine Janke, Social Welfare Minister-KP Sitara Ayaz, MNA Bushra Gohar and CEO-PPAF Qazi Azmat Isa were present on the occasion. Under the project, PPAF long-term strategy for Fata (Vision 2020) was also unveiled.
The Governor said that the financing by the German government will not only help in poverty alleviation, but would help open new vistas of opportunities for the poor of KPK and Fata. He said that it was indeed a moment to recognise commitment of PPAF to stemming the tide of poverty and for this purpose, focusing on one of the most deserving areas of the country.
Dr Anna Christine Janke said that it was a laudable initiative, which would benefit over 600,000 individuals in different districts of the province. Having collaborated with PPAF in reconstruction of quake-hit areas, she said that the German government has once again reposed confidence in PPAF for the service of the poor in KPK. Sitara Ayaz said that the KPK government would extend full support to PPAF in the execution of the project aimed at the welfare of the marginalized segments of the society.
With an inclusive, pro-poor, participatory and integrated approach, the project will be implemented in five districts of Swabi, Buner, Charsada, Chitral and Dera Ismael Khan in three years with the objective of increasing access to and sustainable utilisation of social and economic infrastructure, creating employment and income-generation opportunities for the poor and strengthening of local civil society and enhanced participation of population in the decision making process including building target community disaster preparedness and mitigation capacities.
Under the project, small scale community-based infrastructure schemes such as drinking water, irrigation, sanitation & drainage, roads, culverts, bridges, slope stabilisation, draught mitigation and flood management will be constructed/rehabilitated. Renewable energy is an important component of the design.-PR
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