40th anniversary of IDB next month: Seismically-resistant houses to be projected

Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to highlight its best projects performance at its 40th anniversary next month in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia including reconstruction of seismically resistant 88300 houses in earthquake affected areas of Azad Kashmir and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, says a press release issued here on Friday.
The IDB in its quick response provided US $207 million for the reconstruction of seismically resistant houses in earthquake affected areas of Bagh, Azad Kashmir and seven districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with strong technical support of ERRA. The two-member technical team of IDB including Alexander Wynter and Dr Intizar Hussain visited Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to prepare a documentary of IDB funded reconstruction rural houses in these areas which is considered one of its outstanding projects of ERRA and IDB.
Islamic Development Bank is planning to celebrate 40th anniversary of bank in June 2014. The purpose of the anniversary is to highlight bank financial operations in 56 Islamic countries including the Muslim majority areas of the world. The bank will showcase the eight outstanding projects including seismically resistant 88300 housing projects in AJK and KP. The IDB consultant Alexander and Jeddah based bank official Intizar Hussain visited these areas and interacted with the recipients of the financial support about the fund utilisation. During interaction with more than fifty households about newly constructed seismically resistant houses they appreciated the reconstruction work which improved their quality of life as they are now living in safe houses with all facilities.
The team also visited ERRA headquarters and met with Deputy Chairman Major General Azeem Asif. The IDB team acknowledged the quality efforts of reconstruction, rehabilitation work in earthquake affected areas. The ERRA reconstruction of more than 600,000 houses which is rated as best achievement in the world, they commented.
During the meeting Deputy Chairman ERRA has thanked IDB recent decision to extend loan closing date of US $93 million for the reconstruction of roads, health units, and electricity and education facilities in Shangla and Kohistan districts. During the meeting ERRA official said that Government of Pakistan will also provide US $41.03 million for the projects which will be completed by 2016.-PR