In the lead-up to a major earthquake conference in Pakistan, the government and the United Nations (UN) on Wednesday chalked up a detailed plan for assisting millions affected by the October 8 quake to recover during the next 12 to 18 months.
"Under this plan we will work to bridge the phase from relief to reconstruction by shifting from saving lives to restoring Livelihoods," UN President and Humanitarian Co-ordinator in Pakistan Jan Vandemoortele said.
The UN is operating life saving and recovery efforts at the same time, the press release said.
He said under the plan, outlined in the Early Recovery Framework document, $398 million will be needed to help the people in 10 sectors, including shelter, employment, livelihoods, agriculture, governance, environment, education, protection, food, nutrition, health, water and sanitation.
The functioning of public offices is severely weakened as documents are buried under the rubble and civil servants are demoralised, schools are destroyed and basic infrastructure like water pipes and roads are gone.
As winter approaches, the Early Recovery Plan seeks to co-ordinate international recovery efforts.
Work under the plan kill lay the foundations for full-scale reconstruction later, Vandermoortole said.
"The early recovery framework will be a critical area of discussion during the conference on Saturday. This plan outlines how the government, civil society and the international community can meet people's needs in the period between relief and reconstruction, the press release added.