Punjab Chief Minister, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said the provincial government would start implementation of 'Support a Family' programme for the rehabilitation of quake-stricken from the first week of December.
He was presiding over a high level meeting regarding the 'Support A Family' programme at Chief Minister's Secretariat, here on Wednesday.
He said a permanent institution under the name of Disaster Relief Management Society (DRMS) had been established to launch 'Support A Family' programme.
Former Chief Secretary Punjab Hafeez Akhtar Randawa would be the Chief Executive of DRMS and its office would be at Chief Minister's Secretariat.
Chief Secretary Punjab Salman Siddique, former Chief Secretary Hafeez Akhtar Randawa, Advisor to Chief Minister on Education Saadia Shehzad, Secretary Industries Javed Majeed, Secretary Social Welfare Raja Abbas, Secretary Information Taimur Azmat Osman and head of Project Management Unit P&D Khalid Ahmad were also present in the meeting.
Punjab Information Technology Board Chairman Rizwan Amin Sheikh gave a detailed briefing regarding the website on 'Support A Family' programme.
Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said, the 'Support A Family' programme for the rehabilitation of calamity-stricken people was being widely appreciated at every level and a large number of donors were in contact with the government in this regard.
He said the 'Support A Family' programme would go a long way in the rehabilitation of quake victims in mitigating their problems. He said quake-affected families would be in constant contact with donors who would co-operate with the stricken families regarding health, education and employment.
The CM said that transparency in the utilisation of relief assistance for quake survivors would be ensured.
Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said that a large number of affected people would benefit from 'Adopt A Family' programme under which each sponsor would provide financial assistance for a year to the stricken family. He said devastation due to earthquake was at a much larger scale than was initially estimated, therefore collective efforts were required to cope with this challenge.
He said that 'Support A Family' programme is of a great significance with regard to provision of financial resources for the calamity-hit people.
Chief Secretary Punjab, Salman Siddique said newly established Disaster Relief Management Society would play an important role not only in the rehabilitation of quake victims but also with regard to meeting any untoward situation.