Six months after the last October's earthquake, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with donors and NGOs provided the immediate relief through over 11,000 tents, over 8,000 kitchen sets, 60,000 quilts and around 171 boxes of warm clothing for children.
In the first few weeks, the challenges of the oncoming winter were realised and all efforts were focused on providing corrugated iron sheets, tools and salvaged wood to communities to build over 34,000 semi-permanent shelters.
Over 20,000 gas stoves were also provided besides warm water and cooking facilities through stoves, establishing 52 community kitchens, starting the rubble removal activities, said Country Director, UNDP Pakistan, Haoliang Xu in a statement issued here on Friday.
Along with looking after these needs, he said UNDP also worked on building the local capacity of 221 local engineers, 185 local contractors, 168 community masons and 97 trainers on earthquake resistant shelters from local governments, public works department, NGOs and community beneficiaries.
About the earthquake affected area, he said "the task in front of us was tremendous, however, the efforts of the government, the NGOs, and the UN agencies have resulted in a response that surpasses all that have so far taken place in the world."
Haoliang Xu said that the true challenge of the earthquake is now, when all efforts are focused towards rebuilding process.