The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) has committed an additional Rs 4.2 billion ($70 million) for poverty alleviation in Pakistan. PPAF sources said this financing was approved in the 40th meeting of the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund board of directors in which it approved Rs 1.7 billion for rehabilitation and reconstruction in earthquake-affected areas.
Rs 309 million for micro-credit, Rs 255 million for community physical infrastructure, and Rs 115 million for capacity building, health, and education sectors. The PPAF board also approved an agreement with KfW (German Development Bank) for Rs 1.1 billion for reconstruction of rural housing and infrastructure in earthquake-affected areas of NWFP, and authorised Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund to enter into an agreement with "Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy" of USA for Rs 732 million for building and operating health and education facilities in AJK and NWFP.
Sources said the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund disbursed Rs 6.2 billion ($103 million ) among poor across the country during 2005-06 out of cumulative disbursement of Rs 15 billion ($250 million)
They said the PPAF represents an innovative model of public-private partnership, and is sponsored by the Government of Pakistan and funded by the World Bank, USAID, IFAD, KfW, USDA, and other international donors.
Sources said since commencement of operations in 2000, the PPAF has accessed more than 20,000 villages in 108 districts of the country by extending more than 840,000 micro-credit loans (with 100 percent recovery rate) initiated 11,000 infrastructure projects, and trained 1,40,000 individuals across the country.