Britain's Department for International Development (DFID) has announced the release a further 44 million pounds, which will be spent over the next two years in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the earthquake-hit areas of Azad Kashmir and Northern Pakistan.
DFID is one of the Group of Seven large donors working with the government to help meet the earthquake recovery challenge. It will play a major role during reconstruction, both as a trusted partner of the government and as one of the largest bilateral donors, the release added.
Last week DFID Minister Gareth Thomas visited a girls' school in Chakothi, a village situated 3,700 feet above sea level, which was destroyed by last year's earthquake. Now, despite heavy rains and occasional landslides, the school is due to reopen. It is much bigger and better-equipped with, amongst other things, a new library and computer facilities. The reconstruction project in Chakothi is one of hundreds undertaken by the government of Pakistan working together with international donors.
The Minister announced how DFID planned to spend the next 44 million pounds of its reconstruction and rehabilitation money. When he visited Pakistan last November, the minister pledged a total of 70 million pounds for reconstruction and rehabilitation.
The first five million pounds has already been spent on reconstructing critical bridges, training teachers and administrators to help get the education sector running effectively, detecting and treating TB, and providing mental health support services.
In addition, as part of the contingency planning for the winter season, DFID recently committed 311,000 to the NGO Merlin to provide healthcare to Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in transitional camps in Muzaffarabad. These camps are providing shelter to 32,700 IDPs.
Of the latest tranche of 44 million pounds, DFID have released nine million to help the Pakistan government to develop an effective monitoring and evaluation system, reduce the impact of future disasters, and build capacity in other areas.
The remaining 35 million pounds are intended for budget support to the Government of Pakistan, to be spent on priorities determined by Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra).