UN Development Chief Helen Clark visits Pakistan
UN Development Chief Helen Clark visits Pakistan
UNDP Administrator Helen Clark visited Pakistan in February to view the Early Recovery efforts by the UN Development Agency following Pakistan's floods of 2010. She visited project sites in the southern province of Sindh as well as met the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and other government functionaries during her stays in Karachi and capital Islamabad. The visit was aimed to reinforce the need to prioritize early recovery efforts in the flood affected areas, support the Government of Pakistan to invest in human development, and reaffirm commitment to the United Nations pilot initiative of Delivering as One.
UNDP Administrator Helen Clark visited Pakistan in February to view the Early Recovery efforts by the UN Development Agency following Pakistan's floods of 2010. She visited project sites in the southern province of Sindh as well as met the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and other government functionaries during her stays in Karachi and capital Islamabad. The visit was aimed to reinforce the need to prioritize early recovery efforts in the flood affected areas, support the Government of Pakistan to invest in human development, and reaffirm commitment to the United Nations pilot initiative of Delivering as One.
RAHA Programme—Touching Lives in Haripur
RAHA Programme—Touching Lives in Haripur
Refugees Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) Programme is a joint United Nations initiative delivered by UNDP and UNHCR with the Government of Pakistan and various implementing partners and multilateral donors. The programme is being implemented in around 20 districts, most of them in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and six urban areas. As its ultimate impact, it will ensure a predictable, safe stay, with documentation, for Afghans in Pakistan, and substantially improve the standard of living of over 1 million Pakistanis who have, or who are still, hosting Afghans.
Refugees Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) Programme is a joint United Nations initiative delivered by UNDP and UNHCR with the Government of Pakistan and various implementing partners and multilateral donors. The programme is being implemented in around 20 districts, most of them in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and six urban areas. As its ultimate impact, it will ensure a predictable, safe stay, with documentation, for Afghans in Pakistan, and substantially improve the standard of living of over 1 million Pakistanis who have, or who are still, hosting Afghans.
Building livelihoods in KPK
Through its wide network of partners, UNDP is implementing an integrated early recovery programme across 20 flood-affected districts. The rebuilding of community infrastructure is an integral part of this Programme. Streets and pavements have been rebuilt helping communities rebuild their economies and restore livelihoods. UNDP also works to re-fertilize agricultural land, distributing agricultural toolkits, fertilizers and seeds among the poorest farmers..
Goodwill Ambassador Photo Essay
UNDP’s National Goodwill Ambassador tennis star, Aisam-ul-Haq visits the newly built shelters for flood affectees in Hunza and Gilgit.
UNDP as part of it’s early recovery programme in collaboration with Aga-Khan Foundation is constructing 500 houses for about 4500 affected people to protect them from the harsh winter. These areas were the first to be affected by the torrential floods. More than 33,00 houses were either completely destroyed or damaged in these areas, affecting more than 29,000 people and killing 192.
UNDP as part of it’s early recovery programme in collaboration with Aga-Khan Foundation is constructing 500 houses for about 4500 affected people to protect them from the harsh winter. These areas were the first to be affected by the torrential floods. More than 33,00 houses were either completely destroyed or damaged in these areas, affecting more than 29,000 people and killing 192.
Infrastructure and livelihoods in Southern Punjab
In the densely populated South of Punjab province, two of the worst hit districts were Muzaffargarh and Layyah. Here, the flood waters inundated around 500 villages and directly affected around 750,000 individuals. Partnering with local NGOs, UNDP’s Early Recovery Programme, supported numerous projects for livelihoods, community infrastructure restoration and jumpstarted agriculture.
Restoration of Natural Resources and Livelihood Opportunities
Restoration of Natural Resources and Livelihood Opportunities
Nararri Lagoon rich in natural resources, was a major source of livelihood for over 50,000 fishermen of Southern Sindh. Over time the sea intrusions and industrial effluents damaged it. Consequently, exterminating the unique species of fish. The migratory birds gathering from all over the world also gradually vanished. The lake turned dry. The fishermen had no option but to move to other places in search of livelihoods. In January 2010, UNDPs Small Grant Programme undertook the rehabilitation of the lagoon. To date, 6000 acres have been successfully rehabilitated and 7000 people have benefitted both directly and indirectly as the area has become very fertile.
Nararri Lagoon rich in natural resources, was a major source of livelihood for over 50,000 fishermen of Southern Sindh. Over time the sea intrusions and industrial effluents damaged it. Consequently, exterminating the unique species of fish. The migratory birds gathering from all over the world also gradually vanished. The lake turned dry. The fishermen had no option but to move to other places in search of livelihoods. In January 2010, UNDPs Small Grant Programme undertook the rehabilitation of the lagoon. To date, 6000 acres have been successfully rehabilitated and 7000 people have benefitted both directly and indirectly as the area has become very fertile.
Hadiqa Kiani, National Goodwill Ambassador UNDP Pakistan
UNDP Pakistan has successfully supported numerous reconstruction projects including street pavements, drainage systems and culverts in flood hit areas while many others are in progress. These projects also constitute UNDP’s Cash for Work programme, wherein community members are provided supplies and paid employment to work on reconstruction of infrastructure in their communities and localities.
A Helping Hand
A Helping Hand UNDP and The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have been working together since 2007 to build capacities at the national and regional levels through adopting a comprehensive approach towards disaster risk reduction. A landslide in District Hunza Nagar, Gilgit Baltistan on January 4th 2010 threatened the lives of many, when rescue efforts conducted by NDMA proved to be the only difference between life and death.
