Islamabad, December 19, 2009: With an estimated 86% of the population in Thatta and Badin living below the poverty line, a low-cost, energy-efficient and disaster resistant housing solution popularly known as “Benazir Model” has come as a major relief to the poor. This is the outcome of eight years of research supported by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme Pakistan and replicated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Sindh.
A project of construction of 500 units through local NGOs in the disaster-prone districts of Karachi, Thatta and Badin is in progress. Community involvement has been exemplary and has led to the successful implementation of this project. The new units are built by the community on their own land reducing the cost to USD 3,900 only. Most of these houses are owned by women. This has also generated income for the community as more than 1000 local masons have been trained in energy efficient technologies.
Sabhai, a housewife from Jhirk, Thatta is among the many who have benefitted from this project. She shares her excitement ‘I still cannot believe that one day my children will be playing in their own home’. Suleman Jamari, also from the area, states “Torrential rain and occasional cyclones used to erase our houses but thanks to UNDP and Government of Sindh we will now have solid houses which not only look good but also provide adequate space for guests, storage, cooking and many other needs. We are not like rich people who inherit property from their forefathers. I would never have been able to build a home for my kids with my modest earning but now I feel proud to have my own home”, he adds in excitement.
In the spirit of sharing best practices, this innovative and sustainable housing solution was presented to the Climate Change and Environment Panel of the Global South-South Development Expo-GSSD 2009 held on December 15 at the Atrium Auditorium of the World Bank.
Popularly termed by the participants in the Expo as ‘Pyramids of Pakistan’ many countries including Benin and Dominique Republic requested UNDP to help them replicate this in their countries. The South – South Global Assets and Technology Exchange (SS-GATE) also announced at the Expo to enter into a tripartite agreement with the Government of Sindh and UNDP GEF Small Grants Program Pakistan to introduce and mainstream the “Benazir” Housing Technology in other parts of the world.
Mr. Zia-ul-Islam, Chief Minister Sindh’s Special Assistant and Chairman of the Peoples Housing Cell and Mr. Masood Lohar, National Coordinator of GEF SGP Pakistan were the co-presenters at the Expo.
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For further information and media assistance, please contact,
Mehreen Saeed, Communication Analyst, UNDP Pakistan
UN House No. 12, Street 17, F-7/2 Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-8355650 or Email:
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Website: http://www.undp.org.pk/
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UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.
