UNDP floods recovery programme

ISLAMABAD: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has provided assistance to more than 915,000 flood affected individuals under its Early Recovery Programme launched last year.

The UNDP worked on restoring livelihoods through job creation, repairing basic community infrastructures and services, and strengthening local government offices to get public services running again in over 1,400 villages.

As Pakistan observes the first year landmark following the worst floods in the country's history UNDP continues to touch lives of beneficiaries across 29 most-affected districts.

According to information, during the period 3,097 infrastructure restoration projects were completed.

A senior official while enumerating the details said around 170,000 persons earned a living again under the Cash-for-Work initiative while 150,000 persons benefited from solar lights and pumps.

Moreover, around 26,937 beneficiaries received agriculture and livestock support, 6,130 entrepreneurs received small business grants, 4,900 persons received vocational and skills training for livelihood support and around 1,000 houses constructed for the homeless.

The official said over 4,000 received help in getting ID cards and legal documents.

The official said Early Recovery Programme (ERP) is being executed through an extensive network of around 38 implementing partners which include NGOs as well as government departments and agencies.

UNDP's Early recovery Programme is one of the largest initiatives launched anywhere in the world. UNDP Administrator Helen Clark had also visited Pakistan in February this year to view the ER activities.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011