Saudi Arabia funds UNHCR for building 1,000 shelters in Orakzai Agency

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Under the agreement, UNHCR will construct 1000 one-room permanent shelters for families returning to Orakzai Agency, says a press release here Friday.

The UN refugee agency, through its partner Children First, carried out an assessment survey to identify vulnerable families that will benefit from the project.

The shelters will be built in the Stori Kheil, Utman Kalli, Bezot Feroz Kheil, Misti Kheil and Sheikhano areas of Orakzai Agency. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

UNHCR's Representative Mengesha Kebede expressed his appreciation to the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia saying the donation would assist UNHCR in providing relief to families who have spent years displaced from their homes. "These families will get permanent shelters to live in making their return sustainable.

This donation further strengthens the ties between UNHCR and Saudi Arabia," he said.

Abdul Aziz Bin Ibrahim al Ghadeer, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan reaffirmed the Kingdom's support to UNHCR operations. "We value our cooperation with UNHCR and we are delighted that Saudi Arabia is supporting the urgent humanitarian needs of displaced families in Pakistan,"

So far, more than 42,000 people have returned to Orakzai Agency after living in displacement in Kohat and Hangu districts since 2009 due to the Government of Pakistan security operations against the militants in the area.

UNHCR continues to support more than 63,000 displaced people living in camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. A total of some 350,000 remain displaced by security operations in Pakistan's tribal belt.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011