90 percent affected people shifted to quality shelters in Pakistan quake areas: official

Vice Chairman of Pakistani Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA) Nadeem Ahmed said Friday that out of 3.5 million people affected due to last year's Oct. 8 earthquake in northern Pakistan, 90 percent have been shifted to mid term and good quality shelters.

Addressing a press conference here at the Prime Minister House, Ahmed said about 35,000 people are living in tents, but the government had prepared contingent plans to provide them best possible protection in case of any harsh winter.

Giving details of the ERRA's six months performance, he said, all the policies of the Authority had been prepared after discussion with stakeholders.

He said the work of the ERRA started after the completion of rescue and relief work which continued till March 31 this year.

The vice chairman said the ERRA has made remarkable progress in the sectors of housing, health, education and cash grants in the affected areas.

About resurvey of the houses, he said, it was not based on category of damage, therefore, resurvey was done to provide financial assistance for reconstruction of the houses.

He said after resurvey, it was revealed that instead of 400,000, Pakistan needs funds for the reconstruction of 600,000 houses.

About the allegations for delay in disbursement of funds for reconstruction of houses, the vice chairman of ERRA said it was delayed due to various reasons, including wrong information of applicants, opening of new accounts and checking for duplicate applicants.

He explained that 30,000 cases are still pending with ERRA, due to wrong information provided by the beneficiaries during the damage assessment.

"A system for rectification of these mistakes has been put in place and the data updation facility has been provided at the district level to expedite the cases," he added.

He also explained that housing compensation was being made in terms of houses and not for the households and added that the government is spending 2 billion dollars for the provision of subsidy to 600,000 houses and urban development.

Regarding delay in the disbursement of the compensation for the damaged houses, he said it was Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund ( PPAF), responsible for survey and compensation in some areas which has got funding from World Bank for 34,000 houses but when the survey was conducted the number was 121,000.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz released 3 billion rupees (about 50 million U.S. dollars) for disbursement by PPAF, said the vice chairman.

Source: Xinhua