The UK is to help
build 750 new schools in Pakistan Administered Kashmir and North
West Frontier Province (NWFP), it was announced today. The schools
will provide a safe learning environment for 90,000 children, who
have been forced to study in tented facilities since existing
schools were destroyed or made unusable by the major earthquake
that affected the region four years ago.
The Department for International Development (DFID) will provide
an additional £35 million in funding to help people continuing to
rebuild their lives after the earthquake of 2005. As well as
building new schools, the funding will be used for completing the
construction of earthquake resistant homes for nearly 200,000
people and 50 bridges connecting communities in the earthquake
affected areas.
This latest package of assistance from the UK is part of DFID’s
ongoing commitment to helping the 3.5 million people affected by
the disaster, and brings its spending on reconstruction and
rehabilitation to £84 million, which has helped to rebuild
hundreds of thousands of homes, offices and infrastructure. UK
assistance will be channelled through the government of Pakistan’s
Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) and
other frontline agencies.
Development Minister Mike Foster said:
“The 2005 earthquake caused widespread devastation in parts of
Pakistan Administered Kashmir region and NWFP. While some of this
damage – to infrastructure and buildings for example - is easy to
observe, some of it - such as a child’s lost chance to learn in a
safe and secure environment - is less apparent to the naked eye.
But that doesn’t make it any less important, and that’s why
rebuilding schools is so vital.
“We have continued to support reconstruction efforts in the
region, and real progress has already been made. Over 80 per cent
of homes to date have been rebuilt to earthquake resistant
standards. The government, donors and civil society have shown how
much can be achieved working together and putting people at the
centre of decision-making. This new funding will help to make sure
local people see the same results in education and other priority areas.”
DFID is also providing support to those displaced by the recent
fighting in Pakistan. In May 2009, DFID provided £22m for urgent
humanitarian assistance, including food, water and emergency
shelter to those most in need, as well as facilitating access to
basic sanitation and healthcare. In October, it announced a
further £10m to help with the early stages of recovery needs for
these communities.
Notes to Editors
DFID is providing £665 million of assistance to Pakistan from
2009 to 2013. By 2011, Pakistan will be the UK’s second largest
development programme worldwide. A case study on the building of a
new school can be found on DFID’s website at
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/waqar
Contacts:
Chris Kiggell.
Phone: 020 70230504
c-kiggell@dfid.gov.uk