AGENCIES
ISLAMABAD -  Pakistan has received an overwhelming response from the international community at a donors’ conference convened for the rehabilitation of the flood victims as well as the IDPs of North Waziristan Agency (NWA).
Islamabad on Friday formally launched financial assistance appeal to the international community.
"The response is overwhelming, as they are ready to assist the government,” said Rana Asad Amin, official spokesperson of the Finance Ministry, while talking to The Nation.
Addressing the conference, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said: "Rehabilitation of the IDPs and flood victims is top priority of the government. However, international assistance is required for rehabilitation of the large number of affected persons.”
He said assistance to the IDPs was obligatory on the international community. They, however, should also aid the flood victims, he added.
The minister drew the attention of the diplomatic corps, representatives of international agencies and development partners, attending the meeting, towards the anti-terror action (Zarb-e-Azb) being taken in North Waziristan and its impact on the population and economy of the country.
He said a large number of people were affected in the area and had to leave their hearth and home, adding to the overall number of IDPs in the country besides the tens of thousands affected by recent floods in Punjab, AJK and GB. Resettlement and rehabilitation of IDPs alone need $2 billion, he added.
Ishaq Dar said that a Multi-Sector Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA) report had already been prepared, giving an overview of the damages caused by floods. He said all participants would be given a briefing by the end of October regarding financial requirements for rehabilitation purposes. The minister specially thanked the ADB, the JICA and the UN, which had already offered assistance and wanted to be engaged in the rehabilitation process.
The Chinese ambassador said China was in the forefront to offer assistance to Pakistan and shall eagerly take part in the future rehabilitation process. The EU ambassador said it was worrisome to see Pakistan hit by floods 5th time in a row and the situation called for effective preventive measures.
The ADB country director emphasised that a mechanism should be in place for rehabilitation activities that could also serve as a model for future. "There is a great interest on our side to work with you. I thank you for calling a timely meeting", he said.
The World Bank country director remarked, "We are keen to help". Representative from the USAID said, "We have always been very supportive. It is important for donors to assess which are the important areas to focus. We must focus on the most important areas.”
The Turkish ambassador also assured of support by his country.
Earlier, a Punjab government representative briefed the meeting about the damages caused by recent floods in the province. He said these were the worst floods in Punjab keeping in view the history of the last 50 years and added that 3,450 villages were devastated, displacing over half a million people.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in his concluding remarks said he would doubly ensure that a proper transparent, accountable mechanism was in place to receive and disburse all kinds of assistance. There would be an oversight committee including donors, reps of international financial institutions and government officials to keep a check, he added.
He said he had asked departments concerned to come up with complete Recovery Need Assessment (RNA) and Damage Need Assessment (DNA) reports so that a clear picture could be presented before prospective donors and international community regarding the financial requirements for rehabilitation work. He said a briefing for all the donors would be arranged by the third or fourth week of October. He thanked all participants for their keen interest in extending assistance.
The meeting was also attended by ambassadors of France, Argentine, Indonesia, Italy, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Qatar, Russian Federation, Spain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Switzerland, and high commissioners of Canada, Australia, Malaysia and the UK.