New schools for the children of Pakistan earthquake
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
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Published on: 2009-11-04
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