Pakistan: UN Action Plan introduced as a framework for relief to recovery

The emergency phase is coming to an end and in order to avoid a gap between relief and reconstruction, the humanitarian community in Pakistan is in the process of preparing an Action Plan for Relief to Recovery. The challenges foreseen in the coming months are mitigating the impact of cold and rain for the remaining winter period, improving sanitation to prevent the outbreaks of diseases in the spring and prepare for a voluntary and informed return for displaced families. The relief operations may well continue beyond the next harvesting season i.e. September and many survivors are likely to remain dependent upon food assistance.
The UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) in Pakistan, Mr. Jan Vandemoortele commenting on the Action Plan to the Permanent Missions to the United Nations at OCHA, Geneva said, 'In order to avoid a gap between the end of relief phase and the start of reconstruction, the Humanitarian Plan will cover a one year period from April 06 to April 07. It will be drafted from the inputs received from the clusters in the field and will comprise of activities for the recovery phase."

"The Action Plan will not be an extra appeal. It will be a guideline for the donors to identify how and where to expend the money concretely," he said while giving an overview of the achievements of the relief efforts and the challenges that lie ahead in relation to the transition from relief to recovery and reconstruction.

The early recovery covers activities such as transitional shelter, restoration of livelihoods; institutional and legislative capacity development -- especially land and property management; psycho-social support; risk mitigation and preparedness; environmental rehabilitation; protection of vulnerable groups such as children, women, tenants and the landless; and the return of internally displaced people. It also includes health and education services before permanent structures are rebuilt. The UN has assisted in opening some 900 schools in the earthquake area, enrolling over 100,000 children. It is also assisting with 150 prefab basic health units in the area, training of female staff, and disease early warning systems.

Humanitarian Coordinator explained that the smooth return of the internally displaced people is an important step in the transition from relief to reconstruction. A task force on Sustainable Returns is developing an operational strategy. The priority is to ensure that the tens of thousands of families return to their village and hamlets in a voluntary and dignified manner. However, a lot would depend on urgent dealing with issues such as rubble removal and urban/ rural planning comprising of land tenure, house deeds and compulsory sale.

Detailed information on the humanitarian relief operation is available on www.un.org.pk , www.reliefweb.int and www.pakquakecommunication.org. For further information, please contact Raabya Amjad, Public Information Officer: Tel. + 92 (0) 301 532 3985, or by e-mail amjadr@un.org