Islamabad, August 17, 2006: U.S.
Chargé d’Affaires in Pakistan Peter Bodde
today announced the awarding of U.S. Agency for International
Development Earthquake Reconstruction grants worth
$70 million to international and Pakistani non-governmental
organizations that will improve health and education
services in the earthquake-affected areas and create
economic opportunities for the local population.
“The reconstruction stage of our earthquake
assistance is designed to create a better future for
Pakistanis whose lives were so dramatically affected
by the earthquake. In line with the Earthquake Reconstruction
and Rehabilitation Authority’s overall plan,
these three- and four-year programs will expand and
improve the public’s access to health and education
services, and help people in the region improve their
well-being through expanded economic opportunities,”
said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Peter Bodde.
Today, three primary grantees were announced to work
in earthquake affected areas: the American Institutes
for Research to improve the quality of schooling,
CNFA, Inc. to rebuild livelihoods and connect small-scale
producers to markets to realize economic growth, and
the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to improve
the primary healthcare system. The National Rural
Support Program and SUNGI Development Foundation,
local organizations, will partner to improve education.
The Primary Healthcare Revitalization Integration
and Decentralization in Earthquake-affected areas
project (PRIDE) will work with health officials and
citizens to integrate and expand the network of health
services for residents of the earthquake-affected
areas.
The Revitalizing, Innovating and Strengthening Education
(RISE) program will work with teachers, parents and
communities to improve the quality of classroom instruction,
enhance the student learning experience, train primary,
middle and high school teachers and mobilize community
participation to build effective parent associations
in school reconstruction and improvement activities.
The Improving Livelihoods and Enterprise Development
(I-Led) program will assist remote farmers, ranchers,
producers and other households re-establish and expand
crop systems; restore and care for livestock; reconstruct
animal shelters; repair water systems and restore
orchards, leading to better income opportunities.
I-LED will improve access to finance, re-establish
markets; and improve trading opportunities, thereby
revitalizing
local industry. All activities will be developed cooperatively
with local business owners, farmers, ranchers, residents
and the Government of Pakistan.
The new grants represent a continuation of U.S. support
for earthquake relief. The United States, through
USAID, is providing more than $1.5 billion in development
assistance to Pakistan over the next five years to
improve education, health, governance and economic
growth. In addition, the United States has pledged
a total of $510 million in earthquake relief and reconstruction
efforts to assist the people of Pakistan and to support
Pakistani government efforts.
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