Islamabad 02nd June 2010: International partners like UNDP, USAID, JICA, European Commission, ADB, and Word Bank have been active partners with ERRA in reconstruction and rehabilitation of the affected areas. A meeting to update the major donors was held here in ERRA headquarter today chaired by Chairman ERRA, Altaf Mohammad Saleem. Deputy Chairman ERRA, Lt Gen Mohammad Haroon Aslam, International Advisor WB Rodney Dyer, Mission Director USAID Bob Wilson, Country Director UNDP Toshihiro Tanka, Shaukat Shafi from ADB, and representatives from EC, Japan international cooperation, and Japan Embassy attended the meeting.

Welcoming the guests the Chairman ERRA, Altaf Mohammad Saleem, thanked the international community for supporting the ongoing reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in earthquake affected areas, and said that while ERRA’s Rural Housing Program has been successfully completed, ERRA is moving towards the winding up stage with 5989 projects fully completed, while speedy reconstruction of over 4500 projects will result in a large chunk of newly reconstructed projects in affected areas. Apprising the donors with present financial constraints Government of Pakistan is facing these days, Altaf said that Government of Pakistan is fully committed to the cause and Prime Minister is fully on board with ERRA committed to the welfare of people of affected areas. He also introduced Lt Gen Haroon Aslam as a competent Army officer, with immaculate professional record and deemed fit to deliver and meet challenges in any difficult situation.

Meeting for the first time with the donors the Deputy Chairman commended ERRA team and the former predecessors for their personal dedication due to which ERRA today is well recognized at international level and its programs are being replicated world over. Giving example of response in Haiti, Gen Haroon said it is heartening to see that ERRA’s model has been adopted internationally that speaks of our transparency and professionalism. It is commendable for all stakeholders and international partners whose continuous support for ERRA and overwhelming response to help people of affected areas has been a source of motivation, said Gen Haroon. He also said that ERRA has a well defined organizational structure to absorb and spend donor money with transparency and this is why we are open to donor’s inspections.

Commending ERRA’s efforts, the international partners said that ERRA was an example for the world and UAID and World Bank will continue to support ERRA. ERRA having wealth of experience, knowledge, and a well defined structure has a lot to offer to other organizations said international Advisor to World Bank, while efficacy of ERRA’s program on Disaster Risk Reduction was highlighted by World Bank. UNDP representative called for ERRA to highlight its role for strengthening the local governments for future disaster risk reduction. Comparing ERRA with Bhutan and Myanmar he said ERRA’s is far ahead of other organizations and that others can learn from ERRA’s experience internationally. He stressed the need for ERRA to share the knowledge it has gained over years and contribute towards sustainability of institutions while playing a leading role in disaster risk reduction and livelihood which can be models for the rest of the world.

Working in twelve sectors after five years ERRA has completed 6000 buildings in educational, health, governance, water and sanitation and other sectors, while governments of AJK and KPK are fully on board for sustainability of the newly reconstructed buildings.