WB Mission to visit quake-hit areas
By Asad Cheema

ISLAMABAD—A World Bank Mission will visit the quake affected areas over the next two weeks and prepare needs assessment for the rehabilitation of earthquake victims and reconstruction of infrastructure in AJK and NWFP. The Bank’s Earthquake Emergency Mission comprising Mr. Christoph Pusch and John Wall, country director held a meeting with Dr. Salman Shah, Adviser to PM on Finance and Economic Affairs and Minister of State for Finance Omar Ayub Khan and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Division Ms Hina Rabbani Khar here Tuesday. Dr. Salman Shah emphasized to complete the need assessment survey expeditiously and determine the quantum of damage to chalk out a suitable strategy to rehabilitate the victims.
The creation of a separate working group for each cluster was also discussed. These include reconstruction of houses, infrastructure, schools, hospitals, roads, water, sanitation etc. Dr. Salman Shah suggested that strategy might include cash compensation for early rehabilitation. The best practices and international experience of disaster management in case of Turkey, Sri Lanka and India was also discussed. Dr. Shah further stated that at federal level we have created a Cabinet Committee on Rehabilitation and an Earthquake Rehabilitation Authority, besides, a Relief Commissioner.
For every working group of a sectoral cluster, a Coordination Officer has been attached by the EAD and the government is very clear about the role of all agencies including army, NGOs, federal and local governments. He suggested the WB Mission to keep a close liaison with the provincial and local authorities for need assessment survey so as to chalk out a suitable strategy in consultation with all the stakeholders.