Housing compensation to be disbursed among quake affectees
By Bushra Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Deputy chairman Earth Quake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA), Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmad has announced payment of housing compensation will soon be made to those quake survivors who have not received the same so far.
He said this while addressing a press conference here in Prime Minister Secretariat Thursday. Giving details of the different programs of ERRA he told that about 96 percent quake affectees have been paid housing compensation under rural housing program. The problems being faced by the rest of 4 percent people will be resolved at Tehsil level. About 34000 houses have reached plainth level. The third installment will be paid in the next fifteen days. The construction of 6 Lakh homes will be completed by the end of 2008.
Housing compensation has been disbursed among 65 percent in 34 Tehsils out of poverty alleviation fund, he said adding that PPAF was assigned by the world bank to disburse compensation among 122332 people.
Hr informed town planning work has been completed in Muzaffarabad, Bala Kot, Bagh and Rawlakot city. AJK government has directed Muzaffarabad Development Authority to acquire the land. The construction work will begin as soon as the land is acquired. ERRA has finalized preliminary planning in this respect. Citing to Balakot city he said topographical survey has been completed of 18500 kanals land. The estimate of damage caused to 850 schools has been worked out. The designs of 600 schools have been completed. Planning has been finalized through modern satellite system to convert Rawlakot city into a tourist city. UNHCR is assisting us in providing protection to people against the harsh winter, he told.
He indicated that ERRA has chalked out plan for the winter season under which old tents will be replaced with new tents. These tents will be covered by CGI sheet. ERRA has also ensured availability of services of 5 helicopters with the help of UNHCR and WFP, he informed. They will help in evacuation of people from the areas due to blockage of road traffic and shifting of injured people or patients. He told that quake affectees in the areas of Muzaffarabad and Mansehra have received 6th installment of compensation.