UK provides $2m to build up institutions in quake areas
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) today announced that it will provide an additional US$2 million to support stronger local government institutions in the earthquake affected areas. The funds will be channelled through UNDP’s project Building Enabling Governance and Institutions for Earthquake Response (BEGIN-ER).
The devastating human and physical loss resulting from the earthquake means that it is vital to build up people’s skills in the affected area alongside the physical restoration of roads and bridges. And it is the local government institutions at the district, tehsil and union council levels who are key players in the reconstruction and rehabilitation process.
This latest contribution from the UK is part of DFID’s ongoing support to the earthquake-affected areas, having already provided $3.66 million towards this initiative. In total, DFID has given around $112 million for earthquake relief and has committed $140 million for reconstruction over three years.
Earlier in 2007, DFID’s timely support enabled the project to upscale its activities from five selected districts to the entire (nine districts) earthquake affected area. Prefabricated office structures, along with necessary equipment and furniture were distributed successfully to recipient government departments in need of office space. This latest funding will allow the project to meet the additional demands of the local government and other institutions.
A signing ceremony was held today at the UNDP office to mark the occasion in the presence of Mr David Taylor, Deputy Head of DFID Pakistan and Mr Alvaro Rodriguez, Resident Representative a.i. “The UK has been a front-line supporter of the efforts of the Government of Pakistan since the earthquake struck,” commented Mr David Taylor. “We are proud to be an ongoing partner supporting this critical programme. We believe the people of Pakistan need ownership of the decisions made on their behalf by elected representatives and that this programme will help effect real change in this area.”
Mr. Alvaro Rodriguez, Resident Representative a.i. added on the occasion, “DFID’s contribution has made it possible for UNDP to upscale the project in the earthquake affected areas. The project has already made an impact on the service delivery in the affected region, as is acknowledged by the government officials and other recipients of the project support. BEGIN-ER is a US$ 10.37 million project, out of which a generous amount has been provided by DFID and we are thankful for their timely support.”