Press Release
02 July 2008
Reconstructing Pakistan: Douglas Alexander commits to continued support in
earthquake zone
"The reconstruction work of the British Government in areas affected by the
Pakistan earthquake will go on," Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for
International Development said today on a visit to the affected region today.
Mr Alexander flew by helicopter over affected areas in Pakistan Administered
Kashmir with officials from the
 Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction
Authority (ERRA).
He saw at first hand rebuilding around Balakot and Mansehra, two of the
villages worst hit by the earthquake in October 2005.
Mr Alexander later visited a new bridge at Kahouri, one of 50 funded by the
UK Department for International Development, and saw medical facilities and
quake-proof housing provided by the international community.
Mr Alexander said:
"Meeting the families affected by the earthquake and
flying over the zone brought home graphically to me the impact of this
earthquake on thousands of people in Kashmir and the North West Frontier
province.
"More than two years on the scale of the devastation is still evident all
around. It may have seemed a daunting task but I was pleased to see that real
progress is being made.
"Britain remains committed to helping all those who are trying to rebuild
their lives following this appalling tragedy. The work of reconstruction will go
on. The work I have seen today reflects the strength of partnership the UK
government has forged with the people of Pakistan."
Mr Alexander is in Pakistan on a two-day visit in which he will publish
DFID’s Country Plan, outlining the UK’s programme of work over the next five
years.
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Notes to editors:
- The UK has provided £104 million to tackle the effects of the earthquake in
October 2005 which destroyed more than 460,000 houses and killed an estimated
70,000 people.
- DFID provided around £53 million in immediate humanitarian relief but in the
intervening period has channelled a further £51 million into reconstruction.
- DFID’s objectives in Pakistan are to work in partnership with the Government
of Pakistan, provincial Governments, the international community and other
donors to bring enduring and sustainable benefits to the poor.
- DFID’s priorities are around giving people access to better health and
education, making government more effective and ensuring growth works for
everyone and that the international community delivers better together.
- In November 2006, the UK and Pakistan signed a 10-year Development
Partnership Arrangement and the UK announced a doubling of aid to Pakistan to
£480 million for the period 2008-2011.
For further information, please contact: DFID Press Office +44 207 023
0600. For further information about the British High Commission and Britain is
available at www.britainonline.org.pk
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