Ministry expedites implementation of projects in flood-hit areas

ISLAMABAD:  The Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives has accelerated the implementation of development projects in flood-hit areas of the country under the Resilient, Recovery, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Framework (4RF).

The second meeting of the Federal Steering Committee on 4RF was convened on Thursday to oversee the implementation of the projects.

Chaired by the Secretary of the Planning Ministry, Awais Manzur Sumra, the meeting included representatives from the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) and the Ministry of Climate Change. Officials from provincial governments, including AJK and G-B, were also in attendance.

The Federal Steering Committee on 4RF was formed in response to the devastating floods of 2022, which particularly affected Balochistan and Sindh.

These floods caused unprecedented damage, impacting 33 million people and resulting in economic losses estimated at $30 billion.

In response, the government devised the 4RF framework, which aimed to facilitate effective coordination and participation among federal and provincial governments, development partners, donors, international and national NGOs, as well as academic and private sectors.

During the meeting, representatives from the Ministry of Climate Change and EAD provided a detailed update on the status of development projects.

Representatives from all provinces, including AJK and G-B, briefed the committee on the progress of Provincial Recovery & Reconstruction Units (RRUs).

School holidays in flood-hit areas along Sutlej River extended

It was also noted that a dedicated dashboard for 4RF is in its final stages of development, which will be housed at the planning ministry.

This dashboard will enable real-time monitoring and provide information to donors and development partners. Provinces were urged to submit lists of their respective projects.

Similarly, efforts are underway to strengthen the Monitoring & Evaluation Framework to ensure community and partner participation, providing an independent assessment of the equity and transparency of all flood reconstruction spending.

In October 2022, the Post-Damage Needs Assessment (PDNA), conducted jointly by the government of Pakistan and international development partners, estimated the total cost of the calamity at $30 billion.

In January of the same year, Pakistan successfully secured pledges of $10 billion from donors during the International Conference on ‘Climate Resilient Pakistan,’ jointly hosted by Pakistan and the UN in Geneva.