Press Releases

Earthquake Reconstruction Grants From
U.S. Support Health, Education And Livelihoods

08/17/2006

Islamabad - U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Pakistan Peter Bodde today announced the awarding of U.S. Agency for International Development Earthquake Reconstruction grants worth $70 million to international and Pakistani non-governmental organizations that will improve health and education services in the earthquake-affected areas and create economic opportunities for the local population.

"The reconstruction stage of our earthquake assistance is designed to create a better future for Pakistanis whose lives were so dramatically affected by the earthquake. In line with the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority’s overall plan, these three- and four-year programs will expand and improve the public’s access to health and education services, and help people in the region improve their well-being through expanded economic opportunities," said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Peter Bodde.

Today, three primary grantees were announced to work in earthquake affected areas: the American Institutes for Research to improve the quality of schooling, CNFA, Inc. to rebuild livelihoods and connect small-scale producers to markets to realize economic growth, and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to improve the primary healthcare system. The National Rural Support Program and SUNGI Development Foundation, local organizations, will partner to improve education.

The Primary Healthcare Revitalization Integration and Decentralization in Earthquake-affected areas project (PRIDE) will work with health officials and citizens to integrate and expand the network of health services for residents of the earthquake-affected areas.

The Revitalizing, Innovating and Strengthening Education (RISE) program will work with teachers, parents and communities to improve the quality of classroom instruction, enhance the student learning experience, train primary, middle and high school teachers and mobilize community participation to build effective parent associations in school reconstruction and improvement activities.

The Improving Livelihoods and Enterprise Development (I-Led) program will assist remote farmers, ranchers, producers and other households re-establish and expand crop systems; restore and care for livestock; reconstruct animal shelters; repair water systems and restore orchards, leading to better income opportunities. I-LED will improve access to finance, re-establish markets; and improve trading opportunities, thereby revitalizing local industry. All activities will be developed cooperatively with local business owners, farmers, ranchers, residents and the Government of Pakistan.

The new grants represent a continuation of U.S. support for earthquake relief. The United States, through USAID, is providing more than $1.5 billion in development assistance to Pakistan over the next five years to improve education, health, governance and economic growth. In addition, the United States has pledged a total of $510 million in earthquake relief and reconstruction efforts to assist the people of Pakistan and to support Pakistani government efforts.

Source: http://islamabad.usembassy.gov/pakistan/h06081702.html