Better Dispensation Of Relief Goods Is The Priority Of Federal Govt: Hina.

ISLAMABAD, May 26, 2009 (Frontier Star) -- Government is emphasizing the better coordination between the agencies working for the relief of IDPs and the government of NWFP, for better dispensation of the relief goods to the target people, said Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs Division. Government of Pakistan has a three pronged strategy i.e. relief, return, reconstruction & rehabilitation for the IDPs. It is the top priority of the government to provide relief to the IDPs, added the Minister. She was chairing a meeting to discuss the Pakistan Humanitarian Response Plan, its activities, achievements and constraints with regard to the clusters on health, nutrition, water, sanitation & hygiene, education, child protection and coordination, logistics and security. She also urged the UN Humanitarian Policy Group to synchronize their activities with the special support group (SSG) led by Lt. Gen. Nadeem Ahmed. The meeting was attended by representatives of UNRC, UNHCR, UNDP and Representatives of Provincial Relief Commissioner, NWFP and Provincial NWFP government. Meanwhile chairing a meeting of the Ambassadors of Islamic countries she said, "Pakistan is facing two fold challenges and require urgent help of the Muslim countries to fight it". She briefed them about the government experience of fighting battle at our own frontiers. She explained them the two fold challenge of influence of huge number of IDPs and simultaneous return of the people to the areas declared clear by the armed forces. While briefing about the steps taken by the Federal government for the immediate relief of the IDPs Ms. Hina told the Ambassadors that government has announced a relief package of Rs.25000/- per family for the people returning to their homes. The dispensation of the relief package would be done in coordination with database provided by NADRA. It will help stop duplication of the registration and to make the system more transparent. The same database will be used for the issuance of smart cards under BISP, in the second stage of reconstruction & rehabilitation. The Ambassadors from the Islamic countries sympathized with the people of Pakistan and assured the full assistance of their respective governments in cash and kind

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)