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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 external linkEarthquake 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 External link, opens in same windowwww.britainonline.org.pk

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