LocationsGovernment of Sindh and UNDP Pakistan co-host the "Resilient Sindh: from Pledges to Reconstruction" conference in Karachi to support flood recovery
February 8, 2023
Karachi, 8 February 2023 — As a follow-up to the January 9, Geneva conference on ‘Climate Resilient Pakistan’, Government of Sindh and UNDP Pakistan co-hosted the conference on ‘Resilient Sindh: From Pledges to Reconstruction’ in Karachi today to harness international and local support for the people of Sindh.
Sindh is the worst affected province by the floods in the country, having affected more than 12.4 million people in the province. According to the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), conducted jointly with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Union (EU), the United Nations agencies with technical facilitation by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Bank, Sindh accounts for over USD 20 billion of flood damages and economic losses, making up close to 70% of overall damages and losses in Pakistan.
The Conference brought together multiple stakeholders from various sectors to synergize efforts for resilient recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of Sindh. At the conference, the Sindh government presented a ‘Strategic Action Plan’ to delineate its strategic priorities and implementation plans across the priority sectors of Irrigation Systems, Housing and Community Facilities, Roads Infrastructure, Livelihood, Health, Education, and Human Impact. The conference also included the launch of the ‘Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees’ Programme for reconstructing 2.1 million houses which encompassed real-time disbursements to initial beneficiaries while MoUs were also signed with implementing partners.
Foreign Minister of Pakistan, H.E Bilawal Bhutto Zardari appreciated the efforts of the international community, partners and the Government of Sindh in working together for a resilient recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of the province. “Our people have suffered a lot at the hands of heavy floods and unprecedented rains. Their standing crops have been washed away and despite tiresome efforts, they have not been able to prepare their lands for the Rabi crop and may not be able to make their flooded lands so fit for the upcoming Kharif crop.” The Foreign Minister also directed the Sindh government to award ownership rights to the affected people who had lost their houses in the floods, especially in the name of the women.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah appreciated the attendees for participating in the discourse for a resilient Sindh in the aftermath of the climate catastrophe and the debilitating impact of the disaster. He thanked all the development partners and countries that have come forward in this hour of need and had made commendable pledges during the Geneva Conference.
During the conference, United Nations in Pakistan Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Julien Harneis highlighted the UN’s continued support to the Government in relief and recovery from the devastating floods in Pakistan.
Mr. Knut Ostby, Resident Representative UNDP Pakistan speaking on the occasion said that without adaptation and resilience, hard-won gains in poverty reduction, food security, gender empowerment, access to quality education and other SDG goals would be derailed. He further added that UNDP is committed to supporting the design and delivery of ambitious climate change initiatives that pave the way toward a more sustainable world for all. To support the people and the Government of Sindh to build forward better, UNDP’s Flood Recovery Programme focuses on housing and community infrastructure; livelihoods recovery; restoring government services; and disaster resilience and environmental protection while gender equality and climate resilience were key parts of UNDP’s Flood Recovery Programme.
Prominent participants of the Resilient Sindh Conference included the Country Directors of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, Sindh Chief Secretary, Chairman P&D Board, Additional Chief Secretary (Local Government), and Secretary (I&C) SGA&C Department of the provincial government. Members of the Provincial Cabinet, Ambassadors, Diplomats, leaders of the private sectors, other multilateral development partners and Civil Society Organizations were also present at the conference.
For additional information, please contact Ayesha Babar at ayesha.babar@undp.org or +92 (51) 835 5650
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