China and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan on Friday signed a four million US dollar agreement to provide assistance in four months to areas of Balochistan that have been affected by natural and man-made crises. The project will be implemented in partnership with government stakeholders including the Disaster Management Authority in Balochistan the departments of Education and Planning and Development. It is the second project supported by the “China South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund” in Pakistan. In November 2017, the fund provided one million US dollars to the World Food Program to help the organization’s initiative for humanitarian adds. The “China South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund” aims at providing financial support to cooperate with international organizations in helping eliminate poverty, improve living conditions and facilitate sustainable development in developing countries.
Moreover, UNDP with the China South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund for the Recovery Project in Balochistan will help 8,100 families. In Balochistan, 19,000 schools will be rebuilt as they were damaged in the 2010–2011 floods are refurbished. The recovery project is supported by the China Ministry of Commerce and implemented by UNDP. The project aims to provide immediate response to meet the needs of affected individuals as well as communities through the distribution of essential supplies. This initiative builds on UNDP’s ongoing support for early recovery and recovery of affected populations in Pakistan and will provide 56,700 people (8,100 families) in Kurram, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Khyber and Orakzai agencies with construction kits to rebuild their homes as well as essential household items.
The Ambassador of China to Pakistan Yao Jing said that the successful launching of this project renews their commitment to delivering strong support to the people of Pakistan. He said that in the future China will continue to increase assistance to Pakistan by enriching different categories and sectors expanding the input into areas with pressing demands of Balochistan. The Joint Secretary of Economic Affairs Division Muhammad Aslam Chaudhry said that he is thankful to the Chinese government for their ingenuity to provide immediate response to the needs of communities in Balochistan. Moreover, this project will support the people in restoring their livelihoods and will help in rebuilding their lives. Pakistan UNDP Country Director Ignacio Artaza said that Balochistan is amongst the country’s least developed regions but now with the help of China it will be in developing countries. Balochistan in recent years has been severely affected by disasters but the support from China will help temporarily displaced families get back on their feet. Moreover, it will help ensure that schools in Balochistan meet the necessary conditions to keep young students in school. In Balochistan’s Naseerabad, Jafferabad and Sohbatpur districts which were the worst affected by the 2010–2011 floods, 375 schools will receive new furniture and education kits.
This whole aid program will be two end strategy, on one side the development of CPEC is sustaining the economy of Pakistan and this aid is strengthening the grass-root level of Pakistan. At the end of the day, the darkness has been overshadowed and a gloomy era is going to rule the Balochistan.
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