KABUL (Pajhwok): In the wake of devastating earthquakes in western Herat province, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has made an urgent appeal for $25 million to support key parts of the recovery plan.
The UNDP appeal is part of a larger Herat Earthquake Response Plan developed by the UN Humanitarian Country Team, which needs $93.6 million to assist 114,000 people who are most in need during the winter, the agency said in a statement.
UNDP, in collaboration with UN partners and NGOs, has already allocated $3.15 million from its own resources for immediate relief and recovery. However, this is not enough to meet the huge demand for recovery and rebuilding.
Stephen Rodriques, UNDP resident representative in Afghanistan, said: "The situation on the ground is desperate and winter is fast approaching. Our goal is to help these communities restore basic infrastructure, especially shelter and return to normalcy as quickly as possible.
“We've repurposed some of our existing resources so we can start moving quickly, but these resources are just not enough.”
UNDP’s appeal for an additional US$25 million will support a comprehensive recovery plan to meet the basic needs of the affected people.
The plan aims to provide transitional and permanent shelter (using owner-driven community housing approaches), rebuild basic infrastructure, provide renewable energy particularly for households, schools and health facilities; restore and manage water systems and resources, and create temporary (cash-for-work) and longer-term jobs and livelihood opportunities.
pr/sa/mud
