ISLAMABAD: More than 8,000,00 houses have been damaged and about 1.5 million partially washed away by floods in Pakistan. The flood-prone areas need a plan for safe and secure housing structures to avoid recurrence of a disastrous situation in future, Dr Ayaz Ahmad of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) shared these views with the WealthPK.
Dr Ayaz suggested that the government construct houses for flood victims in a safe area where there is no possibility of flooding in future. The houses should be constructed vertically rather than horizontally, and In order to build high quality houses, the government should import raw materials with a high life expectancy at low prices, he said.
He said the government recently completed 100 housing units for flood victims in Tank (KP) within one month. These units are constructed with the latest construction materials and technologies to withstand extreme weather conditions, and are equipped with basic necessities such as solar system, schools, clinics, etc.
“The floods have badly damaged the education sector. In order to overcome this issue, schools have been included in this housing project. The school is equipped with computers and other modern facilities,” he added.
“The health sector also suffered the worst, with water-borne diseases spreading in the flood-affected areas. A medical clinic equipped with advanced technology has been established by the government for protection and health care of the public. There are also basic medical facilities that would aid in the treatment of the local population. About 9,000 indigenous trees have been planted around the construction site”, he added.
Dr Ayaz said the Sindh government had decided to launch a Rs110 billion housing project with the financial assistance of the World Bank. In addition, he said, incentives have been provided to the growers. Around three million houses partially or completely destroyed by floods would be reconstructed by various public companies in different districts of the province.
In addition to provision of incentives to the victims, the damaged houses would be repaired. The construction of houses would be initiated by both the public and private sector.
“The Global Organization for Human Empowerment and Rights (GOHER) will help 50 flood victim families in Rahim Yar Khan district rebuild their homes by providing them with better construction materials like cement, stone, timber, sanitary equipment along with technical support and labour. This project will facilitate their economic and social survival by introducing viable and flood-resistant housing arrangements”, he added.
According to Minhaj Welfare Trust (MFT), they have set up tent villages in most affected areas of Sindh, KP, South Punjab and Balochistan. The trust is providing shelters, food, medical assistance, drinking water and sanitation systems to thousands of people. So far, 15 tent villages have been established in the most affected areas. Each tent village has a kitchen and a school to help the children continue their studies.
