WEB DESK: The World Bank has approved an additional $450 million for the Sindh Flood Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project, aiming to rebuild resilient housing for communities devastated by the 2022 floods in Sindh Province.
This funding builds upon the initial $500 million project launched in December 2022, which has already facilitated the reconstruction of over 410,000 core housing units using owner-driven, multi-hazard resilient designs.
The new financing will increase the scope of the project with at least 360,000 additional eligible beneficiaries and will fund the establishment of 30,000 safely managed water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities addressing critical infrastructure gaps in the flood-affected areas.
“Strong physical infrastructure for the most vulnerable is one of the cornerstones of the World Bank’s support in Sindh,” said Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan. “With this additional financing, efforts enter a higher gear in providing safely managed WASH services that prevent waterborne diseases contributing to high stunting rates among children in the province.”
The project considers vulnerable households, such as single or widowed women, the elderly, people with disabilities, and the ultra-poor, while community participation is important through village reconstruction committees that will supervise housing construction activities.
Households headed by women will also benefit through financial inclusion programs, such as those opening bank accounts. In addition, eligible beneficiaries will receive grants of up to PKR 50,000 for the improvement of housing considering disability needs.
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