UNHCR provides 194 shelters to flood affected people

MULTAN: The United Nation Higher Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) handed over 194 newly constructed permanent shelters to flood affected families in Multan and Muzaffargarh districts whose houses were swept away by floods.

Of the total, 104 shelters were handed over to flood affected families at Union Council Sheikh Umer in Muzaffargarrh district and 90 shelters were given to families in Union Council Binda Sandela in Multan.

Representative of UN Refugees Agency (UNHCR) in Pakistan Mr Mangesha Kebede gave away keys to flood affected families during ceremonies at UC Sheikh Umer in district Muzaffargarrh and UC Binda Sandela in Multan.

UNCHR Senior Coordinator Mr Jahangir Durrani, government officials, scores of community members and officials from Courage Development Foundation (CDF) and Initiative for Change (IFC) attended the ceremonies.

In Muzaffargarh, the UN official also distributed cash among extremely vulnerable families.

Some Rs 332,800 were given to 104 flood-hit families.

A total of 400 shelters have been constructed for vulnerable families in 4 Union Councils in district Muzaffargarh. Of which 18 shelters were constructed in Union Councils Mahmood Kot, 147 in Allurid, 104 in Sheikh Umer and 131 in Bakaini whichwere damaged by floods.

UNHCR through its implementing partner is constructing 150shelters in Multan district which include 90 shelters in UC Binda Sandela. The remaining shelters are being constructed at UC Nawab Pur and Lutfabad.

UNHCR is constructing a total of 3,500 houses in flood-affected areas of Punjab. The shelters comprise one room with proper toilet, washroom and kitchen. A total of 24,500 people in Punjab will benefit from the UNHCR shelter project, which would be completed before end of year.

UNCHR has committed to building more than 32,900transitional shelters, of which some 31,500 have been completed in Balochistan and KP. Another 45,000 one-room permanent shelters across Pakistan will be completed this year.

The shelter project is designed to help those who are unable to rebuild their homes, to start their lives again, Mengesha Kebede said while addressing the gathering.

He appreciated hard work of the team and particularly involvement of the community in the construction process.

The refugees agency will soon hand over 120 houses to most vulnerable families in Dera Ghazi Khan.