Islamabad: In a significant move to bolster post-disaster recovery efforts, over 100 government officers, including 30% women, received training in monitoring and evaluation in Quetta and Karachi. This initiative, part of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Flood Recovery Programme, was conducted in collaboration with the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and KfW Development Bank.
According to United Nations Development Programme announcement issued on 11 September 2024, the training workshops focused on enhancing the skills of key departments involved in disaster management and recovery in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan. These departments included Planning and Development, Urban Planning, Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Communication and Works Department, Environment Protection Agency, Bureau of Statistics, and Irrigation.
The sessions, held on August 19-20 in Quetta and September 10 in Karachi, covered various critical topics. These included the Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework, financial management in post-disaster recovery, low-emission housing concepts, and methods to improve transparency and accountability in reconstruction efforts. Participants engaged in presentations, group discussions, and strategy sessions led by senior experts.
During the inaugural session in Quetta, Secretary of Planning and Development in Balochistan, Mr. Sher Shah Ghilzai, emphasized the importance of robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure transparency and accountability in the rebuilding process. He praised the collaborative efforts of UNDP and KfW in aiding Balochistan’s recovery from the catastrophic 2022 floods.
Mir Murad Baluch, the Honorary Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Balochistan, reiterated the commitment to rebuilding efforts and highlighted the collaborative nature of the Flood Reconstruction and Coordination Programme. He acknowledged the critical support from the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, KfW Development Bank, and the World Bank in making the reconstruction efforts transparent, effective, and sustainable.
In Sindh, Secretary Planning, Government of Sindh, Mr. Jawed Sibghatullah Mahar, noted the workshop’s role in enhancing governmental capacities essential for managing the extensive damages from the 2022 floods, which were particularly severe in Sindh.
The training also addressed the unique needs of women participants, ensuring their active involvement and influence in shaping the recovery processes. This approach aimed to foster an inclusive and equitable recovery for communities affected by the floods.
Mr. Hisashi Izumi, Flood Recovery Programme Manager at UNDP, expressed gratitude for the commitment shown by all participants and partners. He stressed the importance of strengthening monitoring and evaluation frameworks to enhance data management and community engagement, which are critical for effective flood recovery efforts.
The workshops are part of the broader objectives of the Flood Recovery Programme to enhance institutional capacities, promote equitable fund distribution, and boost citizen engagement across the affected provinces.