By SPA
Islamabad : The Earthquake Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Authority (ERRA) of Pakistan has signed a memorandum of understanding with Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SADC) for the reconstruction of schools and basic health units (BHUs) in the quake-affected areas of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
ERRA Deputy Chairman Lt-Gen Nadeem Ahmed signed the MoU with Swiss Ambassador to Pakistan Markus Peter, said an official statement.
The MoU involves the undertaking to reconstruct 19 schools and five BHUs. Out of these 24 facilities, 10 schools and five BHUs are planned to be built in district Mansehra while 9 schools will be constructed in district Battgram.
All the constructions will be according to the international standards of seismic resistance and environmental considerations. The reconstruction work on 17 projects has already been started while five of them have been completed.
The Swiss ambassador reiterated continued support of his government in the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. He said rehabilitation of health and education facilities in the affected areas was top priority of ERRA agenda as it was an important step towards the comprehensive, effective and long-lasting rehabilitation of normal life in the quake-hit areas.