By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : The World Bank (WB) will continue an expanded support to Pakistan Poverty Allevation Fund (PPAF) for its country-wide interventions aimed poverty reduction.
This was stated by Adolfo Brizzi, Sector Manager, Agricultural and Rural Development, South Asia Region of World Bank, during his visit to Dhok Tabark Shaheed and Dhok Ashraf pilot projects here on Sunday.
The outreach of Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) now extends throughout the country and its micro credit, water and community physical infrastructure, drought mitigation, education, health and capacity building interventions have expanded to the nook and corner of the country.
The government has relied upon PPAF for the delivery of a wide-range of services including community mobilization, provision of health, and education, microfinance and infrastructure schemes for the benefit of the poor.
He said that PPAF through its partner organization like National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) and Human Development Foundation (HDF), has implemented an Integrated Area Development Program (IADP).
Completed at a cost of over Rs. 4 million, with 20 percent contribution from the community, the project is the manifestation of the deep-rooted impact of IADP approach on poverty and vulnerability reduction and community empowerment, particularly with regards to the women, he added.
An integrated delivery of physical and social services in the form of clean drinking water, small bore sewerage, waste water treatment and disposal, street surfacing, health and education facilities have been provided to the residents under the first of its kind Dhok Tabarak Shaheed Pilot Project.
Based on the demonstrated success of Dhok Tabarak Shaheed Pilot Project, the World Bank is now supporting PPAF for the implementation of a nationwide network of IADPs.
He also informed that PPAF has established these facilities through its partner organizations for over 800 beneficiaries of the village, located off Lehtrar Road, some 25 kilometres from Islamabad.
Adolfo Brizzi said that as one of the largest projects of the World Bank, PPAF is the lead institution for poverty reduction interventions in the country.
Set up as a fully autonomous private sector institution, PPAF enjoys facilitation and support from the Government of Pakistan, the World Bank and other international donors.
PPAF carries out its various interventions through 72 partner organizations working in 113 districts across the country, he added.
PPAF’s cumulative operational activities entail over 1.9 million micro credit loans impacting 11.4 million with 45 per cent women beneficiaries and 100 per cent recovery rate), he said.
“Over 16,500 health, education, water and infrastructure projects impacting 8.3 million with 50 per cent women beneficiaries, 238,900 trained individuals, staff and communities 42 per cent women”, he added.
Brizzi called upon the communities to maximum avail of the micro credit and other facilities being offered by PPAF to carve out a better future for them adding that through micro credit the beneficiaries could kick-start small business ventures to earn their livelihoods.
Qazi Azmat Isa, Team Task Leader PPAF, Kamal Hyat, Chief Executive/Managing Director PPAF and members from community organizations and a large number beneficiaries of the PPAF schemes were also present on this occasion.