press releases
USAID Donates Computer Equipment To ERRA
04/14/2006Islamabad – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) donated $45,000 in computer and office equipment to the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA). The equipment fills a gap that will help link newly hired employees to the growing ERRA computer network, essential for planning and implementing earthquake reconstruction programs.
The ERRA office recently expanded to 86 employees, with plans to add another 100 employees. This donation includes 15 IBM computers with monitors, printers, fax machines, a scanner and a digital copier.
USAID Mission Director in Pakistan Jonathan Addleton said, "The Federal Relief Commission (FRC) ably led relief activities. Now ERRA, merged with FRC, has the expertise to lead the rehabilitation and reconstruction plan. Their job will be facilitated by this donation of computer equipment."
Colonel Arshad Mahboob, who accepted the donation on behalf of ERRA, added, "Right now, ERRA needs computer and office equipment for all of its new employees badly. These computers will help us fulfill an immediate need."
The USAID donated equipment is part of a comprehensive management plan to coordinate earthquake reconstruction activities that has been developed by ERRA with assistance from the UK Department for International Development (DFID). The program features a data management scheme that will digitally integrate ERRA’s central office in Islamabad to satellite offices, including those of provincial and local governments, in the earthquake-affected areas.
The United States, through USAID, is providing more than $1.5 billion in development assistance to Pakistan over the next five years to improve education, health, governance and economic growth. In addition, the United States has pledged a total of $510 million in earthquake relief and reconstruction efforts to assist the people of Pakistan and to support Pakistani government relief and reconstruction efforts.