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A USAID cash-for-work program pays these villagers from Potha in Muzaffarabad District to clear away rubble.

USAID Program Employs 3,000 Workers To Clear Earthquake Rubble

Islamabad - Three thousand (3,000) village workers have earned needed income while clearing rubble and salvaging materials through a cash-for-work program. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Rescue Committee are implementing the program in Danna and Katcheli union councils, Muzaffarabad, an area that was hit hard by the October 8 earthquake.

Workers are each paid the prevailing daily wage of 200 rupees to demolish damaged structures, salvage useful materials, clear rubble and level ground for rebuilding. The program is made up of 150 work teams. Each work team is made up of 20 local villagers.

The program gives villagers an opportunity to work together with their neighbors as they perform the emotionally difficult work of clearing away evidence of the destruction.

Haji Gul Akbar Khan, taking a break from clearing a site in Potha, said he appreciated the chance to earn cash while removing the rubble of destroyed homes. "What could be better than this?" Khan said. "We are very grateful to God and these NGOs."

Many of the men participating in the cash-for-work program come from low-income households. "We are helping those who are most in need first," said Mohammed Asghar Khan, chairman of the Potha community organization in Katcheli union council.

As reconstruction is beginning, this USAID program provides income that allows families to provide for their needs and builds local economies. The program also encourages recovery by preparing land for rebuilding and bringing community members together to solve common problems.

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 efforts.