Embassy of the United States

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USAID funding will publish and distribute a series of illustrated posters developed by UN-Habitat. The posters guide earthquake victims through the process of receiving compensation payments and rebuilding earthquake-resistant homes.

USAID Funds Information Campaign To Assist Earthquake Area Residents

Islamabad - The U.S. Agency for International Development is providing almost 5 million rupees of support to distribute informational materials to residents of the earthquake-affected areas. The materials were developed by the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) and will be distributed by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme UN-HABITAT. They will ensure that residents in rural affected areas have the information they need about collecting reconstruction assistance payments and earthquake resistant construction techniques.

"We want all residents to rebuild safely and benefit fully from reconstruction support available," said USAID Pakistan Director Jonathan Addleton, "Getting the right information into the hands of all residents who need it will speed along the rebuilding process and improve the quality of rebuilt homes. This will improve the security of the region in the future."

A great challenge in the rural reconstruction process is the provision of consistent and coherent information on where and how to access available services. Clear, shared information makes the assistance process easier not just for the aid recipients, but also for social service organizations. The campaign will therefore disseminate fliers, pamphlets, illustrations and key messages needed to help affected populations access financial assistance, understand ERRA policy, locate Housing Reconstruction Centres and understand the services they offer to assist in rebuilding safer homes.

Since an overwhelming number of collapsed houses belong to lower income citizens, who until now have not had the financial or technical means to build earthquake resistant housing, messages will detail how to rebuild houses that meet ERRA’s standards for earthquake resistance.

The grant will also help provide information at village level on needs for vulnerable groups.

USAID and UN-HABITAT will support ERRA partner organisations that work at village level to distribute illustrated fliers on how to access financial assistance, open a bank account and answer common questions. The support will also be used to print booklets and posters on earthquake resistant building techniques.

Information dissemination mobile teams will be hired from the local population and will go door-to-door and staff a bazaar information kiosk. The production of all materials will be carried out by UN-HABITAT staff in Islamabad in coordination with ERRA, NSET and the Housing Reconstruction Centres.
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.