Flood victims' rehabilitation decision to be taken in consultation with provinces: Gilani

Larkana (Sindh), Sept 12 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has declared that all the decisions pertaining to the rehabilitation of flood victims in the country will be taken in consultation with the provinces.

The federal government was well aware of the flood-related losses in Sindh province, the Dawn quoted Gilani, as saying.

He pointed out that the 'damage and needs assessment' survey, which is being jointly conducted by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to determine the extent of damage and reconstruction needs in the flood-ravaged country, was underway, and the interim report would be submitted by September 15.

He further said that on the report's basis, the United Nations would convene a session for generating more aid, and a meeting of the foreign ministers would also be held in this regard.

Talking about rehabilitation of flood-hit people, he said that in the first phase, each family was being paid 20,000 rupees, and they would be provided 100,000 rupees after the survey.

Commenting on allegations of breaches made in embankments, he said that a directive had been issued to the Sindh chief minister to conduct an inquiry into the matter.

According to provincial authorities in Sindh, advancing floodwaters continue to threaten parts of the province, with 19 of its 23 districts inundated and 2.8 million people displaced. (ANI)