Contacts:
In Islamabad: Mariam Altaf, (92-51) 2279641
email: mariamaltaf@worldbank.org
In Washington: Erik Nora, (202) 458 4735
email: enora@worldbank.org Available in: Urdu Islamabad, November 9, 2006 ─ A grant agreement of US$1.68 million was signed with Handicap International today for gearing up community-based rehabilitation of persons with disabilities in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). This project is part of the World Bank-administered Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) Earthquake Allocation providing a total of US$6.5 million in grant financing for reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in earthquake-affected areas of AJK and NWFP. This Community-Based Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities project grant aims at strengthening the capacity of community-based organizations and would ensure that persons with disabilities are satisfied and involved in the delivery of rehabilitation services and solutions. “I am very glad to witness the signing of the Agreement between the World Bank and Handicap International,” said Mr. Kojima, Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan. “Through the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF), we have decided to provide approximately US$6.5 million to four projects, which is a part of the total assistance provided to the earthquake victims, amounting to approximately US$200 million. This particular grant (US$1.68 million) is one out of the four JSDF projects focused on community-based rehabilitation of persons with disabilities in the areas which were most affected by the October 8th earthquake last year.” He added, “I believe that this joint effort of WB, NGOs, and Japan will certainly improve the rehabilitation services for people with disabilities and will help build the community capacity in the earthquake affected areas.” The grant will be implemented by Handicap International in partnership with two NGOs supported through the Japanese Embassy's Grassroots Assistance Program. These NGOs will provide technical assistance geared towards improving the quality of services provided to persons with disabilities and improving coordination of community-based rehabilitation activities in earthquake affected areas of AJK and NWFP. “The October 8th earthquake left many persons with disabilities unprotected and in need of assistance,” said John Wall, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan. “Now the job is to rehabilitate the lives and livelihoods of these persons in their own community if possible.” The grant includes funds for: • Establishment of Community-Based Rehabilitation Resource Centers
• Identification and Training of Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR)
• Strengthening CBR Services through Technical Assistance and Sub-Grants to Community-Based Organizations The signing ceremony, held at the World Bank office in Islamabad, was attended by Mr. Kojima, Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, and representatives of the NGOs who received the grants. For more information on the Bank’s work in Pakistan, please visit http://www.worldbank.org.pk
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