Jalozai, 3 September 2015: The Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Inomata, visited Jalozai camp with Secretary Planning and Development, PDMA Director General Mr. Amir Afaq, FATA Secretariat Mr. Shakeel Qadir Khan, UNDP Country Director Mr. Marc-André Franche, and WFP Country Representative Ms. Lola Castro to meet TDPs receiving supports from Japan through UNDP and WFP.
WFP has been distributing foods and providing nutrition service in Jalozai camp for TDPs with Japan’s 5 million USD grant. When the Ambassador visited TDP tents, TDPs expressed gratitude for Japan’s support and expressed a desire to return to their communities of origin in FATA. The Ambassador also visited WFP Nutrition Facility in Jalozai camp where acutely malnourished children, pregnant women and lactating mothers receive treatment.
UNDP also has been supporting TDPs with Japan’s support through vocational training, social cohesion, and rehabilitation of community infrastructure. 20 young trainees from FATA received certificates from the Ambassador. One of the trainees stated that he hopes to utilize his newly acquired skills to contribute to development of his home community in FATA. This effort will expand for returnees in North Waziristan to recover the livelihood in their own communities and UNDP and FATA Secretariat, the implementation partner of the project, signed on the letter of agreement in the presence of the Ambassador.
Lastly the Ambassador visited Jalozai Humanitarian Response Facility (HRF) which was constructed by WFP. Japan is the largest donor for the HRF. The planning of the facilities has started after floods in 2010 in order to prepare for natural disasters. Japan which has experienced natural disasters and has knowledge of disaster prevention have also provided Pakistan with assistance to strengthen the weather forecasting system, improve flood warning and management capacity, and install a weather surveillance radar.
The Ambassador stated that he is grateful to personally witness the positive impacts and results of the assistance from the people of Japan on such key issues for Pakistan. He added that he hopes that the Government plan to facilitate the return of all TDPs by December 2016 will be implemented as planed and that the rehabilitation of FATA will be accelerated in order to increase the stability of border area which will be a crucial factor for achieving peace and stability in Pakistan as a whole.
Mr. Marc-Andre Franche, Country Director of UNDP added that: “the generous support from the Government of Japan has enabled UNDP and our partners to work hand in hand with the communities to improve their living conditions during the displacement period and to facilitate a dignified return to FATA by improving access to basic services, developing business skills and promoting social cohesion. This support represents the first step on a long road to recovery and prosperity in FATA, the emergence of a peaceful and productive society in FATA will require sustainable and long-term commitment from us all.”
Ms. Lola Castro, Country Director of World Food Programme (WFP) said that it is a matter of great satisfaction that with the support of Japan, since March 2015, the FATA return and rehabilitation process has been in place and, as a result, nearly 300,000 people have returned to Khyber, North and South Waziristan agencies. Further she said that WFP-assisted Humanitarian Rehabilitation Facilities (HRF) have been successfully completed and handed over to PDMAs in Lahore, Hyderabad, Peshawar, Quetta and Muzaffargarh. Those facilities have been used by provincial governments to have a rapid response to recent floods by coming closer to the affected communities. She reiterated that WFP would continue to support in enhancing government capacity to prepare and respond to natural shocks.
For more information please contact
Lucie Kanova, WFP Islamabad: +92 51 831 2270 (office), lucie.kanova@wfp.org
Fatimah Inayet, UNDP Pakistan: +92 51 825 5650 (office), fatimah.inayet@undp.org
Sajid Abbasi, Embassy of Japan, +92 51 907 2500 (office), sajid.abbasi@ib.mofa.go.jp
