Rebuilding lives in Pakistan
Issued: Fri, 21 Jun 2013 11:42:00 BST
Researchers from the University of Glasgow have secured more than £112,000 from the Scottish Government to help victims of the flooding and post-disaster events in Pakistan.
Two collaborative projects will be jointly conducted by the Heritage Foundation, a non-governmental organisation registered in Pakistan, and the University of Glasgow. The first project focuses on disaster management and rehabilitation for women and children and the second involves the eco-friendly construction of one-roomed emergency homes using timber and bamboo. Together with communal kitchens, showers and toilets, these will last until permanent houses can be built.
The recent catastrophic floods in Pakistan followed the massive earthquake in northern Pakistan and Kashmir in 2005. Local populations are now suffering from severe flooding; more than 20 million people have been affected. The funding, which has been obtained from the Scottish Government's International Development Fund for South Asia and its Humanitarian Assistance Programme for Pakistan, will alleviate suffering: especially for women and children; and provide sustainable long-term rehabilitation for what are isolated rural communities in the most northerly province of Pakistan, North West Frontier Province, now Khyber Pukhtunkhwa.
Dr Peter and Dr Azra Meadows, from the University's College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, are leading on the project. Dr Azra Meadows said: 'The University of Glasgow's success in obtaining two Scottish Government grants for post disaster work in Pakistan adds to the University's long-term partnerships with HE institutes and NGOs in Pakistan, including Heritage Foundation."
Yasmeen Lari, from Heritage Foundation, said: 'The collaboration with Azra and Peter Meadows in our work in the earthquake area over the last three years has been extremely valuable. The new funding for emergency shelters after the recent terrible floods is wonderful news.
'I am confident that the two newly funded projects will further strengthen the working partnership between the University of Glasgow and Heritage Foundation, and will allow us to rapidly expand our joint work on strategies for early recovery and sustainable development of post-disaster and post-conflict communities.'
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