The World Bank is likely to approve one billion dollars for the Pakistan’s flood-affected areas, said the bank’s South Asia Regional Director for Sustainable Development John Roome in a meeting with Sindh Chief Secretary Dr Muhammad Sohail Rajput.  Roome, who led a 10-member delegation, said a meeting of the World Bank’s board is scheduled next month that would approve the amount. The delegation assured its full support for the rehabilitation of the flood victims and asked the Sindh government to submit a plan before mid-October.  Chief Secretary Sindh informed the delegation about the flood damages in Sindh province and said about 3 million houses were damaged while cotton, dates, rice and sugarcane crops were also affected.   More than 200,000 cattle had also died, which would add to poverty in those areas.   He said that the provincial government has provided food and tents to the people, but still a large number of people direly need help. “For such a large number of affected population, international organizations have to play their active role,” he added.  Dr Sohail Rajput said the provincial government is working to devise a plan for providing wheat seeds to the farmers and building low-cost houses in flood-affected areas.  The meeting was participated by Chairman of Planning & Development Board Syed Hassan Naqvi, Secretary of Finance Sajid Jamal Abro, Secretary of Agriculture Aijaz Ahmed Mahesar, Secretary of Livestock Tameezudin Khero, Secretary of General Administration Muhammad Hanif Channa, Abedalrazq Khalil Programme Lead World Bank, Ipek Alkan of World Bank and others.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk