Rs1.6 billion Fata economic revival programme launched
2017-11-01
PESHAWAR: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with the Fata Secretariat inaugurated Rs1.6 billion Fata Economic Revitalisation Programme here on Tuesday, said an official statement.
The representatives of USAID and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed the award for building sustainable livelihoods in three tribal agencies -South Waziristan, North Waziristan and Khyber affected by insecurity and displacement.
Speaking at the ceremony, Gregory F Huger, the USAID`s assistant to administrator, office of Afghanistan and Pakistan affairs, said, that the programme would help to improve quality of life for residents of tribal areas.
`I am confident this new initiative will not only contribute to livelihood and resilience but will also lead to sustainable economic development in the region,` the statement quoted Mr Huger as saying.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor IqbalZafar Jhagra, US Consul General Stephen Fakan and USAID/Pakistan Mission Director Jerry Bisson also attended the event.
The statement said that the programme would benefit nearly 17,000 families over three years, improving access to non-farming livelihoods for people returning to Fata afterbeing displaced.
The programme would also foster a partnership between the government and private sector for long-term employment creation and inclusive economic growth.
`This partnership builds on our successes over two years of working with communities under the Fata Transition and Recovery Programme to rebuild livelihoods after years of insecurity,` said UNDP Country Director Ignacio Artaza.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Jhagra said that people of Fata had been facing severe suffering since long and their miseries were increased manifolds when they were displaced from their native places.-Bureau Report