KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has announced a groundbreaking initiative to rebuild and strengthen flood-affected communities through a USD 5 million agreement with the European Union.

The project, launched under the Sindh Peoples Housing for Flood Affected (SPHF) and the PAIDAR program, aims to drive climate resilience and economic recovery in vulnerable areas.

At the signing ceremony held at the Chief Minister's House, Shah emphasized that this partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the European Union is a major step towards sustainable rural development.

"We are ensuring that communities not only recover from past devastation but also become stronger and better prepared for future climate challenges," he stated.

The Sindh government's SPHF program is already spearheading the world's largest post-disaster housing reconstruction effort, with 2.1 million climate-resilient homes under development.

The latest agreement expands this effort by integrating innovative solutions, including green technology, digital mapping, and infrastructure upgrades. A Rs 9.9 million eco-friendly brick production plant in Thatta, developed in partnership with InnoCSR, a South Korean company, to promote sustainable construction materials. A Rs 55.44 million GIS mapping initiative covering 13,846 households across Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, and Tharparkar.

The data will feed into the GIS & Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Dashboard, offering real-time insights for future rural development. A EURO 5 million fund dedicated to upgrading public infrastructure in 150-173 villages, improving access to essential services.

A climate-resilient village project in Lahko Bhambro, Thatta, currently 40% complete, with full completion expected by April 2025. Technical assistance programs to unlock funding for carbon credit projects, supporting long-term environmental sustainability.

Murad highlighted that digital mapping tools are revolutionizing disaster recovery efforts. "For the first time, we have digital village maps offering real-time insights into needs and future development," he noted.

With backing from UNIDO and the EU, Sindh is pioneering a new model for disaster recovery, blending climate-smart infrastructure, eco-friendly innovations, and data-driven planning to ensure long-term resilience and prosperity for its communities.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 25 2025

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