[VIDEOS] Pakistan devastated by floods

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UN sees major gap between pledges and flood relief aid

ISLAMABAD: United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator Julien Harneis said on Wednesday that aid pledges made by UN member states towards the 2022 flood response plan for Pakistan were not converting into commitment as quickly as they were a couple of weeks ago.

“We have to work with those countries who were supporting the UN to accelerate the speed to enable us to provide assistance to the people affected by catastrophic floods in Pakistan,” Mr Harneis said during his weekly press briefing in Islamabad.

“We have not yet seen enough funding for health, nutrition and safe water and we are working with those countries that are supporting Pakistan to see more funding in this critical area. This is absolutely a challenge and there remains a major gap. The Unicef, which is very much involved in the health and nutrition of young children, is not receiving funding at this time of crisis,” the UN humanitarian coordinator said.

Read: 2022 floods, a living nightmare

“In terms of the needs we have seen on the ground across the country, health remains our major concern because this issue is of great importance and WHO is actively following the health situation in Pakistan,” Mr Harneis said.

Resident coordinator says not receiving enough funding for health, nutrition, potable water

“WHO has forecast that by January 2023, there will be 27 million malaria cases in 32 districts of Pakistan and this is a significant increase in comparison with previous years,” the UN coordinator said.

“On an average, 50,000 people die from malaria in Pakistan. The significant increase in malaria cases will lead to significant increase in deaths and this is very worrying situation,” he said.

Mr Harneis said that the UN was seeking funds for the most prioritised needs of the flood-hit people like health, nutrition, safe water, food security and shelter.

About the funding, he said pledges by member states were easily in access of $180m which was more than the first flash appeal but less than 20 per cent of the new appeal for $816m launched last week. The pledges converting into commitment now stood at $90m, he said.

Deputy Representative of United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Farrukh Toirov spoke on the state of food security and agriculture in the most affected areas by floods and said the main issue now was planting of wheat in those areas.

Quoting FAO estimates, he said about 353,000 small farmers in flood-affected areas were facing difficulties during the ongoing planting season. He said the FAO had reallocated funds from ongoing projects funded by the European Union for provision of animal fodder for affected households and also for oil seed crops.

DAWN

 

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Pakistan suffered climate-induced losses worth $29bn: World Bank

ISLAMABAD: Weather- and climate-related disasters have affected over 75 million Pakistanis in the past three decades, with estimated economic losses of over $29 billion, or roughly $1billion a year, latest World Bank report estimated.

The projected temperature extremes will progressively amplify the negative impacts on human health, livelihoods, and ecosystems that Pakistan is already experiencing, said the report titled “From Swimming in Sand to High and Sustainable Growth: A Roadmap to Reduce Distortions in the Allocation of Resources and Talent in the Pakistani Economy”.

The report explained Pakistan’s climate has been changing in recent decades and the country faced rates of warming that are considerably above the global average.

From 1999 to 2002, droughts in Sindh and Balochistan provinces killed two million livestock and required emergency relief to provide drinking water and food to farming communities. Even minimal changes in precipitation patterns over prolonged periods can alter Pakistan’s food production by placing greater pressure on the water resources that the country’s irrigation network depends on.

Except for the northern mountainous region, projected yield declines are widespread, particularly for crops such as cotton, wheat, sugarcane, maize, and rice.

Since 1993, crop yields in Pakistan have increased 78pc.

From a geographical point of view, this increase in yields was driven by increases in Punjab and Sindh, which increased their yields by 95pc and 87pc, respectively. Conversely, yields in KP only increased by 27pc, while those in Balochistan fell by 13pc.

All provinces heavily increased the use of capital like tractors, tube wells, threshers and fertilizer per hectare, while all provinces other than Punjab also increased the amount of labour used per land at a rate higher than yield growth, implying that the increase in yields by hectare was mainly driven by more intensive use of productive inputs rather than by an increase in productivity, the report notes.

Crop district-level analysis of total factor productivity (TFP) revealed a generalised contraction in agriculture TFP in Pakistan, accentuated since the turn of the century. Aggregating the crop district level results at the national level shows that TFP declined at an annual average rate of minus 1.2pc. The decline in TFP is explained by performance deterioration since the turn of the century.

Between 1993 and 1998, the TFP for crops grew by 21pc, or an average 3.9pc per year. Since then, TFP has been contracting at an average rate of 2.3pc per year.

Highly diverse regional performance indicates that Punjab and Sindh experienced increases in TFP, but KP and Balochistan experienced large TFP declines. Within Punjab, all agro-climatic zones increased TFP except for the Barani zone, while in Sindh, growth was driven by the cotton-wheat growing areas.

Farm-level analysis of productivity in Punjab also reveals a contraction in the average productivity in wheat, rice and cotton farms, while it shows an increase in sugarcane farms. The results obtained from a systematic analysis of farm-level data in Punjab between 2013 and 2019 show that the simple average TFP across farms declined in wheat, rice, and cotton farms, but increased in the case of sugarcane farms.

The drivers of aggregate productivity growth can shed some light on the extent of misallocation of resources in crop agriculture in Punjab.

DAWN

 

[MenInG]

The Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Islamic Relief UK have raised £60,000 and counting to support those affected by the devastating floods in Pakistan.

Last week, Headingley hosted a dinner to raise vital funds for the communities in Pakistan that have been left destroyed by the severe floods across the region.

The aim of the dinner was to generate the money to build new houses as millions of people still suffer with homelessness, hunger and are in desperate need of help.

In 2010, Islamic Relief launched a global appeal following the worst monsoon floods in living memory. The charity were able to build new housing for those affected, many of which have survived the recent floods in Pakistan.

Yorkshire Cricket wanted to assist with the charity’s incredible work and offer support to those in need.

Yaseen Mohammed, Yorkshire County Cricket Club Board member said: “We have far surpassed the target that we had set and I am so pleased that we are able to help those in need at this truly troubling time.

“I would like to thank those who attended on the night and have kindly contributed to our fundraising efforts. The money raised will be used to rebuild homes in areas that have been affected by the floods and support those families who are in desperate need of help.

“Many of those who attended last night have never been to Headingley, so I feel humbled that so many have given support to such a worthwhile cause. It is hoped that the money raised so far will help to build around 30 new houses in areas that have been destroyed over the past few weeks.

“We care about helping our local community and have also built some strong relationships globally. It is important to me that this isn’t a one-off event but a long-lasting and meaningful partnership with Islamic Relief to support their incredible work.”

Tufail Hussain, Director at Islamic Relief UK said: "Islamic Relief are pleased to have partnered with the historic Yorkshire County Cricket Club to raise funds for our Pakistan Floods Appeal, we truly appreciate the efforts that went into organising a wonderful and packed event at Headingley. The funds raised will help us to provide new homes to families that have lost everything in the recent floods.”

Neil Snowball, ECB Managing Director of County Cricket said: “It was a privilege to be part of this very special event and for the ECB to be able to contribute to such an effective collaboration between Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Islamic Relief.

“Having spent some time in Pakistan earlier this year and travelled through parts of the country that have been so badly impacted by the flooding, it was both inspiring and humbling to hear about the work that Islamic Relief are doing on the ground in Pakistan and also to see the incredible generosity of those who attended the event at Headingley Stadium on Monday evening.”

 

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Cash to recompense flood deaths issued
Federal government announced Rs1 million compensation amount on the direction of PM Shehbaz, says minister

ISLAMABAD:
The federal government transferred compensation amount to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for onward payment to the heirs of 1,717 people killed in the recent floods, the National Assembly was informed on Monday.

Speaking on the floor of the lower house, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Murtaza Javed Abbasi said that the federal government had announced Rs1 million compensation amount on the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The amount, he said, would be disbursed under the criteria set for the payment.

“The federal government would not delay the payment to the affected families,” the parliamentary affairs minister told the house. “For the first time, the government has made the payment within 15 days to the affected families,” he added.

Abbasi said that a joint survey would be conducted to assess the damage to the houses in the flood-hit areas for the payout. He said that the federal government had provided all the required assistance to provinces to deal with emergency-like situations.

Express Tribune

 

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Provinces told not to politicise wheat scheme for flood-hit

ISLAMABAD / LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday urged Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — the provinces ruled by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and its allies — to join Centre’s wheat scheme for flood-hit areas, asking them to rise above politics to provide seeds to affected farmers amid devastating floods.

Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi, on the other hand, accused the federal government of freezing the wheat quota of the province and refusing to grant permission to the provincial government for the import of the grain.

Presiding over a meeting of the National Flood Response and Coordination Centre (NFRCC), the prime minister offered KP and Punjab to collaborate with the federal government under the scheme which will ensure funding for wheat seeds under a ‘50-50 formula’.

He mentioned that Sindh and Balochistan had already agreed whereas the KP and Punjab governments were refusing to cooperate and playing politics over the matter.

PM rules out wheat import by private sector to save dollars; CM Elahi seeks federal intervention

“I request you to accept the offer in view of the plight of the flood-hit farmers. And if you still reject it, then don’t twist the facts that Centre is not extending assistance to you,” he said in a meeting which was also joined remotely by chief secretaries of Punjab and KP.

The extraordinary situation in light of massive floods demanded unity at the national level, the prime minister said, adding that the devastation caused by floods would also impact the wheat yield in the coming year.

‘No to import’
The premier said he would not allow the private sector to import wheat at any cost as this would put pressure on dwindling foreign exchange reserves.

“In view of the emergency situation, I will not allow the private sector to import wheat,” he said, adding, “We even negotiated with the lowest bidder and took discounts [for wheat].”

Dawn.com quoted the premier as saying the government cannot even afford to spend a dollar extra. “…I will not allow the private sector to make fat profits, and then use Pakistan’s foreign exchange and then sell it to the consumer. This will not happen, and this shall not happen,” he said.

Punjab seeks intervention
In a letter to the prime minister, CM Elahi urged him to intervene for the approval of one million tonnes [MT] of wheat for Punjab as the “province’s 2.85MT wheat stocks are anticipated to deplete” by the end of February 2023.

In his letter, Mr Elahi stated that Punjab had procured 4.448MT wheat in this season and along with a carry forward stock of 0.780MT accumulated to a total wheat stock of 5.156MT that was available to cater to the needs of the people of Punjab for the entire period.

He stated that the Punjab government, with the full consent of federal government, started wheat release early on May 19 at a subsidised rate and now it required an additional quota to stock up its strategic reserves.

Mr Elahi said the provincial government had already requested the Ministry of National Food Security & Research (NFSR) to provide 1.0MT wheat through Passco. He added that the wheat shipment was expected to be received in October but “repetitive regret from the ministry, especially at this eleventh hour on Sept 29 raised concerns”. He requested the premier for approval of 1.0MT wheat in addition to the immediate provision of 0.3MT through Passco.

Sources familiar with the background of the issue told Dawn that the Punjab government had sought 500,000 tonnes from Passco out of its share of 3m tonnes. In July, Passco excused. It later said it could share half of its one million tonnes of imports, to which Punjab readily agreed. However, the proposal was refused later on, and the provincial government was told to contact the federation.

Separately, in a response to the prime minister, PML-Q leader Moonis Elahi responded to claims of wheat import through the private sector and said the Punjab government was asking the federal government to provide 1.0MT wheat to the province through Passco or Trading Corporation of Pakistan. “The Punjab government will also pay the cost of the required wheat,” he stated, adding that the prime minister should stop doing “gimmicks” on a serious issue.

DAWN

 

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Pakistan not given what it needs: Guterres
UN Secretary General António Guterres appealed to the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and G-20 countries to provide debt relief to Pakistan to help its post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts

SHARM EL-SHEIKH: UN Secretary General António Guterres on Monday appealed to the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and G-20 countries to provide debt relief to Pakistan to help its post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.

Addressing a joint press conference along with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here, the UN Secretary General proposed a debt swap, exchanging the payment of debt with investment in rehabilitation of the flood-affected people of Pakistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is in Sharm El Sheikh for the COP27 summit, told media that according to the latest estimates, Pakistan suffered losses of over $30 billion. The UN secretary general said that Pakistan is a middle income country and is not given the kind of debt relief and concessional funding it needed to tackle the adverse impact of climate change.

He appealed to the IFIs and the G-20 countries to create a mechanism for debt relief for middle income countries including Pakistan. He underlined the need for defining a clear road map to deal with the disaster, by creating an institutional framework of financing.

Antonio Guterres said an international donor conference will be held for Pakistan, as the country needed massive support for rehabilitation of the people affected by floods.

The prime minister said the damages suffered in floods was also combined with a surge in poverty rates, with over 9 million of our people being pushed into a life of extreme poverty, with an additional 1.9 million families being pushed into multidimensional poverty.

He said the impact on the GDP will be 2.2 percent just from the flooding, but extreme climate events such as heatwaves, forest fires, and rapidly melting glaciers had already created a 9.1 percent drag on Pakistan’s GDP annually.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, “As a global community, we are poised on the threshold of a new green deal, or a trajectory to a 3 degree world, where returning to the earth we know today will be impossible.”

“Some countries like Pakistan, will be more exposed, more deeply vulnerable than others living in cooler longitudes.” He said millions of people in Pakistan are going into winter without the shelter or livelihood that was their fundamental right. “Women and children are still looking to us to protect their basic needs, while entire villages are seeking to secure a precarious future, with all of such recovery hinging on a flow of resources that we are unable to guarantee.”

“Huge lakes of stagnant water have transformed the landscape of the south, where crops would have fed millions, and livestock would have saved families from destitution. We are picking up the pieces as we speak, but hundreds of bridges still lie broken, like the 8000 plus kilometres of metalled roads ripped out like toothpicks from the fury of the raging torrents, triggered by the record-breaking floods from the monsoon on steroids.”

He expressed gratitude to the United Nations agencies, World Health Organization, and other development partners in supporting through the unprecedented challenge. The PM said Pakistan’s own response is still defined by resourcing the huge humanitarian gap in relief and rehabilitation.

“Our journey to recovery will be held back by increasing public debt, rising international energy prices and no real access to Adaptation Funds.” “Our social security platform, the BISP, has allocated urgent cash transfers worth Rs70 billion ($316 million) to the most vulnerable 2.8 million families, providing $113 to each affected family,” he noted.

“We have mobilised every available resource towards the national relief effort, and repurposed all budget priorities, including resilience and development funds, to the rescue and first order needs of millions.”

“A simultaneous priority is to build up our adaptation and resilience, without prejudice to our mitigation goals. At the same time, our reconstruction planning is also in its final stages. We will be looking to leadership of the United Nations secretary general in building a viable support platform very soon at the Donors Conference.”

Meanwhile, the World Bank (WB) will release over $3 billion to Pakistan for the development of infrastructure in the power sector, the government announced Monday. “The World Bank is assisting in energy efficiency and conservation programmes, apart from helping provinces in installing solar projects,” the official statement said.

The commitment came on the heels of a meeting between World Bank officials and Minister for Energy Khurram Dastgir Khan and his team at Power Division.

The delegation was told that the government had taken tough and difficult decisions in the power sector and one of the key measures was an increase in electricity prices. He said it was politically difficult, but the government was committed to ensuring sustainability in the energy sector.

“The government is committed to providing relief to the common man,” the minister said. Khan appreciated the World Bank for recognising the challenges faced by the country and the difficult decisions taken in wake of it, according to the statement.

The delegation was also briefed on the CASA-1000 and Dasu power projects. Earlier, the World Bank also inked two agreements with Pakistan to lend $500 million to the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to fund Punjab Resilient and Inclusive Agriculture Transformation Project worth $200 million and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Accessibility Project worth $300 million.

The News PK

 

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Delay in IMF visit over flood impact on budget
Global lender’s team may come to Pakistan this month for review of loan programme

ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have developed differences over the impact of the flood damages on the budget, causing an inordinate delay in fielding a mission to Islamabad by the global lender for the next review of its loan programme.

Both sides have been trying to bridge the gap amid a finance ministry assessment, which suggests that because of higher debt servicing cost and lower revenues from petroleum products, the primary budget deficit can peak to around Rs2.2 trillion in the current fiscal year without additional measures, sources told The Express Tribune.

“Although the number remains tentative, our assessment has indicated that the primary budget deficit -- the revenues after paying the interest cost -- could be as high as 2.8% of the GDP or Rs2.2 trillion,” said a senior government official.

The estimated figure is far higher than the 0.2% of the GDP primary budget surplus target agreed with the IMF in the pre-flood scenario.

However, the sources said the dilemma was that the slippages were more because of non-flood factors.

They added that the impact of the floods on the budget was not more than 0.2% of the GDP.

The sources said during a recent interaction with IMF Resident Representative Esther Perez, the disagreement remained over how much impact of the total $16 billion estimated reconstruction cost should be booked in the current fiscal year.

Pakistan’s view is that there was no significant impact of the reconstruction cost during the remaining period of the programme that is expiring in June. However, the IMF did not agree to it.

Pakistan will share fresh data with the IMF next week that will determine whether there is still a possibility for the global lender’s mission to visit Islamabad this month or it may be delayed until December.

About $3 billion IMF loan money remains undisbursed that can only be released subject to the completion of three reviews.

Aside from differences over the fiscal framework, Pakistan has not been able to meet some of the other IMF conditions including an increase in electricity prices.

Under the revised schedule agreed in June, the IMF should have sent a mission to Pakistan in October for the 9th review that would have paved the way for the release of another tranche of about $1.2 billion on November 3.

However, the global lender is taking longer than the scheduled time on the pretext of the matters that can be sorted out.

“The IMF has asked Pakistan to review the impact of the floods on the budget and the economy. Once the implications are clear, only then there will be clarity on the dates of the IMF mission’s visit,” said Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha, the minister of state for finance.

She added that the analysis of the flood impact remained incomplete, and that was why the visit’s dates were not clear.

Last week, the global lender’s resident representative stated in a terse statement that “the IMF remains engaged with the authorities under the current programme to support their endeavour to provide relief to the vulnerable population affected by the floods, advance reconstruction efforts, while ensuring sustainable policies”.

However, she did not reply to a question whether any date was finalised or not.

The sources said that the major issue was the slippages on account of the primary budget deficit, now being worked out around 2.8% of the GDP.

They noted that the budgeted debt servicing cost was estimated at less than Rs4 trillion.

However, the revised estimates indicated that the debt cost might jump as high as over Rs4.7 trillion, they added.

Similarly, the sources said, the revenues on account of petroleum levy might remain below the budgeted target of Rs855 billion by at least Rs300 billion.

The net impact of low petroleum levy collection and high debt servicing cost was nearly 1.3% of the GDP, they added.

The Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) collection might also fall below the annual target of Rs7.470 trillion and the IMF has already demanded imposing additional taxes worth Rs600 billion.

On top of that, the government has offered a Rs100 billion subsidy only to exporters and an agricultural package, the actual impact of which remains unclear.

This has further complicated issues for the finance ministry.

The ministry has been trying to include some cost of the agricultural package under the flood relief, which the farmers needed after the devastating impact on the crops.

However, it is difficult to justify the subsidy for the exporters, who have been bleeding the national resources without giving any meaningful return.

In the last fiscal year, the total impact of the direct and indirect subsidies to the exporters was Rs536 billion, including cheap loans, according to an assessment by the finance ministry.

The central bank has estimated the current account deficit at below $10 billion for the current fiscal year, which is significantly lower than that calculated by the World Bank.

Another issue is the external financing requirements that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has been trying to bridge through requests to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and China, said the sources.

A $2 billion UAE debt is maturing in February next year. The finance minister this week requested the UAE to extend it further, the sources added.

Express Tribune

 

[MenInG]

Regional Director World Bank for Sustainable Development John A Roome on Wednesday said that the bank would provide financial support of $1.3 billion to Pakistan for an emergency, agriculture and housing relief.

According to an official statement, the regional director WB said this during a meeting with Minister for National Food Security and Research Tariq Bashir and apprised him about the board meeting in December.

He said that the bank will also provide financial support to floods and rains-affected farmers of Pakistan by providing them subsidised urea.

Speaking on the occasion, Tariq Bashir Cheema said that floods and rains had resulted in colossal losses for the farming community and the government was trying to provide relief and assistance to the poor farmers for their rehabilitation.

While appreciating the support extended by the World Bank for flood relief and rehabilitation of the affected farmers, he said that the natural calamity was unforeseen and the affected farmers need a helping hand to recover and return to normal.

Tariq Bashir emphasised on enhancing coordination among the federal government, provincial governments, World Bank and other stakeholders to provide relief and help the needy on the most urgent basis to revive agriculture in flood-hit areas in the country.

The minister assured full support from the ministry for the projects and initiatives by the World Bank in Pakistan and said that relief and assistance to the farming community will help in achieving food security.

Additional Secretary, Ministry of Nation Food Security and Research Muhammad Asif apprised that the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) database can help to identify the farmers for the targeted subsidy.

Moreover, the National Flood Response Coordination Centre (NFRCC) has developed a digital application which can help in delivering to the farmers.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq appreciated the World Bank for its decades-long assistance, which he said had played and would continue to play a vital role in the socioeconomic uplift of Pakistan.

The minister was talking to John A. Roome and Country Director WB, Najy Benhassine who called on him.

Ayaz Sadiq appreciated the WB for being one of the major development partners that extended substantial financial support of $ 31.1 billion to Pakistan since the 1950s.

He also expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its flood relief assistance to Pakistan.

“We are well-supported by the World Bank’s team.’’ the minister said and highlighted that bank’s interventions cover all major sectors of the economy including infrastructure, agriculture, rural and urban development, human capital, social service as well as economic growth.

The minister said the Ministry of Economic Affairs has now changed its role from just a facilitator in the signing of agreements to ensuring monitoring and fund utilisation of projects in a most optimal way.

He apprised the WB official that the ministry was monitoring the projects through continuous meetings of the National Coordination Committee on Foreign Funded Projects and Steering Committee for Coordination regarding international assistance for flood relief activities.

On the occasion, the Regional Director, Roome appreciated the facilitation and proactive role of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

He discussed WB’s pipeline projects for supporting post-flood rehabilitation and reconstruction activities, particularly in the province of Sindh and Balochistan, and highlighted the need to push forward the implementation of these projects through effective coordination with the provinces.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2386653/world-bank-to-provide-financial-support-of-13b-to-pakistan

 

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‘Unrealistic’ flood cost baffles IMF
Govt concedes to donor’s demand to share reconstruction estimates

ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan on Thursday had to concede to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) demand to exhibit the flood reconstruction cost in this year’s budget after the global lender found the projected relief operation estimates of Rs251 billion or $1.1 billion “unrealistic”.

The Rs251 billion estimates that the finance ministry had shared with the IMF this week did not match with the political statements and the figures published in the Post-Disaster and Need Assessment report prepared by international lenders.

The government had estimated that the burden of the Rs1.8 trillion Kissan Package would not exceed Rs66 billion.

“The Rs251 billion figure is exclusive of the financing requirements that the country might need for the reconstruction needs and also delays the [IMF] mission's arrival till next month,” an official of the finance ministry said.

“If the IMF does not send its mission to Pakistan in the next two weeks, the disbursement of the next loan tranche will not materialise until January,” the official added.

The estimates submitted to the IMF left a lot of grey areas, considering the fact that the government still lacked the district-wise data of the people affected by the floods, bringing to the spotlight the Post-Disaster and Need Assessment report.

The IMF is seeking the details of the cost of the flood relief and rescue, and more importantly the rehabilitation and reconstruction needs during the fiscal year 2022-23 as against the multi-year estimates of $16.3 billion or Rs3.5 trillion.

“The exact cost of the flood relief and reconstruction needs is critical to revising the IMF programme framework and determining the accurate requirements for additional revenue and expenses cut measures,” the official said.

To break the gridlock, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar held an online meeting with Nathan Porter, the IMF mission chief for Pakistan.

Later, the finance ministry announced that it was agreed that the expenditure estimates for flood-related humanitarian assistance during the current year would be firmed up along with the evaluation of priority rehabilitation expenses.

The ministry added that for this purpose, an engagement for finalising the rehabilitation cost estimates “at the technical level shall be expeditiously concluded for proceeding with the 9th Review”.

Finance Minister Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to successfully completing the IMF programme.

The statement marks a departure from the earlier position where the finance ministry was not willing to show the reconstruction cost in this fiscal year’s budget.

The finance ministry stated that the two sides discussed the progress made with the ongoing IMF programme, particularly the impact of floods on macroeconomic framework and targets for the current year. The IMF indicated its willingness to sympathetically view the targeted assistance for poor and vulnerable, especially the flood-hit people.

The official said the IMF was asking for the details of the reconstruction cost that would be booked in the budget in this fiscal year. However, the official added that the Flood Resilient Recovery And Reconstruction Framework would not be ready before December 15.

“It is the responsibility of the planning ministry to timely provide the reconstruction framework,” the official said, adding: “We see a delay here.”

A government functionary told The Express Tribune after the IMF video call that it had been decided that the finance ministry would ask the planning ministry to at least provide the priority expenditure details, as there was a delay in finalising the plan.

The official added that the IMF’s mission chief to Pakistan was not convinced that against the estimated reconstruction cost of $16.3 billion or Rs3.5 trillion, no money would be spent in the current fiscal year.

According to the official, this had delayed the IMF mission’s visit to Pakistan, despite the government sharing the budgeted estimates of the flood relief and rescue operations.

Dr Aisha Pasha, the minister of state for finance, said they were hoping that the IMF would send its mission to Pakistan by the end of this month, while responding to a question whether or not the global lender’s team’s visit to Islamabad had been delayed at least until December.

Any further delay might aggravate Pakistan’s economic situation due to the pause in the disbursement of the budget-supported loans by the World Bank.

The State Bank of Pakistan reported on Thursday that during the week ending on November 11, the gross official reserves remained shy of $8 billion -- not enough to meet the foreign financing needs.

Sources said there was some frustration in the finance ministry over the IMF delaying sending its mission to Pakistan as it had again started sending negative signals to the markets and foreign think-tanks.

Under the revised schedule agreed in June, the IMF should have sent a mission to Pakistan in October which would have paved the way for the release of another tranche of about $1.2 billion on November 3.

Esther Perez, the resident representative of the IMF, did not respond to a question whether or not the IMF mission’s visit was linked to the finalisation of the Flood Resilient Recovery and Reconstruction Framework.

The sources said to convince the IMF, Pakistan had submitted the cost details being borne by the federal as well as the provincial governments to the global lender this week.

The Rs251 billion was the cost of shelters, food and humanitarian assistance.
The IMF was informed that out of the Rs251 billion, a sum of Rs164 billion had already been disbursed.

The remaining requirements from November through June next year were estimated at Rs87 billion, according to the sources.

However, the IMF’s objection was that the Rs251 billion estimated cost did not match with the political claims and relief packages announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The IMF has been informed that so far, Rs88 billion had been released by the finance ministry, Rs3 billion by the Punjab government, Rs40 billion by the Sindh government, Rs25 billion by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government and Rs8 billion by the Balochistan government.

The remaining estimated requirements are mainly Rs66 billion for the Kissan Package; Rs10 billion for picking up the cost of waiver and deferring the fuel-cost adjustments for the months of August and September; and Rs4 billion for the flood response.

The sources said a sum of Rs2 billion would be given to the National Disaster Management Authority for damage surveys of the flood-affected areas.

Express Tribune

 

[MenInG]

Ben Stokes to donate his match fees from the first Test to the Pakistan Flood Appeal

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’m donating my match fees from this Test series to the Pakistan Flood appeal <a href="https://t.co/BgvY0VQ2GG">pic.twitter.com/BgvY0VQ2GG</a></p>— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) <a href="https://twitter.com/benstokes38/status/1597170046857465856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
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[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We appreciate the kind gesture of England Captain Ben Stokes donating his fees of entire Test series for flood victims of Pakistan. Empathy for suffering humanity is the greatest of all virtues. His gesture epitomises the great British tradition of philanthropy. &#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816; &#55356;&#56812;&#55356;&#56807;</p>— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1597205209507598336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
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‘$4b’ flood aid received so far
Preparations for Donors Conference have entered final stages, meeting told

The Senate Standing Committee on Planning and Development was informed on Thursday that Pakistan had so far received financial foreign assistance worth over $4 billion to support flood relief activities in the country.

Officials from Economic Affairs Division informed the committee that out of the total financial assistance, the international development partners had extended an amount of $3.64 billion in the form of loans and $435.03 million in the form of grants.

The meeting was informed that the development partners and the countries had dispatched in kind assistance for the flood victims.

The meeting of the committee was presided over by Senator Attaur Rehman and was attended by senators Dost Muhammad Khan, Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Saadia Abbasi, Hidayat Ullah, Tahir Bazinjo and Nuzhat Sadiq.

The meeting was informed that out of the total loan amount, the World Bank had extended $1.78 billion loan while the Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided loan worth $559 million.

Similarly, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank also extended $500 million loan.

It was highlighted in the meeting that out of the total grant, ADB extended grant of $8.28 million while Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) provided grant of $700,000.

The meeting was informed that the United Nations in coordination with government of Pakistan launched a $160.3 million flash appeal on August 30, 2022 of which $148 million has been pledged by the humanitarian commitments as of September 15, 2022.

The revised appeal, however, urgently seeks $816 million to respond to the growing lifesaving needs of the people – a jump of $656 million from the initial appeal of $160 million.

The UN organisations – WHO, UNFPA and FAO – provided financial support of $3.06 million whereas China also provided $112.33 million for the rehabilitation and reconstruction process in flood hit areas.

The United States extended financial assistance of over $95 million while Japan provided $7 million of financial support.

Likewise, it was informed in the meeting that Canada, Australia, the European Union, the UK and European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) extended grants worth of $4.22 million, $3.48 million, $19.57 million, $62.52 million and $30.67 million, respectively.

The officials told the meeting that the UK (FCDO), Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Qatar, Azerbaijan, and South Korea extended grants of $62.5 million, $58.87 million, $0.99 million, $1.05 million, $1.95 million, $0.5 million, $8.6 million, $2.1 million, $2 million and $4.86 million, respectively.

Senator Saadia asked the authorities to ensure transparency in the utilisation of the funds and that the progress report be presented before the committee in two-month time.

The official told the committee that Ministry of Economic Affairs has the mandate to coordinate, negotiate and arrange foreign assistance.

The district-wise utilisation of the foreign assistance/aid is the mandate of the provincial governments, PDMAs and NDMA.

It was highlighted that the World Bank was itself monitoring the whole process and recommended private experts to overlook the process.

The meeting also discussed agenda of damages incurred to the Mohmand Dam during the recent rains and floods.

Donors Conference

Preparations for the Donors Conference have entered the final stages to mobilise financial resources for flood prevention and relief activities, and to improve the food situation in the flood-affected areas, besides ensuring climate-resilient recovery and reconstruction.

A Steering Committee for Coordination of International Assistance for Flood Relief Activities was formed to coordinate with development partners.

The sixth meeting of the steering committee for coordination was held at the Ministry of Economic Affairs under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

World Food Program Country Director Chris Kaye briefed the steering committee on the food situation, urging the development partners to provide humanitarian assistance.

Express Tribune

 

[Bewal Express]

‘$4b’ flood aid received so far
Preparations for Donors Conference have entered final stages, meeting told

The Senate Standing Committee on Planning and Development was informed on Thursday that Pakistan had so far received financial foreign assistance worth over $4 billion to support flood relief activities in the country.

Officials from Economic Affairs Division informed the committee that out of the total financial assistance, the international development partners had extended an amount of $3.64 billion in the form of loans and $435.03 million in the form of grants.

The meeting was informed that the development partners and the countries had dispatched in kind assistance for the flood victims.

The meeting of the committee was presided over by Senator Attaur Rehman and was attended by senators Dost Muhammad Khan, Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Saadia Abbasi, Hidayat Ullah, Tahir Bazinjo and Nuzhat Sadiq.

The meeting was informed that out of the total loan amount, the World Bank had extended $1.78 billion loan while the Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided loan worth $559 million.

Similarly, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank also extended $500 million loan.

It was highlighted in the meeting that out of the total grant, ADB extended grant of $8.28 million while Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) provided grant of $700,000.

The meeting was informed that the United Nations in coordination with government of Pakistan launched a $160.3 million flash appeal on August 30, 2022 of which $148 million has been pledged by the humanitarian commitments as of September 15, 2022.

The revised appeal, however, urgently seeks $816 million to respond to the growing lifesaving needs of the people – a jump of $656 million from the initial appeal of $160 million.

The UN organisations – WHO, UNFPA and FAO – provided financial support of $3.06 million whereas China also provided $112.33 million for the rehabilitation and reconstruction process in flood hit areas.

The United States extended financial assistance of over $95 million while Japan provided $7 million of financial support.

Likewise, it was informed in the meeting that Canada, Australia, the European Union, the UK and European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) extended grants worth of $4.22 million, $3.48 million, $19.57 million, $62.52 million and $30.67 million, respectively.

The officials told the meeting that the UK (FCDO), Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Qatar, Azerbaijan, and South Korea extended grants of $62.5 million, $58.87 million, $0.99 million, $1.05 million, $1.95 million, $0.5 million, $8.6 million, $2.1 million, $2 million and $4.86 million, respectively.

Senator Saadia asked the authorities to ensure transparency in the utilisation of the funds and that the progress report be presented before the committee in two-month time.

The official told the committee that Ministry of Economic Affairs has the mandate to coordinate, negotiate and arrange foreign assistance.

The district-wise utilisation of the foreign assistance/aid is the mandate of the provincial governments, PDMAs and NDMA.

It was highlighted that the World Bank was itself monitoring the whole process and recommended private experts to overlook the process.

The meeting also discussed agenda of damages incurred to the Mohmand Dam during the recent rains and floods.

Donors Conference

Preparations for the Donors Conference have entered the final stages to mobilise financial resources for flood prevention and relief activities, and to improve the food situation in the flood-affected areas, besides ensuring climate-resilient recovery and reconstruction.

A Steering Committee for Coordination of International Assistance for Flood Relief Activities was formed to coordinate with development partners.

The sixth meeting of the steering committee for coordination was held at the Ministry of Economic Affairs under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

World Food Program Country Director Chris Kaye briefed the steering committee on the food situation, urging the development partners to provide humanitarian assistance.

Express Tribune

This money will disappear like any money in the hands of these crooks.

 

[daytrader]

ECNEC APPROVES SEVEN PROJECTS FOR REHABILITATION OF FLOOD-HIT AREAS

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved seven development projects worth over Rs440 billion for reconstruction and rehabilitation in flood-affected areas of Pakistan.

The approval was granted in a meeting of the ECNEC that was held in Islamabad on Tuesday with Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar in the chair.

The Forum approved the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of N-5 from Moro to Ranipur under ADB Flood Emergency Loan, at the total cost of 36.211 billion rupees. It will be funded by the Asian Development Bank with 90 percent share while remaining ten percent share will be provided by the government of Pakistan. The Bridge component of the project consists of Bridges on National Highway Network in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The ECNEC also accorded approval to Emergency Flood Assistance Project at the total cost of 3828 million rupees. It will be funded by the Government of Balochistan and Asian Development Bank under a Loan. The project will be implemented in flood affected districts of Balochistan. The proposed project envisages restoration of flood damaged on-farm water management infrastructure for revival of agriculture production in the severely flood affected districts of the province, Radio Pakistan reported.

The Council approved Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project at the total cost of 48,327.22 Million rupees to be fully funded by the World Bank. The project is related to the issues of water conservation, protection of infrastructure from floods and institutional reforms in various districts of Sindh province.

It also approved Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Programme, Rescue 1122 Component, with total cost of 66,002.57 million rupees.

Emergency Flood Assistance Project- Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Irrigation, Drainage system and flood protection works in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, at a total cost of 15.00 billion rupees was also approved by the forum. The project will be funded by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Asian Development Bank under a Loan. The project is designed to rehabilitate the irrigation and flood protection system and put it back to operation for restoring agricultural productivity and protecting lives, infrastructure and properties in the flood affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The ECNEC gave green signal on the Emergency Flood Assistance Project- Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Flood affected Irrigation Infrastructure at Balochistan, at the total cost of 12,500 million rupees. It will be funded by the Government of Balochistan and Asian Development Bank under a Loan. The project envisages restoration of damaged irrigation infrastructure damaged due to recent floods in various districts of Balochistan province.

The Council approved another project, Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation Project located in over Twenty-Three districts of Sindh amounting 70,445.95 million rupees. The project envisages Creating Water and Agriculture Nexus, increased Agriculture Water Productivity, Rationalize Water requirement by encouraging water thrifty crops, Supporting farming community for crop after flood devastation, Boost up Rural economy. Besides it will push start the devastated agriculture sector after deluge of 2022 monsoons.

The ECNEC considered a revised project for the construction of the Authmuqam- Sharda -Kel -Taobat road section of 109.2 Kilometer including two tunnels at Kahori, Kamser and Challpani section of Neelum Valley road, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The ECNEC approved the revised project at the reduced scope of construction of two tunnels at the revised rationalized cost of 9,0108.050 million rupees, to be funded through the Saudi Development Fund and a local share of 1,122.852 million rupees to be provided through PSDP.

The ECNEC considered and approved the Improving Workforce Readiness in Punjab Project at a total cost of 23.982 billion rupees, including the Government of Punjab’s share of 2.086 billion rupees and ADB’s share of 21.896 billion rupees. The project will be executed across Punjab.

The ECNEC also considered and approved a project on Strengthening Social Protection Delivery System in Sindh at a total cost of 48,300 million rupees.

ARY

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Tents meant for flood affectees used at JUI-F convention

QUETTA:

Tents meant for flood-affected people in Balochistan provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) were allegedly used during a mammoth public meeting of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) in Quetta on Thursday.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had also addressed the party's convention at Ayub Stadium attended by thousands of supporters of the religious party.

The tents were being used on the racing track of the ground which can be clearly seen in the videos circulating on social media.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><br><br>Tents and other flood <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/relief?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#relief</a> consumables donated to PDM Federal Govt by <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHCRPakistan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNHCRPakistan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHCRUK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNHCRUK</a> are being used in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/political?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#political</a> events of JUI-F headed by certified misogynist thug Fazlur Rehman. All the while, flood affectees are still displaced and suffering in open fields!! <a href="https://t.co/wvkyfGMJPC">pic.twitter.com/wvkyfGMJPC</a></p>— Zartaj Gul Wazir (@zartajgulwazir) <a href="https://twitter.com/zartajgulwazir/status/1601126453705605120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2390293/tents-meant-for-flood-affectees-used-at-jui-f-convention

This is outrageous. We have flood affected homeless people sleeping on the ground with temporary covers meanwhile tents were stashed by corrupt politicians.

Shame on Shareefs, Zardaris/Bhuttos, Mullahs, Feudal slavers of Sindh and the military establishment that supports them. May they burn in Hell.

 

[daytrader]

WORLD BANK APPROVES $1.69BN IN FLOOD RELIEF TO PAKISTAN

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on Tuesday approved $1.692 billion in financing for five projects to support people living in flood-affected areas of Sindh province, ARY News reported.

According to the statement issued by WB, out of the five, three projects support rehabilitation and housing reconstruction and the restoration of crop production for vulnerable communities. Out of the three, two projects are worth $500 million and another is worth $292 million.

“Sindh was the province worst-affected by the 2022 floods. There were huge damages to the housing, health, and agriculture sectors and people lost their livelihoods. Beyond the rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged houses and infrastructure, our engagement in the flood response effort is an opportunity to strengthen resilience, and reform institutions and governance structures”, said Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan.

The $500 million “Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project” will focus on providing short-term livelihood opportunities and strengthen the provincial government’s capacity to respond to disasters.

“The project will help restore and improve critical irrigation and flood protection infrastructure, water supply schemes, roads, and related infrastructure. At least 2 million people—approximately 50 percent of whom are women—in the most flood-affected districts will benefit from the restoration and the resilient reconstruction of critical infrastructure”.

A community-level cash-for-work program will provide short-term income support to approximately 100,000 households.

“The $500 million Sindh Floods Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project will support owner-driven and multi-hazard resilient reconstruction of core housing units. A housing subsidy will provide reconstruction and restoration grants for 350,000 housing units (almost 20 percent of the total housing rehabilitation needs for Sindh). Cash grants will be provided for houses with structural damage to partially finance reconstruction or restoration. “

In addition, basic rainwater harvesting systems and twin pit latrines will be provided to improve access to water and sanitation.

Meanwhile, the $292 million approved for the “Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation Project” will increase agricultural water productivity, improve integrated water resources management, and restore crop production by flood-affected farmers.

More than 385,000 households (approximately 1.9 million people) are expected to benefit from the project. As an immediate response to the floods, the project will provide cash transfers to approximately 300,000 flood-affected farming households to help restore crop production through the purchase of seeds, fertilizer, and other critical inputs. On the medium term around 70,000 households will benefit from improved irrigation services and agricultural support that will help boost farming income. An estimated 14,000 households will receive direct financial benefits from the pilot smart subsidy schemes targeting small- and medium-sized farmers,” the WB said.

The Sindh Strengthening Social Protection Delivery System Project ($200 million) will strengthen the provincial social protection delivery system and enhance access to and utilization of mother and child health services. The project supports alignment and connectivity with the Federal National Database Registration Authority and will provide conditional cash transfers (CCTs) to 1.3 million mothers and their children to support improved maternal and child health outcomes, particularly in the wake of service disruption after the floods. The CCTs will be available to bottom 15 districts of Sindh, selected on the basis of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), and cover 65 percent of the total flood-affected areas in the province to help mitigate flood impacts, particularly food insecurity, and enable continued use of maternal and children health services.

The lender has approved $200 million for Sindh Integrated Health and Population Project. The project will help improve both the quality and utilization of basic reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition services. It will also help in rehabilitation and reconstruction of health infrastructure that was damaged in the floods, disrupting the delivery of these services.

The project will improve access to quality healthcare services for, the population of the selected Government Dispensaries in remote and peri-urban areas especially women, girls, and children, and in the flood-affected settlements in Sindh.

“The World Bank will continue to support the Government and people of Pakistan to recover from the recent flood emergency and strengthen long term resilience to such climate-related shocks,” the statement concluded.

ARY

 

[Asad T]

$3bn projects approved for flood-hit areas

ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives has said that it approved 21 development projects costing US$3 billion for flood-affected areas after securing maximum pledges committed in Geneva for 2022 flood.

The Ministry of Planning and Development has stated that since the launch of Resilient, Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (4RF) framework, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) successfully approved 21 development projects worth $3billion for flood-affected areas.

The Ministry added that in January this year, Pakistan was made commitments of $ 10 billion from donors during the International Conference on “Climate Resilient Pakistan”, jointly hosted by Pakistan and the UN in Geneva. While making concerted efforts to implement the 4RF framework, the CWDP successfully approved 21 development projects which include Emergency Flood Assistance Project (EFAP) on Farm Water Management component worth $475million, Access to Clean Energy worth $47mm, DRR project for Rehabilitation, Reconstruction worth $31.28 million; Emergency Flood Assistance Project worth $8 million; Post-Flood 2022 Reconstruction Program: Resilience Enhancement and Livelihood worth $400 million; Sindh irrigated Agriculture Productivity Enhancement Project worth$ 8.30 million; Competitive & Livable City of Karachi worth $27 million; Sindh Flood Housing Reconstruction worth $500 million; Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project Sindh worth $500 million; Sindh Water & Agriculture Transformation Project worth $98 million; KP Rural Accessibility Project worth $300 million; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Irrigated Agriculture worth $11.70 million; KP Integrated Tourism Development worth $2 million; KP Human Capital Investment worth $25 million; Pakistan Hydromet and Climate Services Project worth $150 million; Crisis Resilience Institutions for Social protection (CRISP) program worth $73.14 million; Pandemic Response Effectiveness Program worth $2 million; Punjab Tourism for Economic Growth worth $2.80 million; Sindh Integrated Health and Women Empowerment worth $50 million; Polio Eradication Program worth $100 million and KP Food Security Support Project worth $100 million.

After the approval of CDWP and Executive Committee of the National Economic Council, these projects are being successfully executed by the respective provinces which include Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan funded by World Bank, Asian Development Bank ADB and Islamic Development Bank. Sindh and Balochistan were the most affected provinces in the flood of 2022.

On the other hand, the Federal Steering Committee (FSC) established to implement the projects has been actively working and three meetings of FSC were held for implementation of development projects in the flood–affected areas. The committee regularly asked the provinces about the implementation status of their respective projects.

Similarly, the first-ever exclusive Dashboard for 4RF to be operationalized by November 10 at the Planning Ministry to ensure real-time monitoring and provide information to the public as well development partners about the execution of development projects in the flood-affected areas.

Pakistan has been witnessing challenging impacts of climate change-ranging from devastating floods to prolonged droughts, from heat waves to melting glaciers. These changes pose immense threats to the country’s environment, economy, and the well-being of the people. Pakistan’s carbon emission is less than one per cent; however, it is among the countries that are most vulnerable to climatic disasters.

Business Recorder

 

[Asad T]

Will these investments actaully come to reality? Let's see