KARACHI: The World Bank Mission commended the impressive progress of the Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project (SFERP) and its component P&DD, both in terms of timeline adherence and work quality.
Chaired by Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist Ahsen Tehsin, the review meeting was attended by World Bank Senior Advisor Shoaib Siddiqui, representatives Rehan Hyder and Nihan Rafique, alongside Ghulam Asghar Kanasro and Aslam Leghari from the Project side.
Dr. Abid, DG Rescue Service, reported that 16 satellite stations along the Indus highway (N-55), N-5, and M-9 are nearly completed and undergoing final adjustments. These stations are scheduled to become operational by August, with staff training underway at the Rescue 1122 Academy, Lahore. Additionally, ten district headquarters are at 68% completion and are slated for handover to the Rescue Service for operations by December.
Furthermore, Dr. Abid revealed that ten hospital emergencies have been refurbished and handed over to the relevant authorities. Currently, the rescue team handles approximately six thousand emergency calls daily.
Regarding the livelihood program (Cash for Work program), nearly two billion rupees have been disbursed, with an additional Rs 672 million in the process of being distributed for the rehabilitation of nearly two thousand schemes involving 140,000 community workers. Notably, 40% of these workers are female, and all payments are facilitated through mobile wallets, enhancing their financial inclusion.
Rehabilitation efforts are progressing on 114 water supply and 23 drainage schemes across various districts, with a 63% physical completion achieved thus far. These schemes are projected for completion by November, ahead of the scheduled timeline of January 2025. Additionally, tenders have been initiated for the rehabilitation of 261 water supply and 134 drainage schemes in several districts.
The rehabilitation of a total road network spanning 821 kilometers across 19 districts is underway, with 65% physical progress achieved. The projected completion date for these roadworks is November 2024, surpassing the original timeline set for May 2025, as informed by the World Bank Mission.
