Background
Pakistan is one of the most rapidly urbanising countries in the sub-region. Its urban population of 58 million (2000) accounts for 37% of the national population and is growing at 4.5% per annum, which is more than twice the growth rate of rural population. While urbanisation has brought many benefits to a growing population, 35 to 40% of urban population lives in slum areas under abject poverty and associated problems like poor access to basic urban services have been a major concern. The estimates of population below the poverty line vary from 22.4% to 50% but there is a growing consensus among policy makers that urban poverty is on the rise. The situation is especially serious in slums where the vast majority live without secure tenure and adequate access to drinking water, adequate sanitation, and solid waste service. Cognizance of this trend, the Government of Pakistan places high priority to poverty alleviation through community empowerment (The 9th Five Year Plan). In this context and building on previous project PLUS (Poverty for Improvement of Livelihoods in Urban Settlements), UNDP/Pakistan has launched a comprehensive National Urban Poverty Alleviation Program. The Program will be implemented in 5 provinces (Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, NWFP and Azad Jammu & Kashmir) over 5 years. UN-HABITAT was requested by UNDP to help develop an implementing program and underlying approaches in a broad-based participatory manner.
Results
The two-day workshop was held successfully with the participation of 25 experts and policy makers from five provinces (12 target cities), government, UNDP officials and UN-HABITAT. Detailed work plan and a logical framework were prepared by the group based on a common understanding of the concepts involved in attacking poverty.
Partners
UNDP, Provincial Governments of Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, NWFP and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Municipal Governments of 12 Cities
- Pakistan Settlements Flood Recovery Project (PSFRP)
- Primary School Reconstruction in Muzaffarabad (Completed)
- Humanitarian Information and Coordination (Completed)
- Transitional Shelter Provision for Baluchistan Earthquake Victims (Completed)
- Shelter Assistance to IDPs Living Outside of Camps (Completed)
- Water and Sanitation Improvements in Informal Settlements (Completed)
- Disaster Risk Management
- Sustainable Urbanization and Sustainable Energy Construction
- Shelter Assistance to Returnees in Conflict-affected Areas in NWFP (Completed)
- Documenting and Communicating Results Achieved and Lessons Learnt in the Post 2005 Earthquake Rural Housing Reconstruction Programme
- Reconstruction of Girls School in Swat District
- Improving Living conditions of IDPs out off camps through WASH Interventions (Completed)
- Facilitating Access to Safer Land for Earthquake Victims (Completed)
- Strengthening Post-Earthquake Reconstruction
- Joint UN Post-Disaster Assessment Mechanisms (Completed)
- Emergency Shelter Kit Procurement and Distribution (Completed)
- Post-Flood Information Management and Coordination (Completed)
- Facilitating Access to Land for Earthquake Affected Families (Completed)
- Technical and Training Support for the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Completed)
- Support to Spontaneous Shelter Recovery in Earthquake-affected Villages (completed)
- Support To Spontaneous Shelter Recovery in Earthquake Affected Villages in Pakistan (completed)
- Technical Support for National Urban Poverty Alleviation Programme (Completed)