PESHAWAR: A high-level delegation from the United Nations met with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Friday.
The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the provincial government and the UN, ongoing development projects, and enhanced collaboration in flood relief and rehabilitation efforts.
During the discussions, the delegation, including UN Resident Coordinator for Pakistan Mohamed Yahya, Head of UN Resident Coordinator’s Office Afke Bootsman, and Head of the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Carlos Geha,expressed condolences and solidarity over the severe losses caused by recent floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Chief Minister informed the delegation that torrential rains and flash floods had severely affected eight districts, resulting in over 400 deaths and more than 240 injuries. The disaster also caused extensive damage to infrastructure, with 664 houses completely destroyed and 2,431 partially damaged, along with schools, health facilities, roads, and drinking water supply systems suffering significant losses.
Gandapur highlighted the swift relief operations launched by the provincial government, including the disbursement of compensation for human and material losses.
Compensation amounts have been doubled in many cases: death benefits increased from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 2 million, injury compensation from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 500,000, and full house destruction compensation from Rs. 400,000 to Rs. 1 million. For the first time, shopkeepers affected by the floods will also receive compensation, along with payments for damaged crops, orchards, and livestock.
Transparency and accountability in relief efforts were emphasized, with compensation being distributed through a digital system. Special measures are in place for orphaned children, whose bank accounts are supervised by deputy commissioners to ensure they receive proper support. Additional medical teams and mobile units have been deployed to affected areas, along with urgent supplies of essential medicines.
The Chief Minister noted that he and members of the provincial cabinet had personally visited flood-hit areas including Buner, Swat, and Swabi to monitor relief efforts and assess damage. The government is committed to restoring normalcy quickly by rebuilding infrastructure, including roads, water systems, and health units, as well as installing water filtration plants in affected communities.
Looking ahead, the provincial government is developing long-term strategies to mitigate future flood risks. Plans include relocating vulnerable populations from flood-prone areas, installing nets on mountains vulnerable to cloudbursts, constructing small dams, and launching projects to clear waterways of debris and sand.
The UN delegation pledged full support for rehabilitation efforts in flood-affected districts and other underdeveloped regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They expressed deep sorrow over the losses and reiterated their commitment to assist the provincial government in recovery and development initiatives.
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