$3.9m UNDP-Japan project for KP districts 

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Pakistan and Japan on Wednesday inked an agreement to launch a joint development plan for the welfare of the people of Kurram and Orakzai districts, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

In this regard, a ceremony was held in Islamabad in which Mitsuhiro Wada, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan and Knut Ostby, Resident Representative of UNDP Pakistan signed an agreement to launch a project of US$3.9 million “for the stabilization and economic recovery through social cohesion, local governance, and livelihood opportunities of the recently emerged districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.  

The ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Embassy of Japan in Islamabad, the Economic Affairs Division, Planning and Development Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The two-year project will assist more than 200,000 individuals, with a particular focus on youth and women. The project will use innovative approaches to engage youth in policy dialogues and sports/cultural events for social cohesion and trust building.

Employment opportunities will be provided to 1,300 youth through digital skills, incubation and skills training. Community organizations will engage in the planning process and rehabilitate 50 community physical infrastructure schemes. Thirty-five offices will be constructed for village councils to strengthen local governance. Two common facility centers for women entrepreneurs will be operationalized.

Speaking on the occasion, Mitsuhiro Wada said that the project would not only support recovery and income generation but also enhance social cohesion and local governance to ensure the sustainability of the outcomes. 

Knut Ostby said that UNDP Pakistan said they were grateful to the government of Japan for its long-standing partnership with UNDP. With their generous support, we were able to expand and strengthen the efforts of the Government of Pakistan, which are critical for achieving stability and sustainable development in the merged districts and bringing it at par with the rest of the country.”

Muhammad Qaisar Khan, Additional Secretary, Planning and Development Department KP said that the provincial government is strongly committed to the sustainable development of the merged districts. “We appreciate the continued support provided by the government of Japan for improving the conditions for the people of the merged districts,” he added.