Islamabad: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) flagship Flood Recovery Programme (FRP), in partnership with German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), KfW Development Bank, conducted two training workshops in Quetta and Karachi to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) capacities of more than 100 government officers, 30% of which were women involved in post-disaster recovery efforts. The trainings targeted key departments of the Governments of Sindh and Balochistan including Planning & Development, Urban Planning, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Communication & Works Department (C&W), Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Statistics, and Irrigation from Sindh and Balochistan. The training workshops took place in Quetta and Karachi on 19-20 August 2024 and 10 September 2024, respectively. The sessions focused on critical aspects of the Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework (4RF), financial management in post-disaster recovery, low-emission housing concepts, and enhancing transparency and accountability in reconstruction efforts. The government officers participated in presentations, interactive group discussions, and strategy sessions led by senior experts, who emphasized on the importance of building long-term resilience and ensuring equitable fund distribution. Speaking at the inaugural session of the Quetta workshop, Secretary P&D Balochistan, Mr. Sher Shah Ghilzai, highlighted the significance of these efforts. He commended the efforts of UNDP and KfW in supporting Balochistan’s recovery from the devastating 2022 floods and stated thatstrengthening the Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks wasessential to ensure transparency and accountability in rebuilding. He also acknowledged that this workshop is a critical step in empowering local communities and building long-term resilience against future disasters. Honorary Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Balochistan, Mir Murad Baluch on this occasion said, “In the aftermath of the devastating floods, our commitment to rebuilding is unwavering. The Flood Reconstruction and Coordination Programme under the UNDP’s flagship Flood Recovery Programme exemplifies the power of collaboration between Germany, the international community, and the Government of Balochistan. With UNDP leading efforts to enhance monitoring and evaluation, and support from the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, KfW Development Bank, and the World Bank, we are ensuring that our reconstruction efforts are transparent, effective, and sustainable.” Secretary Planning, Governement of Sindh, Mr. Jawed Sibghatullah Mahar, remarked, “The successful completion of this Monitoring and Evaluation workshop marks a significant step in strengthening government capacities, which is critical for post-flood recovery in Sindh, where 70% of the $30 billion in damages from the 2022 floods occurred. The skills gained from this workshop will undoubtedly enhance project implementation across all relevant departments,” Women took on a vital role in these trainings, with sessions tailored to their unique needs, ensuring their voices shaped the recovery process. This empowered them to actively contribute to decision-making, embedding an inclusive and equitable approach to recovery for flood-affected communities. In his closing remarks, Mr. Hisashi Izumi, Flood Recovery Programme Manager at UNDP, expressed gratitude to all participants and partners for their participation. He highlighted that the workshop underscored the importance of strengthening M&E frameworks, with a strong focus on improved data management and community engagement to drive more effective flood recovery efforts. These workshops are a key component of the Flood Reconstruction and Coordination Programme, which falls under UNDP’s flagship Flood Recovery Programme. This overarching programme aims to strengthen institutional capacities, promote equity in fund distribution, and enhance citizen engagement. By providing provincial governments with essential tools and knowledge for effective post-disaster recovery, the Flood Recovery Programme ensures that reconstruction efforts across the provinces are both sustainable and resilient.
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