USAID is helping talented students pursue their dreams.

Wali Sultan from Daska in Punjab use to be a bright student since his childhood with a great passion for higher studies. Tragically, his father had passed away, and he worried he would not be able to continue his studies. “I had always dreamed of studying in a renowned university, but I had no clue about how I would be able to complete a Master’s degree and help support my family,” said Wali.

1. Introduction

SINDH, 31 May 2013 – MERCY Malaysia handed over the Rural Health Centre in Mirpurkhas District, Sindh, Pakistan yesterday to the local government. The Rural Health Centre was reconstructed with the funding of USD 1 Million from the Malaysian government. The handover was officiated by the H.E. Abu Bakar bin Mamat (Consulate General of Malaysia to Karachi) and witnessed by Hon. Dr. Shafqat Hussain Daheri (Executive Director of Health, Mirpurkhas) & the Hon. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ikram Bin Mohamed Salleh (Vice President I, MERCY Malaysia)

Internal walking routes, as well as access to neighbouring villages in Chamyati is essential in the day-to-day chores involved in farming and harvesting. Good access is also vital to residents' health and hygiene as all drinking water is fetched from distant natural springs, via unsafe walking routes.

Islamic Relief is improving the facilities in seven villages in Pakistan-administered Kashmir (AJK).

Weather forecasters are already predicting above-normal rainfall and in some areas standing water has yet to drain away from last year’s monsoon. After three years of destruction, how ready is the country for the monsoon?

With this Revised Emergency Appeal, the budget has been revised down from CHF 92.6 million to CHF 88.2 million, assisting 900,000 people (130,000 families) beneficiaries for 36 months, and will be completed by 31 July 2013. This revision is based on the actual expected outcomes at the end of the appeal period and in addition includes a relocation of CHF 1,650,377 in support of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) for its relief activities to assist communities affected by the floods in 2012. An unspent balance of CHF 4.4 million remains as a result of the revised budget and plans.

By Ashfaq Yusufzai

PESHAWAR, May 13 2013 (IPS) - Gul Shada thought it was the end of the road for her when she and her husband met with a road accident last year in the Nowshera district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one of the four provinces of Pakistan. Not only did the mishap leave Shada widowed at the relatively young age of 37, she also sustained an injury to her back that immobilised her.

Heavy monsoon rains in July 2010 caused unprecedented devastation in Pakistan. UNOPS is assisting early recovery efforts in Sindh Province by building approximately 4,000 one-room shelters in the worst affected areas.

HIGHLIGHTS

• A 7.8 earthquake hit South-Eastern Iran on 16 April, close to the border with Pakistan. The impact was felt in both countries, with 14 people killed, 73 injured and two missing.

• New and worsening humanitarian crises since 2011 have led to a considerable increase in CERF allocations to the MENA region. The largest recipients have been Pakistan, Syria and Yemen.