Islamabad, Dec 23rd, 2009: The Deputy Chairman ERRA Lt.Gen. Sajjad Akram on Wednesday visited the Saudi Public Assistance for Pakistan Earthquake Victims office and appreciated the role of Saudi Arabia in relief, rehabilitations and reconstruction projects being carried out in quake-hit areas.
On the occasion, the Deputy Chairman said that
"Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Saudi Arabia who remains stand in helping the Pakistani brethren in any hour of trial.
He commended the role of Saudi Arabia, people and particularly SPAPEV organization for extending full support soon after the Earthquake of October 8, 2005. He appreciated the efforts of the Regional Director of SPAPEV efforts in completion of the housing projects, BHUs, Schools in quake-hit areas. He said that the people of Earthquake cannot forget the help and assistance of Saudi Arabia and SPAPEV. The Deputy Chairman ERRA, said that his office will remain open for SPAPEV in any help needed for the completion of the rehabilitation and reconstruction projects.
Earlier, the Regional Director SPAPEV, Dr. Khalid M. Al-Othmani, briefed the visiting guest about the establishment of the office and its working in the quake-hit region. He briefed the visiting delegation through slide about the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction works. Giving details, he told that so far, his organization has done a lot for the people of the quake-affected areas. He told that the SPAPEV has made tremendous contributions soon after the natural calamity hit the areas of AJK and NWFP. He told that SPAPEV is working here on humanitarian grounds and added that the assistance will continue till the rehabilitation of the quake-ravaged areas of Pakistan.
" He said that SPAPEV has also distributed a large quantity of relief goods amounting millions of Riyals including thousands of tents, hundred of thousands blankets, quilts, food packets, tons of dates, clothes, medicine of 4000 SR, G.I.Sheets besides helping several Organizations including WFP, UNICEF, PRCS, government agencies like ERRA and many others.
He told that the SPAPEV has completed 4000 houses for Balakot affectees, while a similar project of 4000 houses is in the final phase of completion at Bagh and Muzaffarabad areas. He told that the projects of housing costing over 40 million US Dollar. He told that construction of 7-Basic health Units worth 2 million US dollar, is in the last stage of completion. He further stated that 23 schools has already handed over to Read Foundations in AJK, while the remaining projects of five secondary schools would be completed very soon.
"He said that survey teams of SPAPEV are engaged in preparing the feasibility report of Mosques which would be built in the quake-hit region.
He told that SPAPEV was established on the directives of the King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz soon after the October 8, 2005 Earthquake and since then this relief Organization is engaged in the relief activities and rehabilitation and reconstruction projects being carried out in AJK and NWFP areas under the supervision of Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, the Saudi Interior Minister, and guidance of the Chairman of SPAPEV Dr. Saed Al-Harithy. Later, the Regional Director, Dr. Khalid M. Othmani presented Crest and books on relief and reconstruction work to the deputy chairman. On this coccasion SPAPEV Direct Relief & Distribution Fahad Al-Kahtani and SPAPEV Director Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Madouj was also present. A photo session was also held on the occasion.
About SPAPEV
Saudi Public Assistance for Pakisatan Earthquake Victims is a Saudi based relief organization, which is formed in Riyadh to ensure the best utilization of Saudi public donations collected from the Saudi people on the call of Saudi Government to help Oct 8, 2005 earthquake affectees in Pakistan.
Media Contact:
Address: H.No: 227, Main Margallah Road, F-10/3, Islamabad
Ph: +92512298737 Ext: 108
Fax: +92512292004
E-mail: info@spapev.org
URL: www.spapev.org