China funded UN projects help Pakistani displaced persons

ISLAMABAD, April 23 (Xinhua) -- China funded United Nations projects have helped the displaced people in Pakistan's tribal areas and southwestern Balochistan province, UN officials said here on Monday.

Thousands of people had been displaced in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) due to terrorism and floods in Balochistan.

With generous funding from China, and in partnership with the FATA Secretariat and the government of Balochistan, the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) project, of 4 million U.S. dollars, has benefitted 80,269 people and 8,100 temporarily displaced families Kurram, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Khyber and Orakzai tribal agencies, a UNDP statement said after a joint closing ceremony held here.

In Balochistan's Naseerabad, Jafferabad and Sohbatpur districts -- which were worst affected by the 2010 floods -- new furniture and education kits were provided to 19,000 school children in 423 schools, said the press release.

China also contributed 1 million U.S. dollars to enable the World Food Programme (WFP) food assistance for 158,000 people in several districts, include both those who are returning to FATA and those who are still displaced, said the press release.

China Aid is helping marginalized communities to manage shocks and build a foundation for the future, the press release said, adding these initiatives build upon the Chinese government's continued commitment and contribution to the international emergency response efforts under the framework of the China South-South Cooperation Fund.

Acting Country Representative of the WFP Katrien Ghoos said that "China is an increasingly significant global player and a vital donor to WFP operations. WFP is pleased to partner with our new donor in Pakistan in support of our efforts to achieve food and nutrition security," according to the press release. Enditem