SHAHEED BENAZIRABAD: First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, alongside Anna Bejerde, Managing Director of the World Bank, visited a flood rehabilitation project in Shaheed Benazirabad, accompanied by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Health Minister Azra Fazal Pechuho. The delegation reviewed efforts under the Sindh Peoples Housing for Flood Affected (SPHF) program, designed to rebuild homes destroyed by the 2022 floods.

During their visit, the officials distributed ownership rights certificates to women homeowners and engaged with the Village Reconstruction Committee (VRC). The committee informed them that 32 homes had been reconstructed in the village of Nazar Muhammad Lund, where the visit took place.

Anna Bejerde emphasized the World Bank’s commitment to supporting flood recovery efforts in Sindh, acknowledging the resilience of local residents and the dedication of the leadership involved. She highlighted the potential for sustainable community-level rehabilitation despite the challenges posed by climate change.

First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari noted the historical significance of granting women ownership rights through the SPHF project, describing it as a key socio-economic empowerment initiative for rural women in Sindh.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah provided details on the extent of the destruction, noting that over 2.4 million homes were destroyed in the 2022 floods. The World Bank initially contributed $500 million for recovery efforts, later increasing the funding by an additional $450 million over two years. This financial support has facilitated the construction of 778,000 homes and allocated $54.92 million for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives, benefiting tens of thousands of families.

SPHF CEO Khalid Mahmood Sheikh reported that in Shaheed Benazirabad alone, 104,822 homes were destroyed, with approximately 60,000 currently under construction and nearly 40,000 completed. Across Sindh, accessible homes are being provided to over 111,000 disabled persons, and over 800,000 women have opened bank accounts, promoting financial inclusion.

The program has provided safe shelter to over 6 million people and generated more than 1 million jobs, highlighting the ongoing collaboration between the World Bank and the Sindh government in restoring livelihoods and empowering communities affected by climate-induced disasters.