Pakistan Govt. Launches Digital Flood Dashboard to Ensure Transparency in Aid
Pakistan Govt. Launches Digital Flood Dashboard to Ensure Transparency in Aid
Pakistan Govt. Launches Digital Flood Dashboard to Ensure Transparency in Aid
Islamabad: Amid devastating floods in Pakistan and international relief assistance, Pakistan government has launched on Monday the ‘Digital Flood Dashboard’ in a bid to ensure transparency in the relief and rehabilitation efforts in flood-hit areas wherein lives of more 30 million people have been affected.
Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said while speaking to the ceremony of the portal, launched by of the National Flood Response Coordination Center (NFRCC), told that this information portal has been rolled out as per the special directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He said that the general public and development partners will be able to get information about the flood relief aid and funds being received from home and abroad and its distribution.
The prime minister also announced that the audit of financial aid received for flood victims would be conducted by the Accountant General Pakistan Revenue (AGPR) and the world’s reputable audit firms to ensure transparency. He also reviewed the restoration of services in affected areas and called for expediting the rehabilitation of roads, bridges and power supply. He directed the provision of basic necessities of life to the victims.
“Pakistan faces an unprecedented calamity which has affected 33 million people across Pakistan,” the minister said.
He further stated that the damage caused by the floods is being assessed on a daily basis with the cooperation of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, the United Nations and the provincial governments.
The final estimates of damage will be available only after water recedes from all parts of Sindh and Balochistan provinces, he added.
Iqbal also asked the public to step forward to help flood victims, reminding them of the valiant way the nation faced calamities in the past.
International donators and development partner agencies have expressed concerns over the transparency of distribution of relief assistance to real victims of floods.
He expressed the confidence that it will cope with the current one in the same spirit.
What is the purpose?
The digital portal is established to provide direct information to the general public about the financial support and the relief goods being received and distributed among the flood affectees at the global, federal and provincial levels.
The digital flood dashboard had been prepared with the use of the latest technology to provide all the relevant details about the relief activities and receipt and distribution of relief goods and assistance.
Besides, ensuring transparency in the ongoing processes, the general public and media would be kept abreast of the relief measures.
The prime minister would personally supervise the digital dashboard as he had promised to the international community and the nation that relief assistance would be provided to the flood victims in a transparent way.
