The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has announced a major relief and rehabilitation package for people affected by the recent floods caused by cloudbursts and heavy rains from August 15.
Districts including Buner, Swat, Shangla, Bajaur, Mansehra and Swabi were badly hit leaving 406 people dead, 245 injured and massive destruction of homes, shops, crops and infrastructure.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said rescue teams were mobilized right after the first reports from Bajaur on August 15. With 2,061 personnel, 176 vehicles and boats, authorities managed to rescue 5,566 people and recover 430 bodies.
Relief work restored 136 roads and 65 bridges while cooked food was provided to nearly 119,000 people. Around 70 medical camps were also set up.
READ MORE: Rivers in Punjab Face Extraordinary Flood Situation
Financial support has been significantly increased. Compensation for deaths has been raised to Rs. 2 million while injured victims will now receive Rs. 500,000. Families with fully damaged homes will get Rs. 1 million while partially damaged houses will receive Rs. 300,000. For the first time, shopkeepers will also get Rs. 500,000 for destroyed shops and Rs. 100,000 for cleanup.
So far, Rs. 654 million has been paid to heirs of 350 deceased along with millions in food stamps, medical aid and housing support. More than Rs. 2.3 billion is set for immediate disbursement. The Chief Minister also pledged to relocate vulnerable families and take full responsibility for children orphaned in the disaster.
