Islamabad / Berlin, 15 February 2006 - “Affected communities are the beneficiaries of the huge aid flows following the 2005 earthquake and accountability to them is essential,” said Peter Rooke, Transparency
International’s Regional Director for Asia-Pacific, at the conclusion of a two day workshop in Islamabad entitled, “Transparent Utilisation of Earthquake Reconstruction Funds”.

Transparency International (TI) and Transparency International Pakistan convened the meeting to highlight the need for robust accountability measures in the US $5.2 billion relief and reconstruction effort following
the devastating earthquake that hit Pakistan’s northern-western provinces in early October 2005. Participants included representatives of key government agencies, national and international civil society organisations, donor agencies and experts.

Opening the workshop, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz stressed the government’s commitment to improving the transparency of earthquake expenditure and making enforcement and audit mechanisms stronger. TI is in accordance with Prime Minister Aziz that transparency and accountability are also needed on the part of NGOs and donors.

Forty percent of the estimated US $3.5 billion for reconstruction and rehabilitation is designated for rebuilding houses, largely in rural areas. An ‘owner-build’ approach will ensure that housing is both appropriate and
cost-effective and will benefit the devastated local economy.

“All government procurement in relation to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the earthquake affected areas funded from the federal budget must be conducted under the Public Procurement Rules 2004, including
that implemented by the governments of Azad Kashmir and NWFP,” said Syed Adil Gilani, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of Transparency International Pakistan.

The on-line tracking system being developed by Earthquake Relief and Reconstruction Agency (ERRA) should include all aid flows and expenditures and should generate information in a form accessible to affected
communities, as well as helping coordination and financial control and oversight.

An April 2005 meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, organised by Transparency International, brought together donors and other players in the post-tsunami reconstruction effort. From that meeting came concrete recommendations and a framework for action which are reflected in the strategy adopted by the Indonesian government in the structure and operations of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency for Aceh and Nias (BRR).

The ERRA has similar objectives in relation to the current disaster. It has an important coordinating and oversight function but implementation needs to be at the lowest appropriate level, using existing local government and
community based structures.

Contact:
Transparency International
Secretariat

Sarah Tyler
Senior Press Officer

Tel: +49-30-34382019
Fax: + 49-30-3470 3912
Email: [1] styler@transparency.org

[2] www.transparency.org
TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL

Peter Rooke
Regional Director Asia Pacific

Tel: +49-30-3438 2031
Fax: +49-30-3470 3912
Email: [3] prooke@transparency.org

[2] www.transparency.org
TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL PAKISTAN

Syed Adil Gilani
Vice Chairman and Chief Executive

Tel: 92-21-5390408-9 / 92-21-5884905
Fax: 0092-21-5390410
Email: [4] adil.gilani@gmail.com

[5] www.transparency.org.pk