KARACHI: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Friday said that the donor agency would work with the Sindh government to chalk out a plan for the reconstruction of flood-affected school buildings in the province.

A press statement issued from the CM House said that Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in his meeting with United States Consul General Conrad Tribble and USAID Pakistan Mission Director Kate Somvongsiri discussed expanding the scope of the USAID programme, particularly in the education sector.

Held at the CM House, the meeting was also attended by Planning and Development (P&D) chairman Najam Shah and Secretary to CM Raheem Shaikh.

The CM thanked the USAID for working in the education sector in Sindh and urged its country chief to expand the scope and help construct the school buildings affected in floods.

The CM directed the P& D chairman to hold a meeting with the USAID team and finalise the plan.

Under the Sindh Basic Education Programme (SBEP), the USAID has constructed 104 schools in 11 districts recently. Out of 104 schools, 103 have been made functional where the total enrolment of students is recorded at 63,969, including 18,911 girls.

The US consul general told the CM that Google wanted to launch a traffic management programme in Karachi.

The CM assured him of full cooperation by the provincial government in the programme.

The USAID official told the CM that the agency was also interested in working in the mother-child nutrition programme.

Meanwhile, a statement issued from the US consulate in Karachi stated that the USAID mission director for Pakistan engaged with provincial leadership, government counterparts and development partners to advance USAID’s longstanding commitment to improving lives and achieving shared development goals in Sindh.

It said along with Consul General Tribble, Ms Somvongsiri met with Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho and discussed with her ongoing collaborations in health, as well as successful interventions during crises such as Covid-19 and the 2022 floods.

During their visit to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), CG Tribble and the mission director observed the impact of USAID-supported initiatives on maternal and newborn care.

The Mission Director also met with several accomplished female graduates and spoke with representatives of civil society and NGOs.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2024