ISLAMABAD, Dec 13 (APP): Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) has completed 5,000 projects in northern quake affected region of the country.Besides, same number of projects are underway in the areas, which were jolted by devastating earthquake on October 8, 2005. Meanwhile proper monitoring and evaluation of these projects was being ensured to fulfill the pledge of built back better, sources said on Sunday.

They said that the authority has achieved a progress rate of 68.82 percent during this year as compared to 21 percent in its first three years. Rural housing, which achieved a success rate of over 95 percent, remains ERRA's flagship programme, while work in education sector has made rapid progress, they added.

Subsequently, the progress reports have also been shared with all national and international donors including the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Canadian International Development Agency and Islamic Development Bank as well as USAID. International support has always been instrumental in reconstruction and rehabilitation in the quake affected areas, added the sources.

"While ERRA strives to achieve its reconstruction goals, the interventions in various sectors have brought about positive social change, especially in livelihood, social protection, disaster Management, gender and environment sectors," they said. On the other hand, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) has successfully completed Rs. 19 billion reconstruction and rehabilitation project comprising, inter alia, reconstruction of 122,000 housing units.

Other major components of the project included rehabilitation of over 660 water supply and infrastructure schemes, and reconstruction of 19 state-of-the-art health and educational facilities in 34 union councils of quake-ravaged NWFP and AJK, sources said.