Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has inked a $5 million agreement with the European Union through Sindh Peoples Housing for Flood Affected (SPHF) to launch the PAIDAR project, a Communal Infrastructure Grant Agreement aimed at poverty alleviation and rural development.
According to Sindh Chief Minister House information, The signing ceremony took place at the Chief Minister’s House with participation from senior government officials and representatives from the European Union and UNIDO. The Sindh government collaborates with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) under the EU-funded PAIDAR program to initiate climate resilience and sustainable development initiatives.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the agreement showcases the government’s dedication to sustainable rehabilitation, ensuring communities recover from past devastations and become more resilient to future climate challenges. This initiative aims to restore flood-affected districts by reinforcing infrastructure and stimulating economic recovery. The SPHF is already leading a major post-disaster housing reconstruction effort with 2.1 million climate-resilient homes under development.
Murad Shah unveiled major initiatives under the Grant Agreement, including the Green/Good Bricks Pilot Project with a budget of Rs 9.9 million. This project will establish an eco-friendly production plant in Thatta in collaboration with Korean entrepreneurs InnoCSR. The Drone-Based Survey and Climate-Resilient Settlement Plan, set at Rs 55.44 million, will conduct GIS mapping across multiple districts to generate socio-economic data critical for planning and development.
The agreement also includes communal infrastructure development funding of EURO 5 million to enhance public infrastructure across numerous villages, improving access to essential services. The Model Village Development in Lahko Bhambro, District Thatta, is 40% complete, aiming to set a standard for climate-resilient villages with expected completion by April 2025.
In terms of Carbon Credit and Green Growth Initiatives, the Chief Minister noted the provision of technical assistance to support long-term environmental sustainability through carbon credit programs. He remarked on the expansion of efforts beyond housing to include supporting infrastructure that will benefit communities for generations.
The collaboration between the Sindh government, the European Union, and UNIDO marks a significant step in climate adaptation, sustainable development, and economic resilience, positioning Sindh as a leader in disaster recovery and sustainable growth.