Special Ambassador for World Food Programme (WFP) Abdul Aziz Alrukban, who hails from Saudi Arabia, has visited Pakistan earthquake affected areas of Balakot and Mansehra, an official statement said. He also visited a skill development center. He was told about the activities and objectives of the Skill Training Institution. The institution has been set up in collaboration with the Northern Rural Support Programme, WFP and ILO, where some 500 survivors including male and female have been trained in various trades to overcome shortage of skilled people, whereas some 600 were also being imparted training in Rawalakot, Bagh and Muzaffarabad in different skills including carpentry, masonry, electricity and woodwork. The WFP under emergency Free Food Programme provided food to more than 455,000 survivors from January to March 2006. The WFP has also launched a $68 million two-year programme from April this year namely “Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation” PRRO in the quake hit areas. Under this programme the livelihood activities will be enhanced by providing food to workers and under training survivors. Besides School feeding, support to returnees and vulnerable people are the main objective and components of this programme.
