World Bank President visits flood-affected communities, praises Sindh’s community-led housing model

LARKANA (Feb 4): World Bank Group President Mr Ajay Banga, accompanied by a high-level 10-member delegation, arrived in Larkana on Tuesday, where he was warmly received by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at Mohenjo-Daro Airport.

During his visit, the World Bank President, along with the Chief Minister, travelled to Bhawal Jat village in Taluka Dokri, Larkana district, to observe the community-led reconstruction of flood-affected houses and to interact with families affected by the devastating floods.

Upon arrival in Bhawal Jat, the delegation received an enthusiastic welcome from residents. Briefing the World Bank President, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah stated that with the joint support of the Sindh Government and the World Bank, reconstruction of 145 flood-affected houses in the village has been completed, with 83 per cent of ownership titles granted to women. “Sindh’s women are empowered, and our government is further strengthening social inclusion through this programme,” the Chief Minister said.

The World Bank President conducted a detailed inspection of houses constructed under the Sindh Peoples Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) programme. CM Murad Shah described the reconstruction of 2.1 million homes as a historic initiative, calling it one of the largest recovery efforts in the world. “Communities are being empowered to rebuild their own lives. This programme has evolved from an emergency response into a comprehensive recovery model,” he added.

Expressing his appreciation, World Bank President Ajay Banga said he was deeply impressed by the progress on the ground. He mingled with local residents, took photographs with them, and met a Sikh family from Kashmore that had travelled to Bhawal Jat to share their experience. The President and the Chief Minister posed for photographs with the family.

Mr Banga termed the initiative the world’s first community-led housing reconstruction programme of its scale, while the Chief Minister explained that under this model, families construct their own homes, ensuring that income remains within the community. Each house generates sustained wage employment for local labourers, directly benefiting daily wage earners.

Murad Shah informed the delegation that the Sindh Government, in collaboration with development partners, is reconstructing 2.1 million houses, with major milestones already achieved. To date, over 1.55 million beneficiary bank accounts have been opened, 1.5 million houses are under construction, and 750,000 houses have been completed.

World Bank President Ajay Banga stated that since the inception of SPHF, the World Bank has extended $950 million in support, including an initial $500 million, followed by an additional $450 million. He noted that each beneficiary family receives housing assistance worth approximately $1,400, with the programme prioritising the poorest and most vulnerable households.

Chief Minister Murad Shah highlighted that every beneficiary household now has access to formal banking services, and that more than one million women hold land ownership titles, with more titles to be issued as reconstruction continues. He added that 800,000 women have already received direct financial benefits, strengthening women’s economic security through cash grants and livelihood opportunities.

“Women’s ownership rights are transforming household security and strengthening local economies,” the Chief Minister said, a view echoed by the World Bank President, who noted that women’s inclusion is reinforcing household income and community resilience.

The CM said that the programme’s success rests on a strong governance framework, supported by a modern Management Information System (MIS) ensuring transparency and direct fund transfers to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. He added that SPHF is being implemented through a public-private partnership model, with environmental and social safeguard experts engaged to maintain high accountability standards.

World Bank President Ajay Banga emphasised that safe housing must be complemented by clean water, sanitation, nutrition, and long-term wellbeing. “This programme lays a strong foundation for human capital development and stands as a global example of how community-based recovery can generate jobs and promote social inclusion,” he said.

The Chief Minister further noted that each reconstructed house generates approximately 160 days of paid local employment, with nearly 25 per cent of the total project cost spent directly on wages, benefiting daily wage labourers.

During the visit, the World Bank President planted a commemorative guava sapling in Bhawal Jat. He also visited the community centre, where local women showcased traditional Sindhi handicrafts, including rillis, handbags, bread baskets, and woven items. The President and the Chief Minister sat with women on traditional rillis, listened to their stories, and distributed ownership certificates to women beneficiaries. Ajrak and Sindhi caps were presented as cultural gifts.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had directed him to ensure housing for flood affectees. He revealed that the total cost of reconstruction is estimated at Rs 600 billion, of which a considerable amount has been financed by the World Bank, expressing gratitude for the Bank’s support alongside the federal government and other partners.

World Bank President Ajay Banga addressed the ceremony in Urdu, congratulating beneficiaries on receiving ownership rights. “You are fortunate to receive ownership titles - these are your freedoms,” he said, praising women’s resilience and the provision of clean water as major achievements.

WB President visists Mohen jo Daro: Later, the World Bank President and the Chief Minister visited Mohenjo-Daro, where they were received by Sindh Minister for Culture Zulfiqar Ali Shah. They toured the archaeological site via golf cart, viewed Sir John Marshall’s historic car, and attended a special cultural event featuring Sindhi music and handicrafts.

The World Bank President visited the museum, ancient stupas, and the 5,000-year-old drainage system, and received a detailed briefing from archaeological experts. He described Mohenjo-Daro as a remarkable early example of human ingenuity and emphasised the importance of preserving heritage for future generations. He also recorded his remarks in the museum’s visitors’ book.

The visit concluded with the World Bank President and the Chief Minister returning to Karachi after completing their tour of Larkana, Dokri, and Mohenjo-Daro.