J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah meets World Bank, ADB officials

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today met country heads of World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) here and discussed the issues related  to rebuilding the flood-hit state. "Had an excellent meeting with the Country Heads of World  Bank & ADB. I'm glad they are getting involved in the state to help rebuild," Omar wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.

He said the two agencies would focus on the areas of rebuilding livelihood for the flood-affected people and  assisting the state government in the creation of disaster  management systems.  "I'm particularly glad that they will be focused on the  areas of rebuilding livelihoods & assisting creation of  disaster mngt (management) systems," he said. A joint mission led by Department of Economic Affairs, Union Ministry of Finance and representatives of World Bank  and ADB, which is here to make preliminary assessment of  requirement of multilateral assistance for disaster recovery  and reconstruction needs of the state after devastating floods, called on the Chief Minister, an official spokesman  said. 

He said Omar highlighted the magnitude of the flood and its devastation claiming precious human lives, damaging public infrastructure, private property and standing crops, perishing cattle and inflicting huge losses to trade, business and industry. The chief minister welcomed the intension of the joint mission to extend help to the state and providing necessary assistance for disaster recovery and reconstruction of the state, the spokesman said. 

He said the challenge was gigantic and required comprehensive, coordinated and determined strategy to achieve  the goal of reconstructing the state and reviving livelihood  of the people.