Background and objectives:

The 8 October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan caused the physical disappearance of land due to landslides and flooding created by the change in the surface water system. After the earthquake it became evident that some sites were not suitable for rebuilding due to vulnerability to seismic, soil, or landslide hazards. The needs of those families who lost their land in the earthquake have been addressed in a tailored programme implemented by UN-HABITAT, which supported people to acquire new land and regain the same starting position as others who were reconstructing new homes. The objective of the programme was to ensure that those who lost land in the earthquake were provided with a new piece of land.

Activities:
The main activities included:

• Assist policy making for efficient and equitable provision of financial assistance to the landless for the purchase of land .
• Identify, verify and register landless beneficiaries with legitimate claims.
• Disburse financial assistance to beneficiaries to purchase land in an efficient, transparent and safe manner.
• Strengthen Government and community capacity to support resettlement, financial assistance and grievance redress processes for the landless.
• Increase public awareness of Governments policies, plans and procedures.

Results:
The main results achieved were:

• 1,730 families provided with land grant.
• Land mutated in the name of all owners, including women.
• 47 per cent mutated into the name of women of the families.
• 21 per cent of the families vulnerable.