Locals Want Role In Pakistan's Quake Reconstruction

After the devastation of the 2005 earthquake, Pakistani residents and local authorities are complaining that their concerns are not being listened to by federal officials.

"Zia ur-Rehman, a union council nazim from Sat Bani, Balakot says federal authorities often made policies without consulting local leaders about the realities on the ground. The Army, for example, distributed relief goods without coordinating with his office, overlooking families in need, he claims."

"Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) officials disagree with such characterizations. They say their approach has been participatory and community-based whenever possible. But the disaster's dimensions require decisions for which input at the local level is not always possible or practical, they say."