Rotary International to set up 20 smart villages by June in flood-hit areas

ISLAMABAD: Rotary International has planned to set up 20 smart villages by June 2024 with a pledge to raise the number to 200 in the flood-hit areas in addition to eradicating the menace of polio in Pakistan.

Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick lauded the dedication and courage of the frontline polio workers of Rotary Club Pakistan in the eradication of polio with partner organisations and the government. “Polio eradication in Pakistan will be a gift from Rotary to the children,” she said in a press conference on Sunday.

She was accompanied by her aide Thomas Gump, senior Rotary Pakistan leaders, Faiz Kidwai, Director Rotary International, Masrur Scheik, District Governor of Rotary District, and Imran Ghaznavi.

Rotary International President Elect 2024-25 Stephanie Urchick announced that the theme of next year of Rotary is “Majic of Rotary”. She further pledged that setting up smart villages in the flood-hit areas would be presented before the international community as a role model to accumulate more funds for the expansion of Rotary activities in the sustainable development of the community.

She said the purpose of her visit to the smart village was to show the facilities of clean drinking water, sanitation, maternity child health, and a protected environment. “I also met interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar to discuss the Rotary affairs in Pakistan,” she added. She further said the Rotary International with 1.4 million members is working in various fields in coordination with local governments of respective countries and local and international development partners.

She maintained that her organisation was also involved in spreading peace across the globe through 1,800 students, who are enrolled in the discipline of “Peace Studies” in various international universities.

Meanwhile, Faiz Kidwai also spoke about the humanitarian aims of Rotary International, and how the groundbreaking Rotary Pakistan Smart Villages project is engaged at the grassroots level in Pakistan to transform the poorest of communities, bring development to small towns and villages, and empower their residents. He said the Rotary Pakistan Smart Villages project is not only providing essentials such as homes and shelters, but also has long-term and far-reaching goals, such as infrastructure, education, and health. “Water treatment plants, kitchen gardens, and solar-generated electricity have already been brought to these villages. The training to provide vocational and financial management skills is also provided at the smart villages in order to foster entrepreneurship and move towards de-urbanisation in Pakistan,” he added.