UN appreciates restoration,rehabilitation after Phailin

The Odisha government's restoration and rehabilitation work after cyclone Phailin came in for UN appreciation today.
"A lot of development has taken place within only two months of the cyclone", special representative of the UN secretary general for disaster risk reduction Margareta Wahlstrom told reporters here after visiting some of the worst-cyclone hit areas in Ganjam district.
After an on-the spot visit, the UN representative said, "It appears from the damaged structures in the affected areas that damages were severe."
At the same time she also appreciated the government for undertaking restoration activities promptly.
Wahlstrom, however, ruled out any direct assistance from the UN to the Odisha government for undertaking restoration works in the affected areas.

"The Indian government has lot of resources to undertake such work. The UN has no such provision for direct funding," she said replying to a question.
Hailing the Odisha government for effective preparedness ahead of the cyclone, the UN had yesterday honoured Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik by presenting a citation as a mark of recognition.