The Sindh cabinet has given its approval to close the Coronavirus Emergency Fund (CEF) as the pandemic is now under control in the province. The CEF was established by the Sindh government to mobilize resources in the fight against the pandemic. Initially, Rs3 billion was raised through an emergency grant of Rs1.3 billion from the Government of Sindh’s Social Relief Fund, and another Rs1.7 billion was raised by deducting Rs1.7 billion from salaries of Ministers, Advisors, Parliamentarians, and GoS employees.
A six-member body of the CEF headed by the chief secretary of Sindh was constituted by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to deal with the pandemic. The cabinet members were informed that 17 meetings of the CEF were held between March 18, 2020, and April 21, 2021. A total of Rs3,699 million were deposited in the fund, out of which Rs3,2077 million were spent.
Also, the cabinet approved using the remaining funds of Rs35 million to rebuild the houses of flood victims. Transparency and neutrality were ensured by a committee headed by the Chief Secretary Sindh with significant representation from the private sector.
The closure of the CEF is a positive sign that the pandemic is under control in Sindh. The government’s efforts to contain the virus have been successful, and the province has been able to cope with the pandemic’s challenges. The closure of the CEF also means that the funds that were previously allocated to deal with the pandemic can now be redirected towards other areas where they are needed the most.
The reconstruction of the houses of the flood victims is one such area where the funds can be used. The floods in Sindh have caused widespread devastation, and many people have lost their homes and livelihoods. The Rs35 million allocated from the CEF will go a long way in helping these people rebuild their lives and start afresh.
The closure of the CEF is also a reminder of the importance of having emergency funds in place. The pandemic caught the world off guard, and many countries were unprepared to deal with its impact. Emergency funds can help governments mobilize resources quickly and effectively to deal with unexpected crises. They can also ensure that the government has the resources it needs to provide support to those affected by the crisis.
Finally the closure of the Coronavirus Emergency Fund in Sindh is a positive development that highlights the province’s success in containing the pandemic. The funds that were previously allocated to deal with the pandemic can now be redirected towards other areas where they are needed the most. The reconstruction of the houses of the flood victims is one such area, and the funds will go a long way in helping these people rebuild their lives. The closure of the CEF is also a reminder of the importance of having emergency funds in place to deal with unexpected crises.
