Infrastructure That Strengthens and Sustains Communities – Bridges
Handover Ceremony Set for 29 April 2025
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Pakistan will host a
Bridges Handover Ceremony on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Islamabad, marking the
successful completion of the “ReBridge: Resilient Infrastructure Recovery” Project
in the Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Following the catastrophic 2010 floods, UNOPS constructed pedestrian suspension
bridges in Bahrain and Kalam to restore critical connectivity. Years later,
inspections revealed deterioration caused by nearby highway construction
(Bahrain-Kalam Road), inadequate maintenance, and equipment theft. In 2021,
UNOPS initiated repairs, upgrading the bridges to Euro standards to minimize
long-term maintenance needs, while proactively identifying a dedicated
government department to assume future stewardship of the infrastructure. This
crucial work ensures continued safe passage and connectivity for thousands of
residents, directly benefiting 49,700 people in the region. During and after the
2022 devastating floods, these bridges served as the vital and only safe river
crossings in the region, safeguarding access for thousands of residents.
During this event, UNOPS will formally hand over the bridges to the Government
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, underscoring its commitment to long-term sustainability.
The handover ceremony will be attended by senior leadership from UNOPS,
including the Regional Director for Asia and the Director of the South Asia
Multi-Country Office, and will bring together a diverse range of representatives
from the Government, donor partners, UN agencies, international NGOs, and local
partners.This event marks not just the handover of bridges, but also UNOPS’ broader
commitment to practical solutions for sustainable infrastructure development and
disaster recovery efforts that empower communities and strengthen resilience for
today and future generations.About UNOPS UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, helping a range of partners in delivering approximately USD $1.8 billion worth of peace and security,humanitarian and development projects every year. Our partners rely on our
proven expertise to increase the speed, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of
around 1,000 projects in more than 80 countries, often in the most challenging
environments. UNOPS provides support in five major service areas i.e.
Infrastructure, Procurement, Project management, Human resources, and
Financial management.
