Securing the livelihoods of flood victims and returning internally displaced people

Project description

Title: Securing the livelihoods of flood victims and of internally displaced people returning to their homes in the Malakand region
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Pakistan
Lead executing agency: Provincial Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Settlement Authority/Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PaRRSA/PDMA)
Overall term: 2010 to 2013

Context

The Pakistani army’s major operation early in 2009 against the Taliban in the north-west of the country generated a stream of over two million refugees. The primary sources of income for people in the area: tourism, agriculture, livestock keeping and retail were particularly affected by the conflict. The public infrastructure also suffered considerable damage and the supply of goods and services deteriorated.

As the region was just beginning to recover, in mid-2010 it was hit by the disastrous flash floods that covered large parts of Pakistan. The extensive damage that resulted from the military conflict and the subsequent floods were a huge setback for the fragile region of Malakand. Coinciding as they did, the two events deprived large sections of the population of their livelihoods.

Objective

In selected districts of the Malakand region, people affected by the flooding and the conflict are better able to secure a livelihood for themselves.

Approach

The first phase of the project involved development-oriented emergency aid activities intended to secure the immediate survival of people affected by the flooding. Above all, this included the distribution of seed and the renewal of infrastructure through cash-for-work projects. Such reconstruction measures are still implemented now under the second, transitional assistance phase, which has already started. They are accompanied by new activities to revitalise agricultural production, generate incomes and strengthen local capacities.

The close involvement of the local sector authorities helps them to fulfil their roles in the reconstruction process more effectively. At the same time, the heightened visibility of the government in the crisis region serves to strengthen the trust of the population.

Results achieved so far

The ruined houses of around 430 families have been renovated or rebuilt. Refurbished water supply systems are delivering clean drinking water to more than 7,500 people.

Some 46 roads and 48 irrigation channels have been reconstructed, allowing the irrigation of more than 5,300 hectares of land. Through the labour-intensive reconstruction work, it has been possible to pay out total wages to all the workers, equivalent to 65,000 days of activity.

Nearly 600 smallholder farmers are now using improved techniques for growing vegetables. 122 men and 127 women are using new skills gained in a training course for the better upkeep of their livestock. Otherwise, nearly 40 men and 400 women are currently involved in training in non-agricultural areas.

The project has equipped 24 local authorities with IT devices, and has trained personnel in their use. Further training courses have been delivered, which concentrated on do-no-harm approaches and gender issues.