Restoration and Improvement of Sustainable Livelihoods in the Siran Valley

Restoration and Improvement of Sustainable Livelihoods in the Siran Valley of NWFP (KPK) – Pakistan

 

Funded By:    MISEREOR Germany

The Overall Goal:  “To contribute to rehabilitation of the living conditions of the very poor population of the project area".

 

Achievement

The Haashar management worked on a strategy right from beginning of the project to secure harmonization of the MISEREOR project with contributions of other donors towards achieving the overall goal, namely “the rehabilitation of earthquake affected areas". Actually the project has significantly contributed towards the overall goal of rehabilitation.

 

Project Purpose

“To assist, support and enable poor rural households in earthquake-affected communities in Methal, Nikki Mori (Hafiz Abad), Bandhoder and Dagra villages in the Upper Siran Valley of Mansehra District to regain their economic independence through replenishment

 

Achievement:

Project has achieved itspurpose by reconstruction of houses, cattle houses, physical infrastructure and restocking of livestock population. This achievement was made by concerted efforts of various donors, thus securing numerous synergy effects. Project achievement is indicated by the fact that the majority of people (some 90 to 95%) did not leave the villages because the foundation for sustained life in the mountain areas has been laid.

 

Activities performed to achieve Project Purpose

 

(1)Re-construction of Cattle Houses

Haashar, being a local NGO, remained very careful and sensitive in implementing the project as it was answerable to both the donors and local communities all the time. Haashar started with a solid analysis of situation, observing gender considerations and secured participation of communities and traditional institutions, before coming up with solid strategies and procedures for the implementation of the project. In-depth surveys, discussions and consultation with the target groups, careful identification of vendors for purchase of materials and, most importantly, the identification and finalization of a model for earthquake resistant and culturally compatible cattle houses that should also be acceptable to ERRA (Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority) and other development agencies, were the main tasks undertaken before starting implementation. The finalized model is based on the following principles:

 

• Cost effectiveness
• Utilizing available resources
• Earth quake resistance
• Matching the basic husbandry requirements of animals

After finalization of cattle house models, first of all construction-demonstrations were conducted with three local widows as identified by the Women Organizations of the villages. The implementation of cattle house demonstrations provided an opportunity for the local communities to give their own ideasfor the design of cattle house. The local communities finally proposed to enlarge the size of the cattle house from 12’x12′ to 15’x15′ (feet).

During revalidation of the beneficiaries-lists and consultation with the beneficiary-communities, it was found that quite a number of people had meanwhile migrated to other areas and some local communities had received support for cattle houses from other NGO’s. Consequently a total of 728 design based earthquake resistant cattle houses were reconstructed through HAASHAR, out of which 134 cattle houses were funded by ADA/Ecohimal and 594 by Misereor Germany.

 

Restocking of Livestock

Haashar managed the distribution of 255 buffaloes in villages Nikki Mohri, Bandhodar, Methal and Dagra after hectic consultation and comprehensive ground work. A total of 119 buffaloes were financed by MISEREOR while 134 were financed by ADA. Another buffalo was purchased out of MISEREOR contribution to a resident of very remote village of Siran Valley (village Chotta) who lost his three buffaloes due to electrification. This goodwill gesture on part of MISEREOR/Haashar was widely praised in the local media. Buffaloes are the backbone of subsistence and home economics in the mountain areas of Siran.

Rehabilitation of Rural Infrastructure

Rehabilitation of rural infrastructure was done in close contact with other NGOs working in the area as well as with ERRA so as to avoid duplication of interventions. Some of the water supply schemes originally budgeted under MISEREOR funding could not be rehabilitated because some other NGO had pledged their rehabilitation to ERRA. The following infrastructure and land development interventions were carried out under this project;

• Rehabilitation of some 1700 feet long jeepable road in village Methal through concrete masonry.
• Rehabilitation of Drinking Water Supply Scheme, its tank and improvement of potable water source in village Methal.Over 400 households benefitted from the activity in  different hamlets of village Methal.
• Rehabilitation of 4600 feet long irrigation channel through concrete lining. This channel is life line for the village Bandhodar and all the agricultural related activities benefit from the rehabilitation of this water cahnnel
• Rehabilitation of main foot track through concrete in village Bandhodar. Total length of the foot track is 1000 feet.  In addition another 2.5 Kms foot tracks were also rehabilitated in Bandhodar village.
• Rehabilitation of 54820 cft field terraces in different locations of village Methal, Nikki Mohri (Hafizabad) and Bandhodar.
• Rehabilitation of 111980 cft check dams for conservation of soil.
• Rehabilitation of three schools through shelters. These schools could not be repaired even after three years of earthquake and needed repair the students being under open air and the schools remained closed during rainy days.
• Rehabilitation of three water ponds.

 

Capacity Building:

During the tenure of the project various capacity building events were held. 178 women were imparted awareness sessions on improved livestock management techniques through various sessions held within the villages. Another 17 women were trained in livestock management in Dadar field office. Similarly 22 men community members were capacitated to deal with day to day livestock related issues through two trainings in Dadar field office.  

 

Savings in Women Organizations

 

The regular savings program under HNRDP (ADA Funded) was disturbed by the earthquake. The women team of Haashar restarted this program and local women organizations are regularly saving money in their scheduled meetings. Accounts opening process for these organizations has started.

The following is a detailed account of savings done by WO’s to date:

 

S#	Name of WO	JFM Area	Saving (Rs)
1	WO Balarein	Methal	8300
2	WO Jabri	Methal	5000
3	WO Methal	Methal	7300
4	WO Galkot	Methal	2170
5	Bandhodar I	Bandhodar	6300
6	Bandhodar II	Bandhodar	1700
7	Kalas	Bandhodar	2400
8	Thamol	Bandhodar	4030
9	Bulanda Khalarian	Bandhodar	4200
Total			41400