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Role of SRSP in Relief & Rehabilitation
operation
SRSP is the only NGO which works in all development sectors which
include water & sanitation, improvement of irrigation system,
construction of approach roads and bridges, installation of micro
hydro power stations, pavement of streets, relief & rehabilitation
of flood effected people etc through out the province including
Chitral.
SRSP made efforts to start organized relief operation for optimal
and equitable benefits to all affected people shook by the deadly
earthquake in Hazara Division and most parts of Kashmir in October
2005. In this time of crises the effected people who fled and
confined in inaccessible mountain terraces hidden from the eyes of
relief operation were provided relief which included food,
medicines, kitchen items, clothing, bedding items and tents by the
SRSP that gave the highest impact towards addressing the immediate
and specific needs of the effected areas and people. In this
catastrophe more than 80000 people had died and about 79500
households became homeless.
When the internally displaced people who were forced to leave their
homes of habitual residences located in Swat, Malakand, Bajour,
South and North Waziristan in particular as a result of armed
conflict, terrorism, violence of human rights came to Peshawar and
other parts of NWFP, SRSP jumped in to the ground and extended
substantial financial and economic assistance to them. SRSP’s role
in that area reached to the top for identifying hidden problems,
addressing them on the spot, timely rescue operation, launching
immediate relief campaign and finally rehabilitation measures
through construction of shelters in the places safe in all
respects, supplying piped water etc. ,
Floods are the biggest cause of life every year in our country.
People are generally taken by surprise by the flood as they may
come in night when every body is asleep giving very little time for
evacuation. Water remains stagnant after the flood recedes, sources
of drinking water get contaminated and food becomes polluted.
People are left with no resources to combat the natural calamity
that take place. In that circumstances the people urgently need
external help for their survival and rehabilitation. SRSP endeavors
to fill the economic gap being created by the natural calamity on
immediate basis.
When most parts of Sonoghur in upper Chitral were engulfed in an
unexpected heavy rain followed by flood many people lost their
properties. As a result of the rains heavy damage was inflicted to
corrugated shelters and infrastructure, and inhabitants lost
households and livelihood assets. Thank to the SRSP which remained
able to take immediate relief measures besides rehabilitation of
drinking water supply schemes, irrigation channels and approach
roads. Other specific activities such as action to protect and
restore potable water sources and improve water management capacity
of Sonoghur and reduce vulnerability to future flood were
identified. Approximately Rs. 3.8 million was utilized on these
activities. The assistance helped people recover from the disaster.
Despite encountering logistical challenges the operation was
successfully implemented.
In the same year Washich a lovely small hamlet located in extreme
north of Chitral was hit by extensive avalanche killing 38 people
and leaving 23 homeless. The snow slide was caused by unusually low
and warm temperature which produced up to twice the normal rainfall
and extremely rapid snowmelt. The access and transportation to the
entire affected area was extremely difficult due to heavy rainfall
and blockade of road in many places. Govt used helicopters for
relief operation. SRSP Engineers and other professional staff were
sent to the effected area through helicopter for restoration of
piped water, rehabilitation of irrigation system and establishment
of Hydro power station. Within a shortest period of time SRSP
remained able to restore all damaged structures including
installation of two small hydro power stations keeping capacity of
100 kw by working day and night using the light of lantern. SRSP
glacier relief operation provided timely and effective assistance
to more than 61 victims who received basic food and non food items
which include flour, rice, cooking oil, sugar, pulses, tea, milk,
salt, spices, kitchen items, blankets, bed sheets, pillows etc
after disaster. The operation was very complex in terms of
logistics, accessibility to the region, and transportation, but it
was a challenge and SRSP accepted it as part of its responsibility.
SRSP gave help, in whatever form setting example of hard work,
discipline, and enthusiasm. Approximately Rs. 5.5 million was
invested on establishment of Micro Hydro power station and Rs.
600000 was invested on procurement of food and non food items.
SRSP’s prompt action was acknowledged widely by the local
population, by the political leadership even by the donors.
SRSP wanted to join hands in effort to support the people who have
been impacted by the flooding any where in the province. Another
village at Mastuj was hit by the flood submerging 18 households
completely leaving no livelihood assets behind last year. SRSP
immediately started relief operation in the area and provided
financial assistance in cash besides restoration of drinking water
and improvement of irrigation capacity. Financial backup to the
effected people of this village was essential which SRSP
materialized on the spot.
The villages of Uchust, Shiaqotek, Khorkashandeh and Mustajapandeh
have been flooded with water mixed with stone and mud all round.
Currently more than 120 jarib of land in Uchusht, 45 jarib in
Mustajapandeh, and 40 jarib in Khorkashandeh with standing crops
ruined, about 17 houses collapsed, 30-40 houses partially damaged
and two connecting roads from Jang Bazar and Faiz Abad sides bore
the brunt of the flood. This road is now virtually useless. This
has resulted commuting problem for the villages. SRSP Chitral
reached the area on the spot and provided food and non food items
which include 40 kg flour, 40 kg rice of good quality, 15 kg gee,
10 kg sugar, 2kg black tea, 1kg green tea, pulses of different
kinds, milk, salt, 2 foams, two blankets, 2 willows, 2 bed sheets,
2 rug, 1 gas cylinder, 1 lantern made in Germany, 1 dinner set, 1
water set, 1 tea set, 1 degchi large, 1 degchi small, 1 bucket as
allocated for each family. I was told that during this time of
disaster SRSP Chitral Office was opened for two nights and the
entire staff members were available there to listen the standing
orders from their High Ups regarding timely availability of relief
items to the flood affected people of the area. They procured the
items on receiving approval from the CEO SRSP in night and at 10, O
clock in the next morning they distributed them among the effected
people in presence of political leadership and District
Administration officials including District Coordination Officer,
Assistant Coordination Officer and crowed of people. They did not
wait for media coverage, publicity through print media and
broadcasting from the TV and Radio but they had to extend help with
the People who lost their belongings and were on the verge of
hunger which they did. SRSP has made example of hard word,
devotion, enthusiasm and prompt action against poverty, diseases
and illiteracy through out the province. From construction of
irrigation channels to installation of Micro Hydro power stations,
from supply of hygienically stored potable water to pavement of
streets and from establishment of Schools to provision of health
facilities to the people particularly to poverty stricken people,
all activities are undertaken properly and smoothly through out the
province including Chitral. No educated and sensible people could
raise finger against the activities of SRSP. SRSP activities in
construction of infrastructure, in mobilization of rescue and
relief operation, in provision of quality education and health
facilities and in purveyance of financial support in shape of soft
loans to the vulnerable and marginalized people etc are visible
facts which no one could deny. SRSP really proved that it is an
organization which has been established to provide full time
humanitarian services to people. We are proud of its strong
management system, its experienced professional staff, its
integrity and honesty since its inception. We appeal to all
development agencies to learn lesson from SRSP and at the same time
we appeal to the entire international and national donors for
extension of financial support to the flood effected people of
Chitral and other regions in time through SRSP which plays leading
role in development of the hitherto retarded areas like Upper Dir,
Kohistan and some parts of Tribal areas.
By
Maham Saleem
Chitral
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