Annual Report

2010 2012

HUJRA VSO

Near ALLAH-O-AKBAR

Masjid Saidu Sharif Swat,

Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa,

Pakistan Tel: 92-946-

726799, Fax: 92-946-

729016Web: www.hujra.org

Email:

hujraswat@yahoo.com

HUJRA

(Holistic Understanding for Justified

Research and Action)

Sustainable Development

through Active

Participation of the

Communities

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List of Acronyms Acronym Explanation

BE Build Environment CBOs Community Based Organizations DAP Di-ammonium Phosphate DFID Department for International Development DO District Officer DRM Disaster Risk Management DRU District Rehabilitation Unit EC European Commission EDO Executive District Officer EMOP Emergency Opertions ERRA Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FATA Federally Administered Tribal Areas FRDP FATA Rural Development Project GIZ German Development Agency HEBs High Energy Biscuits HID Human & Institutional Development HUJRA Holistic Understanding for Justified Research and Action IC Inter Cooperation IDPs Internally Displaced Peoples IP Implementing Partner KPK Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa LoA Letter of Agreement MDF Malakand Development Forum MDGs Millennium Development Goals MoU Memorandum of Understanding NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations NRM Natural Resource Management O&M Operation and Maintenance PaRRSA Provincial Reconstruction Rehabilitation and Settlement Authority PDMA Provincial Disaster Management Authority PERRA Provincial Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority SDC Swiss Development Corporation ToT Training of Trainers UC Union Council UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Program UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund UNOCHA United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs USAID United States Agency for International Development VSO Village Support Organization WFP World Food Program WUAs Water Users Association WWF World Wide Fund

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Contents

1. Introduction HUJRA 5

1.2. HUJRA Vision ........................................................................................................................................... 5

1.3. Mission ....................................................................................................................................................... 5

1.4. Objectives ................................................................................................................................................. 5

1.5. Working Strategy and Organizational Hierarchy ..................................................................... 6

1.6. HUJRA Outreach in Map ...................................................................................................................... 8

1.7. List of Executive Council of HUJRA ................................................................................................ 8

Designation ....................................................................................................................................................... 8

Profession .......................................................................................................................................................... 8

1.8. HUJRA Human Resource Profile ...................................................................................................... 9

1.9. HUJRA Program Areas ......................................................................................................................... 9

1.10. Thematic Areas of HUJRA .................................................................................................................. 9

1.11. Major programmatic focus ............................................................................................................. 10

1.11.1. Natural Resource Management .............................................................................................. 10

1.11.2. Built Environment ........................................................................................................................ 11

1.11.4. Human and Institutional Development ........................................................................... 12

1.12. Project Sectors ..................................................................................................................................... 13

1.13. Collaboration with Government Departments ...................................................................... 13

1.14. Partnership with UN organizations ............................................................................................ 13

1.15. Partnership with International Donors .................................................................................... 13

1.16. Partnership with national donors .................................................................................................. 14

1.17. Networking and linkages ................................................................................................................... 14

1.18. Networks/Forums Initiated by HUJRA ........................................................................................ 14

2. HUJRA in Post Conflict and Post Flood Scenario .......................................................... 15

3. An overview of the completed projects .................................................................................... 15

3. Skill Development Program 20

3.1. Hotel management and cooking .................................................................................................. 20

3.2. Fish farming and trout fish rearing............................................................................................. 21

3.3. Tourism , hospitality and Basic Fish Farm Management ................................................... 21

3.4. Training for women in improved kitchen gardening ......................................................... 22

3.5. Farmers training in improved wheat cultivation practices .............................................. 23

3.6. Farmers training in improved wheat cultivation practices .............................................. 24

3.7. Training in livestock feeding and management .................................................................... 25

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3.8. Training in poultry management ................................................................................................. 25

4. Case Studies 27

4.1. Case study I ........................................................................................................................................... 27

4.2. Case study II ......................................................................................................................................... 28

4.3. Case study III ........................................................................................................................................ 29

4.4. Case study IV ........................................................................................................................................ 30

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1. Introduction HUJRA

HUJRA is a not-for-profit, non- political, non-ethnic and development oriented local organization working in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Province and FATA (Federal Administered Tribal Area) of Pakistan. HUJRA was established in 1997 and registered in 1998 under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. The word “Hujra” means a traditional common space of a Pakhtoon Society, which is an important traditional social institution for collective decision making, conflict resolution, information sharing and social development. Following the pattern of Hujra, the HUJRA organization has become a well known institution for bringing harmony and promoting integrated vision for better understanding for human to human and human to nature relationship. HUJRA worked with different donor agencies and have successfully implemented a number of projects in the area. HUJRA is well established in the region on account of a strong knowledge base , developed social capital , a competent human resource for program logistic and financial management. HUJRA has a significant experience and a sound track record of 11 years with international donors in grant management, reporting and financial management. Annual accounts are maintained and audited through certified chartered accountants at the end of every financial year. HUJRA is working in thematic areas namely, i) Good Governance ii) Sustainable Livelihood, iii) Social Sector Development, iv) Disaster Management, v) Human and Institutional Development and Organizational Development. Organization has a good team to respond emergency situations, well capacitated in assessments, distributions and community trainings. In addition HUJRA has Natural Resource Management Program in place striving for the food security and environment development especially for disaster affected communities.

1.2. HUJRA Vision

Harmonious development through integration of human and environment

1.3. Mission

Harmonize socio-economic development of communities to enhance the capabilities of vulnerable, marginalized and poor segments of the society including women

1.4. Objectives

Following are the strategic objective of HUJRA;

To enable communities including women for collective decision making regarding their sustainable and harmonious socio-economic development

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To build capacity of the communities for undertaking socio-economic development in harmony with the conservation of their natural resources

To create space for intellectual debate and discussions for societal transformation towards common goodness

To enhance the knowledge base through applied research for sustainable utilization of the natural resources including energy

To advocate for amelioration of environmental impacts of the development To provide and support partnership in private sector to local, regional,

national and international organizations for community development and conservation related interventions.

1.5. Working Strategy and Organizational Hierarchy

HUJRA is involved in Research, Advocacy, Social Organization, Human Resource Development and Service Delivery related directly or indirectly to environmental issues in broader sense. Some of the actions are materialized, other started and still others are proposed through the active participation of the stakeholders. HUJRA strives to achieve its ends by working within the boundaries of the local cultural and traditional norms.

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General Body

Executive Council

Chairperson

Executive Director

Mgr. Finance

Admin & Logistic

Unit

Manger

Programs

Monitoring and

Reporting Unit

SSD, Health, Education

and CPI Unit

Manager M&E

HR & Advocacy

SL, NRM&

Enterprise

Development

Manger HR

Gender and

Capacity Building

Finance Unit

Management

Committee

DRM & CC

Unit Social

Mobilization Unit

Manager

Operations

Executive Council

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1.6. HUJRA Outreach in Map

1.7. List of Executive Council of HUJRA

S/No Name Designation Profession

1 Mr. Fazal Mabood Chairman HID specialist

2 Mr. Faiaq Khan Member Wildlife expert

3 Mr. Gouhar Ayub Member Community Development Specialist 4 Mr. Amjad Ali Member NRM Expert

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5 Mr. Barkat Ali Khan Member Social Scientist

6 Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Member Public health expert 7 Mr. Salim Ahmad Secretary Management

1.8. HUJRA Human Resource Profile

1. Saleem Ahmed Executive Director 2. Syed Umar Shah HUJRA Coordinator 3. Nadir Shah Program Manager 4. Raja Gul Project Manager 5. Hakeem Khan Project Manager 6. Aftab Akbar Manager Finance 7. Rafiq Ahmed Office Manager

1.9. HUJRA Program Areas

To address its program, HUJRA believes in the principle of applied research to constitute basis for services delivery in the program areas. However, HUJRA only take up activities based on applied research with partner organizations on consistent sharing basis to facilitate custodian communities and line agencies through technical assistance. The following constitute strategic programs for HUJRA;

1. Applied Research provides basis for Advocacy and Lobbying to bring shift/change in the prevailing development policies for each of the program area of the organization;

2. Networking with partner organizations for o Support , experience sharing and learning o Strengthening program areas o Developing partnership with NGOs, Community Based Organizations

(CBOs), Government Organizations, Research and education institution

3. Planning, monitoring and evaluation is the integral parts of each of the program areas;

4. Training and capacity building of HUJRA itself and its partner organizations with development of print & electronic resources & an education center which is a nucleus of its awareness raising;

5. Modification and development of local social institution for achieving goal and objectives of HUJRA through information sharing and dissemination.

1.10. Thematic Areas of HUJRA

Eradication of Poverty

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Gender Mainstreaming Education Health Agriculture Research and Advocacy Conservation of Natural Resources Networking and Capacity Building in issues relating to Natural, Social

and Built Environment

1.11. Major programmatic focus

Based on its vision, mission and to achieve its goal, the following constitute major program areas for HUJRA

1.11.1. Natural Resource Management (NRM) 1.11.2. Built Environment (BE) 1.11.3. Human and Institutional Development (HID)

1.11.1. Natural Resource Management

Forests Wildlife Non Timber Forest Products Livestock Management Agriculture

Thematic Areas

Gender

Mainstreaming

Poverty

Reduction

Agriculture

Education

Research &

Advocacy

Health

Networking

and Capacity

building

Natural

Resource

Conservation

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1.11.2. Built Environment

Built environment is the term used in broader sense for the conditions created by the human to safeguard themselves from the nature. Within this process, settlements of different scales are formed. Traditionally the socio-political order, in the region, ensured land, building materials and services for the housing needs of different segments of the society, without any cash transactions. In the last three decades that system has been eroded and new institutions are yet to emerge to replace; therefore it is resulted in the conditions of built environment. HUJRA intended to conduct in participatory manner with the stakeholders for increasing the understanding of the situation and to help them to mobilize the resources for the improvement. The recently emerged local government system is the potential partner in the process which on one hand, can help them to understand the problems and on the other hand to enhance their technical capacity to address these issues and to ensure active participation of the beneficiaries through component sharing. In the long run, it has to influence the policy makers to bring shift in their policies to make it according to the requirements and to ensure their participation. To operate and maintain it in a better way, land use planning and zoning is also of special concern to HUJRA, as on one side valuable agricultural land is colonized for housing purpose and on the other hand, the settlements are extended to the hill slopes, having its own dynamics. In most of the cases these sub divisions’ take place without expert inputs and creating problems of accessibility, sanitation, drainage and so on. There is a need for planning by laws, yet to be developed. In all these efforts HUJRA intend to establish partnership with other organizations/institutions to valorize and to share experiences. HUJRA has to be equipped with a technical and research team to carry out these tasks. Following are the integral components of the built environment concept.

a. Water and Sanitation

Water supply system in rural and urban areas needs attention in terms of operation, maintenance and extension. HUJRA intends to provide technical inputs to the communities and local councils to enable them in operation and maintenance as well as carrying out new projects. Most of the communities lack sanitation facilities and the communities initiatives need technical support to carry out such projects to keep their settlements clean and hygienic. HUJRA strives to build its own capacity having a technical team and to share experience with other organizations already working in these areas.

b. Planning and Zoning Population growth and related factors have led to haphazard growth of the settlements on one hand and overcrowding & congestion problems on the other. HUJRA intends to conduct research and develop planning and zoning guidelines in cooperation with local communities and councils. The problems of

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accessibility, occupation, of hazardous areas, blockage of drainage are some of the issues.

c. Accessibility Expansion of settlements without regulatory control and high price of land, have worked to shrink the roads and streets, which creates lot of accessibility problems. HUJRA is determined to conduct researches and initiate systematic processes with the relevant stakeholders to reduce the ill effects and provide alternatives.

1.11.4. Human and Institutional Development

Research and strengthening of traditional social institutions and building their capacity for enabling them to effectively respond to the emerging realities of change, is one of the main focused areas for HUJRA. The tribal historical background based on strong local institutions and weak broader level regional institutions existing in the valley are still widely acceptable and possess the capacity for effective involvement in development process. Family as a unit, rather individual, is playing an effective role in resource management, decision making and makes a basis for institutions like Hujra & Jirga. The market economy is weakening these institutions and bureaucratic attitudes are consistently bypassing the family based institutions in development interventions. Apart from newly emerged urban institutions like trade federations and associations, HUJRA intends to meaningfully involve these traditional institutions and relevant stakeholders in the overall development process and build their capacity for playing effective role in the face of new challenges and opportunities. To play its proper role in achieving the goal HUJRA will focus on the following main areas of intervention.

a. Legal Status and Rights There is a lot of space for the improvement of the status of women being a weak segment of the society in the existing legal system and ideal Islamic system. HUJRA intends to provide support to the communities by making easy understanding of both, to improve their present status especially of women.

b. Access to Information In the modern day context information became a powerful tool for gaining better position. HUJRA intends to create a regional level information center, where all the relevant information are collected, organized and stored, for dissemination to the communities, individual researchers and concerned organizations for empowerment, education and awareness raising.

c. Facilitation and Formation of Public Forums

Conventionally in the operational area of HUJRA, public forums like Hujra, Jirga etc. in villages had the responsibility of managing and controlling resources,

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social coherence, discussions and interactions for development. HUJRA intends to facilitate the process of revival of these forums with modern tools and techniques for public debates and interests.

4. Capacity Building

Communities of the area are familiar with the concept of self-help and self-management, as they have practiced it traditionally in the form of collective actions like ‘Ashar'. Due to superficial outside view, centralized structures and extending market economy, the communities are gradually losing this character without appropriate institutional alternatives. HUJRA intends to prepare the communities for self-help, self-management and self-reliance. HUJRA intends to provide social and technical guidance using proper need assessment and training packages as tools with the concept of action research for appropriate alternative models.

1.12. Project Sectors

1.12.1. Poverty Reduction 1.12.2. Emergency/Disaster 1.12.3. Gender Mainstreaming 1.12.4. Livelihood and Enterprise Development 1.12.5. Education/ Capacity Building 1.12.6. Agriculture and Livestock Management 1.12.7. Health/Environment

1.13. Collaboration with Government Departments

1.13.1. Local Government and Rural Development Department 1.13.2. District Education Department 1.13.3. Forest Management Department 1.13.4. District Health Department

1.14. Partnership with UN organizations

1.14.1. UNDP (United Nations Development Program) 1.14.2. UN World Food Program 1.14.3. UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 1.14.4. UNICEF (United Nations International Children Emergency Fund) 1.14.5. UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) 1.14.6. UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural

Organization)

1.15. Partnership with International Donors

1.15.1. DFID (Department for International Development) and British Council 1.15.2. NCCR-North South (National Center of Competence of Research) 1.15.3. Embassy of Japan

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1.15.4. SDC-IC (Swiss Development Corporation) and (Inter Cooperation) 1.15.5. GIZ 1.15.6. WWF(World Wife Fund) -Pakistan 1.15.7. European Commission 1.15.8. Oxfam Novib 1.15.9. USAID (Entrepreneurs, ABT Associates, JSI)

1.16. Partnership with national donors

Forest and Wildlife Departments of KPK ERRA-PERRA DRU Shangla FATA Rural Development Project (FRDP) NATPOW ministry of population welfare

1.17. Networking and linkages

Many people and organizations are doing the same activities with the same objectives without a common understanding for maximum benefit. HUJRA plays the role of a catalyst to bring all these developmental actors into a broader framework by creating their linkages and networks.

1.18. Networks/Forums Initiated by HUJRA

1. Malakand Development Forum (MDF)

HUJRA has established a forum of regional civil society organizations/projects and Government departments involved in community development to share their experiences and get support reciprocally. At present HUJRA is providing Secretarial facilities to MDF.

2. Swat Development Council

The council is the cluster organization of 52 Community Based Organizations(CBOs) and HUJRA provides the secretaries facilities to the organizations and is providing training to build capacity of the CBO’s.

3. HUJRA Resource Center

HUJRA has initiated to establish a Resource Center to collect all the available documents related to the region and and then productively use them for development of the communities.

4.HUJRA Publications

Urdu translation of the book “Swat, An Afghan Society in Pakistan” Quarterly News Letter “Chaperyal”

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2. HUJRA in Post Conflict and Post Flood Scenario

After the massive floods of July, 2010, HUJRA Village Support Organization conducted relief and rehabilitation activities in the flood affected areas of Swat, Buner and Lower Dir. For mitigating the problem of food security ensuring, HUJRA VSO distributed agriculture inputs for immediate farm recovery comprising of seeds and fertilizers along with training in improved agriculture production techniques. The flood affected female households were provided with vegetables seeds and training for the resumption of kitchen gardening activities. Agriculture infrastructure such as , agriculture lands, irrigation channels, retaining walls , access roads, farm to market roads , spurs and flood protection structures were badly damaged due the devastating floods. The flood affected families along with loss of houses, stored food, and agriculture land also lost their employment and was in dire need of cash injection for the resumption of the local economic activities to survive in the aftermath of floods. Inoder to assist the communities in rehabilitating their agriculture infrastructure, HUJRA , with the financial support of FAO , engaged the communities in a massive CFW (Cash for Work) program for clearing, de-siltation and minor repair of irrigation infrastructure.

3. An overview of the completed projects

3.1. Emergency Assistance to Support Flood Affected Vulnerable Farmers in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa (KPK)

The project aimed to support the agriculture based livelihood of flood affected households in selected union councils of district Swat. This emergency response for flood affected people in Swat, was launched on 1st October 2010 and completed by April 30st 2011. The project targeted 11(eleven) worst flood affected Union Councils of Swat i.e. Madyan, Teerat, Shin, Khwazakhela, Kotanai, Fatihpur, Gulibagh and Arkot for USAID funded component of the project and Asharay, Baidra & Dureshlhela for Livestock feed distribution funded by ECHO. The project targeted 12000 vulnerable farming households affected as a consequence of floods. . The project package comprised of Capacity building and distribution of wheat seeds, vegetable seeds, fertilizer DAP & Urea while under the livestock component a total of 5271 packages of compound feed along with plastic sheet, ropes and de-wormer blister distributed among the flood affected livestock keepers. Under the USAID funded component a total of 80 (Eighty) water courses were rehabilitated through de-siltation, clearing and minor repairs.

To introduce the project with relevant stakeholders HUJRA organized a stakeholders meeting in Swat Continental Hotel Mingora with representation of EDO Agriculture, DO agriculture, DO Livestock, DO Water Management and

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representative from PaRRSA. List of villages in selected UCs were shared and finalized in consultation with Agriculture Department district Swat. HUJRA signed MoU with Agriculture & livestock Department and hired their services for imparting trainings to inputs beneficiaries as part of capacity building initiative of the project in improved crop and livestock production practices and techniques before the distribution of inputs. Inorder to support the communities in systematic and organized manner for sustainability and self reliance in the future, village committees were formed and strengthened at the level of each target village. The committees had the representation from all of the target households. The committees’ members were responsible in beneficiaries’ identification to be verified by HUJRA project team, support during implementation and ensuring sustainability of the project initiatives. The committees also supported HUJRA in trainings and inputs distribution in a transparent manner. Similarly , Water Users of the rehabilitated irrigation channels were organized and registered as WUAs (Water Users Associations) for support during rehabilitation and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of the water courses.

FAO Regional Coordinator inaugurating the

CFW program

Organized distribution of inputs being ensured

The packages in hand of the final beneficiaries

The most vulnerable are compensated

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1. Immediate support to restore food security and agriculture-based livelihoods of food-insecure and vulnerable conflict affected rural families in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan

FAO in consultation with PaRRSA, respective EDOs of Swat and Buner districts selected Union Councils in both the districts in full coordination of the Agriculture Cluster. Union councils in District Swat included Bar Aba Khel & Kuz Aba Khel, while in district Bunir UCs Norizae was selected for project intervention.

The project staff formed village level committees in all the UCs in order to involve the community members in identification and verification of target beneficiaries according to the FAO beneficiaries’ selection criteria as mentioned in Letter of Agreement (LOA).

HUJRA project team established close coordination with all relevant stockholders. No Objection Certificate (NOC) was obtained from PaARSA/PDMA. Moreover, Agriculture department was actively involved, beneficiaries lists were shared with the department to ensure transparency during the selection of the beneficiaries i.e. small and flood affected farming households. HUJRA signed MoU with Agriculture Department and hired services of their technical staff to impart trainings to the farmers beneficiaries before the distribution. Almost all the target beneficiaries were trained on the effective use of provided agriculture inputs.

The project distributed agriculture inputs maize, rice, vegetables, DAP and Urea in UC Kuz Abakhail and Bara Abakharil at District Swat to 3500 farmers beneficiaries while in District Buner UC Noorazai, Maize, vegetables, DAP and Urea package was distributed to 1400 farmers beneficiaries.

Project Package for district Swat:

1. Package-1: 12.5 kg maize seed, 25 kg urea, 25 DAP + vegetables (370 gm in 10-15 gm of 8 different species) for one acre

2. Package-2: 25 kg rice, 100 kg Urea and 50 kg DAP + vegetables (370 gm in 10-15 gm of 8 different species) for one acre

Project Package for district Buner: Package-3: 20 kg maize, 25 urea and 25 kg DAP + vegetables (370 gm in 10-15 gm of 8 assorted seed)

HUJRA mobilized the local community to ensure their participation during the project implementation. Both male and female project staff of HUJRA conducted door to door visit for mobilization and identification of the most deserving beneficiaries according to the project selection criteria. The

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poultry package was distributed among the female headed households, 100% of whom were trained in improved poultry management and rearing. The project was monitored both by HUJRA Monitoring and Evaluation section as well as by the stakeholder through joint monitoring visits.

2. Re-establishment of Agriculture based Livelihood System and Economic Recovery after Crisis During military operation in Swat, the community was unable to look after their orchards due to massive displacement to safer areas of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa. As the communities of Swat were heavily dependent on agriculture and livestock as the basic means of livelihoods which were the worst hit sectors during the militancy conflict. To support the communities in reestablishing their fragile livelihood resources, a quick assessment was conducted in by HUJRA in the two selected Union Councils of Charbagh and Manglawer and identified the most urgent needs of returnees in the area. The project designed on the basis of assessment was funded by Concern worldwide as “Responding to Pakistan Internally Displaced people”. The core objective of the project was to Support Re-establishment of Agricultural-based Livelihood Systems and Economic Recovery after Crisis.

Result and indicator of the project

Baseline targets Final indicators

15000 plum and peach plants will be distributed to 1000 farmers households

1000 beneficiaries provided 15000 Peach and 15000 Plum Plants (30 plants per HH)

70% losses in livestock has impeded access of the farmers to farm yard manure

1000 farmers households beneficiaries received 60 Kg bio tech manure for the plants provided

Farmers were unable to arrange tool kits due to their unfavorable economic conditions

1000 tool kits provided to 1000 farmer households beneficiaries

Livelihood dependency of the population of the area on orchards was about 82.2%

Household income will increase per plant Rs 3000 in the long run

Environmental impact 30000 plants will positively effect upon environment

3. Response to food price crises in District Swat of Pakistan

The educational sector of district Swat suffered heavy losses in terms of damages to the schools infrastructure due to the years long militancy and subsequent military operation as per the third situational report of UNOCHA on Swat , confirmed by the District Education Department 60 percent of schools (122 out of 204) were completely destroyed. The situation was further exacerbated by the massive exodus of the local people as IDPs (Internally Displaced People) which created a human dilemma of massive

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scale and raised the question of survival for the affected population. Food security and rehabilitation of the schooling activities were the main challenges for the humanitarian organizations across the world. Inorder to overcome the crises of food security and restore the trust of the affected parents for enabling their children to resume educational activites, a school feeding program named Price Hike EMOP was launched for making contribution to the WFP strategic priority 4, and MDGs. The broader objectives of the program were to address the household food security and low level of education that limits the development opportunities especially for girls among the rural. To implement the Price Hike EMOP project , HUJRA signed an MoU on 8th October , 2010 with WFP for implementation amid the crises in Swat. The package included provision of 50 KG wheat bag once in two months to serve as safety net for vulnerable families of school going children and restrain parents from withdrawing children from education for engaging them in income generating activities or adopting any other coping strategy that negatively influences care and feeding practices of young children. In addition a monthly ration of 3.7 Kg of Edible Oil to enhance attendance in the targeted schools was also provided.

Girls student waiting for the food commodities school kid receiving edible oil cane

Distribution of edible oil among the girls students View of a damaged school destroyed during the

conflict

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Many such like girl schools were totally destroyed in Swat during the worst militancy conflict

4. Rapid restoration of Agriculture based livelihoods in affected areas of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan

5. Support to restore food security and agriculture based livelihoods of the food insecure and vulnerable crises affected rural households in selected areas of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan

6. Emergency assistance for immediate protection of livelihoods and food security through provision of critical livestock inputs in the flood affected areas of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan

3. Skill Development Program

3.1. Hotel management and cooking

Swat the Heaven on earth, The Switzerland of the East, famous for its enchanting, scintillating and bewitching beauty, fascinating landscapes, diverse flora and fauna and amazing lakes attracted nature lovers all over the world, located in the North of KP, touching its boundaries with District Buner and Malakand to its South. The average growth rate in District Swat is 3.37% with the population density of 235.6 persons/sq. people are mainly dependent on Agriculture, Livestock, forests, small businesses and a greater part of the population of Swat especially the upper Swat livelihood is dependent on Tourism. This part has great tourism potential. In Swat, hotel industry is regarded as one of the primary livelihood sources for the local community and it contributes a huge amount to the local economy. Hundreds of hotels are situated in Swat most of them are in the upper swat with an average of 8 workers working in each hotel. Unfortunately due to lack of

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skill they perform other activities in the area to earn money from other sources. Also due to the conflict most of the skilled labors shifted to the other parts of the country. The law and order situation for the last few years have badly affected the livelihoods of the local population in District Swat resultantly caused widespread unemployment in the local area. To revive the Tourism sector and to fill the skill gap created during the conflict they were provided the opportunity of skill development trainings, short term as well as long term in Tourism and in Agriculture sector.

Trained participant in cooking and hotel management The trainees are busy in cooking trials

3.2. Fish farming and trout fish rearing

Similarly Swat trout Fish is famous throughout the country and its demand is increasing day by day. The upper Swat due to its unique climatic condition is most favorable for Fish Farming. Unfortunately due to lack of skilled Fish Farmers this business is not flourishing, very few people are benefiting from this sector. To provide sufficient quantity of fish to the market and to meet the demands there is a dire need for the capacity building of the local people to strengthen their livelihood sources for an already poverty stricken community. To achieve the goals long term and short term trainings in this sector is the need of the hour. HUJRA has also entered into a partnership with a number of other projects / Agencies for achieving its goals and to harmonize socio-economic development of communities.

3.3. Tourism , hospitality and Basic Fish Farm Management

HUJRA also implemented a capacity building project with the financial support of USAID in District Swat. The project built the capacity of unskilled youth through

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skill Development trainings programs. The project comprised on two components i.e. Tourism/ Hospitality and Basic Fish Farm Management. The project targeted the vulnerable individuals of the society to build their capacity by imparting skills in different sectors to enable them to lead meaningful and socially tolerant lives by enhancing their capabilities and to improve their chances of employability. A total of 75 unemployed youth of the upper and lower Swat were trained in sub-sectors in Tourism/Hospitality to 50 trainees and in Basic Fish Farm Management course to 25 trainees. The training programs of tourism consisted of 51 days while that of Basic Fish Farm Management was 25 days duration. HUJRA the implementing partner of Pakistan jobs project USAID helped the placement of these trainees in their relevant sub-sectors in local as well as national level.

3.4. Training for women in improved kitchen gardening

Growing vegetables near the kitchen in the house or near the house is termed as kitchen gardening. A Kitchen garden can be a perfect addition to landscape as well as a vital source of household food security and income earning. Inorder to build the capacity of the vulnerable women in kitchen gardening for the restoration of vegetable production and provision of vegetable seeds kits, a total of 195, rural women were trained under the FAO-Belgium funded project , implemented in the three conflict affected Union Councils of District Swat i.e. Kozabakhel, Barabakhel and Pirkalay.

Training in kitchen gardening in UC Kozabakhel Swat

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3.5. Farmers training in improved wheat cultivation practices

Pakistan is an agriculture country, the welfare and well being of its people and the national economy depends on productive agriculture sector. The development of agriculture is a complex phenomenon, which depends on many factors including agricultural education /training. There was a strong need to keep farmers abreast of new technology development in the field of agriculture especially efficient use of agriculture inputs (wheat seeds and fertilizers). Inorder to enable the conflict and flood affected farming households especially the wheat growers , HUJRA entered in partnership with FAO for the implementation of Belgium and ECHO Funded projects in the selected union councils of district Swat and Buner. Besides distribution of wheat seeds and fertilizers, demonstrative training sessions were arranged for almost all the agriculture inputs beneficiaries (1655). The local agriculture extension department’s services were hired for the trainings conduction. The objectives of the trainings were;

1. To build capacity of farmers provided with wheat seeds and fertilizers by FAO-ECHO on wheat cultivation under FAO-ECHO project in District Swat.

2. To built the capacity of participant to adopt the best Agriculture practices as the need of the day.

3. To train the participants as TOT for further dissemination of knowledge they gain to village and house hold level.

4. Develop strategy for minimizing cost of production and increasing per acre yield by adopting best agriculture practices.

5. To empower the community to take decisions at their own level regarding their crop management.

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EDO Agriculture imparting the training Training in improved wheat cultivation techniques and practices

3.6. Farmers training in improved wheat cultivation practices

In view of the devastating floods of July 2010, almost all the areas (UCs) were badly affected by the floods. The farmers lost their standing crop the summer season. Inoder to restore the cereal crops of the winter (wheat), the farmers were in dire need of external support such as agriculture inputs and effective methods of efficient inputs use during post flood wheat cultivation season. A massive relief package was announced for 12000 flood affected farmers of District Swat. This support was funded by USAID and implemented by HUJRA with technical facilitation of FAO. To well equip the farmers beneficiaries with the knowledge and skills of improved agriculture technology with focus on

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wheat and vegetable seeds, extensive trainings were arranged for 100% of the inputs beneficiaries. Services of the local agriculture department were hired for the trainings.

3.7. Training in livestock feeding and management

The livestock sector faced significant losses in terms of animal death toll , damages to animal shelter , fodder shortages and post flood diseases (infectious and non infectious). The livestock owners were in dire need of support to overcome the fodder shortage, better manage their livestock and rebuild their animal shelters during the post flood winter season. With the financial assistance of USAID and ECHO and technical support of FAO, HUJRA distributed livestock feed concentrates and de-wormers for mitigation of losses in the livestock and providing immediate relief and protection for the remaining livestock. To build the capacity of the livestock farmers in efficient animal feeding of concentrate feed and de-wormers, a total of 2053 livestock inputs beneficiaries were trained of which 1237 were male and 693 female beneficiaries. The services of the local livestock extension department were hired for training in livestock feeding.

Training session in progress for livestock input beneficiaries

3.8. Training in poultry management

HUJRA implemented an FAO Spanish Funded project for the conflict affected population of district Swat. Besides the distribution of agriculture inputs, it encompassed an appropriate poultry package (Poultry birds and feed) and comprehensive training of the female beneficiaries. The trainings in poultry management were conducted through the local livestock and dairy development department experts after signing a MoU. The department deputed three of the

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poultry extension experts who conducted 42 sessions each of 40-50 participants. HUJRA monitoring staff monitored the trainings both for qualitative and quantitative aspects. Almost all (90%) of the female beneficiaries were trained on improved methods of poultry management. The training curricula included the following major topics;

Poultry breeds and types Poultry housing basic principles and improved poultry shelters Brooding , its importance and techniques Poultry feedings Common poultry diseases and prophylactic and curative measures

A widow receiving her poultry package after

attending the training in poultry management

Training session of women beneficiaries in improved poultry management

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4. Case Studies

4.1. Case study I

Poverty, flood and humanitarian assistance – story of a poor farmer

I am less aware of devastation the recent floods have produced across the country, but atleast I know that it destroyed the universe belonging to me and my family, a poor farmer, Mr. Jalanadar of village Shangwatai narrated his story. Mr. Jalandar father to five sons and four daughters with number of grandchildren is a tenant by birth and had acquired lands from land owner(s) on lease and some on brakha (share). Like always this year too, he along with his other family members had worked tirelessly to have enough yield to pay back to land owner(s) and keep for his family. But it proved mere an unfulfilled dream when the floods water washed away his almost ripe crops of rice and maize along the fertile surface of land. It is not only the crop(s) which are destroyed, preparing lands to the extent that it starts paying you back, consumes time and energy which only a farmer knows well, he maintained with utter feelings of sorrow. In between these feelings, he seemed thankful to the land owner(s) who generously had waived up the lease money but what to do with the shopkeepers from whom he had lent agricultural inputs with the promise of paying back when the yield is produced? The miserable story of the poor farmer does not end here. On one side he was faced with food scarcity for his family while on the other he still owe money to the shopkeepers. This situation forced him to sell five cattle but still he owes to others about ten thousand rupees, he had spent on land preparation, buying food items and agricultural inputs from the last season. To come out of this vicious circle he also sent two of his sons down country for earning but the condition is still hand to mouth, he maintained. The farmer further said that with the soon approaching Rabi season, he was worried for agricultural inputs and hence was not acquiring land on lease from other land owner(s) as the previous land is not cultivable. During this time of helplessness, the village committee informed him of the agricultural assistance, the deserving segment of population will get. First I could not believe it as usually influential are the one to get such assistance even if they were not affected. But thanks to all involved for their demonstrated transparency ensuring benefiting a poor farmer like me as well. Also the organization provided us with training which we hope will produce long lasting effects on our production. The assistance in my case ensured continuity of farming for the subsistence of my family and healed up me emotionally with a thinking that there are still people and institutions around who ensure to reach real deserving people. I may not remember names of the organizations who assisted us but will never forget that the money has come all along from the “people of

Mr. Jalandar is resident of Shangwatai

village of Upper Swat (30/11/2010)

Compliance with minimum standards of involving local population even in emergency responses has always been producing encouraging results. Constitution of village committee from among the target population is a classical example to ensure timely completion of targets, observance of selection criteria and transparency in the project interventions. Mr. Younis Khan president of the committee, who is also Pesh Imam of village Shangwati along with his 14 member Village Committee is equally credited for the just selection of beneficiaries like Mr. Jalandhar.

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America”, the poor farmer innocently recalled.

4.2. Case study II

INCOME SOURCE FOR A DIGNIFIED LIFE Ms. Khwand Naka, a 60 years old widow belongs to village Gadi in one of the Union Councils in Swat where the poultry birds and poultry feeds were distributed among the most vulnerable females under the Spanish funded Project. She has two sons who have irregular income source as daily wage labor in the nearby villages and do tenancy farming being a meager source for subsistence living. Sometimes Ms. Khwand Naka earns money from weaving quilts in the winter season and working as maid in the houses of well-off families in the village, through which she earn in kind as daily meals . She is suffering from chronic ailment of asthma and unable to work for a long hours and cannot afford medical treatment because of her miserable financial condition. She was displaced during the conflict and became IDP (Internally Displaced People) in a camp in Mardan. Her house was damaged during the conflict and now she is compelled to live in a tent provided by an NGO installed in the premises of her damaged house. She was selected as beneficiary for the poultry package by HUJRA (implementing partner of FAO) in consultation with village elders and activists as she was fulfilling the criteria. She got a package of 24 poultry birds along with poultry feed and multivitamins through the project. She also got training on poultry management organized by HUJRA and she is also well versed with indigenous knowledge of poultry rearing. By the dent of the training in poultry management she is capable to efficiently manage her poultry stock. She expects Rs. 180- 200 daily from the sale of eggs which according to her will be spent on her medical treatment, food and clothes. She proclaimed that it will make a difference in her life as she wants to spend a dignified life.

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4.3. Case study III

Dreams are reclaimed when assisted at the time of adversity The story of a poor but intelligent school student

Mikaeel s/o Mohammad Ali Class 5th 3rd Position holder and Proctor of the school GPS Fatehpur # 1 Union Council: Fatehpur Mekaeel resident of Nawakalay Fatehpur, is the son of Mr. Mohammad Ali, a Driver by profession with a poor and illiterate housewife, belong to a poor stratum of society. Although Mikaeel was a brilliant student and wanted to become a pilot for serving his nation in future but due to the clutching poverty, he was skeptical about his mission to achieve. His father was unable to afford the educational expenses of his son due to poverty and was thus snatched from the school. Mikaeel has three brothers and two sisters, but unfortunately all of his brothers were disable due to congenital mental disorder. The father of the poor kids was spending money on their treatment out of the meager income, he earned. Mekaeel’s father, being the only bread earner, had also to afford the expenses of medical treatment of his ailing wife. The father was driving a taxi to support his family amid the multifaceted miseries of life. Poverty makes the education of children as luxury and the question of survival comes first in their microcosm while the dreams are shattered in the very prime of lives; a cold reality in the lives of the poor, marginal and disadvantaged families. With the launching of WFP School Feeding Program, HUJRA staff conducted a massive mobilization for the parents and children of the poor families which was complemented by food packages. The moto of the project was “give your children the golden opportunity of education”. The food package consisted of H.E.B 100gm per day, cooking oil per child 5 liter. So poverty being the biggest hurdle in the way of Mikaeel was, seemed to be overcome. Having a thirst for education , Mikaeel availed the unique opportunity to peep into the word of education once again and he took a sigh of relief as the impending danger of withdrawal from school was staved off. Thus Mikaeel is getting education and will be able one day to get his ambition of becoming a pilot , gratified. The food support also capacitated his family to save some money which they were previously spending on food.

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4.4. Case study IV

Minimizing the Migration Trend Through Livelihood Re-building Mairaj Bibi, 60 years old tenant women, from village Dolat khel UC Manglor is widow and thus hails from a women headed household. She has seven family members including a disabled son, all dependent on her for support derived from a small fruit orchard plants in the vicinity of her home. But bad luck struck her fragile source of income and her fruit plants dried up due to continuous curfew and subsequent displacement as IDP for almost four months. Upon return, everything seemed desolate and barren to the old lady, including her small fruit orchard. She was searching for an oasis amid the desert and was in dire need to help her in reestablishing her fruit orchard. Provision of fruit orchards plants under post conflict relief program, enabled her to resurrect her fruit orchard and thus have her income source restored. She takes care of the young plants with the hopes to see them as a full grown source of family income.

Gul Khan is a 62 years old from village Murad Abad from UC Manglor. He lost most of his plum trees during the militancy conflict being the only source of livelihood. He was moving down into poverty trap due to his financial situation and was thus unable to reclaim his lost source of income. Gul was on the verge of migration from the area to labor for his survival but the provision of fruit plants enabled him to restore his fruit plants, rekindled his hope to stay in his villages for taking care of his rejuvenated fruit plants. Hope sprung in his breast to derive income from the young fruit plants when mature after two years and will be able to take care of his family.

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4.5. Case Study V

Your Ability and Skills Make Your Destiny

Mr. Shoaib s/o Akber Ali is resident of Pan labour colony Mingora Swat. He was middle class pass and has four brothers and one sister. He was the sole earner for his family as whole of the family was looking towards him. It was very difficult for him to meet the daily expenses of his family as the poverty was very cruel on them. He was barely earning Rs.5000/month by serving in a local shop which was far less than necessary to mitigate his problem. In the meanwhile, he got to know about the skills training program, offered by Pakistan Job Project , funded by USAID and implemented by HUJRA. After interview, luckily, he was selected for Food Production(chef) course. The training gave him the skills in cooking and he started making Samosas and DaheeBalle in his village. In a span of few days, the quality of his Samosas and and Dahee balle became very popular and upto the taste of everyone. According to Mr. Shoaib, he spares only three hours for this business in the evening and thus earns Rupees, 900 to 1000 on daily basis. His income shot up from Rupees 5000 per month to Rupees 30000 per month. Shoaib gets orders from many clients for Samosa and Daheeballe and thus his business is running on sound footing to support his family. He intends to upscale his business for an even better earning as his clientele is increasing day by day. He leads a respectable life and is very happy after successful completion of Food Production course which enabled him in acquiring a variety of cooking skills.

Mr. Waris khan s/o khushal khan was a poor resident of Kalam valley and was badly affected by the conflict and flood. Having tweleve family members, he was the only vital hand for their support and hope to live a decent life but he had nothing to let his family dreams come true. His father was a daily wage earner and was unable to cope with the rising financial problems of his family. Due to the selection of Waris Khan for Cooking course under the Pakistan Job Project of USAID and successfully completed one month course. After the acquisition of skills in cooking , he got the job of a waiter in Swat Continental Hotel Mingora Swat besides , he was also offered the job of waiter at Paradise Inn, a five star hotel , situated at Adam Jee Road Rawalpindi. The skills development program provided opportunity for him to build skills and be able to live a decent life.