In 2010 massive floods covered one-fifth of the land in Pakistan and affected over twenty million people. The worst in Pakistan’s history, the devastating floods killed thousands of people and left millions more struggling to rebuild their homes and villages. The water washed away roads, bridges, crops, and livestock – as well as the livelihoods of millions.  There were severe and long-term damages to educational institutions, the health, sanitation, and water infrastructure, and agriculture.

The American Pakistan Foundation responded immediately and with its partners by developing a comprehensive program for flood relief and the rehabilitation of schools, livelihoods and micro infrastructure.

Achievements

• ​42,000+ lives changed for the better
• ​29,500+​ people have access to clean drinking water and irrigation solutions
• ​4,220 children​, half of which are girls, have access to quality education in a safe environment
• 965 households have access to income through household loans and a livestock program
• 5,000 individuals received medical care

Our Approach

Our comprehensive flood relief and rehabilitation program addressed post-disaster needs in the areas hardest hit by Pakistan’s floods. Supported by the PepsiCo Foundation and Atlantic Philanthropies, we worked closely with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other partner agencies on the ground in Pakistan to identify the needs of the affected populations. APF was able to determine which areas were in the most need of assistance, what the most critical needs in those areas were, and where there were gaps in the relief work already underway.

We worked closely with other nonprofit organizations as implementing partners to improve infrastructure in damaged schools, conduct health camps for the local residents of impacted areas, support livelihood recovery through household grants and livestock programs, and build water and irrigation micro-infrastructure.

APF and its partners maintained a focus on community involvement and empowerment within each project. In the first stage of implementation our partners conducted social mobilization initiatives in the communities. This approach not only ensures the interest, support, and involvement of the local community, but also encourages local leadership, governance, accountability, and sustainability.

Education

APF partnered with Save the Children and the International Rescue Committee to rehabilitate 17 flood-damaged schools across Nowshera and Charsadda regions in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province and the Jhal Magsi district of Balochistan Province. This program provided 4,220 children access to a quality education in a safe environment. The impact of this work surpassed preliminary targets, which projected 10-12 schools and an estimated population of 1000-1200 children. Save the Children was also able to increase student enrollment in their communities by 23% through Back-to-School campaigns. This program focused on the complete physical rehabilitation of schools, in addition to the replacement of classroom furniture and supplies, teacher training, health and hygiene classes, and establishment of Parent-Teacher Committees in all communities.

Healthcare

APF worked with BRAC to provide medical supplies and tools for the prevention and care of diarrhea, cholera, fever, skin infections, and other water-borne diseases. The spread of waterborne diseases in the aftermath of the floods is an immediate health threat facing communities. BRAC’s health staff in Pakistan has the training to identify symptoms and provide necessary medication and tools for prevention and care. BRAC built up its inventory of medical supplies through APF support, including water purification tablets, medications, antibiotics, IVs, bandages, and other equipment, and provided medical care to approximately 5,000 individuals.

Livelihoods & Entrepreneurship

APF partnered with BRAC and Relief International to support livelihood recovery initiatives following the 2010 floods. APF’s partnership with BRAC provided grants of PKR 15,000 to households in flood-affected areas immediately after the floods. These grants enabled the reconstruction of homes, recovery of assets, and livelihood rebuilding. The grant purposes were based on the damage assessments made by the microfinance credit officers. This program provided critical household grants to 200 families, thereby benefiting approximately 1,200 people.

APF’s work with Relief International improved livelihoods and nutrition for communities in the Nowshera region of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province through the distribution of lactating goats. The program replenished the lost livestock that are critical to the economic stability of rural families. Relief International formed and trained Community Organizations in each community, to discuss implementation strategy and assist in identifying beneficiaries. The livelihoods program provided access to improved income and nutrition to 765 households, benefiting approximately 3,000 individuals . Each beneficiary was provided training on livestock management practices prior to the distribution of goats.

Micro-Infrastructure

APF launched its partnership with Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN) and Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) in Pakistan to rehabilitate 33 water and irrigation micro-infrastructure systems in the flood affected area of the Swat district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. This project provided access to clean drinking water and irrigation solutions to 3,940 households, benefiting over 29,000 people. In each community, SRSP facilitated meetings and established Community Organizations, which are groups of local leaders and stakeholders who will manage the current project and contribute to long-term development of the community. SRSP facilitated the establishment of Women Community Organizations in the project areas. RSPN played a key project management role and formed project, audit, and maintenance committees within the local communities. RSPN and SRSP conducted water quality tests at all sites to ensure water quality.