Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP)

annual review(2010-12)

@ 2013 Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP). All rights Reserved.

Content By: Masood ul Mulk and Atif Zeeshan Rauf

Photography By: AV Section, SRSP

Print & Design By: Dot Advertising, Islamabad

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08Chairperson/ CEO’s Message

09Sarhad Rural Support Programme (2010-11 and 2011-12)

10Empowering Local Communities and Institutions

12Community Managed Small Scale Infrastructure Schemes

16Investing in Human Leadership, Managerial and Technical Skills

18Alternate Models of Financial Services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

20Mainstreaming Women and Improving Social Sector Services

23Promoting Value Chain and Local Enterprises

25Humanitarian Programme and Early Recovery Efforts

28Partners in Development

32Statistical Abstract (up to June 2012)

33Financial Reports

Content

Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP), registered under Companies Ordinance, is a non profit-non government organisation working in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and parts of FATA. Its an intermediary organization which is based on the Rural Support Programmes’ (RSPs) approach to community empowerment and economic and livelihood development. It was established in 1989 by members of the civil society, enlightened members of the government in their individual capacities, members of the academia, media and training institutions. In recent years, due to extensive coverage and vast outreach in the communities, SRSP played a prominent role in disasters that have hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and as a result humanitarian work alongwith development has become a core competency of the organization.

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2407

05

21

0501

Total Number of Districts

Number of Tribal Agencies

Total Number of Frontier Regions (FRs)

Number of Districts with SRSP Presence (directly/indirectly)

Number of Agencies with SRSP Presence (directly/indirectly)

Number of FRs with SRSP presence (directly/indirectly)

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The Annual Review for the year 2011-12 also incorporates the report for 2010-2011, which was not published. These two years were again very eventful in life of SRSP and were characterized by a high level of activities for SRSP.

The humanitarian crisis which has become an integral part of the life in the province since 2005 continued; first with the floods which devastated large parts of the province and played such a havoc with the social and economic life in the area and then IDP crisis continued to impact our lives. SRSP played pivotal role in both these crisis using its vast outreach and technical and managerial competencies to reach a large part of distressed population with relief and Early Recovery Programmes. A separate publication called “Lending a Hand” describes work of SRSP in this field.

The development work of SRSP has continued with the same zeal as in the past. The government support in form of an endowment fund has helped SRSP to leverage additional resources from national and international donors to help attain its mission. The Bacha Khan Poverty

Alleviation Programme, an example of public private partnership programme, based on principles of equality between the partners has continued to draw support in development and political circles. SRSP has been able to work with all major donors e.g. AusAid, CIDA, the World Bank through PPAF, GIZ, UN Agencies, UK DfID and many others on programmes in livelihood sector. A lot of hard work has gone into building a prospective relationship with European Union to initiate a large economic and community empowerment programme in Malakand Division. The partnership with PPAF continues in many district giving continuity and depth to SRSP’s programmes.

SRSP is committed to establishing organizations of poor and play its role in this process as a catalyst organization. These years saw many opportunities for community activists to get together and share their achievements attained under conditions of great adversity and to continue promoting institutions that are accountable to the grassroots.

CHAIRPERSON/ CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S MESSAGE

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Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP), a leading organization for poverty reduction and ensuring sustainable means of livelihoods through mobilizing communities, is the largest non government, non profit organization operational in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas. SRSP, since its inception in 1989, has been able to support development of over 18,000 community based organizations covering over half a million population. SRSP’s programmatic, financial, technical, strategic and capacity building initiatives, on one hand, has led to development of community, village and union council level local organizations while on other hand it has significantly contributed to social, economic and political development of communities and rural areas.

The past two years (2010-11 and 2011-12) due to insecurity and uncertainty, insurgency and terrorism, low or no economic activities, and frequent disasters have presented SRSP with unprecedented challenges. Notwithstanding precarious environment, SRSP, besides facilitating grass-root organizations to evolve as local institutions, has also provided extensive support to war torn and disaster affected communities in terms of their long term development. The period is characterized by generating additional resources,

diversifying programme competencies, strengthening relationships with existing and developing partnerships with new donors, and supporting Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through public private partnerships. These efforts enabled SRSP to reach poor and marginalized groups especially women and address their needs efficiently and effectively.

Based on institutional learning across development landscape of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during this period, SRSP refined its organizational policies and strategies to respond to field realities and local contexts. These efforts, no doubt, have facilitated development partners in coordinated efforts for impacting rural poverty and formulating pro poor/conducive policies for economic growth. Keeping these dimensions in view, a number of key roles and responsibilities within broader perspective of its thematic areas have become part of organization values, culture and operations. During this reporting period, SRSP has been able to keep a balance amongst organization’s systems, procedures and mode of delivery, the programme it offers, and the needs of the communities. The ‘congruence’ has undeniably led to tapping local energies and potential within communities thus enhancing development effectiveness.

SARHAD RURAL SUPPORT PROGRAMME IN 2010-11 & 2011-2012

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SRSP participatory approaches to community driven development involves active engagement of rural men and women communities in development process. Tapping communities’ potential and energy through a process of social guidance has always been a core feature of SRSPs social mobilization, which essentially develops an ownership and sustainability at local level. With presence in 21 districts and six agencies/ tribal areas, SRSP, so far, has been able to develop over 18,000 community based organizations covering almost half a million population. Almost one third of these organizations are women organizations reflecting SRSP’s commitment to mainstream women in development process. The success at this scale in terms of formation of large number of community based organizations can be attributed to support, ownership and acceptance by local communities and development partners including government agencies. Apart from their central role in local development, these organized communities, when needed, have played crucial roles in emergency situations that confronted the nation in form of destruction and exodus of people from military operations, insurmountable militancy and devastating floods. The organized communities provided shelter to Internally Displaced Persons and distributed edibles/food items amongst affected families. A number of international agencies and Government

of Pakistan appreciated role played by mobilized communities in IDP crisis and devastating floods.

Following approach of creating financially viable and sustainable local level institutions, SRSP, during this reporting period, has further consolidated approach of formation of three tier organizations at community, village and union council levels in its programme areas. Accountable downwards, these three tier institutions enjoy autonomy with clear roles and responsibilities to address local issues. During reporting period (2010-12), SRSP has been able to facilitate formation of 15 LSOs, while overall it has been able to form 59 LSOs in districts Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Battagram, Shangla, Kohistan, Nowshera, Mardan, Kohat, Karak, Dir, Chitral and FATA. Almost half of these LSOs are registered legal entities under either Society’s Act 1860, Social Welfare Act 1961, Cooperative’s Act 1925 or Companies Ordinance 1984. SRSP’s efforts in developing financial and managerial capacities of these LSOs have a visible impact today. An active role in leveraging resources locally, nationally and internationally has been assumed by these LSOs for holistic development at union councils level besides promoting peace and development. The LSOs formation since inception is presented in figure below:

EMPOWERING LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND INSTITUTIONS

Local Support Organizations

59

Village Organizations

618

3,777

Men & Women CBOs77,000Households represented in LSOs

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Community initiated and maintained ‘enabling infrastructure’ has been one of the most important components of SRSP since inception. The small-scale infrastructure schemes over the years have contributed to socio-economic growth in rural areas, strengthening and improving livelihoods and act as an effective bonding factor between members of community based organizations. The component has grown remarkably in terms of budget allocation, numbers of schemes, outreach, and diversity. If strengthening and continuous refinements to manage these small scale schemes had been a priority in this reporting period, equal importance had been given to introduce innovative technologies and tap sources of renewable energy for socio-economic development and responding to issues of environmental degradation and resource depletion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

During this reporting period (2010-12), SRSP has been able to initiate and complete 1,522 small scale infrastructure schemes with a total cost of over 1.08 billion PKR benefiting 1.65 million population. Out of the mentioned schemes, 40% have been initiated with women community organizations. SRSP’s small scale infrastructure portfolio comprise drinking water supply schemes, irrigation schemes, Integrated Area Up-gradation Projects (IAUP), soil conservation schemes, sanitation schemes, micro hydro projects, roads and bridges, solar energy projects and bio-gas plants. Overall since inception, SRSP has been able to initiate and complete 7,225 small scale infrastructure schemes with a cost of over 3 billion PKR and benefiting 11 million population.

COMMUNITY MANAGED SMALL SCALE INFRASTRUCTURE SCHEMES

Types of CPI CPI (Nos) Cost PKR in Mil. Beneficiaries pop. (Nos.)

Male Female

DWSS 2,984 1,038 1,419,862 1,538,183

IAUP 89 90 74,196 80,379

Irrigation 862 386 277,013 300,097

Roads & Bridges 897 399 2,284,103 2,474,445

Micro Hydros 76 162 28,246 30,599

Others 325 196 147,517 159,810

Sanitation 1,727 640 795,485 861,775

Soil Conservation 295 83 258,577 280,125

Grand Total 7,255 2,995 5,284,998 5,725,415

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ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY ENERGY CRISIS RESPONSE

In response to acute power shortage in the country and KP, SRSP in recent years have started tapping natural resources and utilizing it for power generation. SRSP in last two years have installed 20 small scale power generation units across KP benefiting marginalized areas and communities who never had an access to conventional grid electricity since independence. Overall SRSP has installed 76 microhydro units generating 2.4 MW electricity benefitting 59,000 population. The portfolio of micro hydro project is getting bigger and has a visible impact on rural livelihoods. Besides contributing to conservation and protection of environment, these micro hydro units have immensely contributed in enhancing agriculture productivity and diversifying livelihood sources benefitting, largely, women and children. In addition, these hydro units have brought a communication revolution to areas which had been ignored and deprived for decades.

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RESTORING INFRASTRUCTURE IN DISASTER STRUCK AREAS

Building back better in response to floods and IDP crisis had always been a core focus of SRSP but one of the prominent features was its ‘timing’ to respond to community needs. SRSP during these crises, in shortest possible time, was able to restore drinking water schemes, rehabilitate roads and bridges to ensure access, develop shelters

to protect precious lives, support health units and rehabilitate schools to benefit children. With financial support from GIZ, CAFOD, UNDP, AusAID, OSF, IDRF and Citi Foundation, Sarhad Rural Support Proagramme (SRSP) was able to initiate and complete 458 schemes in above mentioned sectors with a cost of 350 million PKR benefitting 75,000 population. The timely efforts ensured an easy access of rural communities to these basic services and contributed to restoring rural livelihoods without any major delays.

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SRSP, at organizational level, attaches immense importance to staff capacity building in order to perform designated roles and responsibilities and respond to field challenges. During this period (2010-12), SRSP enhanced capacities of 771 staff members in various disciplines comprising social mobilization, leadership, communication and presentation skills, disaster management, planning and monitoring, gender and development, micro finance, community investment fund, renewable energy, infrastructure development and financial management. Over 35% women participation in these training events reflects SRSP’s policy of supporting women. These capacity building events provided useful opportunities for existing and new staff members to interact with the Board members, CEO, and Core Management, besides orienting them on organizational culture, values, beliefs, systems and procedures and how to perform designated roles and responsibilities efficiently and effectively. These capacity

building opportunities coupled with clear career path at SRSP has been one of the attributing factors for low staff turn over. In comparison to 12 percent staff turn over during 2010-11, the percentage of staff turn over dropped to 9 percent only in 2011-12, which is a good indicator of SRSP’s conducive professional environment.

SRSP also provides regular opportunities to dedicated and committed staff members to acquire skills regionally and internationally. During this period at least 50 such professionals through participation in skills specific events/exposures visits were able to learn from international experiences and replicate the same to improve quality of programme. The field attachment programme, internships and professional affiliations introduced by SRSP’s Human and Institution Development Programme has contributed in providing opportunities to fresh graduates persuing their careers in rural development.

INVESTING IN HUMAN LEADERSHIP, MANAGERIAL AND TECHNICAL SKILLS

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Technical Skills adding resilience

At programme (field) level, SRSP has taken proactive steps for enhancing communities technical and managerial capacities to develop local leadership for managing democratic institutions and impart new skills as per market demands for building assets of the poor. The revamped training modules with inclusion of new sectors/areas in response to field challenges have contributed to improving programme implementation. The most prominent aspect of Human and Institutional Development (HID) is imparting market driven courses to deprived members of community based organizations (men and women) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These courses, duly certified by Skill Development Council, Government of Pakistan, are delivered/imparted through ‘state of the art’ Technical and Vocational Skills Centre (TVC) established in provincial capital Peshawar. The centre is technically and technologically well equipped capable of providing in-house training facilities to 120 participants. The laboratories and workshops at the centre, supervised by pool of resource persons, provide opportunities to apply learnt skills practically. Few prominent courses comprise mobile phone repairing, computer repairing, electrician, plumbing, carpentry, food processing, tailoring, solar energy, embroidery, heavy machinery operators etc. To further facilitate rural communities, especially women, the centre has facilities of mobile lab/workshop for delivering training in local areas following local norms and cultural practices. During this reporting period the centre has been able to develop leadership, technical and vocational skills of 7,540 community members organized under various projects/programmes initiated by SRSP. The percentage of women availing these trainings was 42%, which has been encouraging keeping in view the turbulent situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The impact of trainings show that most of the youth and community members have either started their own enterprises or availed employment in public or private sectors.

Gender bifurcation of participants in various skills training under different projects

2105

2662

252 265 264 45024150 76

Male FemaleBKPAP

AusAid LSP CIDA-FATA PPAF IDRF UNDPDRC

0

FATA Sect.

GIZ26 20

35 37242

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SRSP’s microfinance program aims to reduce financial vulnerabilities of disadvantaged, especially women, by providing them with an opportunity to have an easy access to institutional micro finance services through innovative solutions. SRSP is in amongst the leading organizations to extend rural financial services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. SRSP, since inception, has been able to disburse over one billion pak rupees to women (representing 98 percent of SRSP’s clientele) in rural areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During this reporting period, SRSP has been able to disburse 101 million PKR to 8,985 poor and vulnerable households (ranked 0-18 on poverty score card). The trends show a positive increase in revolving funds in last three years, which depicts maturity of Community Based Organisations in financial management. SRSP micro finance portfolio is a balance mix of trading (39%), livestock (30%), services and production (10% each), and agriculture (8%).

Program Outreach

Districts 10

Union Councils 80

Households 21,645

Women 97%

Poorest HHs (PSC: 0-23) 70%

Rural Concentration (%)

UC wise 81%

HHs wise 88%

ALTERNATE MODELS OF FINANCIAL SERVICES IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

The environment of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as also mentioned in preceding sections has been challenging, uncertain, insecure, affected by recurring disasters, and unfavorable for delivery of micro-finance through conventional approaches. This has urged SRSP to shift from conventional to innovative approaches. Thus evolution and adoption of Community-Based Financial Intermediaries (CBFI) has been one

120

100

80

60

40

20

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

CREDIT LINE

9

29

64

96

29

14

45 36

52

48

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REVOLVING FUND

DISBURSEMENT TREND

of the most appropriate solutions for delivering financial services to poor and marginalized. The CBFI model of delivery is based on developing technical and managerial capacity of local communities to adequately address issues of cost of delivering micro finance services and appropriateness of the product as per local needs leading to empowering communities and enhancing impact.

Others 3%

10%

10%

39%

30%

8%

Services (e.g. parlors, canteens, vocational centers etc

Production (e.g. vocational work)

Trading (e.g. grocery/ ladies shops etc.)

Livestock (e.g. goats for milching or raring etc)

Agriculture (e.g. seeds, fertilizers etc)

SECTOR WISE INVESTMENT OF FUNDS BY THE BENEFICIARIES

Following CBFI model/methodology, based on willingness of community-based organizations, SRSP encourages to form local institutions popularly known as Village Banks. These local, self managed village banks are contributing to social and economic uplift vis-à-vis empowerment of women. With support of Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Australian Aid, SRSP to-date has been able to support formation of 300 Village Banks (VBs) in selected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa addressing financial vulnerabilities of over 40,000 poor households. The financial assistance provided through Village Banks ranges from 5,000 to 20,000 per household. The VBs act as focal point for delivery of financial services due to its potential outreach, better knowledge of local people and capacity to deliver services economically. Before funds are granted to VBs, SRSP in a mentor’s role developed capacities of VB’s General Bodies through regular coaching and follow-ups.

Depending on poverty status (assessed through Poverty Score Card) of individual households, funds through village banks are granted for both micro credit and Income Generating Grants (IGGs) to adequately mobilized communities capable of managing funds internally. Since fund management responsibility rests with community therefore poor/poorest members are encouraged to take most of the key decisions related to VB operations. These may include electing their own leaders, selecting their own members, recruiting their own staff, creating their own bylaws, undertaking their own bookkeeping, funds management

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(disburse and deposits), resolving delinquency problems, and levying their own penalty system on members falling behind schedules (missing meetings or delayed loan payments). These VBs have tremendous potential to become genuine women’s organizations to address community concerns, which may also include acquiring new skills and behavioral change in health, nutrition, literacy, gender and environment etc. SRSP’s Village Banking model has gained wider recognition as Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund through World Bank is considering replicating the same in its upcoming Community Livelihood Fund programme.

Grants through VBs focusing ultra poorGrants target ultra poor-people who have no assets,

are chronically food insecure (0-11 on PSC), physically disable, too vulnerable to take loan risk, living in an

emergency or post conflict situation. Grants are thus used by such households to purchase productive assets

in order to start-up an Income Generating Activity.

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MAINSTREAMING WOMEN AND IMPROVING SOCIAL SECTOR SERVICESGender and Development

SRSP ensures that gender concerns are mainstreamed in its operations and programme at all levels. In given context of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) it takes both twin-track and targeted approaches to address issues of women’s social and economic empowerment. At organizational and programme level as per its developed gender policy, SRSP has taken various initiatives to mainstream gender. In 2005, after earthquake, SRSP developed ‘Gender Guidelines for Emergency’; an extensive document which provides guidelines on how to address gender issues for workers delivering humanitarian aid. To further mainstream gender, during this period, 1,700 men and women staff and community leaders were trained in ‘gender and development’, by its resource pool of gender trainers. SRSP also adopted Sexual and Harassment Act followed by detail orientation of the staff on it. In addition, a committee headed by Chairperson, has also been constituted to deal any harassment issues and ensure providing safe, healthy and conducive working environment for both genders.

Quality Education in Disaster Struck Areas

The security crisis in District Swat affected the social and economic life enormously in year 2009. Infrastructure especially girls school were badly hit. As much as 401 government schools (mostly girls) were savagely damaged with 176 completely destroyed. The floods of 2010 exacerbated the situation by either washing or damaging 142 schools. SRSP based on experience of ‘Reviving Education’ in earthquake affected areas introduced innovative technologies (semi-permanent light weight steel structures), ensured active involvement of communities, developed teacher’s capacity in interactive learning techniques and provided support to poor and vulnerable students to revive education for all in Malakand Division. Acknowledging

effectiveness of this model, UK-DfID provided a support of US$ 30 million to rebuild and rehabilitate 61 government schools in Malakand division and an equal number of Parent Teacher Councils. The grant also supported developing teacher’s capacity, developing computer labs in schools and provision of scholarship to poor students to continue post secondary education.

Promoting Social Cohesion

In partnership with UNHCR and GIZ, SRSP has focused on developing local communities and promoting social cohesion, equality and stability in areas that have been, or still continue, to be refugee hosting areas including Peshawar, Chitral, Swat, Buner, Upper Dir, Abbottabad and Mansehra. Under this initiative, small scale fast track result oriented infrastructure schemes have been initiated to support revival of economy in refugees hosting areas/ Union Councils. These projects also focussed building voices of poor and marginalized through organizing them into men and women groups and enhancing their capacities in managerial skills, resource mobilization, planning and development, social cohesion and gender and development.

Semi-Permanent Light Weight Steel Structure

This model supported by UK-aid (DFID), ICCO, Give2Asia, Citi Foundation and Mercy Relief is both a quick-fix and a strategic solution that is raised in 45 days and has a life expectancy of 15 years. The structure was initially piloted in Mansehra for 30 community-based/public-private schools after earthquake. These are cost-effective, time-efficient, safe & reliable transitory alternatives. This initiative has facilitated return of nearly 16,000 girls and boys to improved schools.

Women Voices

Community Organizations across KP celebrated the International Women’s Day and Sixteen-Days of Activism against GBV. This was part of SRSP’s efforts to target patriarchal attitudes erupting in to discriminatory behavioral practices. During one of the sessions on women rights, a woman activist said, ‘Women in our society are the ones suppressed, she is blamed for everything, is it a crime to be a woman?’

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Partnership between SRSP and GIZ-RAHA• Formationof179CBOscovering4,000

households in target districts.

• 500communityactiviststrainedin social cohesion, co-existence, managerial skills, resources mobilization and planning and development.

• Initiation&completionof76community-managed small-scale infrastructure schemes benefiting 14,000 population.

• 367menandwomenfacilitatedwith establishment of small-scale enterprises through capacity building initiatives and small grants development training.

• 75ParentTeacherCouncilswereformed and trained to develop school improvement plans benefiting 75 government schools. Similarly, 11 Health Management Committees were organized and trained benefiting 16 health centers.

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ACCESS TO JUSTICE PROGRAMME

SRSP, with assistance of international partners, plans to widen scope of its work to include ‘Access to Justice Initiatives’ (A2J) under which access of communities to improved mechanisms of informal and formal justice sector would be enhanced by building local capacities and promoting social audits especially in Malakand Division. The need assessment exercise in three districts; Nowshera, Chitral and Swat provided qualitative and quantitative data regarding most pressing

legal problems, knowledge, perception and actual experiences of vulnerable individuals. At least 2,700 individuals were interviewed during the process, besides engaging District Bar Association, Local Government officials, lawyers and judges, police, prosecutors and community leaders to examine ability of formal and informal justice mechanisms to resolve community problems. It also led to identify hard/soft issues by communities to focus upon. The A2J initiatives would complement RSP’s participatory approach to development by strengthening right-holders and duty-bearers nexus.

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PROMOTING VALUE CHAINS AND LOCAL ENTERPRISESSRSP’s value chain and enterprise development programme promote and support development of small scale enterprises in rural areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. SRSP’s two decades long field interactions, lessons from programme areas, and findings from robust research highlighted that unless marketing constraints are adequately addressed, farmers and producers would not be able to take full advantage of the support received through SRSP and other development agencies. Resultantly, SRSP refined its enterprise development approach. The approach focused creating ‘competent entrepreneurs’ through polishing individual business development and management capacities. It also focused developing demand driven and product specific value chains in SRSP’s programme areas.

The Enterprise Development Programme had notable achievements in last two years. With nominal 191 million PKR, it has been able to reach 9,900 beneficiaries in selected 12 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The programme package had been innovative and responsive to field realities. Haripur, for e.g., being peaceful and conducive for

women interventions allowed SRSP to develop seedling value chain focusing specifically on women producers through technical and financial support of CIDA/MEDA. Similarly with financial support from ICMC, SRSP emphatically focused Extremely Vulnerable Individuals recovering from earthquake 2005 through ED support and Value Chain Development in Mansehra. The EVIs, once marginalized, are now productive human resources running successful small scale businesses in Manshera and Balakot.

The ED approach/strategy in case of war affected districts was tailored to local needs. Timing of services and provision of technical and financial resources were most important factors to revive local businesses. Responding to this situation, SRSP engaged local communities for stepping up few processes and deliver requisite services e.g. technical, financial and business development support in shortest possible time. The efforts help revived 3,500 small scale businesses through active support of UNDP benefitting a large population who otherwise could become soft targets for radical elements.

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The ED Programme is not static but dynamic incorporating field learning and competencies in other districts to benefit rural communities. The Haripur seedling project was replicated for milk, mushroom, honey and local cloth production in districts Charsadda, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Battgram, Swat, and Buner through various projects supported by ICMC, AusAid, Asian Development Bank, UNDP and ILO. Similar efforts have also been undertaken to support entrepreneurs under BK Poverty Alleviation Programme in four districts to initiate and sustain businesses with high success rates.

Impact of MEDA Seedling Project

The project supported 1,350 women producers. In less than four years, the project has been able to develop an association of 1,350 women producers maintain linkages with commercial nursery operators locally and nationally. An independent survey indicated an increase in income from PKR 98 in 2010 to PKR 2,143 per producer in 2012. The survey shows an increase of 98% in assets per producer. The saving (90%) from enhanced income in invested again in the business to expand and diversify.

Adoption of new farming techniques through ADB/ASF has enabled farmers to increase their icomes 5 folds in 3 districts .The employment in these areas has increased by 149%, while labor rates have increased from 50 to 300 PKR/day.

An average increase of 6,300 rupees per month by enhancing milk production and adopting precautionary measure against diseases in Charsadda, Nowshera and Peshawar.

83 sub production units of adda work embroidery, candle making, ladies foot wear making and cushion making are working under the leadership of women in Mansehra, Balakot, Battgram.

Extremely vulnerable individuals in Mansehra and conflict affected communities in Swat and Buner are independently running successful micro enterprises.

MAJORACHIEVEMENTS

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HUMANITARIAN PROGRAMMES AND EARLY RECOVERY EFFORTSSRSP over the last few years has been one of the leading players and partner for providing humanitatrian services in disaster affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Its efforts in relief and rehabilitation through an active participation of local communities have been widely acknowledged by national and international partners. From natural to man-made disasters in KP, SRSP has taken a lead to support humanitatrian organization in timely distribution of resources to save precious lives of vulnerable population. During the period of 2010 to 2012, SRSP remained active in providing assistance to IDPs in camps/residing with host families and early recovery support to returning families. The details of support provided is presented below:

• Total of 80,850 IDP families from South Waziristan, Orakzai,Mohmand, and Kurram were assisted through provision of NFIs.

• 20,517 families from Orakzai and Mohmand agencies wereprovided with winterization kits.

• 2,374 IDPs families from Kurram and Orakzai Agency wereprovided with fuel efficient stoves.

• 29,300 families from DI Khan, Tank, South Waziristan, Kurram,Orakzai, Mohmand and Bajuar agencies were registered for voluntary return, provided transportation facility and refrehments during voluntary return (VR) to their homes.

• Earlyrecoveryshelterkitswereprovidedto1,910IDPsfamiliesinSouth Waziristan Agency.

• OneRoomPermanentShelters(1,937)wereconstructedinSwat,Malakand, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Chitral, Shangla and Kohistan.

• 400 emergency transitional shelters were provided to IDPsfamilies in central Kurram Agency.

• Total of 8,360 tents were distributed among IDPs families fromsouth Waziristan and Mohmand Agency during their voluntary return.

• Total 8,486 IDPs families were given plastic sheets & rolls inMohmand Agency.

• 1,018hygienekitswereprovidedto IDPs inOrakzaiandKurramAgency.

Unique Challenge-Innovative Response

The IDP crisis with massive influx of population from turbulent districts/tribal areas including Swat, Buner, Shangla, Dir, Bajuar, Orakzai, South Waziristan and Kurram Agency presented a unique challenge. The inadequate and inappropriate government established camps forced the IDPs to take refuge with relatives/host families in neghbouring districts. Almost 70% of IDPs were outside camps and scattered making it impossible for either government agencies and international donors to reach them and deliver services. SRSP based on its experience, local knowledge, context and social capital was able to develop a unique community based response to assist 473,000 IDP families through provision of NFIs, fuel wood and winterization kits. The massive operation was made possible through SRSP maintained logistic solution units with stocks worth over 90 million US$. Based on this experience SRSP designed/improved its early recovery and development assistance in KP and triabla areas.

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During massive floods of 2010, SRSP launched its relief and rehabilitation activities in fourteen districts of KP with support of UNHCR, local and international donors and philanthropists. Within first few days of floods, SRSP was able to establish 14 hubs and 3 warehouses to address challenges of this disaster at a massive scale. Below is a brief narration of efforts undertaken by SRSP during floods of 2010;

• 165,231 families in 13 districts of KP were provided with NFIs,tents, plastic sheets with support of UNHCR.

• 89,000 families were supported with food packages/cookedfood and clean potable water in camps of district Nowshera with support from UNHCR.

• 24,000beneficiarieswereprovidedwithfreemedical facilities inDistricts Peshawar, Charsadda, Swat, Dir, and Kohistan.

• Over 400 households were provided with safe drinking waterfacility in district Chitral

• Approx 10,000 large and small ruminants were vaccinated indistrict Swat with financial assisstence of ICCO.

• SRSP established 2 Livestock Shelters that accommodate over200 animals in Charsadda for displaced families arriving with their animals.

With its flexibility and responsiveness, SRSP remained committed to support community both in immediate and long term needs. SRSP implemented its early recovery program in 13 districts (mainly Swat, DI Khan, Buner, Shangla, Kohistan, Malakand, Peshawar, Nowshera, and Charsadda) of KP and selected tribal areas (South Wazirstan, Mohmand and Orakzai) in FATA. Through its early recovery program, SRSP developed partnerships with 23 national and international donors to initiate diverse programmes to benefit communities. Apart from focusing early recovery initiatives, SRSP focused developing local institutions and reviving livelihood sources in affected areas. SRSP presence contributed to the following;

• Formationofover1,638menandwomenCOsbenefiting40,950households or 307, 000 population.

• Restore, rehabilitate and refurbish small scale infrastructurebenefitted 141,000 men and women community members. In addition, SRSP developed 910 new small scale infrastructure schemes benefiting 171,000 population in flood affected districts.

• Constructionof6,593earlyrecoverysheltersforhomeless.

• Trainingsof11,730menandwomen invariousskills tosupportand strengthen livelihoods.

Partners in Post flood Early Recovery

Partners in post flood early recovery comprised UNHCR, UNDP, UNEP, AusAid, GIZ, UK-DfID, RSPN, Imran Khan Foundation, PPAF, American Pakistan Foundation, KFW, Citi Foundation, CAFOD, Caritas Italy, ICCO, IDRF, UKaid, International SOS, Give2Asia, Mercy Relief, OSI, NDMA/PDMA, Pakistan Military and Afghan Commissionrate.

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PARTNERS IN DEVELOPMENTSRSP has worked with all major development partners during these last two years. These partners have enabled SRSP to deliver services as per needs of partner communities in rural areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The list of prominent partners comprise ICMC, CIDA, UN-ILO, UNHCR, UNDP, UK-DfID, PPAF, Government of Kyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan, Open Society Institute (OSI), GIZ, and RSPN. The following section will present (briefly) some of the major field initiatives with technical and financial assistance of development partners.

Deepening Poverty Reduction Efforts through Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund

The partnership in year 2000 between SRSP and Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund had been most crucial in history of SRSP. The partnership on one hand provided requisite resources to expand in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but even more importantly it had invested in SRSP to refine its systems and procedures and develop staff capacities to perform their roles and responsibilities efficiently and effectively. The decade long partnership has been eventful. From thinly spreading its resources in initial stages of partnership to disaster response in earthquake affected areas and now deepening poverty reduction efforts are all reflective of continuous learning and refining programme interventions to reduce rural poverty.

With over a billion PKR portfolio currently, the approach under SRSP-PPAF partnership is two pronged. On one hand sector specific interventions are focused e.g. social mobilization or small scale infrastructure schemes, while on other hand integration amongst various sectors e.g. social mobilization, small scale infrastructure schemes, capacity building and asset transfer is desired for socio-economic growth of areas and population. Currently SRSP is host to a number of PPAF and PPAF-KFW supported projects and programmes in districts Peshawar, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Mansehra, Battgram,

Shangla, Kohistan, Upper Dir, Swat and Chitral. The realization of low involvement of women in PPAF supported interventions led to redesigning projects and programmes to engage women more proactively. As a result the gender ratios from 20s and low 30s have improved and increased to almost 50%.

SRSP values its partnership with PPAF for many reasons. The support provided through PPAF over the years and in current reporting period has enabled SRSP to consolidate and concentrate its efforts in above mentioned districts. The over decade long partnership between SRSP and PPAF and coverage of 930,000 population under this partnership is in itself a proof of trust and mutual respect between two partners.

Reducing poverty in rural areas through Bacha Khan Poverty Alleviation Programme.

The Bacha Khan Poverty Alleivation Programme symbolizes a unique public private partnership between government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP). The Government of KP provided leadership and resources, while SRSP provided outreach in rural areas and delivery of services with autonomy, responsiveness, flexibility and downward accountability to the communities. The two years programme was initiated in forty union councils of four selected districts (Mardan, Karak, Battgram and Upper Dir) and was jointly implemented by SRSP and Planning & Development Department, Government of KP. The programme had three major components including social mobilization, improving and strengthening rural livelihoods and social protection.

Under component (social mobilization), the programme was able to form 4,200 community based organsiations representing 92,000 households. These CBOs were federated into 630 village based and 13 Local Support organizations. Under component (improving and strengthening rural livelihoods) the programme adopted

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innovative approaches to benefit poor and marginalized communities. The community managed revolving funds (136 miilion PKR) benefited 14,500 beneficiaries (mostly women) in mentioned four districts. This component also focused improving and strengthening livelihoods through management of Natural Resources and undertaking small scale infrastructure schemes (CPIs). Over 77,000 community members availed trainings and services in Natural resources contributing to an increase in income in target areas, while 683 schemes with a cost of 378 million PKR benefited over 408,000 households, besides contributing to an enhanced productivity in the target areas. Under component (social protection), the programme provided health insurance services to 28,000 poor and vulnerable members especially women thus reducing out of pocket expenditure on health in these areas. Improving health was also coupled with improving technical and vocational skills. Nearly 5,000 members were trained in technical and employable skills. These trained members have availed jobs in formal and informal sectors inland and abroad and are source of regular income for their poor families. During its life, BK-PAP has made remarkable strides in implementing a comprehensive poverty reduction programme in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It has also ensured financial transparency and social accountability in its implementation duly acknowledged by international auditors and well reputed national research firms.

Implementing livelihood strengthening programme in volatile regions through CIDA

The deteriorating environment and situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA is an open fact. This turbulent environment has forced many development organizations to either shrink or wind up their projects/programmes. Fair enough from perspective of these organizations not to take any risk but then the poor communities are also denied potential opportunities through such organizations (either national or international) to improve their lives and situation. In such a scenario, the likelihood of poor community members becoming soft targets for radical elements increases substantially. Accepting the dual challenge of working in turbulent areas and improving their livelihoods, SRSP in partnership with CIDA designed and implemented a distinctive programme for reducing poverty through integrated interventions in FR Peshawar and Kurram Agency. The programme with a modest pace at an initial phase has gradually developed its roots in communities and during this reporting period it has considerably picked up the momentum by intensifying its activities

at community level. RSPs time tested ‘community engagement’ approach has proven to be effective in programme expansion with minimum risks. So far 141 community based institutions in FR Peshawar and Kurram Agency have been formed. For the first time in history of FATA, SRSP has been able to form Women organizations (30) to specifically undertake women initiatives. These members of community based organizations are extensively supported through capacity building efforts (leadership, managerial skills, exposure visits etc) to sustain activities at community level. Benefiting 14,000 population, the small scale infrastructure schemes (73) initiated by the programme has also improved irrigation water availability, clean and potable water availability, farm to market roads, sanitation and soil conservation in FATA. The improvement in productivity is coupled with capacity building events to manage natural resources efficiently and effectively at community level. During the process, 7,000 community members have benefited from such events and have multiplied the effects of these events by imparting and sharing leant skills with other community members. To improve social sector services, SRSP under this programme has established community based schools to benefit, especially, girl child in FATA. In many instances, since independence, there had been no schools in these resource poor and marginalized areas thus denying children from one of their basic rights i.e. education. As much as 18 community based schools are delivering education services and investing in future of over 1,500 children in FATA. To improve health,

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the programme has arranged medical camps as per local culture and context. The camps managed to facilitate 22,000 population with free check ups supplemented with provision of need-based medicines.

Apart from community involvement and an understanding of local context, the programme has been able to engage FATA secretariat and political administration meaningfuly. The involvement of these institutions has further supported smooth implementation of the programme. The programme at various levels and stages has arranged events to create an interface between local communities and government institutions/political administration for improving service delivery mechanism. The programme has visible impacts in engaging local communities and reducing poverty in volatile regions.

Working in Border Districts through AusAid

To reduce negative impacts of poverty, SRSP in partnership with AusAid further consolidated integrated interventions in selected three districts i.e. Peshawar, Nowshera and Charsadda of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to reach over two hundred thousand population. The project is unique in many aspects. Above all, inclusion of poor through various interventions has been one of the most salient features. In addition strong focus on women has enabled thousands of poor women to come out of poverty trap. Based on core philosophy and approach of RSPs, the project has developed over 400 community based institutions covering almost 10,000 population. The process of federating these institutions at higher level has taken off and so far 146 apex level institutions have been formed to resolve issues at village level.

The project has taken proactive measures to develop leadership and management capacity of community leaders, who have taken a charge of community affairs and are playing a vital role in further expanding the project benefits through linkages with other service providers in the areas. To improve productivity and boost economic growth, the project with active involvement of partner communities has initiated 145 small scale infrastructure schemes benefiting 48,000

men and women community members. At household level, the project has been innovative in introducing community based and managed revolving funds with women members. These women have been able to disburse over 10 million PKR to a 1,000 beneficiaries with prospects of further expanding it. The process of initiation of internal lending in these women institutions is an indicator of their maturity. Another unique aspect of the project is engaging women to contribute to household income. The exclusive income generating funds for women and their involvement in mushroom, seedling and fresh milk value chains have proved that women in so called conservative societies are willing to participate in economic activities and support their partners to enhance income for a secured future. But this does not mean that men are excluded to benefit from the project. The project, in this agrarian zone, has extensively worked with small scale men farmers, developed their capacities through Farmer Field Schools and extensions services and provided them with improved seeds and fertilizers to boost agriculture productivity vis-à-vis increased income. Those without lands have been mainstreamed through imparting technical and vocational skills to avail employment opportunities in formal and non formal sectors. The project is on-going and by the end of year 2 (June 2012), it has been able to reach over 104,000 population mostly women. The mid-term review conducted by independent firm acknowledged project effort in mainstreaming poor, enhancing income and engaging women in economic activities from conservative societies and cultures.

British Council’s Active Citizen Programme-Investing in Youth

Investing in youth is an investment in our future. SRSP in partnership with British Council initiated ‘Active Citizen Programme’ in two districts which has been expanded to seven districts (Abbottabad, Haripur, Nowshera, Mansehra, Battgram, Charsadda and Chitral) of KP. The progamme focuses on developing capacity of young leaders from community and encourage them to perform volunteer social action projects in their regions which can contribute towards any positive change within their communities. So far capacity of over 855 (435 male and 417 female) volunteer young leaders has been developed to initiate ‘social action projects’ on themes like conflict resolution, peace building, health and hygiene, women empowerment, environmental issues, adult literacy, social sector services and psycho-social support in respective areas. So far 259 social action projects have been initiated in these mentioned seven districts. Amongst these, four projects have also been nominated for national awards. These young leaders through international networking and national exchange visits shared their local experiences with fellow young leaders, besides learning from others. At higher level, these leaders have also been provided with an opportunity to interact with state representatives contributing to an improvement in governance and promoting state-citizen interaction.

National Poverty Targeting Survey through Benazir Income Support Programme-Govt. of Pakistan

Based on successful completion and learning of test phase in 2009, the

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Government of Pakistan under Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) launched a national poverty targeting survey. The programme was implemented in five clusters to cover all four provinces and FATA. SRSP based on experiences of 2009 pilot phase survey in district Karak was further handed over 10 districts comprising Peshawar, Nowshera, Lower Dir, Haripur, Abbotabad, Mansehra, Kohat, Hangu, Tank and DI Khan and five Frontier Regions including FR Peshawar, Kohat, Tank, DI Khan and Tor Ghar. The survey and subsequent submission of forms and redressal of complaints took approximately nine months through employing 1,370 professional and field staff members. Overall, SRSP in mentioned areas through these professionals completed massive survey of 1.87 million households or 10 million population in record time.

CAFOD reviving livelihoods in Chitral

SRSP in partnership with CAFOD worked on small scale initiatives to restore and revive livelihoods. The partnership resulted in restoring 17 drinking water supply schemes benefitting over 1,700 households. CAFOD also facilitated in developing two link roads to ensure an easy access of local villagers to main town. It also extended an active support to 400 poor and vulnerable families for development of small scale enterprises thereby contributing to an enhanced income.

SRSP and Citi Foundation; Improving School to Career Connection, livelihoods and infrastructure

SRSP in partnership with Citi Foundation aimed to improve accessibility of poor students to secondary education besides developing their entrepreneurial skills. The subject project targeted low-income students who had appeared for secondary school exams from two government secondary schools (1 girl’s and 1 boy’s) in Swat. Additional support for fostering their skills and talents through teachers and parent teacher councils was also provided to these girls and boys students. The project enabled 60 students in acquiring employability and entrepreneurial skills and also to pursue post-secondary education. Similarly in district Chitral, under the partnership, rehabilitation of government girls primary school in Ursoon Valley was undertaken. The school was only institute catering educational needs of the children in the valley and was burnt by insurgents in 2010. Through this partnership between SRSP and Citi Foundation, local girls have started attending their school and availing education services, which otherwise would have taken a long time to recommence. The partnership also resulted in developing innovative infrastructure e.g. chairlift on river Swat, suspension bridges, micro hydro project, BHU and drinking water supply schemes.

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Programme Component Description Total

1 Social Mobilization

Men Community Organizations (in Nos.) 14,287

Membership in Men Community Organizations (in Nos.) 356,361

Women Community Organizations (in Nos.) 5,812

Membership in Women Community Organizations (in Nos.) 142,861

Number of Local Support Organizations (in Nos.) 59

Member Organizations (Men and Women) (in Nos.) 3,777

Membership of Local Support Organizations (in Nos.) 77,000

2Physical Infrastructure Water Environment and Sanitation

Number of Community Physical Infrastructure Schemes Initiated (in Nos.) 7,255

Cost of the Community Physical Infrastructure Schemes (in Million PKR) 2,995

Beneficiaries of Community Physical Infrastructure Schemes (in Nos.) 11,010,413

3 Microfinance

Since Inception

Amount Disbursed (Rs. In Million) 686

Amount Disbursed to Men (Rs. In Million) 267

Amount Disbursed to Women (Rs. In Million) 419

Beneficiaries (Nos.) 62,788

Beneficiaries (men) in Nos. 24,781

Beneficiaries (women) in Nos. 38,027

As of June 2012

Portfolio Outstanding as on June 2012 (Rs. In Million) 23

Number of Active Loans as on June 2012 (Nos.) 3,179

Average Loan Size in Pak Rupees 10,900

Repayment Rates % 100%

Write-Off ration since programme inception 5%

4 Human Resource Development

Community Training

Members Trained (men) in Nos. 20,964

Members Trained (women) in Nos. 17,280

Vocational Training

Members Trained (men) in Nos. 4,952

Members Trained (women) in Nos. 3,276

Staff Training

Male Staff Trained in Nos. 2,053

Female Staff Trained in Nos. 1,052

5Social Sector Services and Gender and Development

Community Based Schools (in Nos.)

Students Enrolled (in Nos.) 70

Schools Repaired / Reconstructed 3,544

Teachers Trained (Men/Women) (in Nos.) 61

PTCs/PTAs Trained (in Nos.) 120

6Development and Humanitarian Programme

Beneficiaries (families) of IDP's Relief & Rehabilitation Efforts 155,152

Beneficiaries (families) of Flood Relief & Rehabilitation Efforts 278,631

Beneficiaries of Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Programme 166,000

STATISTICAL ABSTRACT (UP TO JUNE 2012)

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Sarhad Rural Support Programme

109, Street 2B, Defence Officers’ Colony, Khyber Road, Peshawar

Telephone: 92-91-9211417, 5285389

Fax: 92-91-5276734

E-mail: srsp@srsp.org.pk

www.srsp.org.pk