Pakistan

Background

Following the failure of the local level peace accord, in May 2009 the Pakistan military launched a campaign to eradicate Pakistani Taliban groups from their strong-holds in the Malakand region, including Buner, Swat, Shangla, Upper Dir and Lower Dir. The conflict seriously impacted the socio-economic conditions of millions of people residing along the Pakistan / Afghan border, and particularly in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the districts within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).

An estimated 2.7 million persons were displaced as a direct result of the conflict of which 1.6 million have returned so far. The conflict adversely impacted livelihoods and the capacities of the provincial / local governance authorities and civil society organizations to take on the challenges. In order to effectively deal with the IDP crisis, the government has established coordinating mechanisms such as Special Support Group (SSG) and the Provincial Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Authority (PaRRSA), which needs strengthening to cater to the overwhelming demand for its services.

There is also an urgent need for conflict prevention and social cohesion to address the growing divide amongst communities and community members based on who supported and benefitted from conflict and those who fell victim to it.

Strategy and Objective

To support the return and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) through income generation and economic rehabilitation activities and contribute towards addressing the structural causes of conflict through peace building interventions.

Key Results

PaRRSA’s capacity enhanced with 145 UNDP-supported technical staff for coordination of reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement and to provide one-window facilitation to development partners;

102 solar water pumps, 419 solar geysers and  30 solar lights installed in public buildings (Masjids, hospitals and schools) in affected districts including Swat, Buner, Dir Upper and Dir Lower;

131 small scale infrastructure schemes including drinking water supply schemes, irrigation channels, streets, micro hydles, drains, community buildings, suspension bridges, link roads and agriculture land rehabilitation undertaken benefiting more than 250,000 people (52% women);
 
1,631 poor and vulnerable people directly employed through cash-for-work earning PKR 8.8 million;

188 Community Organizations (COs) comprising identified to participate in vocational skills and enterprise development. More than 700 youth, including 267 women provided skills development trainings and cash grants to set-up small business enterprises. This has resulted in an increase in income ranging from PKR  2,500- 5,000;

Comprehensive damage assessment of government buildings conducted in collaboration with PaRRSA.  79 severely damaged government buildings prioritized for rehabilitation/repair;

1,699 volunteers trained in disaster management skills (626 women). Kits containing essentials tools and equipment placed at each Union Council along with a complete database of trained volunteers;

More than 10,000 people engaged through the seed funding component.  Interventions include youth facilitation centers, skills centers, conversion of marble dust into fertilizer, formation of peace committees, tree plantation, sports competitions, poetry debates, Quran recitation competitions, peace walks and capacity building on disaster management and distribution of 538 sports kits to schools and sports clubs etc;

More than 70,000 individuals from around the country participated in the “Amman Festival, Ski Gala and Spirit of Swat” festivals arranged to revive tourism;

188 village and neighborhood-based citizens groups formulated to participate in the development process. These groups have completed 86 small seed funded projects; while 56 are in progress. Moreover, press clubs, bar associations and community empowerment desks have been mobilized to address public issues;

Support provided to the Rule of Law project (2010-2013), which seeks to enhance the capacity for Rule of Law institutions to provide adequate security services, and ensure effective and speedy justice delivery. The Project will work with the Courts, Police, and the Prosecution at the provincial and district levels. Legal aid support will be extended through legal aid clinics and increased legal awareness and literacy.