Second SWAT Relief Programme by Heritage Foundation Pakistan

The programme for relief for Swat was undertaken almost immediately after news regarding havoc caused by the floods was reported. As the enormity of the devastation became clear, we began to prepare ourselves for responding to the needs that would emerge. The first paper was written and circulated in the first week of August which identified the different stages of assistance i.e. relief, shelter and rehabilitation.

As a response to the appeal by Ms. Yasmeen Lari, CEO, Heritage Foundation, friends and well wishers began to respond immediately.

With the help coming forth our first batch of food and NFIs to 30 families, equal to approximately 5,000 meals, were delivered on 10th August in Mingora which is among the most badly affected areas. The work was undertaken by HF Project Coordinator Mr. Naheem Shah, who ventured in to the area in spite of adverse reports regarding road access and stability issues.

The next batch consisting of ration and NFIs for150 families gifted by Mr. Murad Jamil, sufficient for over 22,000 meals was delivered on 15th August by Mr. Naheem Shah. 76 packages were delivered to families in Marghazar, a remote locality close to the handloom centre of Islamapur, where almost all the houses had been swept away or damaged by lightning, the remaining in Mingora.

Another batch of food packages and NFIs for150 families gifted by Mr. Murad Jamil were delivered on 21st August on my visit to Swat. These were given to the families in various localities of Mingora i.e. Zahidabad, Akhtarabad and to some from a locality known as Bangladesh.

At each distribution, lists are prepared along with identity card numbers. Tokens are provided with numbers to each person who is provided with the food packs on presentation of the token. Either thumb prints or signatures are taken from each person. As much as possible women and special persons/children are given priority.

The first packages for more than 5,000 meals were bought from the funds received. So far we have distributed rations for approximately 55,000 meals and another 50,000 meals will be distributed (received from UNESCO) within this week. Thus our target for providing meals and NFIs to 500 families will have been exceeded. Accordingly, it has been decided that the funds received will be utilized for the purposes of shelter and low cost water filters, which are needed urgently.

Shelter – Green KaravanGhar

A design for Green KaravanGhar size15’x10’ (to accommodate 4 persons), size 18’6”x10’3” (to accommodate 5 persons) has been finalized and the an experimental unit (15’x10’) to test its jointing and other details has been constructed at the Heritage Foundation Base Camp in Chattar, Hazara. The design has been developed by architects of Heritage Foundation in collaboration with eminent engineer Amin Tariq and his colleagues. Since the design is based on use of bamboo, cross bracing (locally known as dhijji), stone, lime and mud, it is cost effective, has a low carbon footprint and can be constructed speedily.

A piece of land has been selected in Marghazar, in the vicinity of a school building and close to a small army chowki run by Lieutenant Shoaib, a young army officer, who has provided full cooperation during our visits. The owner of the land whose house was completely washed away, has agreed to our proposal for setting up our Field Camp and construction of a prototype Green KaravanGhar (size 18’6”x 10’3”).

The work on leveling of the site has been completed on 23rd August. For setting up the field camp, 2 large tents, rudimentary office furniture, tent equipment and construction material have been sent from the HF Base Camp to Marghazar.

According to the work plan, a room will be completed by 1st September 2010, while demo bamboo structure (without finishing) for verandah and a demo foundation/ bamboo post jointing will be constructed for demonstration of jointing etc. A team consisting of Architect Yasmeen Lari, Engineer Amin Tariq, Architect Zain ul Abedin along with four volunteers will arrive at the HF Field Camp on 1st September to examine the finished unit and to organize the construction work on shelters for vulnerable groups. During their stay until 7th September, the volunteers will oversee the construction of 8-10 shelters.

For houses where walls have partially survived and can be used, a solution for construction of bamboo roofs has also been developed.

In the meantime, a list of the first beneficiaries is being prepared and will be posted.

Event: Second SWAT Relief Programme

Organizer: Heritage Foundation Pakistan

Address: E-6, Fourth Gizri Street, DHA 4, Karachi

Contact: +9221-35863474, 35834215

Fax: +9221-35863474

Email: info@heritagefoundationpak.org

URL: www.heritagefoundationpak.org