Category: Activities

Insecure aid workers – December 25, 2012

By: Naseer Memon THE Aid Worker Security Report 2012 has grouped Pakistan among the five countries where aid workers face the most attacks.The other four include Afghanistan, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. The report was released only a few days before the country witnessed the brutal killings of several anti-polio campaign workers in Karachi and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within two days. The reaction of aid agencies like Unicef and the World Health Organisation was the immediate suspension of the immunisation campaign. Pakistan already has an unenviable public image and the country’s security credentials hit rock bottom after the attacks, with such incidents placing more strictures on aid workers. The aforementioned report mentions that a rising trend of attacks on aid workers has been observed globally in recent years. In 2011, a total of 308 aid workers were killed, kidnapped or wounded, which is 340 per cent higher than the number of victims in 2001. The victims include both international and local aid workers. In fact, local aid workers are on the higher side, with 280 cases. According to the report some 72 per cent of cases were reported in the aforementioned five countries — all politically unstable and home to chronic conflicts. Between 2006 and 2010, Pakistan was fifth in the ranking on the number of incidents and sixth in the ranking on murder rates. The grim fact sheet further tarnishes the already battered reputation of the country in the international community.Since 2005 Pakistan has faced disasters of various types, both natural and man-made. Floods over the last few years have particularly exposed the vulnerability of the country in the throes of climate change. These disasters displaced millions of people, triggering humanitarian appeals and attention from the international community. Unfortunately, they coincided with protracted conflicts against militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which rendered millions of people homeless. Even a highly stable country would be tested by the scale and frequency of such disasters. The international and local humanitarian community has been relentlessly scrambling to provide aid to people in all corners of the country. Despite the absence of exact numbers, it would not be unrealistic to estimate that humanitarian workers in Pakistan are in the thousands, and include countless unpaid community volunteers. Political instability, a fragile law and order situation, frail institutions and sociopolitical polarisation make the country a breeding ground for violent elements. These elements find humanitarian workers ‘soft targets’ because of their ubiquitous presence, especially in far-flung areas. A number of high-profile cases of kidnapping and killing of aid workers occurred in Pakistan in recent years, jeopardising the outreach of humanitarian organisations. A septuagenarian Swedish female social worker was shot in Lahore and passed away in her home country only a few days ago. A British Red Cross worker, Khalil Rasjed Dale, was killed after being kidnapped in Quetta in April. This constrained the Red Cross to scale down its work in the country. In August, the bodies of three Christian aid workers were recovered. They had been working in Mingora. In 2011, Warren Weinstein, chief of a consulting firm, was abducted by unidentified armed men in Lahore. The local staff of humanitarian organisations has not been spared either. Several incidents of kidnapping and killing of local aid workers have also been reported. Such incidents have confined foreign staff of aid agencies to hotels and heavily guarded offices. It has also increased the security cost of aid projects, eating into net resources trickling down to the people. As a result, many international aid agencies have curtailed their foreign staff and at times ceased to operate in certain areas, leaving communities at the mercy of an ineffective government system of rescue and relief. The political situation is another reason behind restrictions on the international aid community. From visa issues to restricted movement, a number of impediments make it difficult for aid workers to perform their duties. Considering the vulnerability of the country to natural disasters and its geo-strategic location, Pakistan can ill afford the brazen targeting of aid workers. The occurrence of more disasters and conflicts cannot be ruled out in the near future. The scale of the risk can be judged from the fact that the Global Climate Risk Index 2013 report has ranked Pakistan as the third most affected country after Thailand and Cambodia due to climate-related disasters. In terms of human development, the crevasse of unmet targets is further widening. The country is ranked at 145 on the Human Development Index. Most of the Millennium Development Goals are far from being met. In the current year Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan jointly shared 97 per cent of the world’s polio cases. The state of human development in Pakistan demands sustained humanitarian support to extricate the country from the quagmire of illiteracy and disease. Sustained aid flow requires robust monitoring by international aid agencies to bridge the gaps in human development. This requires a peril-free environment for aid workers to operate. Crimes against aid workers are being perpetrated by criminal gangs and extremist groups. The conventional solution of providing escorts has not yielded the desired result. Aid agencies avoid accepting escorts as it enhances their visibility, making them further vulnerable. It is a complex situation where conventional solutions cannot deliver. The security framework needs major overhauling to restore the confidence of aid workers who are doing commendable service for the people of Pakistan. Political stability, enforcement of law and better governance are the key ingredients of the solution. Pakistan needs to urgently address the issue of security for aid workers before it is too late. Daily Dawn- 25th December 2012 http://dawn.com/2012/12/25/insecure-aid-workers/

SPO marks Human Rights day – December 10, 2012

SPO organized a roundtable meeting regarding socio-political situation in Balochistan to mark Human Rights Day in Islamabad. Dr. Tufail M khan, Chairperson SPO presided, Naseer Memon Chief Executive SPO welcomed the invitees. Zafarullah Khan, a leading policy analyst, was invited to moderate the discussion. Speakers, participants and the subjects covered are listed below; Dr. Tasnim Ashraf, Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, Dr. Naimatullah Gichki, Mr. Abdul Khalique Hazara, Mr. Faseeh Iqbal, Adv. Zahoor Shahwani, Dr. Ameer Bakhsh, Mr. Abdul Razzaq Sabir, Mr. Nasrullah Zeray, Ms. Jahanara Tabassum, Ms. Jamila Kazi, Dr. Prof. Karamat Ali, Syed Abid Rizvi, Mr. Mohammad Amin ,Mr. Javed Jabbar ,Dr. Tufail Mohammad Khan,Dr. Taj Baloch,Ms. Rukhshanda Naz, Ms. Farida Tahir Nowsherwani, Ms. Zeenat Yaqoob Yousafzai, Mr. Mukhtiar Chhalgari, Mr. Tanveer Ahmed. Speakers identified the negative impact on the social, cultural and economic aspects of society and called for urgent remedial actions and reforms both by the civil and military institutions under the control of the Federal Government and by the Provincial government. There was complete consensus that while there are some examples of continued functioning of certain institutions and while there is wide-spread demand for quality education, health care and security, in most respects the situation is alarming and deserves concerted and comprehensive improvement. It was agreed that Balochistan has become a subject of regional geo politics and receives global attention and is no longer merely an internal problem. There is still time to stem the decline and to begin altering conditions for the better to fulfill the fundamental human rights of the people of Balochistan who want to build a peaceful, pluralist , democratic Pakistan that respects human dignity and ensures human security. While missing persons, sectarian attacks, kidnappings, targeted killings, corruption and mis- governance in Balochistan are already widely known and reported by media, a great silent tragedy is also unfolding every day directly impacted by the decline of law and order. This tragedy is evident in the virtually non-functional sections of primary education in particular, in public health services, in lack of access to basic infrastructural services by rural as well as several urban settlements, in the disempowered status of the large majority of women in the Province and the dis- engagement of most of the youth from the pursuit of education. Women and children have become the worst victims of continued neglect and worsened conditions. Whereas the maternal mortality rate in Pakistan is about 272 per 100,000 births, the  same rate in Balochistan is over 600 per 100,000 births. Doctors have been specially targeted in past two years, eg. 27 killed, 16 kidnapped, 40 tortured and about 100 who have migrated from the province. Along-with the ongoing confrontation with the Provincial government, the health care system is virtually paralyzed. Deep concern was expressed at the freedom being given to religious extremists and to death squads to perpetrate threats and violence as well as conduct killings, kidnappings and destructive actions. SPO will prepare a report for publication and circulation to the Federal and Provincial governments, to the Judiciary, to civil society and to the media. The Express Tribune The Nation Jehan Pakistan Daily Qudrat

AAWAZ Voice and Accountability Programme

AAWAZ Voice and Accountability (V&A) is DFID-funded, five-year long programme, targeted to spread out in approximately 5000 villages and urban communities of 45 districts in Punjab and KP provinces. It aspires to address issues of socio-political and gender marginalization, peace and tolerance and inactive citizen’s demand for social services. Through AAWAZ Voice & Accountability Programme, SPO together with its consortium partners will strengthen citizens’ voices to help them articulate demand for an equitable, inclusive and a meaningful democracy by pressurizing state machinery to respond. The programme, launched in May 2012, is being implemented by a consortium of 5 leading Pakistani NGOs, well skilled at advocacy and research for governance reforms. Aawaz V&A is built on the considerable body of literature and best practices and has been conceived to carry forward the learning of consortium organizations into a large scale multi stakeholder programme. The programme seeks to impact on the promotion of a stable, tolerant, inclusive, prosperous and democratic Pakistan. This will be achieved through the following four outputs: Women’s safe participation in political and public spheres. Peaceful resolution of disputes working together for common solutions. Capacity building of citizens for constructively voicing demands for services and holding government accountable for its performance in service delivery. Improved evidence generated, synthesized, and communicated/championed to political leaders Aawaz V&A promotes establishing and strengthening of community and civil society based structures at village, union council and district levels with manifest 50% membership of women including representation of minority communities and people with disabilities. AAWAZ programme is uniquely positioned to synergize, complement and build on existing similar initiatives with a view to maximizing overall impact of the programme. AAWAZ alone cannot achieve the intended outcome unless it works together with a wide range of actors beyond NGOs to social movements, associations, trade unions, political parties, individual and other actors not normally covered by traditional notions of civil society confined to NGOs alone. Being conscious of the changing configuration of civil society, AAWAZ V&A will seek to forge partnership with the new forces to embed the culture of voice and accountability. As a result of the implementation of this programme, violence against women will become less socially acceptable, the incidence will drop, and women and other excluded groups will be better able to participate safely in politics and in public spaces at local levels, and articulate demands on the issues that affect them. With effective oversight, communities will be better able to resolve disputes peacefully and work together for improved service delivery.

Peace Conference – October 21, 2012

The youth and women of Pakistan should be encouraged to seek a solution to the conflicts faced by the country. It was stated by participants of conference, held at the Lahore College for Women University’s Gender Studies Department in collaboration with the Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO). The conference’s aim was to encourage people to seek peaceful solutions to conflicts in the country, promote justice, equality and social harmony through the participation of disadvantaged groups.Another objective was to make the youth, primarily students, part of the dialogue by making them aware of the facts, the statement said. Neelam Hussain, the Simorgh Women Resource and Publication Centre executive coordinator opened the conference and talked at length about the history of wars.Humaira Sheikh, the Shirkat Gah’s Peace and Conflict Programme director, Dr Sabiha Mansoor, the vice chancellor and SPO Regional Director Salman Abid spoke in the event. Over 400 students and representatives of various civil society organizations attended the conference. At the end of the day’s proceedings, Suneha Theater group staged a play Navein Rukh (New Directions). The play touched upon the importance of peace and resolving conflicts. It also addressed discrimination against women and low spending on health and education sectors and the spending on military budgets.

SPO and AAWAZ Program – October 11, 2012

Pakistan has experienced instability under both democratic and military led governments in its 64 year old existence. “Oxford Policy Management 2004 quotes that as a result of unequal and inappropriate allocation of resources in Pakistan, over 50% of the people remain poor, under-educated, excluded from participation in political processes and vulnerable to co-option by radical extremist groups. Women and minorities are worst hit of these vulnerabilities. The inability of the State to meet the needs of all citizens has distorted governance in the country. Fissures are developing in society, which together with existing inequalities are fuelling growing intolerance and community violence, and making minorities and women even more vulnerable. At community level, small-scale disputes based on existing fault-lines of class, caste, religion and sex among others, (which impede citizens coming together, articulating local priorities clearly and holding service providers to account) can escalate into violent, larger scale conflict, attracting young people many of whom have fewer other options in their lives. Weak governance, social exclusion and the limited capacity of citizens to develop coordinated demands to tackle resource allocation and improved service delivery are some of the reasons for continuing mass poverty in Pakistan. Improved citizen engagement with the state, and especially reform of the patronage-based political system and improved access to the political decision making will help to improve governance. For this to come about, a new and inclusive political compact is needed involving all sections of society. This requires women, young people and other excluded groups to be empowered to demand change, and for the state to respond effectively to the demands of all of its citizens for improved service delivery. Keeping this rationale the AAWAZ project is developed to be implemented in six districts initially with four major outputs leading to a better society for women and minorities with Better facilities and services, Platform for joint actions and Improved communication skills to resolve day to day conflicts that hinder collective thought process. The outcome of the AAWAZ program is that democratic processes in Pakistan are more open, inclusive and accountable to citizens (by 2017). This will contribute to achievement of the impact of a stable, inclusive and tolerant democracy in Pakistan. Achieving the outcome will mean increasing the range of social actors engaged in political life so as to shift the incentives, disincentives and constraints operating on the political elite.  The growing urban, middle class and community based groups who want change, and are prepared to work together to achieve it, will apply pressure for more accountable government and make it more difficult for feudal elites to continue to dominate politics. AAWAZ program follows the participatory approach where men and women from rural districts from all ethnic and religious groups will form community forums to take the charge of their own development. SPO plans to focus on formation and capacity building of these groups at village, UC and district level, hence addressing the issues at all governance tiers. The program overall is being run through a consortium of four organizations including Aurat Foundation, SPO and South Asia Partnership Pakistan as implementing partners and DAI as coordinating and secretarial partner. The financial support is coming from USAID.

Flood 2012 in Balochistan: Initiatives, Challenges and Way forward – October 8, 2012

SPO Quetta organized a Round Table Dialogue on “Flood 2012 in Balochistan: Initiatives, Challenges and Way forward”. The event was attended by about 40 participants, including representatives of provincial government, political parties of the province, flood affectees and National Humanitarian Network. Key participants included Sardar Aslam beezenjo (Minister Irrigation), Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, President National Party, Mr. Munir Ahmed Badeni (Secretary Education), Khudad Khan (X- President, Awami National Party Balochistan), Ghulam Nabi Marri ( CC Member Balochistan National Party), Abdul Qayum Kakar ( CC Member Jamat-e-Islami), Mohammed Raza Wakeel ( Information Secretary Hazara Development Party). Speakers shared their information about the situation of flood in the province and expressed their concern that response is not matching the gravity of disaster. The participants extended the following recommendations. Priority should be given to the provision of Shelters, food and non food items Government must declare emergency and must allow the civil society to intervene A realistic assessment of damages should be conducted and development of long term strategy should be considered PDMA and disaster related government agencies should be revitalized to perform proper role in flood response Advocacy with donor organizations for seeking their support in relief and rehabilitation work Infrastructure development should be well planned and disaster proof structure should be developed in disaster prone areas Ms. Zeenat Yaqoob, member BoD closed the event with her remarks.

Mehfale Mushira at Gomal University D.I.Khan – October 2, 2012

  Daman Civil Society Network (DCSN) with the support of SPO D.I.Khan organized Mehfale Mushira at Gomal University D.I.Khan with the objective to engage University level youth in Cultural revival activities and peace building process. Mushira was attended by district stakeholders including Print & electronic Media, Youth, literary society, educationists, NGOs and other segments of Civil Society. Shields of appreciations were presented  on the occasion to Abasin Award KPK winner two D.I.Khan poets Mr. Abdullah Yazdani and Tahir Shirazi. Acting Vice Chancellor  Dr. Said Mir Khan attended as Chief Guest .He appreciated the initiative as it will encourage University youth to participate in positive activities and help them to become part of SPO Art for Peace Campaign in order to contribute in Peace building process in D.I.Khan.

Torrential Rains and Flash floods in Nowshehra District – August 23, 2012

Torrential rains on 22nd of August, played havoc in 5 Union Councils of Nowshehra district of Khyber Pakhtoonkhawa. The names of the UCs are Pirpiai, Azhakhel, Pushtoon Garhi, Aman Kot and Qasim Ali Bek. Torrential rains caused flash floods in local rivers and Nullahs that caused severe damage to the private and public infrastructure. The details are given under; Damages to property have been observed to the villages located on the banks of dry rivers (Khwar or Barsati nullahs) Approximately 400 households affected by the floods in all the three UCs mentioned. In low lying areas damage to the standing crops of vegetables and maze have also been reported due to flooding in the fields. According to the reports, 7 people have been reported missing feared dead. Provincial Minister , Mian Iftikhar Hussain (who belongs to Pabbi) is currently visiting the area to assess the damages. Other rivers namely Khyali, Jendi, Kabul, Shalum, Bara, Budni, Naguman, kurrum etc  are said to be in  mid level of floods. And people living on the banks have been alerted by the authorities. Immediate Needs;So far no large scale displacement of affected population observed in these UCs and affected population is trying to repair the damaged houses, and they are immediate needs are given under, Water needs to be drained out from the fields on emergency basis to save the livelihoods of the local communities. Slush left by the flood water needs to be cleared from the affected HH and they need tools, wheelbarrows for this purpose. Hygiene kits will help the locals to control the spread of diseases. Clean drinking water and food is also required in some of the villages. This situation update is prepared with the help of local volunteers who are in contact with SPO regional office, Peshawar, and released by Head of Disaster Preparedness and Response Department on 23rd of August 2012 at 03:15pm.