LSO RELIEF ACTIVITIES
LSO Flood-Relief Case Studies
Overview
In July of 2010, Pakistan faced torrential Monsoon rains which resulted in one of the worst floods in its history. The floods occurred in every province of the country leading to a great loss of human life. In addition to this, the floods managed to wipe out entire villages and localities, with houses, roads, bridges, basic infrastructure, crops and livestock being swept away. Various estimates have calculated that the floods have brought about billions of dollars worth of damage to Pakistan, its people and to its economy.
It is amongst this devastation that the following first-hand accounts reflect the small ray of light which managed to shine in such desperate times. These case studies are descriptions of the series of initiatives which local organised communities undertook immediately after the floods occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These communities had been organised by the Rural Support Programmes (RSPs); i.e. mainly the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) and the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP). They had been organised (using the social mobilisation approach of the RSPs) into neighbourhood Community Organisations (COs) which had then been federated into Village Organisations (VOs) at the village level and into Local Support Organisations (LSOs) at the Union Council level. In the case of NRSP, the LSOs had been further developed by forming a network of LSOs at the district level.
As a result of this organisation and sense of unity which had been instilled within them, the LSOs managed to provide immediate support to the victims of the flash-floods (with the guidance of their RSP). This support was provided in several innovative ways; something which no international aid-agency could even dream of.
The following case studies have highlighted and demonstrated a number of benefits which can only come about because of the involvement of local and organised communities; benefits such as:
- Speed: since these communities were either in or next to flood-affected areas, they were able to reach victims before any other agency or the government.
- Innovation: in order to meet the immediate need for cooked-food, these LSOs were able to come up with large amounts of cooked food in a very innovative manner. For example, each member household was asked to cook one egg rolled in one paratha and to put them in a plastic bag; something which was able to be done quickly and at literally no cost to each member household.
- Fund raising: since each LSO represents the majority of households in a union council, they have access to a large base from which to obtain donations; resulting in the ability to raise large amounts in very short periods of time.
- Access: because of their local knowledge, these LSOs were able to reach far-flung villages and localities which had been overlooked by other agencies. LSOs were able to use less-known routes in order to access cut-off villages.
- Trust: in this case, experience has shown that even non-members in the union council of the LSO would donate generously to the LSO rather to an external organisation which was unknown to them.
- Local institutions: LSOs were able to tap into local institutions which aid-agencies ordinarily would not have used. In the case of most LSOs, local mosques were used to make announcements regarding donations and volunteers, as well as using the mosque as a collection centre.
- Local political-pressure: since the LSOs represent a sizable chunk of households in a union council, they were able to influence their local ministers of Provincial and National assemblies to donate to the flood victims.
- Linkages: as LSOs operate in the area, they are aware of smaller, more local NGOs and charities which would ordinarily remain un-used by larger agencies. LSOs were able to link up with these smaller organisations and use their specialised equipment, such as ambulances.
- Cost-effective: as LSOs are made up entirely of volunteers (except in some cases where accountants are paid staff), they are much more cost-effective in providing relief goods and services; as all donations are spent on relief goods.
- Accountable and transparent: the LSOs are made up of nominated locals from different villages in a union council; therefore it is more transparent as there is no singular ethnicity/tribe/caste/biradari running the relief operations.
- Safety: the LSOs, because of their roots being established in the local areas, faces no threat or rejection from some flood-affected communities who are averse to international NGOs in some conservative areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- Manoeuvrability: because of its relatively small size, LSOs are able to change their ‘operational direction’ much more quickly than larger organisations which take a longer time to leap into disaster relief-mode. In addition to this, as needs change, LSOs are able to start providing to those new needs much more quickly as it is easier for them to change their plans/strategies.
If some positive can be seen in the terrible floods of 2010, it is surely the strength, resilience, innovativeness and generosity of organised communities when it comes to disaster relief; something which was also observed in the earthquake of 2005. By unleashing the potential of the people and helping them build their institutions, there are now clear signs that a more responsible and organised citizen-base is coming into its own.
Description |
Date |
| Summary of Cash for Work Project for Removing Mud and Debris from Flood Affected Villages in Charsadda District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through Local Support Organisations |
February 2011 |
| LSO Babuzai |
July 29th, 2010 to August 24th, 2010 |
| LSO Heroshah |
July 29th, 2010 to August 24th, 2010 |
| LSO Itefaq Garhi Usman khail |
|
| LSO Kot Maina Flood Relief |
|
| LSO Parwaz |
July 29th, 2010 to September 4th, 2010 |
| LSO Rado UC Jijal |
July 29th, 2010 to September 4th, 2010 |
| LSO Shamozai |
July 29th, 2010 to August 24th, 2010 |
| LSO Shewa Charsadal |
|
| LSO Flood Relief Summary |
|
