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Problem / Project
Background
Chagai is the largest district of Pakistan having an
area of 50,545 square kilometres. It shares its international
borders with Afghanistan and Iran, and is bordered internally
by Kharan District. According to the census there is a population
of 202,562 (1998).
District Chagai comprises of three Tehsils (Sub
districts) namely Noushiki, Dalbandin and Nok kundi. The area
is extremely backward and lacks in basic infrastructure. Approximately
53,000 Afghan refugees are also living in this district. Electricity
is available only for Tehsil headquarters level.
Most of the area is arid, with desert conditions
in most of the parts. Siah Reg is the desert part of Chagai
bordering Afghanistan. Western Sinjrani makes up the major
part of the desert area in Chagai.
In other parts of Chagai there is a condition
of semi-desert with vegetation of different types growing
with the help of the annual rainfall. Mainly rainfall is in
November-December.
Due to the decrease in the amount of rainfall
during the last few years, people of this area have not been
able to cultivate their crops and feed their livestock. Now
there is an intense shortage of food, fodder and water.
All vegetation depends upon that rain. The main
source of income of people is derived from livestock and agriculture.
Some people are also engaged in waged labour and Government
services.
There has been a dry spell since 1997 during
which this area received very little rainfall. The entire
agriculture and vegetation in the natural grazing grounds
depend on this rainfall.
Livestock is a major source of income for these
people and they are extremely dependent on it. Due to the
shortage in vegetation, a major share of their livestock,
including goats and camels, have perished. Furthermore, some
of the people have sold them at very low prices to meet their
basic needs. Now the majority of the population in the area
has lost the most essential part of its livelihood.
Due to this loss in livestock, and the poor
state of agriculture, people have now no means to fulfil their
basic needs and they are simply failing to cope with the situation.
While food is their most urgent need, to further
preserve their livelihoods, the remaining livestock has to
be provided fodder supplies. For this purpose the programme
is envisaged to provide 2500 households food support, which
will improve their nutritional status while also
providing 1800 households with fodder support
to sustain their livelihoods
The situation is worsening day by day and the
number of people in need is increasing rapidly. People have
lost their livestock due to the unavailability of fodder.
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Now there is a grave fear that if people are
not supported with food aid, the vulnerability of the poor
will dramatically increased.
To avert a major humanitarian disaster it is highly urged
that a comprehensive food aid program should be launched that
would assist the majority of the region's population with
its basic needs.
Project Objectives
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To provide access to sufficient quantities
and qualities of nutritionally beneficial food for 2,500
households in Chagai District for a duration of six months.
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To make fodder more accessible and available
for 1,800 households for a duration of 4 months.
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To protect existing livestock reducing mortality
rates and preventing distress livestock sales in 2,500
households.
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To stabilize livestock health and reduce
any negative impacts on nutritional status.
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To reduce distress migration in the area
of work amongst the population targeted for food distribution
and fodder distribution
Project Activities
Beneficiaries
The beneficiaries of this programme are the drought
affected population of Union Council Daak and Kishingi. In
particular the food support will provide a nutritional stable
diet for the population and the vulnberable women, children
and elderly.
Islamic Relief aims to distribute basic food packets for 2500
households i.e.
20000 population approx in Union Council Daak and Kishingi.
1800 households will also receive fodder supplies for a duration
of four months which will benefit 27000 livestock approx.
Islamic Relief has good experience of working
in District Chagai and has undertaken several food relief
programmes which has allowed IR to develop sound and efficient
system of distribution.
There will be four rounds of distribution for
food support to 2500 households and one distribution round
for fodder support to 1800 households supporting their livestock
for four months. Total project duration will be six months.
Other Activities in Country
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Extensive Drought relief programme (Balouchistan)
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Prevention of Blindness (Rural areas in Pakistan/Pakistan-administered Kashmir)
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Provision of drinking water supply systems (Pakistan-administered Kashmir)
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Orphans Sponsorship
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Seasonal Projects (Ramadan and Qurbani)
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Neelum Valley Disaster Preparedness Project (Pakistan-administered Kashmir)
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Neelum Valley Health Project
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Afghanistan Refugees Relief Project (ARRP)
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