Needs for increased support and funding dedicated to the recovery of livelihoods

Massive efforts have been undertaken by the humanitarian community since the flooding began in July last year, which left 1.9 million homes damaged and approximately USD 5.1 billion worth of agriculture inputs destroyed. Donors, international NGOs, local organizations and authorities as well as concerned individuals across the world have worked together to implement and fund essential life saving projects in the relief stage. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, USD 3 billion had been committed by international governments and agencies at the end of the emergency stage in January 2011. This emergency support was essential for immediate relief efforts such as providing food, emergency shelters and clean water.

Pakistan now needs sustainable solutions to help people and communities rebuild their lives and increase their resilience to future potential disasters. The recovery phase is now the priority; to prevent additional deaths and disease and to enable people to return to their normal lives, including a growing emphasis on sustainable shelter solutions, livelihoods and community restoration.

ACTED’s commitment to early recovery

Thus far in the early recovery phase, ACTED’s priorities have been to provide continued assistance to Pakistan’s most vulnerable households; to those affected by flooding and also to those affected by conflict. ACTED’s early recovery flood strategy focuses on sustainability through support to economic development, water and sanitation, and community infrastructure rehabilitation and housing that takes into account disaster risk reduction.

Economic development is being targeted through a major focus on the agricultural sector by restoring and support to small farmers and support to small businesses. ACTED is also focusing on value chains and market linkages.

Water and sanitation remain a priority in all three provinces with the ongoing rehabilitation of water supplies and a growing emphasis on community led total sanitation which involves strong beneficiary participation. ACTED also strives to mainstream disaster risk reduction and disaster preparedness in all its infrastructure and shelter projects and is exploring innovative and environmentally friendly processes.

Food security and agricultural recovery as today’s #1 priority

There is still much work to be done for affected communities in Pakistan to reach their pre-flood levels and to help them sustain growth in the country. One of the key sectors of focus for future funding must be agriculture where losses in livelihoods and fishery sectors amount to an estimated USD 5 billion. The assessment is clear: flood damage had a horrendous impact on the livelihoods of small farmers across the country but the recovery period represents an opportunity for donors to invest in agricultural support programs that can integrate improved methods which will increase yield, productivity and benefits for the poor farmers in Pakistan.

The reconstruction and rehabilitation phase across the different flood-affected sectors in Pakistan will require support for 3-5 years, and the total amount required for recovery and reconstruction could be as much as USD 10.85 billion. But huge funding gaps exist and hinder adequate support in the early recovery period. It is estimated that the total financial gap is USD 603 million, with the largest proportion of the gap existing in housing, agriculture and food security as well as water and sanitation.