Rehabilitating livelihoods of the communities affected by the 2005 earthquake

FAO supported the Government with the livelihood assessment and subsequently assisted the Earthquake Recovery and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) in the development of its Livelihoods Rehabilitation Strategy. Through this project, 12 Livelihood Coordination Units (LCU) were set up at federal, provincial/state and district level that coordinate the activities of all organisations involved in livelihoods, bringing them together in the district Livelihood Working Committee (LWC). The LCU also collate and consolidate the Community Livelihood Rehabilitation Plans (CLRP) developed by CBOs through a bottom-up planning process, facilitated by the NGO partners of ERRA. Where high priority needs are identified and no immediate funding source is available, ERRA makes available up to PKR 7 500 000 per union council under the Community Investment Fund (CIF).The project facilitates the CLRP – CIF process in some 1700 earthquake affected communities.
FAO in 2007-2010 PAK and NWFP: To provide technical guidance for the implementation of Livelihood Rehabilitation Strategy, with funding from the Swedish Government (Sida), a 3-year project was setup. Through this project FAO provides staffing and infrastructure to man 12 Livelihood Coordination Units (LCU) at federal, provincial/state and district level. The FAO staff ensures quality of the processes and builds up the capacity of the staff of ERRA, line-ministries and NGO partners. They further provide technical input in the field of agriculture, livestock, enterprise development and livelihoods in general in an effort to ensure sustainability beyond the project life.

Balochistan Border Areas In drought prone areas of Balochistan

FAO assists the Provincial Government and International Centre of Agriculture Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) in addressing issues relating to improving livelihoods and food security. Subsequent to the positive findings of an independent evaluation conducted in June 2008, USAID has shown keen interest in funding an expanded project that includes the districts of Zhob and Quetta, as well as a specific component on women’s economic empowerment in partnership with a specialised NGO.

FAO in 2004-2008

The USAID-funded project promotes sustainable market-oriented arid agriculture in the Mastung, Loralai and Qila Saifullah districts by strengthening capacities for applied research and technology transfer: sustainable range and water management; enhanced crop, livestock and dairy productivity; and livestock marketing and agricultural processing. Using a community-based participatory approach, the project works directly with 249 community organisations.
Community Physical Infrastructure in PAK and NWFP Irrigation infrastructure was damaged by the earthquake and the subsequent landslides washed away the cultivated lands. The extent of damages was huge and required millions of dollars for complete restoration. Rehabilitation of most damaged and critical reaches of irrigation channels was prioritised gradually moving towards the restoration of maximum number of channels. This has resulted in the restarting of farming activities and subsequently restoring the livelihoods of the affected communities. Cropping patterns changed to high water demanding paddy crop and high value crops like vegetables. There is a 35% increase in the irrigated command area of the channels. In addition, there is a 20% to 25% increase in the cropping intensity. Further women folk have set up kitchen gardens and grow vegetables together with having an easy access to water from the irrigation canals to fulfil their domestic needs.

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