Pakistan Country Director Jemal Ahmed reports on progress since the terrible floods of 2010 and what needs to be done now.
Since the very onset of flood emergency in Pakistan in August 2010, ActionAid Pakistan has actively engaged with the affected people, helping them cope with the immediate and long-term impact of the disaster by prioritising the most vulnerable and marginalised groups especially women, girls, children, and minorities.
The focus of our efforts has been building communities’ resilience and capacities to engage in reconstruction and the rehabilitation process. AAPk, as part of the larger development and humanitarian community, has played a catalytic role in harnessing people’s power to overcome the trauma of destruction and flood-induced displacement.
At each stage of our flood response, we ensured people’s dignity and their participation in the decisions and processes, instead of being passive recipients of aid and relief support. We promoted a culture of accountability, where we were responsible and responsive to rights holders.
Women and girls have been the worst victims of 2010 floods due to their pre-existing vulnerabilities. Almost a year after the devastating floods, millions of women are still desperately striving to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. Therefore, it is imperative that government and NGOs keep their focus on women’s rehabilitation.
ActionAid has promoted women’s leadership and supported women’s campaigns for equal compensation and post flood rehabilitation, especially land rights. Similarly we have supported small farmers to mobilise and campaign for long term agricultural rehabilitation.
Despite the severity of the impact on women and girls, women’s grassroots’ leadership has played a significant role in raising women specific issues at the national level and putting up effective advocacy and campaigning to make their voices heard.
Government must put in place appropriate systems to deal with the grievances of flood-affected communities, especially women and landless farmers who have been excluded from the rehabilitation process. At the same time, it must ensure the immediate release of the second instalment of citizens’ compensation scheme.