Humanitarian Programs for Poverty Reduction
World Humanitarian Day, observed on August 19th, is a day to honor efforts worldwide by committed individuals and humanitarian organizations emphasizing the need for global cooperation to address crises affecting humanity. In 2024, the theme focuses on collective action to tackle pressing global issues, with a special emphasis on poverty and economic challenges triggered by natural disasters and other multiple factors.
As Pakistan grapples with unprecedented humanitarian challenges, the need for a strategic shift in humanitarian investment has never been more urgent. With a population of over 240 million, many of whom are unskilled and unprepared for today’s job market, the country faces the compounded effects of rapid population growth, resource depletion, and climate-induced disasters. Flash floods, riverine floods, and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) regularly devastate agricultural lands, infrastructure, and displace millions, leaving them in dire need of shelter and sustenance.
The scale of the crisis is stark. Between June and November 2022, severe flooding affected 33 million people, resulting in 1,739 deaths and causing approximately USD 14.9 billion in damages. The economic losses totaled USD 15.2 billion, with an estimated USD 16.3 billion required for rebuilding efforts. The floods exacerbated food insecurity, leading to the loss of over 1.2 million livestock, destroyed 15% of Pakistan’s rice crop and 40% of its cotton crop, and displaced 7.9 million people. With 2.1 million homes obliterated, Pakistan ranks eighth among the most disaster-prone nations according to the World Bank. (CDP)
To address these pressing issues, innovative and sustainable approaches are essential. Government and private sector organizations collaborate to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable groups, including women, children, persons with disabilities (PWDs), orphans, female-headed households, and transgender individuals.
Drawing on over three decades of humanitarian experience, Hashoo Foundation provides valuable insights into effective, targeted, and sustainable investments in humanitarian programs:
Pro-Poor Education
Pro-poor education emerges as a lifeline for marginalized communities, offering hope and a pathway to socio-economic stability. Across Pakistan, where floods, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), earthquakes, and the COVID-19 pandemic have wreaked havoc, the importance of education for vulnerable groups cannot be overstated. It is here that the Hashoo Foundation has made a profound impact, transforming lives through access to affordable, high-quality education.
For over three decades, the organization has championed pro-poor education, particularly for those whose lives have been upended by disasters. The program has supported more than 50,000 students in their educational pursuits, with approximately 35% of these beneficiaries from families that have experienced the devastating effects of natural disasters. This intervention has not only provided immediate relief but have also laid the foundation for long-term socio-economic empowerment.
Healthcare Program
In the aftermath of natural disasters, the fragility of life becomes painfully evident. For those who have lost everything—homes, livelihoods, and loved ones—the struggle for survival is compounded by the daunting challenge of maintaining their health. Poor health not only limits participation in income-generating activities but also imposes a significant financial burden, with medical expenses often beyond the reach of those affected by calamities. Recognizing this critical need, the Hashoo Foundation has made healthcare a cornerstone of its interventions, providing a lifeline for thousands of individuals striving to rebuild their lives.
One of the most poignant examples of the program’s impact is its work with Spinal Cord Injury Patients (SCIPs) who were paralyzed following the catastrophic 2005 earthquake in Mansehra and Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. For these 80 individuals, the earthquake not only robbed them of their mobility but also of their independence, leaving them vulnerable and in need of long-term care. In collaboration with SCIPPERs, an organization of Pakistan expatriate, mostly medical doctors residing in the US, Hashoo Foundation stepped in, providing comprehensive rehabilitation services that have been instrumental in helping these patients regain a semblance of normalcy in their lives.
Strengthening Social Safety Nets
The Hashoo Trust has made it a priority to strengthen and leverage traditional social safety nets that are deeply rooted in Pakistan’s societal fabric. These safety nets, which include mechanisms like Zakat, informal charities, and the donation of sacrificial animal hides, play a critical role in safeguarding the most vulnerable from the severe impacts of poverty across the country.
Pakistan’s social safety nets are built on a rich tradition of communal support, where individuals and families step in to help one another during times of need. In rural areas, this is particularly evident in the strong familial bonds that often serve as the first line of defense against economic hardship. When disaster strikes, these informal networks are activated, providing immediate relief to those in need. Hashoo Trust recognizes the power of these traditional support systems and has strategically integrated them into its social protection initiatives.
Engaging Youth Volunteers
The swift and effective mobilization of local resources is paramount during natural disaster. Among these resources, none is more vital—or more impactful—than the engagement of youth volunteers. These young individuals, often the first to respond in times of need, bring energy, commitment, and a unique ability to connect with affected communities. Recognizing the crucial role that youth volunteers play in disaster response, the Hashoo Trust has made their engagement a cornerstone of its emergency intervention efforts across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit Baltistan.
The organization has developed a system to work with volunteer, training, and deploying youth volunteers in the areas most affected by disasters. These volunteers, many of whom have been trained in disaster risk mitigation techniques, are on the front lines of the organization’s emergency response efforts, providing critical support when and where it is needed most.
Distribution of Food Packages
When disaster strikes, entire communities are often displaced, leaving individuals and families without access to basic necessities such as food and shelter. These displaced populations are thrust into extreme and often harsh weather conditions, where the absence of adequate nutrition can lead to a rapid decline in health. Without food, the human body’s immune system weakens, rendering individuals more susceptible to diseases that can further exacerbate the crisis. In such scenarios, the timely distribution of food is not just an act of charity; it is a critical intervention that prevents a catastrophic loss of life.
The Hashoo Trust, with experiences in disaster response, understands the urgency of food distribution in the aftermath of calamities. Over the years, the program has developed a well-coordinated system for delivering food packages to those most in need, ensuring that no one is left to suffer the indignity of hunger. This immediate response is designed to stabilize the affected population, giving them the strength to survive the initial shock of the disaster and begin the long road to recovery.
Developing Social Entrepreneurship
The road to post-disaster recovery is often long and fraught with challenges for vulnerable communities, especially women in terms of the loss of livelihoods and the destruction of homes and agricultural assets can seem insurmountable. The Hashoo Humanitarian Program has been developing social entrepreneurship initiatives that are tailored to the needs of women. In the remote village of Hoper, nestled in the Nagar district of Gilgit Baltistan, this commitment has recently borne fruit. Here, 50 women, whose lives were upended by devastating flash floods, have been trained in dress designing and tailoring—a skill set that is now enabling them to establish their own businesses and regain their financial independence.
This day serves as a stark reminder of the collective responsibility to address global humanitarian challenges and achieve greater impact, fostering long-term community resilience and substantial poverty alleviation. The time has come to redefine our approach to humanitarian aid, ensuring it is both effective and sustainable for the communities that need it most.
Co-authored by Sultana Aziz and Shams Uddin