South Asia earthquake stories of hope

Water, road and livelihood projects to benefit quake-hit villages

By Abraham Hadoto and Rebecca Lyman

The urgent need for access to clean reliable water and environmental sanitation in the quake-affected villages of the Siran Valley will be met by a World Vision Pakistan livelihoods project funded by the Office of Disaster Assistance (OFDA) through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

House-to-house assessments conducted in ten villages in Sum and Jabori Union Councils of the North West Frontier Province since May also revealed the need for livestock restocking, the provision of shelter and road access.

Some communities also expressed concern that due to losses incurred after the October earthquake, food supplies will fall short of need – especially over the winter months.

At the request of communities, World Vision with OFDA/USAID will rehabilitate or install water supply systems in four villages in Sum Union Council and five villages in Jabori Union Council.

Access roads in Pakka and Banda Khwajgan in Jabori Union Council will be expanded and the road surfaces improved. The road to Lammi Patti in Sum will also be rehabilitated.

In order to help meet food supply needs, and on a broader scale to help restore livelihoods and generate a source of income, World Vision and OFDA/USAID will provide 1,000 households with a US$200 “family fund” voucher.

The vouchers will enable families to purchase seeds, tools, kitchen utensils, shelter kits or livestock such as goats, with the advantage that families are empowered to make their own decisions according to their needs.