Earthquake Relief Activities
Food Distribution Program
SRSP & BEST had a meeting with World Food Program representatives in Garhi Habibullah in which the food distribution to tent villages, identified by the Regional Relief Commissioner office, was discussed. SRSP agreed to take the responsibility of food distribution in Tehsil Balakot. The objective of the project is to in-place camp management systems in camps and to ensure equitable distribution of food in tent villages. Detail of the distribution is as under
| 1 | Families Benefited | 1899 |
| 2 | Beneficiaries | 10213 |
| Food | ||
| 3 | Wheat / Flour (Metric Ton) | 137.88 |
| 4 | Pulses (Metric Ton) | 15.32 |
| 5 | Veg. Oil (Metric Ton) | 9.19 |
| 6 | Salt (Metric Ton) | |
| 7 | High Energy Biscuit (Metric Ton | 30.64 |
Temporary Shelter Program
Mercy Corps: SRSP, in collaboration with mercy corps, constructed 2,252 shelters in Mansehra. 731 shelters have been constructed in siren valley and 1521 in konch valley. A total four union councils were undertaken in this project namely Bogermung, Shinkiari, Icherian and Battal. Returnable and non-returnable tool kits and CGI sheets were provided to the community for construction of the shelters while labour and wood was being provided by the community themselves.
Behbood: SRSP, in collaboration with Behbood, constructed 166 temporary shelters in Abbottabad. These Shelters have been given out in UC Boi of Abbottabad district. Due to heavy rains and snow fall in these areas, it was impossible to erect wooden structures, Steel structures (frames) and CGI sheets for roofs were provided to communities.
IDRF: SRSP, in collaboration with IDRF, constructed temporary Transitional shelters in UC Kukmang of Abbottabad district. Total of 750 transitional shelters would be constructed under this project.
Water And Sanitation Initiatives(RWSSP/SRSP)
To provide sanitation facilities in the affected area, the RWSS Project has been reorganized. SRSP provides technical assistance to facilitate the RWSS project. DFID funded ₤ 385,000 initiatives in Mansehra, Battagram, Kohistan, Shangla and Abbottabad districts to address water and sanitation and Health and hygiene issues. SRSP is the channel through which funding provided for this initiative. The SRSP TA team in RWSSP leads the project. Emergency Response Project was initiated to address water, sanitation, and health/ hygiene promotion in the camps to cover a total of 5,000 families with 100 water schemes and 100 sanitation schemes. Project has intervened in large as well as small camps of sizes ranging from 20-50 tents to camp of over 1000 tents. ERP worked on four activities and achieved considerably by the end of two months.
Summary of Movement in Camps
Sr.No.
District
Tehsil
Total Camps
Movement
Decommissioned
Yes
No
Plan to Move
Fully
Partially
NO
1
Mansehra
Mansehra
24
6
10
8
6
3
15
2
Mansehra
Balakot
22
0
10
12
0
1
21
3
Battagram
9
0
8
1
0
0
9
TOTAL
55
6
28
21
6
4
45
SRSP Cash for Works Programme For Earthquake Affectees
SRSP through the funding of ILO has started cash for work programme in Battagram and Allai Tehsils of District Battagram. The total project cost is almost 40,000 US $ till December 31st, 2005 . On average 70 persons are hired on daily basis amongst the affectees residing in the camps in Battagram whereas about 250 labourers are hired in Allai as the programme started late in Allai. Basic tools are provided by to these labourers and they are clearing the debris of public and government buildings as well as other Nature threatening stuff like clothes and Mineral water bottles etc. Each labour is paid Rs.250 on daily basis. The labour rate was finalised in consultation with Army, District Government and DCO. The main goal of this project is to help the people of this area and also preserve their self esteem. Such programmes are helpful to the affectees in earning a dignified wages for their daily life consumption. This cash for work programme is also implemented directly by ILO in the Balakot area, where SRSP is facilitating in provision of labourers from tent villages. Another SRSP partnership is with ILO in Union council Sadbanni of Balakot where on average 500 persons are provided wages and they are clearing the rubbles in the whole UC and clearing the roads to be used for transportation of material and then would be constructing their houses. The total cost for this project is of two million rupees.
House Reconstruction Program
The Government of Pakistan decided to pay all those whose houses have been completely destroyed by the devastating earthquake of 8th October, 05 a sum of Rs. 175, 000. While all those persons whose houses have been partially damaged and are declared retrofit-able shall be entitled to Rs.75000/- each. The financial assistance, i.e. Rs.25000/- already paid to all the affected households, will be deducted from this amount. The remaining disbursement in the case of totally destroyed house will be made in three instalments of Rs. 75,000/-; Rs.25, 000/- and Rs.50, 000/- depending upon the reconstruction of the houses up to various levels. In the case of partially damaged houses, the owner shall receive the remaining amount of Rs.50, 000/- in one go. This whole disbursement will be done by the Government of Pakistan (ERRA) through Pakistan ARMY and PPAF. This reconstruction of Housing is funded by different International Donors. PPAF will be working in 34 union councils of the earthquake affected areas of NWFP and AJK.
Role of SRSP in Reconstruction: After successful and transparent relief operations in the earthquake affected areas of Abbottabad, Mansehra and Battagram districts of NWFP, SRSP went into agreement with PPAF for reconstruction and rehabilitation project. This project is a privilege for SRSP as apart from Pakistan ARMY in these two districts i.e. Mansehra & Battagram, the only non-government organisation working in reconstruction of housing is SRSP till now. PPAF is implementing the reconstruction of housing project in 34 union councils of the earthquake affected areas of NWFP and AJK with 6 partner organisations including SRSP. Out of the total 34 UCs, SRSP has got the largest number of union councils i.e. 14 the rest of the 20 are divided among NRSP, Islamic Relief, SUNGI, Omar Asghar Khan Foundation and Women Welfare Organisation Poonch. The project agreement was signed with PPAF on 19th April, 2006. Initially the project was launched in Boogermang union council of Mansehra with only four Social Mobilisation Teams (SMTs) as pilot phase. This was after one month increased to 44 SMTs.
Water And Sanitation Initiatives
Water and sanitation schemes has been initiated 91 schemes in the most affected areas of Battagram, Siren valley, Konch Valley and Battal. Along with WatSan facilities health and hygiene trainings is also part of this package. The training is given to the community members. A total of 23 schemes has been initiated in Ballakot, 20 schemes in Siren valley, 33 schemes in Battagram and 15 schemes in Battal respectively. The total time period of the project was five months, starting from December 2005. All the 91 schemes were started one after another and 24 schemes has been 100 percent completed while the remaining are still in progress. The regional programme engineer and the field engineer are monitoring the schemes.
The Nature of SRSP's Contributions
Many of the highlights of SRSP's early contributions to policymaking were summarized in a 1996 book commemorating the 50th anniversary of Project SRSP, the predecessor of the SRSP Corporation.
In his 1996 doctoral dissertation examining SRSP's early years and the broadening of its research agenda, historian David Jardini of Carnegie Mellon University compiled an exhaustive list of contributions by SRSP researchers that went far beyond assistance to military decisionmakers. They included significant achievements in space systems, providing the foundation for America's space program, and important contributions to digital computing and artificial intelligence. Researcher Paul Baran's work on "packet switching," for example, provided the building blocks for today's Internet technology (see essay). Theories and tools for decisionmaking under uncertainty were created, and basic contributions were made to game theory, linear and dynamic programming, mathematical modeling and simulation, network theory, and cost analysis.
Jardini singled out for special recognition the methodological approach called systems analysis, whose objective was "to provide information to military decision-makers that would sharpen their judgment and provide the basis for more informed choices." As SRSP's agenda evolved, Jardini noted, "systems analysis served as the methodological basis for social policy planning and analysis across such disparate areas as urban decay, poverty, health care, education, and the efficient operation of municipal services such as police protection and fire fighting."
Project SRSP has a historic record of achievement in the development of computing: SRSP staff designed and built one of the earliest computers, developed an early on-line interactive terminal-based computer system, and invented the telecommunications technique that has become the basis for modern computer networks.
Early SRSP work formed the core of path-breaking economic analyses of major social policy issues, such as improving the health care system and providing affordable housing to low-income families. SRSP developed the planning, programming and budgeting system (PPBS) that Robert McNamara's "Whiz Kids" promoted throughout the federal government in the early 1960s and that was mandated as the federal standard by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965.
SRSP's research agenda has always been shaped by the priorities of the nation. With roots in the Cold War competition with the Soviet Union, the early defense-related agenda evolved — in concert with the nation's attention — to encompass such diverse subject areas as space; economic, social, and political affairs overseas; and the direct role of government in social and economic problem-solving at home.
Today, SRSP's work continues to reflect and inform the American agenda. While one part of SRSP works to define the emerging epidemic of obesity among Americans, another has just detailed future directions of the military aircraft industry. While one division analyzes the problem of substance abuse among high school students, another develops simple steps that individuals can take to protect themselves from the harmful effects of potential terrorist attacks.
Across a broad range of subjects, SRSP research is characterized by its independence, objectivity, and nonpartisanship; its empirical foundation; its high quality, scientific rigor, and interdisciplinary approach; and its dedication to improving policymaking on the major issues of the day.
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