Global Alliance Against Poverty
On 31st of December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) was informed of a cluster of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. A novel coronavirus (SARS coronavirus-2 (SARS-COV-2) was subsequently identified from patient samples. The disease has now been continuously spreading and has reached to more than 200 countries across the globe.
First COVID-19 case in Pakistan reported in February 2020 and within a month the pandemic has reached to almost every corner of the country including Kohistan. Till May 7th, 27,474 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Pakistan. In KP province the number of positive cases has reached to 4,327. In the target district of Lower Kohistan there is no confirmed case; however, in Upper Kohistan one confirmed case has been reported. The situation in both the district is assumed to be not better than other Districts of the province; however due to social stigma, less opportunity of testing facilities as well as the extremely conservative culture of both the districts the official reports of infected cases are negligible. Despite the least number of infected cases the country wide lockdown has impacted food security and livelihoods of both the target districts diverse keeping in view the land locked geography and hard topography.
Kohistan one of the most vulnerable, destitute & challenging area of KPK, Pakistan. More than 70% of population is living below poverty line facing massive challenges to meet the fundamental needs of daily life. In Kohistan majority of the population mostly depend on daily wages work, livestock and small-scale agriculture in available land in targeted UCs. Regarding the agriculture and livestock sector, although no one during the time of data collection claimed to be affected from the crisis in the short term but the focus group discussions pointed towards exacerbating difficulties of farming community in the medium to long term. The agriculture producers especially small agri and farm holders are confronted with issues related to farm inputs for the coming season to keep continue the economic cycle as most farmers have utilized their savings and seeds kept for the khareef season.Based on the above analysis the project reached out to approximately 1365 households in 02 UCs of Upper Kohistan and Lower Kohistan. GAAP targeted both UCs with the technical & financial support of PPAF in given time frame and assisted 1365 targeted HHs/Families in COVID-19 emergency response, project bring their lives towards economic revival of targeted HHs in the area through multi-dimensional approaches.
Basic theme of COVID-19 Emergency Response Project was to assist COVID-19 affected families, daily wagers, small scale farmers and skilled workers in shape of providing livelihoods assets/relief packages. Project surely uplifted economy and to enable vulnerable families to combat against economic crisis in such critical circumstances. PPAF and GAAP signed MOU/Financial Agreement back in May,2020 for 04 months (April to August, 2020) to implement PPAF Funded Emergency Response Fund Program in Kohistan Upper and Kohistan Lower. Under COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund GAAP organization provided relief support/assets to 1365 vulnerable families, daily wagers and small level farmers in shape of provision of Poultry Birds to women, Sewing Machines to skilled women, Fertilizers and vegetable seeds to small level farmers & Food Items (RASHAN) for daily wagers and widows. GAAP team also motivated local community to follow COVID-19 precautionary measures/SOPs and to promote hygiene practices especially handwashing practices.
