Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) is implementing the Livelihood Support & Promotion of Small Community Infrastructure Programme (LACIP) in three districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through its partner organizations. The programme is financed by the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW IPEX-Bank and is being implemented by PPAF's partner organizations namely National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) and Sabawoon in 12 union councils including 36 village councils of districts Buner, Shangla and Lakki Marwat of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa respectively.
LACIP entails three major components including Institutional Development, Community Physical Infrastructure and Livelihood Enhancement & Protection. The overall objective of the program focus is contribution towards improved public infrastructure, allowing better access and sustainable usage to people living in selected project regions; provide income opportunities and improve political participation in the programme region; and the stepping up of dialogue between the government and citizens.
The most important component of the programme is Livelihood Enhancement, which includes skills training and asset transfers for beneficiaries scoring less than 23 on the Poverty Score Card. Under the assets transfer component, 1250 assets will be provided to the beneficiaries, technical and vocational training will be conducted to equip the beneficiaries with technical knowledge to start their businesses. Out of these 1250, 325 assets will be provided in Shangla, 375 in Buner and 550 in Lakki Marwat.
To celebrate the "International Day for the Eradication of Poverty" SRSP and NRSP organized asset transfer events in Shangla and Buner respectively. During these events 15 females and 5 males received assets in Shangla and 21 community members including 14 males and 7 females were transferred assets in Buner. The assets comprised of items for setting up general stores, cloth shops and tuck shops.
The chief guest, Muhammad Khalid, Deputy Commissioner Buner extended his full support for the project and while acknowledging the work done by PPAF through NRSP said, "the only solution for poverty eradication is through involving the local communities." The event was also attended by Saeed Raza, Regional Program Officer NRSP, Istikhar Ahmed, District Program Officer, NRSP, Arshad Iqbal, Chairman LSO, Lutfur Rahman, Member LSO, Mohammad Khaliq, Ex Nazim VC Bengalai and Abdul Nasir Khan, Ex Tehsil Member.
Speaking on the occasion, Mohammad Khaliq, Ex-Nazim VC Bengalai, Shangla appreciated the contribution of SRSP in the development of the area and commented that, "There is an urgent need to introduce more of such initiatives to promote small enterprises and ensure economic uplift. The emphasis should be on capacity building to better equip people."
The beneficiaries also expressed their gratitude to all the organizations playing a role in eradicating poverty and equipping communities with the tools to lead a better life. One of the beneficiaries, Tajia Bibi, who runs a small home-based cosmetic shop said.
"Hopefully this initiative will change the economic situation of my life and my income will increase. The extra income will help me to access the basic necessities of life and I will be able to support my husband in enhancing his capital investment."
Another beneficiary of SRSP, Amriz Khan said, "I prefer to work instead of getting charity and through this initiative I will now hopefully improve my socio-economic condition and carve a better future for my family."
Eradicating poverty and capacity building is one of the key focuses of the program, through the initiative; some of the major constraints have been identified and transformed into opportunities. The provision of such packages will further facilitate the vulnerable communities in income generation.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019