Drought Mitigation and Preparedness Project Khuzdar, Balochistan
Initiated in September 2007 and ended in April 2008
Funding Partner
:
Oxfam GB
Project Area
:
Union Council
Introduction and Background
Khuzdar is the third largest district area wise of Balochistan with an area of 43,261 sq. km and a population of 409,164 persons, according to the 1998 census. Population density is 10.54, lower than the provincial average. This area is traditionally below the poverty line. It is food insecure due to lack of agriculture, scarce economic opportunities and difficult access to food. Almost all food requirements are met through commercial mechanism. The non-existence of roads has contributed to the paucity of resources and their marketability.
The district which faced worst ever drought especially in its Arranji Sub Tehsil in year 2000 resulting in deaths of score of people due to hunger is once again facing the onslaught of the drought due to lack of rains since last two years. Although the severe impact of drought this year also is on the same Arranji Sub Tehsil, however, the drought spell has also spread to the other tehsils of the district including Moola and Saroona.
During the year 2007, there were some rains in Pakistan. However, in Khuzdar district the rains were limited and the rainfall started late as compared to other areas. Therefore, the rainfall did not bring any major positive change. Majority of the livestock has already died therefore growth of some grass could not benefit the local communities and their livelihoods. According to them similarly, the rains did not bring any major positive change in the agriculture crops because first they were late and second the local drought affected communities had no resources for land leveling, preparation of recharge bunds on their lands before the rains as to collect rain water for crop production and they had no other inputs including agriculture seeds etc.
To prevent the local communities from the onslaught of the drought conditions and prepare them for drought mitigation, PDI has launched this project with the support of Oxfam GB.
Overall Goal
Contributing towards mitigating drought affects on the lives and livelihoods of the drought hit communities of Khuzdar Balochistan
Project Purpose
Community based drought management plans are in place and the local communities have drought mitigation and alternative livelihoods capacities and skills
Project Results
Local communities are mobilized and organized to mitigate the drought impacts in Khuzdar District
Community based Drought Management Plans are in Place and the local communities have the skills and capacities for implementation
The Livelihoods Capacities and Alternative Options are enhanced for the Local Communities
Health and Hygiene Condition and Awareness is Improved among the Local Communities
Drought Mitigation and Preparedness Project Khuzdar, Balochistan
Initiated in September 2007 and ended in April 2008Introduction and Background
Khuzdar is the third largest district area wise of Balochistan with an area of 43,261 sq. km and a population of 409,164 persons, according to the 1998 census. Population density is 10.54, lower than the provincial average. This area is traditionally below the poverty line. It is food insecure due to lack of agriculture, scarce economic opportunities and difficult access to food. Almost all food requirements are met through commercial mechanism. The non-existence of roads has contributed to the paucity of resources and their marketability.
The district which faced worst ever drought especially in its Arranji Sub Tehsil in year 2000 resulting in deaths of score of people due to hunger is once again facing the onslaught of the drought due to lack of rains since last two years. Although the severe impact of drought this year also is on the same Arranji Sub Tehsil, however, the drought spell has also spread to the other tehsils of the district including Moola and Saroona.
During the year 2007, there were some rains in Pakistan. However, in Khuzdar district the rains were limited and the rainfall started late as compared to other areas. Therefore, the rainfall did not bring any major positive change. Majority of the livestock has already died therefore growth of some grass could not benefit the local communities and their livelihoods. According to them similarly, the rains did not bring any major positive change in the agriculture crops because first they were late and second the local drought affected communities had no resources for land leveling, preparation of recharge bunds on their lands before the rains as to collect rain water for crop production and they had no other inputs including agriculture seeds etc. To prevent the local communities from the onslaught of the drought conditions and prepare them for drought mitigation, PDI has launched this project with the support of Oxfam GB.
Overall Goal
Contributing towards mitigating drought affects on the lives and livelihoods of the drought hit communities of Khuzdar Balochistan
Project Purpose
Community based drought management plans are in place and the local communities have drought mitigation and alternative livelihoods capacities and skills
Project Results