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Pakistan

Learning Review for Islamic Relief’s 2022-2023 Pakistan Flood Response & Early Recovery Programme (August 2024)

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Executive summary

Pakistan experienced a severe disaster due to extreme monsoon rains and glacier melts, described as a "monsoon on steroids" in 2022. The floods impacted over 33 million people, displacing many and devastating 3.6 million acres of crops in Sindh and Balochistan. Islamic Relief Pakistan (IRP), with donor support, provided relief and recovery aid to around 1.5 million people in Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The Learning Review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of IRP's Flood Response and Early Recovery Programme 2022-23, assessing its successes and areas for improvement.

The study utilized a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques to gather comprehensive data aligned with Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS). A desk review of key documents, including CHS 2024 and CHS Verification Framework, guided the development of study tools such as beneficiary household survey, key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs). Primary data collection included a 576 beneficiary household assessment across KP, Sindh, and Balochistan, with a balanced gender sample. 12 FGDs and 14 KIIs with different stakeholders including government officials provided qualitative insights and also offered detailed feedback on project interventions. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data, ensuring robust findings through triangulation.

Key Findings:

People Affected by Crisis - Can Exercise Rights and Participate in Decisions: IRP prioritizes community involvement in disaster interventions, ensuring that aid recipients actively participate in decisions affecting them. Through needs assessments and community consultations, such as those under the UNDP-funded Flood Recovery Programme, IRP gathered data on housing, health, and livelihoods, aligning interventions with beneficiary needs. Continuous community engagement, as seen in the RAPID II project, maintained alignment with local requirements. IRP formed Grievance Redressal Committees and Operation and Maintenance Committees to enhance transparency and accountability. The IRP also focused on culturally appropriate interventions, modifying designs to suit local preferences, as demonstrated in Dadu. IRP addressed the specific needs of marginalized groups, including women, people with disabilities (PWDs), and children, by conducting targeted focus group discussions and providing tailored support, such as trauma counselling. This inclusive approach, guided by strategic implementation, adherence to international guidelines, and core principles, ensured effective and equitable humanitarian responses.

People Affected by Crisis-Access Timely Support: Ensuring timely support for people and communities is crucial in humanitarian actions, where delays can mean life or death. Rapid response mechanisms, including efficient logistics and Emergency Response Teams (ERTs), are essential. IRP maintains ERTs across Pakistan, with over 100 trained members ready for disaster response. Despite biannual training, IRP faces challenges in maintaining and expanding these teams. A GBP 100,000 fund at headquarters supports immediate disaster responses. Upon an emergency declaration, a panel reviews the situation and activates the fund. IRP also partners with pre-qualified vendors to ensure rapid deployment of supplies within 72 hours. During the recent floods, 52.6% of the target population received assistance within a month, with 20.8% receiving aid within the first week. However, accessibility issues, especially in Sindh and Balochistan, led to delays. Despite challenges, IRP's efforts were positively received, although constant movement of displaced populations complicated aid delivery.

People Affected by Crisis - Are Better Prepared and More Resilient: Empowering individuals and communities to withstand, adapt to, and recover from crises is vital for effective relief efforts. This principle emphasizes proactive measures to enhance preparedness and resilience against disasters, conflicts, and emergencies. Disaster preparedness involves developing long-term strategies, such as disaster risk reduction training, early warning systems, and fostering sustainable livelihoods. For example, IRP's RISE project trained local communities in disaster response, while the RAIR project promoted sustainable livelihoods through micro-entrepreneurship. Additionally, IRP's buffalo distribution project in Dadu-Sindh improved nutritional needs and financial resilience by enabling surplus milk sales. Utilizing local knowledge and resources, IRP established community committees, trained members, and engaged local vendors and labour, thereby strengthening local capacities and economies. The beneficiary household survey revealed that 89.3% felt the projects effectively prepared their communities for future emergencies, demonstrating the positive impact on resilience.

People Affected by Crisis - Access Support that Does Not Harm People or Environment: The connection between natural disasters and climate change has prompted the IRP to integrate environmental considerations into its projects, particularly in response to the 2022 floods. IRP has emphasized the importance of climate awareness and environmental protection by collaborating with various departments and agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, irrigation, and soil conservation departments. Key initiatives include advocating for climate-smart land and water use practices, conducting awareness sessions, and promoting environmentally friendly community activities like tree plantation and reduced plastic use. The VOCAL campaign has been a cornerstone of IRP's efforts, mobilizing local communities and stakeholders to address climate change impacts and build resilience through comprehensive watershed management and sustainable practices.

People Affected by Crisis - Can Safely Report Concerns and Complaints: Ensuring that people and communities can safely report concerns and complaints and have them addressed is fundamental in humanitarian work. IRP has established a trusted, transparent, and accessible system for handling grievances and feedback, ensuring transparency and accountability. Utilizing the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) framework, IRP's mechanisms align with the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS). From the project's outset, clear communication with the target population and stakeholders was prioritized using various channels, including hotlines, suggestion boxes, community meetings, and digital platforms. Special attention was given to inclusivity, providing anonymity options and addressing the needs of women and PWDs. Despite the majority being informed about complaint processes, a notable portion received incomplete information, highlighting areas for improvement. While response times were generally prompt, a lack of awareness about the complaint resolution process indicates a need for better communication and community engagement.

People Affected by Crisis - Access Coordinated and Complementary Support: To ensure effective support for people and communities, IRP employed a decentralized decision-making approach during the flood event, utilizing field operations and virtual communication for rapid response. IRP coordinates with various stakeholders, including governmental and non-governmental organizations, facilitated access to affected areas and the delivery of humanitarian aid. IRP's efforts were complemented by daily meetings of IR International Programme Directors, strategic financial management, and collaboration with local authorities and civil society. Challenges such as administrative delays and data gaps were mitigated through robust field-level coordination and partnerships with entities like the National Disaster Management Authority and the United Nations. Despite limited media coverage, IRP successfully raised global awareness and extended response periods, transitioning from immediate relief to recovery and rehabilitation. This multifaceted coordination ensured alignment with Pakistan's humanitarian appeal and prevented duplication of efforts.

People Affected by Crisis - Support Adapted Based on Feedback: An important aspect is fostering a culture of learning within organizations, which encourages staff to reflect, share insights, and learn from experiences. This is facilitated through regular training, workshops, and learning sessions to ensure knowledge is continuously updated. For instance, the IRP organized reflection workshops under the IRP RAPID II project and UNDP funded Flood Recovery Programme, involving diverse stakeholders to integrate insights into future planning. Monitoring by the IRP MEAL team and feedback from community inputs led to adaptations like transitioning to cashless banking and modifying shelter designs to better meet local needs. High-profile visits and technical expert inputs ensured the quality of interventions. Feedback from Post-Distribution Monitoring highlighted issues such as unauthorized retailer fees in cashless banking, leading to corrective actions. These adaptive measures, including enhanced shelter designs and responsive relief efforts, demonstrate IRP's commitment to integrating feedback for continuous improvement.

People Affected by Crisis - Interaction with Respectful, Competent and Well-managed Staff: Respectful interactions are fundamental, involving the dignified treatment of every individual, fostering trust essential for cooperation and aid delivery. IRP established a Well-Being/Safeguarding Team in 2019 to implement safeguarding policies across Pakistan, educating staff, vendors, interns, and volunteers on safeguarding commitments and the Code of Conduct. Guided by a global strategy contextualized for Pakistan, IRP ensures adherence to technical standards in inclusion, protection, and gender justice. Separate men's and women's Community Organizations (COs) were formed in each targeted village, ensuring equal aid access and decision-making participation. The COs were trained on IRP policies, including protection policies, and involved in beneficiary selection. Continuous capacity building on safeguarding and inclusive practices is recommended. IRP's Code of Conduct, prohibiting exploitation, abuse, harassment, or discrimination, is reinforced through training, real-life scenarios, and regular updates. Reporting mechanisms for violations are accessible and confidential. Familiarity with the local area enhances staff effectiveness, reflected in the positive perception of their local experience. IRP promotes a diverse, inclusive environment, with women staff interacting with female community members, and leadership roles for minorities. This diversification ensures all community segments are included and treated with respect.

People Affected by Crisis - Can Expect Ethical and Responsible Management of Resources: People and communities impacted by crises can expect humanitarian operations to manage resources ethically and responsibly, ensuring aid reaches those in need. Organizations must adhere to rigorous financial oversight, regular audits, and transparent reporting to stakeholders. Good financial practices, including robust internal controls, regular internal and external audits, and clear procurement policies, are essential to prevent fraud and mismanagement. Under the UNDP-funded Flood Recovery Programme, IRP implemented stringent resource management practices such as detailed financial tracking, periodic audits, and public disclosure of expenditures, enhancing transparency and accountability. The HH survey data shows 70.8% of respondents believe funds were appropriately allocated, reflecting strong confidence in financial management. The IRP MEAL team also ensured quality and accountability through various monitoring checklists, validating right holders based on vulnerability criteria to maintain transparency throughout the process.

Recommendations:

The key recommendations from the study are as follows:

  • Advocate at relevant forums such as NHN, PHF etc. for establishing a centralized data hub that integrates data from government departments, humanitarian organizations, and others like UNOCHA. This hub should facilitate real-time data sharing to enable swift response. This data hub needs to remain active during relief and recovery phases.
  • Advocate at relevant forums such as NHN, PHF etc. for establishing a coordinated strategy that includes government departments, humanitarian organizations, and media outlets that can expedite the dissemination of critical data through various local and international media platforms. This platform should prioritize real-time reporting of damages and affected populations to facilitate fast mobilization of resources and response from donors and international humanitarian actors.
  • Further strengthen partnerships with local authorities and community organizations to address access challenges in hard-to-reach areas to prepare for future disasters.
  • Further, enhance and ensure the availability of standby funding arrangements for emergency response such as for quick disbursement of funds to enable immediate humanitarian action without delays.
  • Enhance the list of pre-qualified local vendors for a variety of emergency items ensuring geographical spread covering all the disaster-prone districts of the country.
  • Develop a user-friendly mobile application or digital platform in local languages, enabling displaced individuals to register themselves and provide essential information such as location, family size, and specific needs. This would help IRP and other organizations to track and monitor the locations of the frequently relocating displaced populations due to evolving emergency situations resulting in changing needs of the affected population.
  • Continue linkages with previously trained volunteers (ERT members) and also further conduct similar trainings to other community volunteers in disaster prone areas of the country.
  • To strengthen disaster resilience and economic stability in flood-affected areas, prioritize initiatives that integrate sustainable livelihood development such as livestock farming and micro-entrepreneurship trainings.
  • Further, build on the climate friendly solutions and interventions implemented in the floods 2022 response such as by avoiding single-use plastic water bottles or utilizing biodegradable or reusable materials for emergency supplies packaging.