A fresh start: Rs50 million released for victims of conflict

USAID highlights its role in helping families get back on their feet.

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Finance department has released Rs50 million to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in order to support civilian victims of conflict-related violence across the province.

This was shared by the USAID-funded Conflict Victims Support Programme Chief of Party, Adnan Sher, during a workshop for journalists and beneficiaries. He also highlighted the programme’s success in awarding scholarships and assisting victims with small businesses.

Sher said USAID suggested the idea of supporting civilian victims of conflict-related violence to the provincial administration, which in turn agreed to release Rs50 million to the PDMA.

He added PDMA was outlining roles and regulations to distribute the funds. According to USAID’s suggestions, around Rs1 million should be provided to each affected family, he said. Sher explained the amount would fulfil the family’s needs and allow them to start a small business.

The chief of party shared the aim of the event was to highlight USAID’s accomplishments under the Civilian Victims Support Programme. He said the initiative provided an opportunity for victims of conflict in K-P and Fata to get back on their feet.



Sher said militant attacks targeting civilians in K-P and Fata often involve public space and usually end up killing or injuring men, leaving behind scores of widows and orphans left to fend for themselves. Sher said the programme reached out to the affected families and offered support for vocational training, opportunities for small businesses and scholarships for children.

The chief of party said the initiative would span over three years with $25 million provided by USAID. He added International Relief and Development (IRD), in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, would be responsible for the programme’s implementation.

Sher said 2,755 victims were provided vocational training, while 1,509 small businesses were launched by civilian victims of conflict in Fata
and K-P.

He further shared that psychosocial/medical assistance was given to 3,763 victims in K-P and Fata in addition to immediate relief in the form of food and non-food items for 1,479 bereaved families, within seven days of a particular attack. The chief of party stated that $1.5 million worth of life-saving equipment was also provided to the emergency wards of six public hospitals as well as scholarships to 2,696 orphans or those children directly affected by terrorism.

On the occasion, affected families appreciated the efforts of USAID and shared their ordeals with journalists. They added the funds allowed them to start afresh with small businesses.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2015.