On March 2011, the Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN) launched a 7-month long early recovery project in the remote district Swat of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, to rebuild micro infrastructure, such as drinking water infrastructure and irrigation channels, and to revive the confidence of the communities.
With the support of USD 200,000 from the American Pakistan Foundation (APF)
and in partnership with the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP), the project will support the rebuilding/rehabilitation of 33 micro infrastructure projects, reaching 3,630 households with a beneficiary population of 25,000 people.
The district selected for this is one the most severely affected mountain districts. Swat was the centre of the floods initially, with rains and flooding being the highest in intensity. Using its experience of working closely with the local people in Swat, SRSP is using participatory strategies to develop an inclusive and sustainable programme in order to help the affected communities. Special attention is being paid to involve women and address the needs of vulnerable groups in the programme.
APF is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to working with Pakistani Americans to build bridges between the United States and Pakistan, and to improve the lives of the people of Pakistan. APF works specifically towards expanding education, healthcare, micro-infrastructure (water, energy) and entrepreneurship opportunities to the under-privileged people of Pakistan.