Over the past two decades, the Rural Support Programmes (RSPs) have consistently demonstrated remarkable ability to respond swiftly and at scale during major humanitarian crises – from the 2005 earthquake and 2010 floods to multiple internal displacement emergencies, the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 and 2025 floods. The RSPs have delivered humanitarian support across all three phases of disaster response: Rescue/Emergency, Relief, and Recovery/Rehabilitation.
RSPN has implemented over 23 large-scale (23 only RSPN, if RSPs number then its very high) emergency response projects, mobilised PKR 5.83 billion since 2005 in humanitarian funding and reached affected populations across 63 districts during the 2022 floods alone. With operations in more than 150 districts and deeply embedded community networks, the RSPs represent Pakistan’s largest outreach-based development platform.
Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO) is designated to work in 79 out of 424 Union Councils in total and approximately, 2,17000 households live in these 79 Union Councils which are directly or indirectly affected by flood. According to the SRSO’s preliminary rapid assessment report the flood, that occurred on 7th August 2010 affected districts situated at both banks of River Indus devastating more than 11000 villages while displacing more than 2,13000 households along with 1,065,000 livestock. The next day, on 8th August 2010, SRSO launched flood-relief operation. On receiving support from the government and other donor agencies, SRSO began the process of rehabilitation. It provided cooked food to the displaced people; fodder & vaccination for livestock and safe drinking water through tankers.
These activities were complemented by other donor activities such as distribution of dry rations, installation of hand pumps, temporary latrines, temporary shelters, and health and hygiene awareness sessions. It has also established an emergency cell which is working since declaration of emergency along with Village Rehabilitation Program (VRP) unit. Moreover, for sustainable long term rehabilitation, significant funding, planning and combined efforts of both the villagers and SRSO personals are required. It is believed that the power of social mobilization and capacity-building can play a dynamic role in changing the landscape, thus fostering dynamic changes in the socioeconomic conditions once the number of organized household increases.