Network for Human and Social Development

National Flood Response Initiative by Network for Human and Social Development Introduction of NHSD Network for Human and Social Development is a non-government non-profit charity registered with Islamabad Charity Commission, Pakistan Center of Philanthropy, and Economic Affairs Division. It is a collaboration partner of Air University, GlobalGiving, Myriad USA, and Akhuwat Foundation as well as being an implementation partner for more than 60  international and national level organizations.  Since 2012 NHSD has worked in the fields Disaster Management, Disaster Risk Response, Fire and Safety, Safety and Security, Public Health Education, Education, Health, Water and Sanitation, Youth Empowerment, Women Empowerment, Maternal Neonatal and Child Health, Advocacy, and Reconstruction and Relief Work. NHSD has been appreciated for their endeavors at a national level. Background The National Floods of 2025 have indicated a significant need for empowering local communities as well as emphasizing the focus towards sustainable climate change protection practices. Whilst the government of Pakistan has been a signatory of various climate change endeavors and has also been a victim of the climate change policies that have been implemented in countries which have exploited developing countries, this exploitation is causing devastating impact in countries like Pakistan which do not have the resources, the manpower, or the capacity to establish safety mechanisms. Whilst bureaucratic failure and a systemic failure of governance has also played a long-term role towards the inevitable occurrence of this flood situation. The impact of the 2022 floods are still deeply felt in the country, and furthermore, that these floods only emphasize the need for grass-root community-led initiatives which must be supported to ensure long-term feasible planning to contain such occurrences in the future. Request Primary Response Network for Human and Social Development request you, benevolent donors, for your generous support in this cause. Through your support the victims of these floods will receive the following key items: Food Packs which contain Rice Lentils Sugar Tea Cooking Oil Torch Tent Blankets Storage Containers Basic Medication and Sanitizers our endeavor is focused towards supporting the most vulnerable in the population and providing them these food packs directly - NHSD uses a door-to-door approach in terms of essentials pack distribution. Secondary Response The secondary response is focused towards collaborating with our national partners in developing flood early warning systems as well as developing agricultural system analysis that will utilize AI as well as local resources towards ensuring that the communities have a protection mechanism in place and are saved from the devastating impact of floods. Based on literature reviews of the previous floods and the government response it is clear that the need of the hour is community-based grass-root empowerment and sustainable technology implementation projects.  This project is focused towards ensuring that the people of Pakistan are safe and so they can respond better as compared to the present situation. Buner Flood Response by Network for Human and Social Development FOr further information about NHSD and our response, we are sharing the Youtube video for your reference: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cHc3nNR2AxA

Background Kohistan is a District in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. At present it is composed of a population which is suffering from poverty because their community does not have sustainable livelihood options. The area suffers from significant issues of water retention whilst having issues of illiteracy and skill development. However, the area is also notable for having significant soil development which results in it being suitable for agricultural frameworks. More specifically, the area has the capacity to grow apples in large quantities, which can provide cash crops to the local community. Apples are a common product for food vendors in Pakistan and taking into account the limited forested area in the country, this project addresses key issues that are beneficial for the community: climate change advocacy and adressal through reforestation, sustainable livelihood and agricultural practices, increased technical skill literacy. Objectives This project focuses towards the support of the local community by achieving the following objectives: To plant at least 1000 apple trees in the Kohistan area To advocate for reforestation through awareness walks, debates, initiating awareness campaigns of climate change impact in Kohistan as well as in stakeholder areas such as Peshawar, Islamabad and Lahore. To address sustainable reforestation and agricultural practices by involving 50 key stakeholders, and 200 community members for maintaining the same practices. Methodology: The project will be undertaken in Kohistan. The target population are youth (both make and female) with a further expansion to men and women who are residing in the area. The baseline survey is focused on the green areas of Kohistan which have been identified by the communities through baseline surveys already conducted by Network for Human and Social Development. This baseline survey has highlighted that the people benefit from the establishment of apple tree farms. Furthermore, the provision of technical training on agricultural practices is also beneficial as there are limited opportunities for the youth in the area to stay at home. NHSD will train 200 community members and 50 key stakeholders towards the importance of reforestation and agriculture, and furthermore, will advise them towards the plantation practices to ensure that the apple tree saplings are safe and able to reach their fullest form. They will be provided 1000 saplings which they will then plant in the area. The project will monitor them in terms of the number of saplings which were planted, the number of saplings which survived, the establishment of command structures to monitor the health of the saplings to ensure that they grow to the fullest extent, and furthermore with the pre- and post-KAP survey where the community is guided about the importance of forestation. The training portion and the practical portions which will be done as part of this section of the project will focus on the use of AI, locally sourced sensors, and will focus on technology that is easily accessible for the local community whilst also being a stepping stone for future agricultural practices that will benefit the community. Concurrently alongside these plantations, this project will conduct awareness campaigns which will include walks in designated areas focusing on reforestation and climate change, as well as school debates and also undertaking key stakeholder meetings in Islamabad, Peshawar and Lahore where the focus will be on agendas of sustainable agriculture, reforestation, climate change and youth empowerment in the agricultural sector. The project duration is 1 year. The monitoring and evaluation will be undertaken from the moment the project starts with a focus specifically on indicators that benefit the community, that result in increase reforestation, and a substantial benefit generated towards the long term sustainable livelihood of youth and women in the area. This project will utilize community knowledge of the area which will be integrated into ensuring sustainable agricultural and reforestation practices. Budget: The budget of this project is USD10000. Sustainability Plan: The key stakeholders as well as community leaders who had played a significant role towards ensuring that the project fulfills the requirements of the people will be the priority of this project. At the time of the conclusion of the project the focus will be towards ensuring that the people and their stakeholders have leadership and commitment roles already established through MOUs as well as partnerships and collaborations agreed with national bodies such as universities as well as supply chain management systems. This focus ensures that the community are given priority. The campaign of the importance of the project will also be highlighted on international and national platforms where the work done by the people in this project will be highlighted and the work that has been done by them are provided substantial attention. We will promote a positive image of Pakistan and highlight how the invaluable contributions of the donors has led to the development of this project and the realization of the achievements of this project.