These are essentials for good development work. This is where World Vision finds itself one year after the quake.
In one year, what has been accomplished overall from an NGO's perspective? What kinds of programmes and reconstruction have WVi implemented in Pakistan?Schenk: World Vision assisted 45,000 houses or about 284,000 people with tents, blankets, mattresses, etc. through the winter that came quickly on the heels of the disaster. We delivered 3.7 metric tons of food that helped keep 95,000 people alive.
And - true to our child focus - we helped an average of 4,700 children a week in our Child Friendly Spaces and other child protection programmes through March. Then, at the request of parents, 17 spaces were relocated when camps closed and they now help on average 2,700 children weekly in 17 villages.
Additional child protection work includes paying for vocational training for 40 school drop-outs (boys) and classes soon for 480 girls in tailoring, weaving, etc. There were 140 teens (60 girls and 80 boys) saved from expulsion by World Vision catch up classes this summer. Staff attribute their acting up and poor performances to the disturbing things they experienced and witnessed in the earthquake.
How has WVi helped the survivors return to normal life?Schenk: Food and shelter items, livestock, building materials and especially Child Friendly Spaces. The spaces helped children bury their disturbing pasts, rebuild confidence and return to their educations.
What are the current needs in the affected Pakistan regions?
Schenk: Maybe 500,000 of the 2.5 million people left homeless by the quake have returned to proper homes. Still, both the returnees and those waiting their turn need help. Everyone, especially returnees, needs livestock, roads and livelihoods. Why livelihoods? Aren't these people farmers? Yes, but their lands are small and they must work as much as half the year in big cities as casual labourers to feed their families. This point was amplified by the fact so many heads of households were absent and had to rush back from the cities after the quake. They had been away earning extra money. Those still in the camps need to get into proper homes as soon as possible; then they will need the same as returnees. Because most people - while they had little - lost all of it.
What did you/NGO workers learn through the effort in Pakistan?
Schenk: You always learn grace under pressure. You are racing to do as much as possible with never enough to serve all the needs. You are impatient and often rough with people yet those you help almost invariably evidence astounding graciousness and hospitality.
Pakistan gave many of us in those first weeks a unique experience, that of working with the army. The humanitarian community from aid agencies to the United Nations has strict policies on working with the military. We are hesitant and cautious to a fault. I've worked in too many countries where association with the military would inspire nothing but fear in those we sought to help. The Pakistan army taught us lessons in servant hood, ingenuity and stamina in meeting the challenges of delivering aid to people who live on 60-degree mountain slopes.
