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1. Introduction: Hussaini Foundation (H F), an organization which was born in the wake of October 8 earthquake, lived up to its name and carried out relief operations matched with the most seasoned and very old organizations. Its volunteers reached inaccessible areas to help the earthquake victims. The speed with which it responded to this unprecedented natural disaster, was amazing. Within 24 hours of its coming into being, its relief goods were there in the effected areas. It extended invaluable support to the effected people both physically and mentally. Physical support was in the form of medical aid, food, clothing, bedding and shelter while on the mental side, volunteers particularly our Ulama reached every where to console the people and share with them their moments of grief and sorrow. The relief goods were distributed through our three zonal camps that is Mansehra, Muzaffarabad and Bagh. Later on Bagh was left at the disposal of our sister organizations; where as Hussaini Foundation is still continuing its operation in Mansehra and Muzaffarabad Regions.

2. Where as relief operations were of critical importance yet not the ultimate solution. The Permanent settlement of the effectees and restoration of their normal life is the ultimate objective. Though the rehabilitation phase is likely to start at the end of winter, the plans must be finalized now. Therefore, HF, in consultation with field representatives and other experts of the effected areas as well as professionals, has planned as follows.

3. Reconstruction of Residential Accommodation: The most important feature of the rehabilitation is to provide permanent shelter to the effectees. Until and unless the effectees have proper place to live, all other activities would be meaningless. This will be foundation's prime objective during rehabilitation phase. The proposed house is estimated to cost between 3 to 3.5 Lacks. We plan to construct 3000 to 3500 houses.

4. Financial Rehabilitation: The earthquake has affected the people in many ways. What ever means of living they had in the area have been destroyed. Be it business, agriculture or employment. Therefore they need our help to re-establish themselves. To preserve their dignity and honor, we need to help them re-establish some source of income. This would mean:

  1. Loans Without interest: Those who were already doing some business will be encouraged to re-start some business or self employment project. The capital required for such project/business will be provided in the form of loan. The size of loan and other modalities shall be determined through consultation.

  2. Training for various skills: Quite obviously every one can not go into the field of business. Therefore the educated and young lot shall be given training to acquire some skill which will help them in getting some employment. This shall be done by collaborating with training institutions. Modalities shall be finalized soon. Subject to availability of resources, HF plans to establish technical training college. This will go a long way in training our educated youth to earn honorable living and become respectable member of the society.

  3. Stipends for Education: There are students who were studying in various schools/Colleges and lost their earning family members. It will be a double tragedy for those families if such students could not continue their education. Such students shall be helped either through loan without interest or stipends. Since USWA Career Planning Cell of Jabir Bin Hayan Trust is already working in this field, it has been mutually agreed that all such cases will be referred to them. HF will render necessary assistance in this regard.

  4. Financial Assistance to Special Families: There are families who have either lost the head/earning member or he has been so incapacitated that he can not work any more. Such families need to be supported financially either by creating some job/ self employment for the female surviving members of the family or through monthly financial assistance.

  5. The Care of the Orphans: A fairly large number of children have become orphans. It would be very unfortunate if orphans of our community land up in wrong hands. The HF has planed to establish its own orphan house at Mansehra. However, HF will also extend all possible help to the orphans to reach the right type of orphan house for their proper up bringing.

  6. Education: USWA school system functioning under the umbrella of Jabir Bin Hayan Trust has long time experience in this field. They have already taken a start in the effected areas. Three schools have started functioning, whereas eleven more are at various stages of planning. HF will extend all possible help to USWA School System.

  7. Health: The Government and other NGOs are working in this field. So far HF has limited its activities in this field only to the camps being run by HF at Islamabad and Mansehra and provision of medicines to tent village in Muzaffarabad being run jointly by HF and other NGOs. However subject to the availability of resources, it would be worth while to establish a few dispensaries in the areas where momineen or sadaat are in majority. This will have a long lasting good will effect on the beneficiaries irrespective of their faith/religion besides a positive impression on government agencies.

  8. Employment Bureau: A large number of people have been rendered homeless overnight. Some of them are still in a state of shock/trauma. HF plans to function as a link between such people and the potential employers, so that these financially displaced families get settled as early as possible.

5. Modalities For the Execution of Rehabilitation Plan:

  1. HF is in the process of forming Community Rehabilitation Committees (CRCs) in each union council. These committees will have notables of the union council as its members. All CRCs shall undergo Community Management Skill Training (CMST) to ensure that they understand the policy of the foundation and have requisite expertise to execute the projectsproperly.

  2. Initially, the HF plans to have offices for CRCs in each union council. These CRCs will evaluate the requirement and make its recommendations. The HF will have one Zonal Community Rehabilitation Committee (ZCRC) for each zone. These committees will have members from the entire zone. The Recommendations of CRC will be considered by the ZCRC and decisions taken.

  3. The ZCRC and Head office of the foundation in consultation with CRCs ,the effectees, the local experts and professionals, will formulate detailed modalities for each project and get it approved from the Rehabilitation Committee of the foundation.

  4. The managing committee of the HF shall lay down the basic parameters for the rehabilitation work. The Rehabilitation Committee of the foundation shall over see the working of this entire operation and issue directions as and when required. Specially the prioritization of projects and resource allocations for each project.

6. Conclusion: Hussaini Foundation despite being in a state of infancy responded to this national tragedy in a most befitting manner. The Relief work though done admirably well does not justify any kind of slackness, as the most important phase is yet to start. We must brace up for the permanent settlement of our brethrens, in a manner and style worthy of the great name after whom the Foundation was founded. We should, mobilize as much re-sources as possible to under take this noble task.

 

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