HAP in Pakistan
HAP began working in Pakistan after the South Asian Earthquake, which killed some 75,000 people and left 400,000 homeless, in 2005. Due to the earthquake's devastation a large number of aid agencies joined the relief effort while those already in-country increased their existing operations. Perhaps as a result of the influx of agencies, some concerns were expressed about the quality of community engagement and accountability to beneficiaries.
As part of HAP's support to its members a team from the Secretariat arrived to assist in capacity building and complaints handling training for local staff. This support visit resulted in the collection of consultation reports from numerous beneficiaries that clearly highlighted a growing lack of confidence in relief agencies, low levels of awareness amongst staff of basic humanitarian principles and agencies not including beneficiary participation in their programs. In an effort to address these issues, HAP Members asked the Secretariat to establish an operation in Pakistan. The HAP Pakistan programme began in October 2005 and closed in July 2009.
For the duration of the Pakistan programmes, HAP worked with members and non-members alike to integrate much needed accountability practices into emergency planning and disaster response. One measurement of success for HAP's Pakistan operation is the continuation of members' engagement and commitment to capacity building activities, particularly as agencies move from emergency relief to development and recovery work.
Relevant Documents:
HAP responds to the Baluchistan Earthquake
On 29 October 2008 an earthquake measuring 6.4 
magnitude devastated Baluchistan, the largest yet poorest province of Pakistan. Resulting in hundreds of deaths and the displacement of more than 10, 000 households.
For details see: pakistan-EQ-2008-NEP.pdf and UN Joint Assessment McRam Report.
Through the HAP New Emergencies Policy (NEP), Members of HAP International have committed to make a special collective effort to apply the Principles of Accountability from the outset of all new humanitarian emergencies in recognition that “It’s easier to get it right from the start” and that “the more difficult the case, the stronger the rationale for accountability”.
To ensure accountability and quality in their humanitarian response, HAP Members in Pakistan held a NEP meeting on 7 November at the HAP Pakistan office in Islamabad. The meeting minutes are available. It was decided that HAP staff would conduct a field visit to Baluchistan sites during November.
Baluchistan NEP Visit
Download the complete Report on the New Emergencies Policy. It includes the evaluation of the humanitarian response, good practices and recommendations.
The Field Update published on 9 December, 2008 is available here.
Summary
Lack of quality leads to death and hard reactions by disaster-survivors
On 15th November, while en route to monitor a distribution centre in Warchoom, HAP field staff, along with other travellers, were held at a blockade in the road near the village of Wam. Villagers had blockaded the road in protest over the lack of appropriate shelter. It came to light that the community’s frustration and anger was exacerbated in recent days by the death of a young boy. A family lost their 8-year-old boy after they resorted to lighting a fire for heating purposes in their tent to keep warm throughout the night. In the night winds, the fire quickly got out of control engulfing the tent, killing the boy and severely injuring another. Non-winterised tents have been distributed by numerous I/NGOs and local authorities are inadequate for the bitterly cold and snowy winter with temperatures plummeting to –13 ºC and lower.
This community is one of many affected following the earthquake on 29th October, which resulted in devastation and the displacement of more than 10,000 house
holds. A number of HAP member agencies responded to the disaster and continue to provide immediate relief and distribution of emergency aid and shelter. In order to assist member agencies in their continual improvement and promotion of quality and accountability, HAP deployed staff from the Islamabad office to Baluchistan province. Despite the challenges of access, HAP member agencies are employing a number of strategies to implement their commitment to the Principles of Accountability; from staff inductions to ensure that deployed staff and partners understand the basics; to speaking with local communities on needs and complaints; to integrating quality and accountability initiatives into the emergency response strategy. But most importantly, HAP agencies are committed to making sure that the survivors are receiving adequate and appropriate humanitarian aid so as not to suffer more avoidable deaths. Together with agencies and community members HAP worked across the province to help realise accountability principles in real time, while identifying accountability successes and points for improvements.
Highlighting issues of accountability at the General Coordination Meeting
During the 14th November General Coordination Meeting held in Ziarat at the District Commissioner’s Office, HAP staff raised a number of issues that came to light after consultations with members of affected communities across the province. Firstly, as an accountability improvement mechanism there is a need for the coordination meetings to include representation from disaster survivors, giving them a voice at par with local authorities and humanitarian agencies. Secondly, an improved plan so that disaster survivors receive timely and effective information regarding the strategies and plans agreed upon. As a result of this lack of information, along with the expectation of further assistance, there is delay in the traditional climatic migration of some members of the community, leaving them to suffer the current harsh and cold weather. Finally, it was recommended that an information desk be established allowing people access to updates and relevant information thus alleviating concerns and uncertainties around current and future assistance plans. The District Commissioner and District Nazim (Mayor) of Ziarat welcomed all the recommendations.
Other activities
In addition to providing support to our Members and interested agencies on humanitarian accountability, implementation of the HAP 2007 Standard and Principles of Accountability, the Pakistan Programme conducted: monitoring visits, community consultations and institutional capacity building.
Updated September 2009
