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In the wake of the disastrous calamity that affected nearly 20 million population in all the four provinces of Pakistan and severest in history of Pakistan in term of wide scale of its devastation, Friends Pakistan constituted an “Emergency Response Unit” to coordinate effectively the relief and rehabilitation activities in the affected areas within its budgetary limits. Right from the last five days of the month of July, when this disaster started to happen in different parts of Khyberpakhtoon province after the occurrence of incessant torrential rains, Friends Pakistan step forwarded to extend its helping hand to relieve the sufferings of the flood affected community. In this regard, Friends Pakistan first started its assessment in the month of August 2010 in the flood affected districts of Kohistan and Shangala.

The flood disaster had not only deprived the local community from the sources of their livelihood but it also created an unprotected and challenging environment for the children. As per the data received from the office of Executive District Education Officer (Kohistan), the number of schools that were washed away was one hundred and twelve (112). Five union councils of Dubair and four union councils of Kandia valleys were mostly affected. In the same way, forty four (44) schools were demolished in District Shangala as per the data provided by the Education Department Shangala.

Friends Pakistan initiated an “emergency education project” for the resumption of the educational system in District Kohistan and Shangala. The Emergency Education Project (ERP) formally started on August 30th, 2010 in the District Kohistan firstly and then in District Shangala as well. For the implementation of this project, a sub-office in Besham was set up to coordinate and execute the field activities.

In the first phase of two months (Sep, Oct), Friends Pakistan is resuming thirty two (32) schools through the provision of schools’ tents (Frame Structure, 24/16) and educational and schools supplies. In the second phase of four (04) months, twenty (20) more flood affected schools located in high altitude or snow fall areas will be supported in term of semi permanent shelters structures/Tents and educational and schools supplies in District Kohistan and District Shangala.

As per the progress of the project to till date, thirty one (31) flood affected schools have been resumed with the provision of tents, educational supplies (kids’ packages) for children and school’s supplies for the daily use in schools. In these schools, where the school’s activities have been resumed with Friends Pakistan’s intervention, sixty (60) % enrolled children have started to attend the schools regularly again. The staff of Friends Pakistan is having regular interaction with the target community under the “bring back to school campaign” to get back 100% enrollment at all target schools as of pre flood situation. back