SUKKUR: The Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO), has launched a three year program to support vulnerable communities affected by climate change in the Jhuddo area of Mirpurkhas district, Sindh.
According to SRSO’s spokesperson, Jameel Ahmed, the program is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The program aims to benefit direct and indirect 7,869 households, comprising 43,164 people (22,445 Women and 20719 Men) residents, through climate resilience agriculture and infrastructure initiatives, particularly focusing on communities affected by the 2022 floods through PLA- Participatory learning and action approach for community basic infrastructure and agriculture restoration.
The program will also provide training on CBDRM to increase the resilience of communities through DRR Plans, evacuation plans, etc. protecting against climate risks for vulnerable communities, he added.
Under the Get Ahead component to have access for using various climate-friendly livelihoods and alternative ways of generating income, 407 individuals, including 204 females and 203 males, will be awarded financial grants ranging from PKR 300,000 to PKR 800,000 for gender-sustainable and innovative entrepreneurship. Additionally, 20 groups will receive grants of up to PKR 2.5 million for climate-friendly businesses, he said.
The program activities will commence on August 1, 2024, and will be executed by SRSO. This initiative is a crucial step towards building resilience and promoting sustainable development in the face of climate change.
The launch was announced at an introductory event held in Hyderabad, where speakers emphasized the need for collective action to address growing poverty in Sindh due to climate change. The Chief Executive Officer, SRSO, Muhammad Dittal Kalhoro, a representative of Malteser International, Kamran Majeed, Naimatullah Sawand, Ali Akbar Hingorjo, Station Director of Radio Pakistan Hyderabad, Farooq Hayaf, Marvi Awan, Professor Ismail Kumbhar, Sarwan Balochand Asif Ali Khuhro stressed the importance of government and non-government organizations working together to support affected communities.