|
Project Background
The people of Neelum Valley have suffered from over 40 years
of tension and conflict between India and Pakistan.
Ongoing artillery, mortar and gun fire across
the border has resulted in thousands of deaths and horrific
injuries amongst civilians. The constant shelling and firing
disrupt the everyday lives of thousands of people living in
the area.
This project aims to provide training to
Neelum Valley communities, enabling them to adopt sustainable
income-generating activities. The programme will identify
activities and training which will help provide a means to
increase incomes.
Neelum Valley is one of the poorest areas
of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The security situation has had a drastic
effect on livelihoods, contributing to severe levels of poverty.
There are problems accessing even basic facilities
such as clean water, healthcare and education. It is an area
generally neglected by NGOs and the government because of
its inaccessibility.
Constant shelling along the border make the
region economically unviable for conventional modes of income
generation because of repeated disruptions.
Traditional methods of earning income, such
as through tourism have been lost. Much of the population
therefore has no means of generating a regular income.
|
Project Activities
Community organisations (Cos) are formed, and suitable income-generating
activities identified. Activities which the communities will
be able to adopt include:
Training is then implemented giving local people the capacity
to initiate their own enterprises. A Women's Vocational
Training Programme in tailoring taught local women how to
use and repair sewing machines.
This was followed by a tailoring training programme. They
were then able to sew clothes for local community members
and for selling in the markets, generating much-needed income
for their families.
|
