Rural poor in the SRSO target area do not have basic critical infrastructure. Standards of living and quality of life for those living in the rural setting and crowded confines of squatters in slum urban areas are extremely bad. Low income or no income combined with a lack of such critical infrastructure like functional Basic Health Units, Pit Latrines, etc. is causing more poverty. They desperately need basic physical infrastructure (land, sewage, potable water); more family planning facilities; immunization; educational health programs; link roads; electricity, and political commitment to improve basic needs. Concerted and sustained efforts are required to uplift standards of living and quality of life for those living in remote areas.
SRSO follows the basic needs approach – the conscious attempt to reduce poverty among the poorest groups. It is committed to assisting communities in improving and adding to the existing physical infrastructure with their participation as an essential element. Physical infrastructure is normally considered one of the strongest and most visible indicators of development with a high demonstration effect. It inspires the community to own and be involved in the development process.
SRSO has worked with members of Community Organizations, and more recently with Village Organizations and Local Support Organizations. SRSO PITD Sector assists communities in building and managing Community Physical Infrastructure (CPI) Projects by guiding technical and construction-related initiatives. SRSO acts as an intermediary and facilitates the creation of linkages between the COs and donor agencies, notably including government departments involved in the provision of infrastructure services in rural areas. In toe with its fundamental belief in the power of participation in ensuring the successful identification and implementation of anti-poverty interventions, all CPI projects are identified at the grassroots level by the COs and VOs themselves. SRSO carries out feasibility studies to assess technical, financial, and environmental viability. The PITD Sector also develops the capacity of communities to operate and maintain the projects after completion. Every scheme must benefit a wide range of recipients, be cost-effective and sustainable, and have no adverse environmental impacts. SRSO’s strong team of engineers helps communities to construct new and rebuild damaged brick pavements, concrete blocks, open drains, hand pumps, water supply schemes, lined water courses, sanitation schemes (open drains, bathrooms/latrines), pavement of streets, cattle yards and schools through grants. The community contributes either through cash or by providing labor or material in-kind. PITD engineers also built roads linking remote villages to main roads and houses. This latter activity brings economic and social opportunities to communities:
People pay less for goods and services, Opportunities to market their farm and other produce are greatly expanded Their access to medical care is increased, Opportunities to attend school and to find employment are also increased.
Therefore, SRSO considers physical infrastructure projects to be an investment in the community-based organizations fostered by it. SRSO accordingly offers guidance to COs in technical and construction-related initiatives. Our sector Engineers have provided extensive technical support to community members in relief, reconstruction, and rehabilitation activities during disasters. Following the riverine floods in 2010 SRSO implemented relief and rehabilitation projects and constructed 17000 houses in rural Sindh.
Key Services/Interventions:
Key Interventions and Achievements as of June 2023
Types of CPI Schemes | No. Of Schemes | Cost of Schemes (In Millions) | BHHs |
---|---|---|---|
Total of CPI Schemes | 27,227 | 16,90 | 304,659 |
Sanitation | 15,958 | 199.89 | 87,738 |
Street Pavement & Sanitation | 74 | 220.41 | 13,443 |
Drinking Water Supply Schemes (DWSS) | 9,541 | 351.35 | 52,641 |
Low-Cost Village Improvement Schemes (LCVI) | 72 | 127.09 | 7,248 |
Communication | 1,018 | 474.77 | 95,044 |
Irrigation | 474 | 196.68 | 14,314 |
IAUP | 1 | 2.09 | 75 |
Water Filter, Plants by GoS | 40 | 23.58 | 28,570 |
Street Lighting on solar system | 18 | 13.3 | 1,040 |
School Renovation/Construction Housing (BHC, PPRP, Engro, and SPHF) | 31 | 80.93 | 4,546 |
S.No | Housing Schemes | Number of Houses | Cost of Houses | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total of Housing Schemes | 31,890 | ||||
01 | Peoples Housing Cell 2009 | 200 | 49,027,200 | ||
02 | UCBPR-GoS 2010 | 5,000 | 300,000,000 | ||
03 | VRP-GoS 2011 | 7,003 | 522,602,824 | ||
04 | IOM Shelters 2011 | 500 | 12,500,000 | ||
05 | BAHAL 2011 | 3,000 | 120,000,000 | ||
06 | Bakhtawar 2011 | 198 | 17,033,919 | ||
07 | Yusra 2011 | 28 | 1,150,000 | ||
08 | UCBPR –GoS Phase –II 2012 | 1,999 | 166,998,459 | ||
09 | Benazir Housing Cell 2014 | 490 | 109,601,000 | ||
10 | PPRP-GoS 2018-2023 | 13,274 | 1,460,140,000 | ||
11 | Engro Foundation 2023 | 146 | 47,755,286 | ||
12 | SANA 2023 | 52 | 15,676,232 | ||
13 | Peoples Housing under SPHF-GoS |