Our recent 2023 Qurbani project, allowed us to revisit the remote villages in Nawabshah, Pakistan. Last September's major flood wiped out most houses and animals and crops, leaving many homeless. Almost 9 months and their plight haven't changed much, urging Iltizam Relief to initiate this campaign. 

The Plan 

To build mud houses, to replace their current makeshift tents, and shelters. This will allow proper doors and windows, to shield them from rain and sun. At the same time, ensuring ladies and children have their privacy and safety. 

Each shelter/ house costs USD 1200. 
Target 200 homes x 1200 : USD 240,000.00
Phase 1 - 30 houses.

Background 

PAKISTAN IN CRISIS

The floods have devastated the lives of 33 million Pakistanis, displacing at least 7.9 million people. In the province of Sindh, where we operate, an estimated 90,000 individuals remain displaced one year later.

Over 2.1 million homes have been damaged or destroyed by the floods. Due to a lack of funds and resources, the authorities have been unable to meet the demand for home repairs and reconstruction. Even temporary shelter assistance has been reduced to one tarpaulin per household, instead of the international standard of two.

The precarious shelter conditions are further complicated by the upcoming winter season. Although Sindh is located in a subtropical region, the average winter temperature hovers around 2 degrees Celsius.

Those living in damaged or partially damaged houses will face multiple challenges, including inadequate protection against the cold weather due to lack of insulation, leaking roofs, damaged windows, and cracked or collapsed perimeter walls.

URGENT : SHELTER NEEDED. 

Iltizam Relief Society has undertaken a crucial initiative to provide 200 new houses under the Community Shelter Project before the upcoming winter. The construction is scheduled to commence before the end of July and aims to be completed before September.

However, the major challenge is insufficient funds. The estimated construction cost for the 200 units is $240,000, and only 10% of the required amount has been raised so far. Despite this, the organization plans to proceed with the construction, starting with 15 units initially.

An urgent appeal is being made to all for assistance in achieving the target. The goal is to ensure that 200 families currently living in tents or damaged houses have a safe place to reside during the winter, providing them with adequate protection and relief.

THE BENEFICIARIES: THE WORST AMONG THE WORST

Iltizam Relief Society has taken significant steps in identifying the beneficiaries for the first 50 houses. Through two meetings, which included the Chief Executive Officer of the organization, the local partner representative, and villagers from Suleman Likhi village, the recipients were determined on 1st June 2023.

During the meetings, it was found that 80 houses were completely damaged and in need of rebuilding, while 15 houses required major repairs due to serious damage. Out of the 95 houses, the government approved aid for 40 households under its housing scheme. However, due to limited funds, the government's ability to assist more people was constrained.

For the selection of the first 50 beneficiaries, priority was given to those facing the most severe circumstances. The criteria considered included:

• The least capability or capacity to rebuild or repair their houses.
• The lowest average monthly income.
• Age factor.
• Single mother status.
• The presence of a person with a disability in the family.

By prioritizing these vulnerable individuals and families, Iltizam Relief Society aims to provide crucial shelter assistance to those in dire need.

WHAT IS A COMMUNITY SHELTER PROJECT

The Community Shelter Project is a joint effort between Iltizam Relief Society of Malaysia and their local partner, the National Disability and Development Forum based in Nawabshah, to provide shelter to those in need within the community.

The shelters will be one-room houses measuring 4.5 meters x 4.5 meters, built using traditional mud construction techniques commonly used by the poor and low-income groups in Pakistan. The materials used for construction include mud, cow dung, mud bricks, cement, sand, water reed stems, bamboo, and plastic sheets. Each house will have one wooden door and window.

The estimated time to complete one house is only 7 days, making the construction process efficient and timely.

Crucially, the houses will be built on a joint effort basis, involving both the Iltizam Relief Society and the selected house owners. The funding will be shared on an 88%:12% basis, with Iltizam Relief Society covering 88% of the total cost, and the house owners contributing the remaining 12%. 

In the 1st June meeting, the selected house owners expressed their commitment to raise 12% of the total funds, which amounts to $144 per household. They plan to sell their livestock, such as goats or cattle, and some women plan to sell part of their gold jewelry to secure funds.

Despite facing financial challenges, the house owners are willing to contribute whatever little assets they have to ensure they have a house that provides sufficient protection during the cold winter months. This joint effort between the community and Iltizam Relief Society aims to create a safer and more stable living environment for those who need it most.

WHY MUD HOUSE

Building mud houses for the Community Shelter Project in Pakistan has several advantages, especially for those who have been affected by the 2022 megaflood and are living in poor conditions:

1. Tradition and Practicality: Mud houses have been a traditional building practice in Pakistan for thousands of years. They are practical, cheap, and easy to maintain, making them a suitable choice for communities in need.
2. Abundance of Natural Material: Mud is a natural material readily available in Pakistan, making it economical and easy to work with for construction.
3. Suitable for the Environment: The semi-arid environment in Sindh makes mud houses preferred by locals due to their ability to provide a comfortable internal ambience during the hot summer season.
4. Low Cost and Easy Construction: Mud houses are inexpensive and quick to build, providing immediate shelter solutions for those displaced by the flood.
5. Women's Involvement: Maintenance work for mud houses can be done regularly and is easily manageable, even by children. Women often take responsibility for these maintenance tasks.
6. Thermal Properties: Mud acts as a natural insulator with a high heat capacity. It absorbs and releases heat slowly, helping to keep the interior cooler during hot summers and providing protection from extreme temperatures.
7. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable: Mud houses have a low carbon footprint as they use locally available and biodegradable materials, making them an environmentally friendly choice for housing in the region.
8. Improved Living Conditions: By providing mud houses, the Community Shelter Project offers families adequate safety, privacy, and protection from the cold in winter and excessive heat during summer.

Considering these criteria, building mud houses for the beneficiaries of the Community Shelter Project offers a practical and appropriate solution to improve their living conditions and provide a comfortable and sustainable home for those in need.

ILTIZAM RELIEF SOCIETY BRIEF PROFILE.

Iltizam Relief Society is a non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Malaysia, established in 2013 and registered with the Registrar of Societies of Malaysia. With over a decade of operation, Iltizam Relief Society is actively engaged in 12 countries across the ASEAN region, Indian sub-continent, and Middle East.

Mission:  Our main mission is to create sustainable and positive impacts on communities affected by war, racial conflicts, marginalization, and other challenges that have hindered their development and access to basic rights.

Focus Areas:

1. Lives Improvement Programs: Providing skills training and business incubation initiatives to empower individuals and uplift their livelihoods.
2. Shelter Projects: Building homes for those displaced by disasters like earthquakes, floods, and wars.
3. Clean Water Initiatives: Ensuring access to clean water for internally displaced persons and those living in remote areas without access to development projects.
4. Iltizam Education Aid Program: Supporting the education of young individuals by providing resources like computers, cash assistance for school fees, and back-to-school programs.
5. Construction of School Buildings: Building schools for marginalized communities, such as the Rohingya, who have been denied access to education in their own country.
6. Seasonal Projects: Providing aid during special occasions like Ramadan, Qurbani, and winter assistance.
7. Disaster Emergency Relief: Extending immediate aid to those affected by floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides.
8. Food Aid: Combating hunger and malnutrition, particularly in war zones.

Future Plans: By the end of 2023, Iltizam Relief Society aims to establish a disabled rehabilitation center in Pakistan to assist children with physical, speech, or mental disabilities in overcoming their challenges.

Impact:  Since 2020, Iltizam Relief Society has successfully supported over 1 million beneficiaries annually. The organization expects to witness a 30% increase in the number of beneficiaries by the end of 2023.

Conclusion: Iltizam Relief Society is committed to its mission of creating lasting positive change in the lives of vulnerable communities, providing assistance that ranges from short-term aid to long-term solutions, promoting education, ensuring access to essential resources, and offering relief during emergencies. Relief Society - Brief Organization Profile**