by Martin Dietz, Advisor HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation
I will present the case of the Livelihood Project Hindukush that is funded by SDC and implemented by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation. This project is being implemented in North West Pakistan in districts that run along the border with Afghanistan. The communities in this region are affected by complex and multi-layered conflicts. There is the war against militants and insurgents fought by the Pakistani and US army. A high level of criminal activities is mixed in with the militants’ activities. A large number of displaced people have settled in the area. The area is also highly susceptibility to climate change hazards which have serious impacts on people’s livelihoods and levels of their vulnerability. The impacts on the local economy are enormous: 1) Business confidence is gone and businesses shift their operations out of the area 2) Access to the region is controlled by the army 3) Army interference: e.g. cultivation of certain crops (maize, sugar cane) is banned 4) People are reluctant to go to markets, restaurants, places where many people gather
The concrete case I will present is HELVETAS’ work with poor people to support them taking up honey production. The district Karak has a flora which yields a honey for which very high prices are paid in Pakistan and in the Middle East. HELVETAS has facilitated the development of various levels of local commercially oriented institutions (Business Interest Groups, Association). Around 400 families actively participate at this moment. Bee keepers have increased their income fourfold. The institutions are financially self-sustaining. And we have reached a moment where more families join with the support of local institutions.
