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CEO speech on occasion of BRSP on the signing ceremony of "EU funded WATSAN Project" August 8, 2011

I take this opportunity to thank you all for your gracious presence in today's dinner. We are extremely obliged. I would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Berend de Groot Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan and Mr. Arshad Rashid Development Advisor for joining us this evening and for the generous support the Union is extending for the people of Balochistan through various projects. We arranged this dinner to provide an opportunity to the delegation to collaborate with stakeholders in Balochistan.  

As we know Balochistan province has its unique cultural, ethnic and geographical background. Many things changed very rapidly around the world but the pace of development in Balochistan has been slow and thereby it is the most underdeveloped region in Pakistan.

Blessed with rich natural resources but a significant proportion of its population lives well below poverty line. Reasons are many –  to list a few  - dependence on traditional agro-pastoral economy, political Maturity, vested interest of a class in power structure maintaining status quo, unsustainable and inequitable exploitation of natural resources, lack of economic opportunities, absence of or inadequate communication infrastructure, Low literacy, high fertility and mortality rates, strong tribal power structure, preference for male child, disempowered status of women and fatalistic attitude. Natural disasters such as draughts, flash floods, earthquake are impeding factors to arrest economic growth.  

The advent of globalization, is shrinking the nations of the world into a global village. - The pitfalls of globalization, taking into consideration the locational advantage of Balochistan, also offer us -- unprecedented opportunities for international co-operation for the sustainable management of the resources and affairs of Province as well as Pakistan. I am sure European will play its pivotal role in this regard. 

In the context of Balochistan geo-strategic interests – the external regional and global powers factor have not fully been analysed. The implementation Environment in Balochistan is turbulent in terms of security situation and the prevailing political crises. The process of political reconciliation shall be started sooner than later coupled with strengthening the law enforcement mechanisms.  

Ladies and Gentlemen, the process of economic growth and development starts with a common vision owned by all actors of the society including communities and indigenous populations. A broad sense of local commitment coming from tribal people could be an indispensable development force. We should focus on the capacities of indigenous organizations to meet development challenges - on a bottom up rather than a top down approach. Harnessing people's potential to help themselves, to assume control of local development and improve their standard of living through Social Mobilization for participatory development need to be institutionalized. Incorporating lessons from traditional knowledge systems, the work of CSOs and social movements is very important and must be adhered to.  

Despite challenges confronted by Province including the backwardness, extreme poverty and deteriorated law & order situation, Civil Society is optimistic that the Province has tremendous potential to develop that needs to be harnessed. 

There are lessons learnt around the globe that best outcome in economic growth can be achieved through investing in social sector. In the context of Balochistan extensive investment in social sector needs to be enhanced. Today's presence of EU mission and signing of Project agreement for provision of Water and Sanitation services is a right step in right direction that needs to be further upscale to other sectors also so that every men and women, young girl and boy contributes significantly to economic growth. The transition from Agro-pastroal economy to industrialization in the long run and coupled  with transit trade, manufacturing would result in economic growth.  However, for short and medium term, investment in sustainable management of water resources and sustainable agriculture practices would provide immediate relief to poor and contribute to economic growth in this transition. For a sustainable economic growth and to eradicate poverty there is a need to strengthen development finance for grassroots action; diversifying income and developing skills, making financial services available for the poor. The aim of economic growth cannot be achieved until investment in sustainable human development is ensured.  

Distinguished guests, together, we have an opportunity to grasp the challenge of helping to develop Balochistan – and succeed.  The investment made today will lay the foundation for prospects of tomorrow, and an opportunity to enhance its capacity for self-reliance. I am sure, -- elated the spirits of all present—and -- the support, -- assured today by all stakeholders including European Union, - - will go a long way.  

BRSP is an autonomous not-for-profit organization working in the rural areas of Balochistan. Our mission is to facilitate the establishment and improvement of sustainable human development and livelihoods of the rural poor in Balochistan. This is accomplished through the mobilization of more than 10,000 poor communities to help them plan and implement their own development agenda. The rural development programs of BRSP have helped communities to in 14 districts to form community organizations for natural resource management, physical infrastructure development, human resource development, enterprise promotion, Micro financing, savings and women’s empowerment, projects. In order to harness this potential, BRSP programs organize communities into multi-sector Community Organizations (COs), which are then used as a platform for planning and implementing various developmental activities by the community members themselves. 

WE have been able to impart management training to 29046 community members to strengthen community institutions.

Keeping in view the critical situation of health in the province BRSP has given prime focus in capacitating communities as well as health professionals in this critical sector and have so far trained 24191 community members as well as health professionals.  

Let me inform you that BRSP and EU entered into partnership in 2009. European Union Support for strengthening of RH services since 2009 has enabled us to save mothers and address critical issues of RH is target communities. This initiative is benefiting more than 400,000 community members. This has also complimented our effort to contribute to strengthen 527 BHUs under PPHI is another gigantic task jointly accomplished with Government of Pakistan and Balochistan.  

In the education sector we have been able to strengthen more than 200 schools including community schools and primary, middle and high schools by provided basic reading writing material, renovation, establishment of libraries and laboratories and training of teaching cadre. 

Livestock being one of the major livelihood source for the rural population of the province BRSP has made enormous contribution and 49109 livestock farmers have so far been trained besides provision of curative services to million of live stocks in last couple of years. 

BRSP has been focusing on creating self employment opportunities by providing skills to the unemployed community members specially youth and has so far imparted different skills on extension services to more than 5000 unemployed community members. 

BRSP has contributed significantly in disaster mitigation and response during Drought, Cyclone Yemyin of 2007, earthquake of 2008 and Flood that hit Balochistan in 2010. We have been able to provide support to more than 2.3 million affected population by providing food, NFIs, Emergency Wash Response, Health services, Camp Coordination and Management, construction of 10200 shelters and early recovery interventions. 

In the Water and Sanitation sector we have set an exemplary model of public-private partnership with PHED. We are implementing German Government funded 4.1 Million EURO Water programme for rehabilitation of WSS of PHED. This project will benefit half a million population. Similarly, water supply schemes in districts Kohlu, Loralai, Barkhan, Jhalmagsi, Naseerabad, Harnai, Sharani, Musa Khail, Killa Saifullah, Zhob and Sibi were also rehabilitated to provide a source of clean drinking water to the affected people by flood.  

Also EU support through MC has enabled us to initiate work on rehabilitation of water supply schemes in three districts.  

Today's signing ceremony of WATSAN Project worth one million Euro will further strengthen our WATSAN programme and we will expand our outreach to Jaffarabad and Zhob under the initiative.   I am sure European Union will further enhance its support to Balochistan.  

In conclusion, I am proud to share that Civil Society is looking forward to reach for the highest level of competence to justify its existence and trust. You will find Civil Society combining energies and creativity, with a social conscience. Together these constitute a powerful impulse and CSO will put the best efforts to nurture it and to enable people to transform their existence from extreme poverty, to choice and opportunity, within a context that safeguards, for each of them, their right to their own identities, and to preserve and practice their indigenous culture and traditions. I count on your full support

 

I thank you all for your patience audience.

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