Nederlands
HealthNet TPO in Pakistan
In areas disrupted by war or disasters, people face the major challenge of rebuilding their country, while suffering from poverty, diseases and emotional consequences of conflicts. As a knowledge driven NGO, HealthNet TPO supports the Pakistan people in rehabilitating health care, by using the concept of 'health' as both a goal and a means.
We have successfully implemented many health care programmes in Pakistan, focused on developing sustainable health care systems by training and encouraging local communities to carry out initiatives that combat diseases, provide psychosocial care, restore infrastructure and strengthen organizational systems. Like any other armed conflict, psychosocial distress of the affected population, especially of vulnerable groups like children and women, is obvious not only because of displacement but also because of life and property losses, abnormal living conditions leading towards stress and anxiety. HealthNet TPO therefore also focuses on the psychosocial support for displaced people. In 2009, a new country team was established to develop new programmes. Some of the programmes have started, but due to the floods and the urgency to act on that subject, more programmes are expected for 2011.
Pakistan
Area: 796.095 km²
Population: 176.242.949 (in 2009)
Neighboring states: Iran, Afghanistan, India en China
Capital: Islamabad
Government: Islamitische Republiek
Religion: Islam
Background
In 1947 Pakistan was established to give Indian Muslims their own state. Due to various disputes on the boundary lines and political governance, there was continuous turmoil and a civil war broke out, eventually leading to the separation of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and West Pakistan. After several changes of power between the army, the Islamitic party and dictators, the military chief Musharraf called himself as prime minister in 2001. Executing a pro Western policy, he held this position until 2008, when president Zardari took over.
After the 9/11attacks, allied forces attacked Afghanistan to counter alleged terrorist organizations. Subsequently, this “war on terror” spread over to the tribal areas of Pakistan. The military operations combined with insurgencies forced the local population to migrate from the conflict affected areas. As a result, around 2.321.749 individuals were displaced, including 2.087.160 individuals living outside the camps with host families or rented accommodations and 234.589 people living in 26 refugee camps. Mainly women and children made up a large share of the IDPs.
In 2005 Pakistan was hit by a severe earthquake which has left deep scars in Northern Pakistan. With more than 80.000 dead and millions displaced, the country was greatly weakened. The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked HealthNet TPO – actively working in Pakistan since 1992 - to contribute to the psychological care for the victims. In addition to the then existing programmes aimed at combating malaria and other infectious diseases, several psychosocial programmes were set up and we started to work on the rehabilitation of basic health care services in the affected areas.
In 2010, Pakistan was once again hit by a natural disaster: last July heavy monsoon rains have put almost one-fifth of Pakistan under water. The estimated number of victims is 20 million people, mostly affected by destruction of property, livelihood and infrastructure and a death toll of over 2000 people. HealthNet TPO contributes with several projects to the recovery of health services and support to the victims. Using the online donation platform Piworld.com, HealthNet TPO raises funds to restore 30 health houses, so that the lady health workers can provide the first medical care again to people who return home. Support the re-establishment of 30 health houses in Pakistan on pifworld.com
