Monday 8 October 2007 marks the two year anniversary of the Pakistan Earthquake 2005. Plan Pakistan along with the Pakistani Government, have ensured that the 150,000 affected population in Siran Valley have received assistance, particularly children, by enhancing access to quality education in the earthquake affected areas.

Plan’s work with 75 schools in the Siran Valley, educating 4,600 boys and 3,200 girls, has improved standards and won praise from the Pakistani government. Forty schools are being rebuilt within four years; the first ten expected to reopen shortly after the second anniversary of the earthquake on 8 October.

Achievements

Plan’s achievements to date in Pakistan post the earthquake two years ago include:

• 7,800 children (approx. 40% girls) enjoy access to improved quality education in 75 schools 
• children have improved access to safer school facilities as transitional shelters have replaced school tents in 25 locations
• parent-teacher associations and Student Representative Councils have been formed, reactivated and trained to build ownership, to increase participation of students and their parents in the governance of 60 schools 
• approximately 3200 children (aged 3-5 years), 52 % girls, are enrolled in 94 early childhood care and development/pre-school centres and six home-based centres at 55 village locations
• 1100 girls and boys have increased awareness on health and other issues through the formation and training of 55 children forums
• regular children events (i.e. sports and theatre) were conducted with the help of teachers, community members and early childhood care and development / pre-school caregivers to raise awareness of various issues related to children’s rights.

Plan CEO, Ian Wishart, said: “Improving education for girls and boys is a key part of rebuilding lives shattered by the terrible events of two years ago. These programmes show the true power of education in disaster recovery and the true resilience of children."

Mehwish - Real Life Story

Mehwish, aged 12, studying in class 6 stood 2nd in the district board examinations. Brought up by a widowed mother who supports her family by working as a lady health worker of the area, Mehwish is part of an all female family as Mehwish’s father was killed in a family feud, right after the earthquake and her mother was left to bring up her four daughters on her own. As Mehwish comments:

"I know it is very important to study, in my area girls get married when they turn 13, I do not want to get married yet, I want to study and help my mother. My favourite subjects are science, maths and English; I can read in English you know. I shall go to the university in Hazara when I grow up so that I can be a judge."

Girls’ education is often neglected in rural areas of Pakistan. Disasters offer a window of opportunity to challenge existing cultural norms and improve services. Plan has seized this opportunity in a traditionally conservative area. These communities now accept girls’ education as important to their future.

Pakistan Earthquake Appeal Facts

• Australians contributed $274,000 to Plan’s post-earthquake relief and rebuilding activities.
  
• As of August 2007, Plan Pakistan has received donations of US $ 12.6 million for the four year rehabilitation program.  Of this funding a total of US$ 4 million has been spent.
  
• In addition Plan raised and spent US $ 4.79 million during the relief phase. 
  
• Plan has been working in Pakistan for the last 10 years.