Pakistan

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CRS in Pakistan

CRS operated in Pakistan between 1954 and 2018, mainly focusing in disaster response and preparedness, education, water/sanitation, and livelihoods assistance for vulnerable communities. During that time period CRS worked across the country through local partners and supported the efforts of the Pakistani Government to improve the lives of Pakistani communities. In 2018 CRS along with many other INGOs had their registration revoked by the Pakistani government.Earlier this year, CRS received approval for re-registration in the country. CRS is in the process of re-establishing our work in the country and is currently responding to the devastating floods happening across the country.

Stats

People Served: 667,723

Population: 204,924,861

Size: 307,374 sq mi, slightly less than twice the size of California

CRS' History in Pakistan

CRS began operating in Pakistan in 1954 and during that time CRS assisted in disaster response and preparedness, education, water/sanitation, and livelihoods help for vulnerable communities. Catholic Relief Services has consistently responded to large-scale disasters in Pakistan.

CRS has supported more than 1 million people across the country in relief, response and recovery, building more than 60,000 transitional shelters, distributing more than 80,000 household kits, assisting 129,000 households to restore their agricultural livelihoods with seeds, livestock, and training, and providing 350,000 people with access to clean water and sanitation

Given Pakistan's vulnerability to natural and man-made disasters, CRS has also improved the resilience and preparedness of communities through disaster risk reduction. In southern Sindh, CRS helped people prepare for droughts that periodically affect the region.  

Meanwhile, the design and development of the water projects in Pakistan depended on the need of the geographic area and population to be served. All water projects were developed with an emphasis on disaster risk reduction and "Do No Harm" principles. 

Catholic Relief Services has carried out education programming in 3 of the 4 provinces of the country. Literacy rates dip below 30% in many communities, and enrollment and attendance rates are also low. CRS improved access to quality education for both girls and boys by engaging teachers, parents, religious leaders and community leaders to improve the quality of education.

Since 2005, CRS has built 114 school structures, trained and mentored nearly 800 teachers, and conducted hygiene training for 6,688 students in rural communities in northern Pakistan. Through these efforts and the engagement of community leaders, CRS has increased enrollment by an average of 40% and improved attendance by 39% in those communities. 

Near the western Afghanistan border, CRS provided a basic literacy program for both Afghan refugee children and children from the Pakistani host community. As a result of the program, 64% of students continued their education after the year's end. Local Pakistani schools also benefited from training for improved teaching and increased enrollment by 17%.