Impact study

Sahara Fund
May 2012

Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Unit, Core Office, Islamabad

Introduction: Hashoo Foundation as unlikely other non-governmental organizations have the mandate of assisting people at the time of emergencies, be it natural or manmade. In September 2008 a manmade disaster ruined peoples life when a huge blast hit Marriott hotel in Islamabad where precious lives were lost and their immediate dependent families become distressed. Bringing out families from such distressed situation, in January 2009; the Sahara Fund program came into being. The main objective of the program was give immediate relief in the form of medical and transportation support to the injured to their home destination. The second part is about rehabilitation of the diseased or injured families. In total 53 families are still seeking support from Hashoo Foundation. Initially the victims were categorized as follows: a. Deceased hotel staff b. Deceased outsiders c. Injured staff with disabilities d. Injured outsiders with disabilities A further thorough deliberation in the presence of HF Chairperson, Miss Sara; where the nature of disability, number of dependent and economic condition of each family/household were considered as the pre-determinants for the support extension (reference: Sahara Fund final progress report January 2009-December) Objectives: The study primarily gauge the effect (immediate and to certain extent medium) of the program; the key objective are; 1. To access the impact of the program on the effected families/beneficiaries 2. To ascertain the sustainability aspect of the program 3. To gauge few potential initiatives/areas of intervention for long-term sustainability of the beneficiaries

Methodology: For the study the data is obtained through random sampling; out of 53 effected families, 26 were sampled which is 50 % of the total beneficiaries. A semi-structured with few open and closeended questions entertained the questionnaire. On the basis of the study objective, the questionnaire was dissected into four main parts 1. Beneficiaries basic information 2. Impact of the program 3. Sustainability 4. Potential/skills The data were collected by the MER team through physical visits to the sampled beneficiaries. The physical visit not only indicates or helps the study team in assessing the socio-economic status but we were also getting an avenue to find out the potentials and mobilize them towards addressing their sustainability aspect where possible.

Findings: With reference to the sampling population, 65% of the deceased staff were covered where as 19%, 4% and 12% were from deceased outsiders, staff injured and outsider injured respectively. The study reveals that 73% of the families were female-headed where as, 27% were male-headed families. The evident high percentage ratio of female-headed families speaks of the severity of the incident which lost the sole bread winner males of the respective families and left them vulnerable in their day to day necessities. At the start of this program, it was an overall understanding that the number of dependents apart from other predeterminants will ascertain the
90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% students non-students

Students and and non-students dependents status

severity of the effect on families. Indeed the high number of students

dependents would further specify the intensity of dependency status of each effected family. Taking this scenario into account 85% of the sampled families have dependents who are students and the rest have non-student dependents. It was observed that most of the children are studying in private schools; the schools which they were enrolled prior to the tragic incident occurred. But, due to inclining inflation (major factor), the expenses of education, clothing and other related elements have become difficult to meet; as articulated by the families. Despite of the emerging difficulties in meeting their ends; the financial support from Hashoo Foundation to families has two prong effects; one the effected children with this trauma, were not given any other shock to be out of their school and friend circle but they did continued their studies with the same spirit. Secondly, the families and in most of the cases widow mothers were satisfied that their children are continuing education in better schools. Beside the dependents perspective, the economic dimension which includes number of earning

persons in the household also determines the vulnerability or non-vulnerability status of the family. From the study it was revealed that 73% of the families have non-earning dependents whereas only 27% dependents have at least one earning person. Indeed the non-earning families have either widows with student children or consist of old-age mothers and sisters only; this refers to the idea of further exploring and categorizing the families into different strata as per severity, need and socio-economic status of the families. It was observed that few of the families despite of non-earning status have the support and interaction of close family members whereas few others are in vulnerable situation where even sons or brothers are not inquiring about mothers or sisters well being. Such families need HF attention and facilitation for longer span. Connected to the economic indicator status of the households; when inquired about the source of earning or income; it was observed that 46% have no source of income; they were totally dependent to the deceased staff. After the tragic incident they are now completely dependent on
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HFs Sahara Fund support. In most of the cases as apparent, the close relatives either due to their own economic
39% 46% No income Pension Employment 15%

Source of income

situation/challenges or families quarrel/conflicts have no or minimal families. families support Other are to these

none-income female-

purely

headed with daughters only. Such families as compared to families with sons/brothers are in more vulnerable and in weak situation primarily due to the persistent fear of the society as a whole and being mostly non-skilled and uneducated; which has ultimately reduced the level of confidence of such families. On the other hand 39% of the beneficiaries are employed; out of 39%, 40% are dependent employed whereas the rest are other supporting segments of the households which includes brothers, sisters, father, mother etc. Currently the Sahara Fund program is supporting with standing; extreme
30% 20% 10% 0 1000-10000 11000-20000 21000-30000 31000-40000 40000 and above

families/households diverse ranges income from

Income level of employed beneficiaries per month

40%

minimum of Rs.1000/month to maximum of 100,000/ per month. Whereas the average income falls between two

brackets i.e. 1000-4000 per month and 16000-20000 per month. Among the employed households, whose income/employability status is better, have less number of dependents or have stronger support from their respective families; those shall be stopped as the support(minimal amount in comparison with the overall income, above 40,000/-) does not have any significant impact on their life. There are few families, whose earnings are from Rs.1000 /5

to 20,000 /- which include daily wagers, semi-skilled employees along with government employees. There are few potential human resource/youth that can be made skillful through any appropriate skill program and also strengthening the existing skills for serving the sustainability purpose of the households. Beneficiaries with appropriate jobs (with high salary ranges, up to 30,000/-) shall be phased out after 2-3 years with immediate decrease in the support amount. Moreover, injured beneficiaries with complete medical treatments need to be phased out immediately. Concurrently from the income verses expenses perspective; it was observed that most of the households falls in higher
4% 11% income equal to expenses Expenses higher than income 85% Income higher than expenses

Income and Expenses status

expenses and less income bracket and they would be in hard situation support if HF Sahara Fund is withdrawn. Few

households with equal income and expenses needs to be phased out after identifying appropriate income generating or skill development initiatives, so as to minimize the risk of falling into potential vulnerable situation. The households with higher income and less expenses shall be phased out instantly. It was also observed that since the financial support extended to families have not been increased since the program initiation; majority of the families face difficulties in meeting the expenses. When inquired about monthly fund
After the shocking incident, due to Hashoo Foundation support, I do not have to beg anyone, not even my close family member for any support as I am meeting my expenses with dignity.Hashoo Foundation has given us the dignity and respect which we deserve to have A Widow of deceased staff, Gujjar Khan, Panjab

sufficiency, 46% expressed that the amount is sufficient for them whereas 54% argued that due to inflation, higher educational and health expenses and other factors, the support needs to be enhanced where appropriate.

Furthermore, most of the beneficiaries

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expressed that the mode or approach of support (in financial term) is appropriate to cater the immediate need and expenses of household/family but, for longer term most of the families emphasized that any long term program either skills development or set-up of small businesses/enterprises would be important so that their livelihood moves on smoothly. This will enable the families to come out of the syndrome of fear where they are always in a position/perception of losing this support. Most of the families are of the view that HF support shall be expended to the level where at least one of their children completes their masters and be in job/service. From the above connected indicators, it is evident that Sahara Fund program has

established impact on affected families. 100% of the beneficiaries expressed that they were able to meet their basic livelihood necessities and expenses which includes utilities,

educational, health expenses etc. Indeed they reiterated that fact that they were able to meet and continue their children education in better schools with better academic performances. Another aspect which is worth mentioning; this support has prevented many students not to be out of schools; few parents expressed
Prior to the incidence I with my kids was living in our village, Mardan but after the incidence, I shifted to Haripur, where my in-laws with an extended family are living. Due to the support received from Hashoo Foundation, I am able to live here with confidence as I am bearing my kids expenses whether its school, health, clothing or other expensesI dont feel that we are burden to our joint family. A widow of deceased staff from Hattar, Khyber Pakhtoon Kwa(KPK)

that though the government school education is free but other related educational expenses i.e. uniform,

books, stationary etc. would not be possible to bear, if this support would not have been extended. Moreover, few female-headed households were also able to continue or initiate their children education in the nearby towns

like Haripur, Abbottabad etc. As an exposure to the town/cities environment, the children feel more confident and articulate in a better way Another aspect is those beneficiaries who are old-age parents (of deceased son) are able to manage their medical and other livelihood expenses without any burden on other family members or children but a gradual phase out strategy shall be adopted through a proper responsibility sharing by sons(if any) The Sahara Fund has not only catered the families of deceased or injured Marriott staff but support was also extended to those who are the outsider and who got injured or expire after the incidence. One of the outsider injured whose left arm got serious injuries has now completely recovered through operations and medication; this would not be possible without Hashoo Foundation support articulated by a matriculate student. Now the program has recommended this beneficiary for phasing out successfully. Despite the immediate impact of Sahara Funds on the families/households is evident; the question of sustainability persists, and this could be addresses through Skill Development /Enhancement and Establishment of Small Business. These stand to be the options for future long term planning of HF Sahara Beneficiaries. Hashoo Foundation program or support considers the long-term sustainability perspective of any of
already phased out 12%

I am not dependent on my parents and through this facilitation I am supporting my younger brother in his studiesI want to get employed so that I can have decent life after the shocking incident A young front desk officer from Rawalpindi who lost his vision during the incident

its

beneficiaries; few of

in the the

beneficiaries assessment status

Skilled 19% potentail to be skilled 23%

connection, beneficiaries

through

To continue support 15% To be phased out 31%

Sahara Fund program have been successfully phased out through a lump sum financial support or through medical recovery. Considering the long-term
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perspective, the study revealed that 3 out of the total 26 sampled beneficiaries which are 12% were phased out due to beneficiaries death, health rehabilitation and lump sum amount facilitated to the families. The study reveals that 23% of the beneficiaries households have few potential to be skilled which in major cases includes the direct beneficiaries and in few the indirect beneficiaries. The potential skill covers tailoring, cooking, Electronic hard ware repairs, live stock management and beauty parlor and English language courses. It would be quite appropriate if the detailed technical assessment would be done from third party or through HFs Enterprise Development Program. The span or time for the final phasing out would be 2-3 years. 31% of the household/families are with the status of phasing out; where few cases (37.5%) need immediately phased due to strong family support, high income than expenditure and health rehabilitation whereas 62.5% needs gradual phasing out with skills enhancement and small business support. 19% of the beneficiaries have experience or skilled in livestock management, electronic hard ware repairs, tailoring etc. which if further augmented and assisted in building small business, then families would be able to meet their livelihood needs. The anticipated phasing out period would be 1-2 years. 4 out of 26 families which is 15% of the sampled families needs continuous support because of the reasons that there is no other source of income other than HF Sahara Fund support, being ill and under treatment for longer time and indeed no support from close relative or family members. Findings and recommendations: 1. The study reveals that majority of the households are women-headed whose only bread winner died in the tragic incident, so a systematic and careful gradual phase out intervention needs to be planned. Institutionally MER and Social Welfare Program along with technical assessment and recommendation from Enterprise development program or any outside technical person/organization have skills and micro-enterprise expertise; will chalk out a plan for the potential business/micro-enterprise development. Other families
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with continuous support or immediate withdrawal has been identified by MER (refer to the annex), which is recommended for further discussed with the concern program and proceed accordingly. 2. Variation between the ratio of dependent students, % of employed persons and level of income is evident from the study. So families with high income and less expenditure, higher employability and less dependents(especially students) shall not be further supported 3. Families/households with skilled or semi-skilled status with income brackets between Rs. 1000-10,000 needs enhancement in skill through basic or advanced level of trainings. Once they are skilled and employed or self employed, they shall be phased out with the time periods of 1-2 years (depends/varies case to case). Few of the household which are experienced in areas like livestock management, Electronic repairs etc. shall be supported in business start-up 4. Families which purely depend on HF Sahara Fund support, have no other source of income, completely school going dependents or suffering from any disease/ill or under treatment and no back-up support from immediate family member shall be continued with the support till the time at least a child complete its education. 5. Families/Households with potential to be skilled need gradual phase out in 2-3 years. The sustainability package would include skills development along with business startup. 6. There could be an option that instead of facilitating families/households on monthly basis for a longer, unlimited time, a lump sum amount could be recommended for those who are strongly willing to start business based on existing skills 7. There is a need to enhance/increase the support amount if appropriate/feasible; considering the severity of each case. 8. There is a need to link the potential skillful beneficiaries with organizations having expertise in skills development and micro-enterprising. This will enhance the collaboration institutionally and will also address the sustainabilitys aspect. 9. Constant follow-up/monitoring from the program side needs acceleration, so as to ascertain the support status, progress, issues and other socio-economic changes of the beneficiaries household.
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Beneficiaries assessment and recommendations:

Skilled beneficiaries: 1. Hanifa Begum Though did not have any training in cooking but as mention she cooks variety of dishes. She is willing to work as cook at homes or schools. She is also willing to work at any school canteen where she would be able to get her only son to continue his education 2. Safina Bibi Though she herself is not able to earn due to health issues; out of her two sons, one is employed and the other who was also employee of Marriott has left the job. They have their own house. So once the other son got employment then this support would be stopped. The second option is to limit the support to the dependent son studying in class 5th till completion of his studies. 3. Afsheen Bhatti She is masters in Social Sciences. She has teaching experience (taught tuitions) and she is interested to join any educational institution for teaching. She is recommended to be phased out in 1-2 years 4. Imran Mehmood The deceased elder brother is employed in Ufone and other son is skilled person(tailor), so the brother who is looking after the parents shall be support lump sum amount for set-up of small business or the amount shall be reduced and gradually phased out(full recommendation after SWP physical visit to deceased staff parents in Sargodha Punjab) 5. Kaneez Fatima A daughter is skilled (tailoring) and is working in welfare organization with 500-1000/- wages per month. The other
11 daughter is willing to get beauty parlor course. Recommended

for training and business set-up, need to be phased out in 2 years time

Potential to be skilled: 6. Sajida Parveen She has a house along with limited land in the villages. She is willing to start ladies shop or to work in any school. Need to be phased out in 1-2 years time 7. Shah Begum Needs to be supported through skill developed of their daughter or in purchasing a cow. Sons are also grown up and can support mother and sisters 8. Rafeeq-un-Nisa She wants get a support in purchasing a cow. She is experienced in livestock raring 9. Asia Need to explore some appropriate skills and gradually phasing out in 2-3 years time 10. Mussarat Shaeen Elder son is employed; the younger son wants to be skilled and contribute in household livelihood. Needs to phased out in 2-3 years time 11. Bibi Kubra A highly motivated family; elder son is electrician (have done graduation and diploma course) and a daughter wants to do beautician training. As one of the children is settled, then they can be phased out. I would take 1-2 years. To continue support: 12. Saliha Begum, No other source of income than HF Sahara Fund support, being ill and under treatment for longer time and indeed no support from close relative or family members.

Marium Begum 13. 14. 15. Farzana Rabia Basri Nayyar

To be phased out: 16. Meshain Niazi As she is employed as lecturer in a well known educational institute and is also supported by his family. Her support gradually needs to be minimize and ultimately phased out 17. 18. Nasir Hafeez Shabana Zaman Health rehabilitation complete She has her own home and is fully supported by her parents

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family. They have suggested for facilitation in getting a lump sum amount to make it part of any saving scheme. 19. Makhdoom Jan To be immediately phased out as she is financial

sustainable(income three times higher than expenditure) 20. Azhar Mehmood Due to chest and eye injury, he is not able to do any job but he and his wife wants get a support in purchasing a cow. As they have animal raring experience and are comfortable to start this business/micro-enterprise 21. Hamida Begum She wants get a support in purchasing a cow. She is experienced in livestock raring/management 22. Jahanzeb Bibi Sons are employed and financial strong; less expenses then income. Also have land and properties. Needs immediate withdrawal of fund 23. Mubashar To be phased out after a year; if got job and secondly need some lump sum support for business initiation. After a year needs to be phased out Already phased out: 24. 25. 26. Zulfiqar ud Din Sheraz Ali Hafeez ur Rehman Due to deceased mother(direct dependent death) Phased out after health rehabilitation Phased out after lump sum support from Baitul Maal(now requested for sons employment with any organization as he is trained and practicing electronic hard ware with shop on daily wages)

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