1

SAHARA FUND

Quarterly Progress Report

April 2009

Table of Contents
1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 Introduction Categories Relief and Rehabilitation Strategic plan Sahara Fund Major donors Details of Payments 3 3 3 4 5 5

1.0

Introduction

The biggest ever explosion in the history of Islamabad occurred at 7:59 pm (PST) on September 20, 2008 at the main gate of the citys prestigious Marriott Hotel also called the Home of Islamabad. This blast rocked neighboring buildings and shattered glass windows in residential homes up to 5 kilometers radius. The explosion took place just after Iftar as families broke their Ramadan fast. According to official and eye witness reports, supported by CCTV cameras, a dump truck, packed with an estimated amount of more than 600 Kilograms of highly inflammable, explosive materials tried to enter the Hotel premises by ramming through the protective steel barriers. As the truck approached it was stopped by the dutiful and brave Hotel Security Guards in spite they sense the danger. Immediately after it was stopped a flash occurred inside the truck causing a fire. Security guards were seen trying to extinguish the fire when the devastating blast occurred. The explosion was so immense it created a 59 feet wide and 20 feet deep crater destroying everything and killing or seriously injuring everyone who was near the truck when the blast went off. The blast was so great it immediately destroyed the ground floor lobby and reception area and caused the modern multi-story Hotel to catch on fire. Flames spread on every floor, with desperate people trying to flee the building. The death toll went from an initial 11 persons to a reported 53, with more than 250 people injured. Causalities were found in the parking lot as well as inside the burning building. Most of the dead were Pakistani citizens and were employees of the Hotel, including the security guards. Taking immediate action the management of Hashoo Group and Hashoo Foundation has devised a plan outlining the procedures for providing relief and rehabilitation.

2.0
a. b. c. d.

Categories
Deaths of hotel staff; Deaths of outsiders; Injured staff with disabilities; and Injured outsiders with disabilities

3.0

Relief and Rehabilitation

a. Hashoo Foundation supported all affected staff and outsiders in terms of medical treatment in government as well as in the best private hospitals. b. Hashoo Foundation provided transport to injured staff and outsiders from Islamabad to their homes in far-flung areas.

4 c. For the families of the affected staff and outsiders who died and to those who became disabled and are unable to work, Hashoo Foundation developed a support system based on the following criteria: 1. Nature of disability of the staff and outsiders; 2. Number of dependent and economic condition of the family; 3. In case of death support to the affected family based on number of dependents and economic condition; and 4. This is in addition to the support provided by the Government.

4.0

Strategic plan Sahara Fund

The Social Welfare Department of Hashoo Foundation (HF) developed specific policies and strategies for recipients of impacted families who received benefits disbursed from the Sahara Fund. The recipients have been categorized by distinct groupings and benefits disbursed based on: Assessed needs, based on number of dependents and level of poverty, following individual interviews with the person and/or family members; and After a medical appraisal undertaken by Hashoo Foundation medical staff Each recipient category has designated benefits which has been approved by the Chairperson and Management Committee of HF and have been disbursed by Hashoo Foundation staff every month starting from January 2009. Each allocation of financial support is properly received through demand draft by the receiving person and recorded in the financial data base of the Hashoo Foundation. These records are audited annually. During a reception in Marriott hotel, the framework of the Sahara Fund has been fully explained to all the intended recipients, donors, employees and non-employees alike, and the intended use of all financial allocations is public record. Allocation of benefits by specific category is as follows: 1. Families of deceased; 2. Families of injured with disabilities; and 3. Families of one time support based on their advice and willingness.
Awareness Sessions for Sahara Fund Beneficiaries

Every month this information is put up on the website of HF for donors and recipients. The information is accessible to all stakeholders.

5.0

Major donors

The following are the major donors of Sahara Fund: Marriott International; Barclays Bank PLC; Trimark Capital (Aziz Sharif); Mohammad Ali (HBL); Uch Power Project; Princely Jet Ltd; Fakhruddin G Ibrahim & Co

Mr. Sadruddin Hashwani, Parton-in-Chief receiving donation from the Delegates of Marriott International, a major donor.

6.0

Details of Payments

Summary of Payments to Sahara Fund Beneficiaries:

For the Month of January, 2009

Summary sheet of payments Sr# Detail Number of Families Amount PKR Supported 30 375,100 14 8 2 4 1 1 34 122,820 34,000 20,000 420,000 100,000 43,335 1,020,000

1 Per month payments for deceased staff Per month payments for deceased 2 outsiders 3 Per month payments for Injured outsiders 4 Per month payments for Injured staffs One time payments for deceased 5 outsiders 6 One time payment for deceased staff Educational assistant to Miss. Bibi 7 Saeeda* One time emergency support to 8 (Deceased outsiders, injured outsiders and deceased staffs) Total

94

2,135,255

6
For the Month of February, 2009

Summary sheet of payments Sr# 1 2 3 4 5 Detail Per month payments for deceased staff Per month payments for deceased outsiders Per month payments for Injured outsiders Per month payments for Injured staffs Additional Educational Assistance for Mr. Mustafa-u-din** Total
For the Month of March, 2009

Number of Families Supported 30 14 8 2 1 55

AmountPKR 375,100 122,820 34,000 20,000 49,390 601,310

Summary sheet of payments Sr# Detail Number of Families Supported 30 14 8 2 1 55 AmountPKR 375,100 122,820 34,000 20,000 762,715 1,314,635

1 Per month payments for deceased staff Per month payments for deceased 2 outsiders 3 Per month payments for Injured outsiders 4 Per month payments for Injured staffs Paid to Shifa International Hospital against 5 Mr. Samiullah's*** medical bill Total

*Ms Bibi Saeeda is the sister of Mr.Bashir Wali Khan (late), who was working as restaurant cashier in Marriott Hotel, Islamabad. He belonged to a very remote area named Bang in Chitral. He was the one and only earning member of his large family. His sister is doing Masters in Arts. After his sudden death, his family was helpless and looking for financial and moral support. Sahara Fund committee approved educational support for his sister (Bibi Saeeda). **Mr. Mustafa-u-din s/o Mr. Murtaza-Uddin Ahmed (late), was working for the last 21 years as Shift Engineer in the Air Conditioning Department of the Marriott Hotel, Islamabad. He lost his life in the terrorist attack, and was the only earning member of his extended family. Due to his sudden death, his family has been facing serious financial problems and cannot meet their monthly food expenses and educational expenses of his son who is doing MBA. Sahara Fund committee approved education support for his son is Rs, 10,000 per month for two years

7
and a lump sum amount of Rs 100,000 for completion of a house that is under construction. ***Mr. Sami Ullah is associated with the Evacuee Trust Building where he worked as a security guard. He was on duty on the night of the Marriott bomb blast and suffered severe upper body injuries as a result of the explosion. His right arm was amputated required an artificial arm. Only 19, he was the major financial supporter of his family, including paying school fees for his sisters. Sahara Fund committee approved Rs. 5.000 per month medical assistance until further reevaluations from doctors. However, additional expenses on rehabilitation will be provided from Sahara Fund, thus Rs. 7, 62,715 were paid to Shifa International Hospital against his medical bill.