Thatta is the historically rich and civilized city of Sindh. It is tail of river Indus, near to delta. As the river Indus has flooded the badly to entire Sindh which has ended at Thatta district, but its end is going so severe and serious. The dykes at Thatta were extremely vulnerable and feeble that they could not bear the increasing flow of water that touched the strength of 9, 50,000 cusecs water. As soon as water touched the dykes of Thatta, water over flew the both banks of Indus River.
Pakistan is the 16th country in the world most vulnerable to climate change. Local people said climatic implications have been hitting the people of Thatta in shape of sea intrusion, floods and cyclones, reducing their livelihood sources and causing acute drinking water shortages.
So far, in District Thatta, 121 families out of 329 selected beneficiaries have purchased alternative livelihood of livestock and started to grow their own vegetables in kitchen gardening with the assistance provided by Pakistan Red Crescent under Integrated Rural Food Security (IRFS) Project for poor families.
The IRFS Project is being implemented by PRC Sindh Provincial Branch and German Red Cross (GRC) in 22 villages of Thatta and Badin Districts with an aim to improvement of food security and resilient of the communities in Sindh and the effect of climate change. The project is funded by the German Federal Economic Cooperation and Development.
Mrs. Begma Khaskheli, a 61-years woman lives in village Hashim Sholani, Taluka Keti Bundar at coastal belt of Thatta District. She is a widow and living with her five sons and four daughters. Her two elder sons are casual labors engaged with fishing labors at seaside with limited opportunities.
“After the death of my husband, being a woman it was very difficult for me to run a family of 9 members with limited income generation opportunities and no alternate livelihood support”.
After assessment the PRC-Sindh has selected her as a beneficiary for IRFS Project and provided Rs. 40,000, conditional cash grant for alternative livelihood on her choice of livestock and received Training on Kitchen Gardening organized by Sindh Agriculture University. Soon she started her role as volunteer to promote women to engage in different project’s activities and community development. Then she was also nominated to work as volunteer on awareness raising campaign on Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) at community level to increase knowledge of community with specially focus on women.
With the support of PRC project, Begma purchased one healthy calf and a pregnant sheep that gave birth to three combs. She sold one of the combs to deal with her domestic problems. Now she has four livestock and from sheep she is getting milk for her family and also saving Rs.40/= daily.
Earlier they were purchasing vegetables from market but after receiving training on Kitchen Gardening along with quality vegetable seed from Pakistan Red Crescent, now they are cultivating own vegetable and saving Rs.70/- on daily basis as well.
She is also trained in the methods of using of pesticides and fertilizer for plants. She has cultivated few fruit plant with hope to get fresh fruit for her family.
In a meeting with Field Officers of PRC-Sindh Thatta Branch, Begma said that they all are very thankful to Pakistan Red Crescent for supporting them as helping hand in the time of difficulties. “Now I am saving money on daily basis and living a better life”, said Begma with pleasure. Due to PRC organized mobilization & awareness sessions, our children are going to school regularly and women are keeping clean their homes and livestock shelters. The villagers are appreciating Red Crescent for improving their lives and livelihood effectively.
Begma was praying for success of Red Crescent and hopping that this organization will always ready to help needy people worldwide.
