HPC Recipe Three, 2016

Recipe name: Added value of working through mainstream agencies, relevant government institutions and academia: A change process through ADCAP Pakistan

Origin of the recipe

ADCAP Pakistan (Concern worldwide, Islamic Relief and HelpAge International) has performed well in promoting age and disability in humanitarian actions in Pakistan. The ADCAP team has embarked on the following series of actions aimed at mainstreaming inclusion in humanitarian response in Pakistan:

  • Building the capacities of humanitarian institutions on inclusion of age and disabilities in humanitarian actions;
  • Influencing the development of organizational action plans of humanitarian institutions and government entities;
  • Collecting segregated age and disability data (SADD);
  • Advocating for budget allocation in humanitarian response programs for older persons (Ops) and persons with disabilities;
  • Mainstreaming participation of older persons (Ops) and persons with disabilities in monitoring, evaluation and reporting within the implementation of humanitarian response programs.

Achievements

The ADCAP programme has successfully completed one year in Pakistan. Within this period, the ADCAP team has been able to:

  • Build the capacity of 267 humanitarian professionals from 16 national and international organizations working in Pakistan.
  • 10 organizational action plans were developed and testing of inclusion of OP, persons with disabilities and MS were piloted in 5 emergency projects with Concern Worldwide Pakistan through RAPID program in food security and livelihood, WASH and shelter sectors.
  • Inclusion of OPs and persons with disabilities was specifically incorporated in multiyear project – Building Disaster Resilience in Pakistan (BDRP) and RELIEF project funded by DFID. HelpAge International is testing in RELIEF project and providing technical support in BDRP project. Islamic Relief is testing it in WASH and shelter projects at Chitral for flood and earthquake response.

ADCAP Pakistan has 2 key pillars of inclusion in Pakistan i.e. Advocacy and Inclusion Programing by networking with Ageing and Disability Task Force-ADTF, National DRR forum, National Humanitarian Networks and Clusters, Pakistan National Disaster Management system (NIDM), Academia (University of Peshawar).

Notable challenges in the implementation of the ADCAP programme have mainly revolved around insufficient technical staff (physiotherapists + psychologists) to support inclusive response, communication barriers, inadequate organizational capacities and mandates, lack of specific budgeting to support mainstreaming efforts and under reporting.

Ingredients for knowledge and experience sharing:

Speaker: Anwar, Farooq and Shafqat, respectively

(View their profiles HERE)

Three informed and articulate presenters:

  • Anwar Sadat – HelpAge International Pakistan
  • Farooq Masih – Islamic Relief Pakistan
  • Shafqat Ullah – Concern Worldwide Pakistan
  • 23 representatives comprised of policy makers (Government officials and Donor agencies), United Nations Agencies in Kenya, Humanitarian Practitioners (INGOs), Academia (Universities and Scholars), Civil Society (Disable Peoples Organizations and Older Persons Organisations) and Private sector players (Corporates).
  • One roving microphone
  • Lots of water

Preparation

Place all the ingredients into the Amani conference room at the Boma Hotel and cook evenly at 22 degrees for 45 minutes.

Outcomes

The ADCAP Pakistan team was able to share the following lessons from their mainstreaming experience

  • SADD data is critical to meet the specific needs of OP and PWDs in humanitarian settings.
  • Institutional willingness and attitude is the real gateway to inclusion.
  • Preferring diversity over organizational mandate and mission is rare but real implementation strategy to inclusion.
  • Budget allocation for OPs and persons with disabilities at donor and organizational level plays critical role in mainstreaming.
  • Ensuring, monitoring and reporting meaningful participation periodically is important to keep check on inclusion.

Recommendations:

  • Inclusive humanitarian response can only be achieved if vulnerable and excluded groups are involved during the conceptualization, design, and implementation. Additionally, these groups should essentially lead the process alongside international, national and local stakeholders for meaningful participation to be achieved.
  • Inclusive planning and budgeting can ensure equitable resource allocation in humanitarian response to address the specific needs of older persons & persons with disabilities.
  • There is a need to advocate for linkages between programs that address underlying causes of vulnerability & humanitarian response interventions at local and national levels. This will ensure the cycle of exclusion essentially broken.