Rapid Response Payment Request No. 10/2009

Funds Sent To: Church World Service- Pakistan/Afghanistan (CWS-P/A)

Amount Sent: US$ 49,977

Date: 05 August 2009

Details of Response

Emergency: Violence against Christian minority in Gorja city, Punjab Province

Date of Emergency: 30 July- 01 August 2009

Implementing Member/Partner: CWS- P/A with CLAAS

DETAILS OF THE EMERGENCY:

On July 30, 2009, an alleged incident of desecration of the Holy Quran led to violence between Christian and Muslim communities in Gojra city, Toba Tek Singh District, one of the 36 districts of Punjab Province with a population of over 1.6 million. Christians are a religious minority in Pakistan and face religious, social, constitutional, economic and educational discrimination.

CWS-P/A's partner - the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) visited the affected area after the incidents and have reported that the violence resulted in the torching by a mob of 47 houses in the village of Korian and a further 100 out of 200 houses in the Christian colony in Gojra. The latter resulted in seven deaths, including 4 women and a child, and injured dozens of people from both sides (DAWN News, Pakistan). A number of houses were also looted and two churches were set on fire.

Families displaced by the violence initially took shelter at the local church compound and facilities. Families are salvaging whatever belongings they can from their damaged houses. The majority of the families are now living with relatives within the village or in nearby communities, until such time as their houses are inhabitable again.

Caritas Faisalabad in their survey of Korian Village alone found that 10 buffaloes, 9 heifers and 40 goats belonging to villagers were stolen by the mob. Livelihoods have been disrupted and destroyed for many.

While Pakistan security forces continued patrolling the streets of Gojra City, a demonstration held by around a thousand Christians on Sunday 02 August, ended only after the Provincial Minister shared a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) which included complaints of negligence by the District Coordination Officer (DCO) and District Police Officer (DPO). Christian schools all over Pakistan have been declared closed from 3-5 August to mourn and protest the incidents.

ACTIONS TO DATE, AND EMERGENCY NEEDS:

CWS-P/A's local partner CLAAS visited the affected areas and gathered initial assessment data. Caritas Faisalabad along with other NGOs have also visited the affected areas to gather information.

Currently, affected families have sought refuge among friends and relatives whose own resources are being leaned upon and are dependent on external support. Very limited assistance to address immediate needs is reaching the affected communities from individuals and some religious organisations and various appeals and reports are being circulated by Community Based Organizations. The Government of Pakistan (GoP) has announced a compensation package of PKR 50,000 for families who lost a family member in the violence. Further compensation for damage to property is being looked into by the GoP. Caritas plans to provide a one week food ration to affected families.

CWS P/A with CLAAS has identified food, and basic non-food items as the most urgent needs of the affected families. Food rations require the provision of kitchen sets and sand stoves to enable the families to prepare food.

PROPOSED EMERGENCY RESPONSE

- OBJECTIVE OF THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Goal: To save lives and minimize the suffering of violence-affected households through provision of emergency relief assistance.

Objective: To provide one-month food rations and basic non-food relief items within the next six weeks to 235 families in Gojra city who lost their homes in the attacks.

- TARGET POPULATION

Two-hundred and thirty-five (235) families who lost their homes in the violence in Gojra city will be targeted for assistance. The average family has seven (7) members, and two to three families commonly live within the same household.

Criteria for Beneficiary selection:

• Persons who have lost their homes and belongings due to arson and looting in the violence

• Persons who do not have the means to support themselves and their families in the short-term with basic survival items and who have not received assistance from others

• Attention will be given to women, widows, children, aged, disabled and vulnerable persons with special needs

The figures for the total number of families affected are not yet clear, but current indications from various assessments are that between 187 families (Caritas assessment) to over 300 families having been affected (from 147 households). Therefore, CWS P/A have planned with target of 235 families, also based on funding available from the ACT RRF, but will prioritize assistance according to the criteria above should the number in need exceed the 235 families.

- PROPOSED ASSISTANCE

A one month ration / food package will be provided along with essential non-food items (NFIs).

 One-month food basic food rations according to SPHERE standards consisting of

o 80 kg wheat flour

o 8 kg pulses

o 4.5 liters cooking oil

o 4 kg. sugar

o 400 g tea leaves

o 800 g iodized salt

o 2 kg milk powder*

*The milk powder included in the food package is intended for tea preparation which is customary in Pakistan.

 Hygiene kits will include soap, towels, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap holder and sanitary napkins.

 Household and Kitchen sets will include pots, plates, spoon and fork, cups, as well as mosquito nets, jerry cans and plastic mats

 In addition, each family will receive a cooking stove

- IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS

The assistance will be implemented by CWS-P/A's partner the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS). CLAAS is an interdenominational organisation working for Christians who are being persecuted because of their faith in Pakistan. CLAAS promotes and protect human rights and religious freedom through dissemination of information, advocacy and campaigns, and provides free legal aid, shelter and financial support to victims of religious intolerance and their families. Further information about CLAAS can be found on their website at http://www.claas.org.uk.

CWS P/A will work with CLAAS to conduct further assessment of needs of the affected families. CWS-P/A, through its Disaster Management Program, will oversee the implementation of the activities under the RRF. The office in Islamabad will directly monitor implementation of the program, while CWS-P/A head office in Karachi will provide support especially on the financial requirements of the project.

Procurement of items will be facilitated according to CWS-P/A set policies and guidelines. Distribution points will be established and beneficiaries will be informed ahead of time of the distribution dates and timings.

All activities of the projects will be carried out keeping in mind SPHERE standards and principles for accountability to the affected population (HAP).

- COORDINATION

From the ACT Forum members in Pakistan, only CWS-P/A is planning to respond to this emergency. Nevertheless, updates on activities under this response will be regularly shared with other ACT members.

CWS-P/A, with and through CLAAS, will work closely with CBOs in the area in carrying out activities under this response. Coordination with other NGOs who will be providing support will also be the responsibility of CWS-P/A through its focal person.

Although beneficiaries are Christians, CWS-P/A will also strive to establish coordination not only with Christian organizations but other stakeholders present in the area. The assistance provided will be openly communicated to the local government and other religious leaders, if necessary. This is to ensure that the aid provided will not create any cause for grievances from people in neighbouring communities.

- COMMUNICATIONS:

CWS-P/A through its Communication Office will share regular updates on its response activities. Information, along with pictures/documentation of activities will be shared with the ACT Coordinating Office as well as other, I/NGOs, UN and the rest of the international community. CWS-P/A also pro actively collects case studies and human interest stories in the field.

- PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD:

The distribution of food and non-food relief items will be implemented within 6 weeks.

(For the detailed schedule, kindly visit the ACT site. Thank you.)

BUDGET: US$ 49,977

(For the detailed budget, kindly visit the ACT site. Thank you.)

ACTION

The ACT Co-ordinating Office has approved the use of $60,000 USD from its Rapid Response Fund and would be grateful to receive contributions to wholly or partially replenish this payment. Should there be an appeal for this emergency, the RRF payment will be considered as an advance.

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.