Report Company
Hisaar Foundation
Background
Given the impacts of global warming, increasing population, and the impending shortages of sweet water, Pakistan has already had early warnings of drought, food problems and livelihood erosion. The erratic cycles of drought and floods are now clearly visible. Pakistan's population is set to double in 23 years time at current growth rates. Unless cheap methods are found to desalinate seawater, this means progressively lower per capita availability of sweet water. According to global data, Pakistan will be a water-deficit country by 2006.
The general impression that putting in more tubewells is the answer to the problem is creating a false sense of security within Pakistan. Pakistan has been mining its ground water reserves (that is, extracting more than can be replaced by natural recharge of aquifers), and the erratic changes being witnessed in the monsoonal pattern of precipitation means that we need a long-term perspective on how to provide emergency relief operations when needed and, more importantly, how to best manage our water resources, continue food production at optimum, conserve rural livelihoods, and mitigate the efforts of drought and floods.
There is a need to pull together all the necessary strands of information and at least be able to predict where the droughts and floods are likely to happen, so we are prepared to handle the emergencies. We can help keep people on the land that produces, by better managing our water resources and protecting people's livelihoods. We need to stop being reactive to emergencies and instead become proactive and act now to prevent and/or mitigate the negative consequences of crises related to water.
Establishment of Hisaar Foundation
Hisaar Foundation (meaning protective circle) originated with the response to the severe drought that affected parts of Pakistan in the second half of 1999 and first half of 2000. Given that the government was slow to respond and people were going without food and water in part of Sindh and Balochistan, a small group of concerned people in Karachi set up a committee and launched the Thar Drought Appeal, which later became the Pakistan Drought Appeal.
Initially supported by two private sector organizations this initiative soon developed into Hisaar Foundation - A foundation for water, food and livelihood security in 2000. The Memorandum and Articles of Association were developed in 2001 and the Foundation was formally registered as a non-profit company (under section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984) in January 2003 with seven governors. The Foundation has tax exemption approval Under Section 2(36) (c) of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, (approval No. CIT/COS.V/2004-05/37).
During the early phases of its work, the Foundation engaged in two major fund raising initiatives and raised over Rs two crore (approximately US$ 500,000) worth of water systems, drinking water, food supplies, shelter, medicines, warm clothes and support services for the Pakistan Drought Appeal and the Citizens' Appeal for Afghan Refugees (Balochistan).
During its current phase the Foundation has developed as a premier institution that provides a platform for bringing together issues of water, food and livelihood and seeks solutions relevant for the water-food-livelihood nexus in an integrated manner. It promotes Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and environmental conservation. It raises support from individuals and institutions, both in Pakistan and abroad and had set its course according to Pakistan's needs.
Given the impacts of global warming, increasing population, and the impending shortages of sweet water, Pakistan has already had early warnings of drought, food problems and livelihood erosion. The erratic cycles of drought and floods are now clearly visible. Pakistan's population is set to double in 23 years time at current growth rates. Unless cheap methods are found to desalinate seawater, this means progressively lower per capita availability of sweet water. According to global data, Pakistan will be a water-deficit country by 2006.
The general impression that putting in more tubewells is the answer to the problem is creating a false sense of security within Pakistan. Pakistan has been mining its ground water reserves (that is, extracting more than can be replaced by natural recharge of aquifers), and the erratic changes being witnessed in the monsoonal pattern of precipitation means that we need a long-term perspective on how to provide emergency relief operations when needed and, more importantly, how to best manage our water resources, continue food production at optimum, conserve rural livelihoods, and mitigate the efforts of drought and floods.
There is a need to pull together all the necessary strands of information and at least be able to predict where the droughts and floods are likely to happen, so we are prepared to handle the emergencies. We can help keep people on the land that produces, by better managing our water resources and protecting people's livelihoods. We need to stop being reactive to emergencies and instead become proactive and act now to prevent and/or mitigate the negative consequences of crises related to water.
Establishment of Hisaar Foundation
Hisaar Foundation (meaning protective circle) originated with the response to the severe drought that affected parts of Pakistan in the second half of 1999 and first half of 2000. Given that the government was slow to respond and people were going without food and water in part of Sindh and Balochistan, a small group of concerned people in Karachi set up a committee and launched the Thar Drought Appeal, which later became the Pakistan Drought Appeal.
Initially supported by two private sector organizations this initiative soon developed into Hisaar Foundation - A foundation for water, food and livelihood security in 2000. The Memorandum and Articles of Association were developed in 2001 and the Foundation was formally registered as a non-profit company (under section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984) in January 2003 with seven governors. The Foundation has tax exemption approval Under Section 2(36) (c) of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, (approval No. CIT/COS.V/2004-05/37).
During the early phases of its work, the Foundation engaged in two major fund raising initiatives and raised over Rs two crore (approximately US$ 500,000) worth of water systems, drinking water, food supplies, shelter, medicines, warm clothes and support services for the Pakistan Drought Appeal and the Citizens' Appeal for Afghan Refugees (Balochistan).
During its current phase the Foundation has developed as a premier institution that provides a platform for bringing together issues of water, food and livelihood and seeks solutions relevant for the water-food-livelihood nexus in an integrated manner. It promotes Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and environmental conservation. It raises support from individuals and institutions, both in Pakistan and abroad and had set its course according to Pakistan's needs.