November 14, 2006	Tuesday	Shawwal 21, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 13: Expressing concern over the limited approach to livelihood assets in earthquake-affected areas, speakers at a seminar here on Monday demanded a comprehensive livelihood strategy which should support gendered human development, encourage sustainable local economic activity and strengthen weakened livelihood assets.

They also demanded that the focus should be on strengthening those livelihood assets (in a sustainable manner) that were most susceptible to the vulnerability context.

While presenting their research findings in a seminar on “State of livelihood assets in earthquake affected areas” organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Dr Abid Qayyum Sulehri, and Sobia N. Ahmad discussed the state of livelihood assets and related issues in the earthquake-affected areas.

Dr Sulehri said a natural calamity turned into human disaster due to bad policies and planning. He said one of the flaws of the relief and reconstruction policies framed for the earthquake- affected areas was the narrow definition of livelihood in the relief and reconstruction policies. It only covered the financial needs only. Dr Sulehri said a livelihood comprised the capabilities, assets and activities required for a means of living. It is, therefore, something more than just financial assets.

He said the government, various humanitarian assistance organisations, philanthropic bodies and individuals did respond very well and saved many precious lives that could have been lost during the severe winter that set in just after the earthquake.

“But now after the relief phase, we have entered into the phase of rehabilitation and reconstruction where we should focus on the revival of livelihoods. To properly plan the revival of livelihoods in earthquake-affected areas we need to adopt a proper definition of the term,” he added.

Sobia Ahmad said some 87,000 lives were lost. More than one million people lost their jobs, affecting 500,000 households; and 3.5 million people lost their livelihoods. Half of the animals were killed and about 70 per cent of the harvested and standing crops damaged besides great losses to the natural resources due to land sliding, soil erosion and destruction of irrigation channels.

She said livelihood comprised five capitals or assets - human (which have to do with human skills and capabilities), natural (natural resources), financial, social, and physical (economic, social and communication infrastructure, etc).