MANSEHRA: The people from different segments of society on Monday lauded non-governmental organisations for helping alleviate poverty and psycho-social problems in the country.

“The effective role of NGOs has brought the incidences of violence and crimes against women down,” former district head of the United Nations Population Fund Dr Mohammad Ali told a Saibaan Development Organisation function here.

Dr Ali said the mother and infant mortality rate was higher in remote areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa compared with other parts of the province and the lack of skilled birth attendants was to blame for it.

He, however, said NGOs like Saibaan sensitised the society and even the government to that critical issue.

“Thanks to the interventions of NGOs, the mortality rate among pregnant and lactating mothers and infants is coming down,” he said.

Saibaan chief executive officer Sahibzada Jawad Alfaizi said the social sector was playing an important role in addressing issues of women, people with disabilities, transgender persons and children.

“We are committed to the development of the marginalised segments of society. Our volunteers are still supporting the survivors of the 2005 earthquake in the province,” he said.

Lawyer Noorul Amin and journalists Nisar Swati and Mohammad Akhtar Naeem also highlighted the role of NGOs in the people’s development, especially women and children’s.

Dr Ali and other guests cut the cake at the end of the ceremony.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2023