Sahara Fund Programme Consolidated Report 2009 2014

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Table of Contents
1.
INTRODUCTION
.........................................................................................................................
2

2.
RELIEF AND REHABILITATION
..............................................................................................
3

3.
SUMMARY REPORT OF TOTAL FAMILIES
...........................................................................
4

4.
DETAILS OF PHASED OUT BENEFICIARIES
.........................................................................
4

5.
DONATIONS
................................................................................................................................
5

6.
FUND DISBURSEMENT DETAILS
...........................................................................................
6

7.
FUND DISBURSEMENT CATEGORY DETAILS
.....................................................................
7

8.
DONATION AND FUND SUMMARY
.......................................................................................
7

9.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROGRESS
..........................................................................................
8

10.
SUCCESS STORIES
...................................................................................................................
10

11.
CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWARD
...................................................................................
18

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1. INTRODUCTION
The Hashoo Group and Hashoo Foundation (HF) initiated the Sahara Fund Programme to
provide relief and rehabilitation to the bomb blast affectees of Islamabad Marriott Hotel, on
September 20, 2008, which killed 54 and injured at least 266 people. The Hashoo
Foundation and Hashoo Group implemented these relief and rehabilitation plans in
collaboration with government, non-government and international donors in 2008, soon after
the tragic incident providing emergency medical assistance to the blast affectees. The Sahara
Fund Programme was formally started in January 2009, aiming to provide financial
assistance for the families to ensure their basic needs. This programme continues to assist its
beneficiaries.
Under the Sahara Fund Programme, a mechanism for fund disbursement was developed to
provide medical, financial and educational assistance to 65 families since 2009. Each
family’s financial position was evaluated in order to provide the family members with the
same income level they had as before. For acquiring financial assistance, specific policies and
procedures were developed by the Social Welfare department of Hashoo Foundation. Based
on individual interviews with family members and a review of their dependents, distinct
groups were created accordingly to cater to their needs.
Mr.
Geoff
Garside,
Executive
President
for
Marriott
Asia-‐Pacific
region
presents
the
check
on
behalf
of
Marriott,
its

employees
and
business
partners,
to
Mr.
Saddrudin
Hashwani,
Chairman
of
the
Hashoo
Group
and
Founder
of
the
Hashoo

Foundation.

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These distinct groups were categorized as:
A. Deceased Hotel Staff
B. Injured Hotel Staff with Disabilities
C. Deceased Outsiders
D. Injured Outsiders with Disabilities.
2. RELIEF AND REHABILITATION
The Hashoo Foundation (HF) in collaboration with Hashoo Group (HG) took the following
relief and rehabilitation measures immediately after the tragic incident:
1. All staff and outsiders, affected by the bomb blast were supported by the Foundation
in terms of medical treatment in government and private hospitals.
2. The Foundation provided transport to injured staff and outsiders from Islamabad to
their homes.
3. HF’s management recognized the fact that relief alone was not enough; there was a
need for an elaborate mechanism of support to help the survivors regain their lost
livelihoods. Based on this realization, a support system for the affected families was
developed to ensure these families met their basic needs.
Mr.
Geoff
Garside,
Executive
President
for
Marriott
Asia-‐Pacific
region
meeting
victims
and
their
families

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The relief and rehabilitation measures were taken as per the criteria:
a. Nature of disability and severity of injury of the staff and outsiders.
b. Number of dependents and economic condition of the family in terms of family size
and a reliable source of income.
c. Extent of families’ needs.
3. SUMMARY REPORT OF TOTAL FAMILIES
4. DETAILS OF PHASED OUT BENEFICIARIES
Categories
Number of Phased out Beneficiaries (Year Wise)
Total
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Deceased Hotel Staff 1 1 2 4
Injured Hotel Staff 2 2
Deceased Outsider 4 1 1 1 1 1 9
Injured Outsider 2 1 2 2 1 8
Total 9 2 3 4 4 1 23

1

Families
were
phased
out
during
2009-‐2014
who
during
the
period
of
time
became
financially
sound
and

medically
rehabilitated.
Some
families
were
provided
lump
sum
amount
for
small
business
initiatives
and
they

were
phased
out
after
their
successful
small
business
set
up.

Categories
Base Line
(2009)
New Added Phased Out1
Current (Till
December 2014)
Deceased Hotel Staff 31 4 4 31
Injured Hotel Staff 2 3 2 3
Deceased Outsider 17 0 9 8
Injured Outsider 8 0 8 0
Total 58 7 23 42

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5. DONATIONS
The generous contribution of local and international partners has made possible the
implementation of the rehabilitation plan for the affected families set by the Hashoo
Foundation. Marriott employees worldwide showed their care and concern and sought out
ways to help fellow employees and their families who were victims of the attack.
The Islamabad Marriott Assistance Fund was quickly established, while employees’
worldwide- mobilized creative fund-raising activities such as car washes, bake sales and book
sales or made individual contributions. Marriott International and The J. Willard and Alice S.
Marriott Foundation also made contributions to the Fund. The money raised was used to
assist the victims and their families with education, food, medical and social support as set
forth by the Hashoo Foundation.
The following table provides a break-up of the donations towards the Sahara Fund:
Donors Date
Donation in
PKR
Donation in USD2
Marriott International Dec 2008-Jan 2009 23,632,731 258,281.21
Hashoo Group Sept-Dec 2008 1,201,921 13,128.57
Hashoo Group Employees Sept-Dec 2008 3,950,800 43,154.56
UCH Power (Pvt) Ltd Nov 2008 500,000 5,461.50
Others and Individual
donations
Sept 2008-2009 6,126,272 66,953.79
Total 35,411,724 387,013.37
Donors Date
Donation in
PKR
Donation in USD
Pakistan Bait-Ul-Mal3
Dec, 2010- Jan, 2011 2,000,000 21,845.99

2

Exchange
rate
was
calculated
as
an
annual
average
based
(PKR
relative
to
the
U.S.
dollar)
from
2009-‐2014
and
the

average
exchange
rate
for
the
period
is
USD
1=
91.55
PKR.

Data
Source:
(World
Bank
data,
Ozforex).
All
the
amount
in
PKR

in
this
document
is
converted
into
USD
at
the
average
exchange
rate
unless
and
otherwise
specified

3
With
the
technical
support
and
facilitation
of
the
HF
programme
team,
Pakistan
Bait-‐ul-‐
Mall
donated
to
Sahara
Fund

beneficiaries
directly.

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6. FUND DISBURSEMENT DETAILS

4

One
time
assistance
provided
in
term
of
medical
and
emergency
relief
in
the
initial
stage.

5

The
beneficiaries
have
been
provided
with
monthly
financial
assistance
for
food,
shelter
and
children’s
education.

6

Other
assistance
provided
at
the
initial
stage
included,
educational
assistance
for
the
children
and
initial
financial
relief.

7
Financial
year
period
of
the
Foundation
has
been
changed.

Financial Years
Support Type Fund Disbursement in PKR
USDOne Time
Assistance4
Monthly
Assistance5
Other
Assistance6
Sub-Total
Programme
Expenditures
July 2008-June 2009 1,349,742 3,330,320 1128025 5,808,087 63,441.69
July 2009-June 2010 409,500 6,968,390 162225 7,540,115 82,360.62
July 2010-June 2011 1,543,673 3,950,760 60900 5,555,333 60,680.86
July 2011-June 2012 6,241,040 6,241,040 68,170.84
July 2012-December
2012
3,921,720 3,921,720 42,836.92
January- December
7
2013
7,439,660 7,439,660 81,263.35
January-December 2014 7,216,800 7,216,800 78,829.06
Sub- Total Programme
Cost
3,302,915 39,068,690 1,351,150 43,722,755 477,583.34
Programme Administrative cost
Sub- Total of Administrative Cost Since Inception 144,215 1,575.26
Grand Total 43,866,970 479,158.60
Family
of
Marriott
Islamabad
blast
victim
with
MD
Pakistan
Baitul
Mall
at
Marriot
Hotel
Islamabad.

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7. FUND DISBURSEMENT CATEGORY DETAILS
Category
One time
Assistance
Monthly
Assistance
Other
Assistance
Total PKR USD
Deceased Hotel
Staff
1,296,300 30,213,000 31,509,300 344,175.86
Inured Hotel Staff 12,533 754,250 766,783 8,375.57
Deceased Outsiders 809,640 6,936,840 7,746,480 84,614.75
Injured Outsiders 1,184,442 1,164,600 2,349,042 25,658.57
Total Programme
Cost
3,302,915 39,068,690 1,351,150 43,722,755 477,583.34
8. DONATION AND FUND SUMMARY
Category Number of beneficiaries PKR USD
Emergency Relief and Financial
Assistance via Pakistan Bait-ul-
Mall
40 2,000,000 21857.92
Details PKR USD
Total Fund Received 35,411,724 387,013.37
Total Fund Disbursed till December 2014 43,866,970 479,158.60
Short Fall till December, 2014 -8,455,246 -92,356.59
Budget, 2015 7,396,800 73,960.90
Total Fund Requirement as at December
31, 2015
15,852,046 158,520.46

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9. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROGRESS
- HF Social Welfare Programme (SWP) team had great success in securing donation of
PKR. 2 million from Pakistan Bail- ul- Mal for the beneficiaries of Sahara Fund during
2010-2011.
- Out of 65 families, 23 families have been phased out (18 medically recovered and 5
families have been supported for small scale business initiatives; these families are
successfully running their businesses.
- HF’s SWP and Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (MER) team carried out an
impact study of the program in 2012. The study revealed that 73% of the families were
female-headed whereas, 27% were male-headed families. The study also showed that
major part of the programme fund had been utilized on children’s education and food
ration for the family. Without the support of this programme it would have been really
hard for these families to continue their children’s education and feed them properly.
HF
team
with
a
Sahara
Fund
family
during
monitoring
&
assessment
visit
in
2012
Similarly, a statistical survey was conducted in 2013 from all the existing Sahara Fund
beneficiaries regarding their level of satisfaction with financial assistance, team
behavior and overall sufficiency level of the support. The survey outcome showed that
most of the beneficiaries (67%) were satisfied in terms of the services, financial
assistance, team’s behavior, sufficiency level of assistance in meeting their urgent
needs.

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- Six (6) women beneficiaries were given skill trainings in different trades, two (2)
women beneficiaries were given Marble Mosaic work training in collaboration with
UNIDO (United Nation Industrial Development Organization) & First Women Bank,
Pakistan, in 2013. Two (2) women were trained in beautician and the rest of the two
(2) in Chic work in 2012.
- Two (2) women beneficiaries who were trained in Marble Mosaic work were
supported for home based business in 2014, to utilize their skill and strengthen their
source of livelihood so they could become financially self-sustained.
- The trained women beneficiaries in Chic work and Marble Mosaic were facilitated
and supported for exhibition of their products on different events including cultural
exhibition at Lock Virsa, Pakistan, Women’s Day, First Alumni get together of Hashoo
Foundation Scholars in 2012 and 2014 respectively.
- One (1) beneficiary’s son was admitted in a university in England and he is planning to
complete his CA as well as Diploma in Business Management and Marketing by Dec
2015.
- One (1) beneficiary was employed in a renowned national school in Islamabad. Now,
she is earning an income, which is sufficient to help her in meeting the additional
expenses of her children.
- 42 out of 65 families have been receiving regular financial support.
Executive
Director
HF
USA,
Cristal
Montanez
(in
the
back
from
right
corner)
with
a
Sahara
Fun
family
during
home
visit

to
the
family.
The
children
are
showing
their
school
progress
report
with
great
pride.

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10. SUCCESS STORIES
HF provided a one-time support to establish home based employment to encourage families
to become self-sustained. If it was not for the support given by the Sahara Fund many
children would have had to leave school to earn menial wages to support their families. There
are excellent examples of success stories of beneficiaries who with the continued financial
support of the Foundation, had completed their education, found employment, established
small business, and now, financially self-sustained. Some interesting success stories are
given below.
I. Zeeshan Murtaza,
From Loss to Achievement
Zeeshan Murtaza, is the son of late
Murtaza-Uddin-Ahmed who was a shift
engineer at Marriott Islamabad.
A studious and hardworking child,
Zeeshan was awarded a Bronze medal
for securing 3rd position in Board of
Intermediate & Secondary Education.
Based on his performance, he was
granted full fee concession by Punjab
College of Commerce. After his father's
death, the family found it very difficult
to support Zeeshan's academic
aspirations. In 2010, Zeeshan managed
to complete his Master's degree in Business Administration from Quaid-e-Azam University,
Islamabad, through a 20% Scholarship and a contribution of 80% of his tuition fees from the
Sahara Fund Program.
Wanting to support his family as much as he could, Zeeshan started his professional career
with a two-month internship at Pakistan International Airlines' HR Department in year 2009.
Currently he is working in IT Company, Nayatel, as Senior Human Resource Executive.
Mr.
Zeeshan
Murtaza

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II. Dreams and Aspirations
Bashir Wali Khan, a young Chitrali, was a dreamer. He had a dream to banish the haunting
woes of poverty from his family and especially empower his sister, Bibi Seeda, to become an
independent and capable woman. This was not a dream that could be easily achieved since he
belonged to the remote area of Bang, Upper Chitral (KPK), where female education is till
frowned upon by the strong traditionalist forces. Adding to it, a family of eleven, and being
the sole bread earner, his aim seemed imposible to achieve.
Bashir, however, had not learnt to cave-in to the difficulties that life was throwing at him. He
moved to Islamabad in search of better opportunity, started working as a restaurant cashier in
Islamabad Marriott Hotel and life became a lot more bearable for his family. It was the result
of this steady source of income that Bashir got married and was blessed with two beautiful
sons and a daughter.
On the fatal evening of September 20, 2008, when a deafening sound snatched away his life,
taking away all his aspirations. His family was devastated by an utter sense of hopelessness at
the loss of their sole supporter.
It was in these circumstances that Hashoo Foundation stepped in through the Sahara Fund.
His family was provided with monthly financial support to meet their household expenses,
and get their children educated in good schools. Bashir's widow was also provided computer
training.
His sister, Bibi Seeda, was supported by the Sahara Fund, for her Master's degree in
Education Planning & Management (EPM) from National University of Modern Languages
(NUML), Islamabad. She is currently working with a reputed organization in Islamabad.
At present, his elder daughter, a brilliant student, got merit based admission in class 8th in
the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School in Kuragh, Chitral.
III. Khushi Maseh
Mr. Khushi Masih survivor of Extreme injury
Mr. Masih was working at the Baluchistan House as a sweeper and was on duty during
Marriot bomb blast. This bomb blast affected him severely and he lost his left leg. After the
incident Masih was unable to continue his job. Hashoo Foundation provided him with
medical assistance through provision of PKR. 8,000 per month untill his recovery.

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Meanwhile, Hashoo Foundation
developed linkage with Life Orthopethic
Centre, where an artificial limb was
created and implanted; thus, helping Mr.
Masih with his mobility. Now, Mr.
Masih is employed and earns a sufficient
amount for his family. The entire family
has extended their gratitude to HF for
helping him sustain their family.
III. Aftab Mehmood
Due to Muhammad Din’s sudden death all his responsibilities shifted onto the shoulders of
his son, Aftab Mehmood. The Hashoo Group has always considered all its employees as
family. Keeping in view the financial problems and needs of struggling families, Hashoo
Foundation introduced the Sahara Fund Programme under which, families like Muhammad
Din have been provided with monthly financial
assistance since 2009. In order to become self-
sustainable and acquire financial independence,
Mr. Aftab Mehmood and his brother expressed
their desire to initiate their own general store. For
this purpose, Hashoo Foundation provided an amount of PKR. 90,000 (USD 983) to start
their grocery store named, Rana General Store located in Sadiqabad, Rawalpindi.
“If
tears
could
build
a
stair
way
and

memories
a
lane,
I'd
walk
right
up
to

heaven
and
bring
you
home
again.”

A

word
from
the
son
to
his
beloved
late

Father

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As per the survey of Social Welfare Team, Aftab Mehmood has been earning a net profit of
PKR 21,000 (USD 229) per month.
While interviewed, he said that he was looking forward to expand his business as he has been
earning a considerable amount of profit. Aftab and his brother were thankful to Hashoo
Foundation for its tremendous support.
IV. Azhar Mehmood
Azhar Mehmood a young, talented and dynamic Kashmiri, lost his right eye, and his liver
was damaged. During this time of helplessness and grief, the Hashoo Foundation played a
role by supporting the family. Due to severe liver and internal injuries, doctors had prescribed
him medical treatment. Hashoo Foundation financially supported him with the medical
expenditures, although he has recovered from his internal injuries but permanently lost his
right eye sight.

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Azhar and his wife, Rasila expressed their desire to initiate their own small home based dairy
business. Hashoo Foundation encouraged them by accepting their request and provided an
amount for the purpose of purchasing a cow. His business has been smoothly running and the
family has financially become self-sustained.
V. Ms. Jahan
Ms. Jahan, 28, resident of district Baltistan, lost her husband in the tragic incident of Marriott
Hotel Islamabad suicide attack in 2008, leaving behind three little orphans. His sudden death
left the entire family with extreme financial deficit and huge burden on her shoulder.
Realizing the family’s condition, Hashoo
Foundation provided financial support on
monthly basis to cater to the emergency
and domestic needs of his children. After
three years of the death of her husband,
she was asked to marry the younger
brother of her late husband, who is
currently running the business.
Hashoo Foundation believes in making its beneficiaries financially sustainable in the long run
and encourages them towards self-reliant initiatives. Foundation helped the family setup a
mobile and computer hardware repair shop.
Feeling
of
Ownership
of
something
brings
smile
on
faces,
a
beneficiary
with
the
cows,
provided
to
the
family
for
dairy

business
by
the
Foundation.
HF
Team
member
from
right
side
is
also
with
the
beneficiary.

“Hashoo
Foundation
provided
regular
financial

support
to
my
family
for
four
years
enabling
us

to
meet
our
basic
needs.
Now,
I
do
not
have

fear
about
my
children
because
the
business

will
secure
their
future
and
they’ll
be
able
to

get
higher
education”
Ms.
Jahan,
the
direct

beneficiary.

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To date, the business is being successfully run and making PKR. 20,000 (USD 218) net
profit, which almost doubles the monthly assistance of PKR. 9,600 (USD 104) he received
from the Foundation.
VI. Mr. Aqib
Mr. Aqib is from Kohat district. He became an orphan when his father M. Nawaz died due to
the blast at Marriott hotel Islamabad on 20 September 2008, while working at Phoenix
security service. The Foundation has been helping out the family with monthly financial
assistance of PKR. 5,500, it does not only support the family in emergencies, but also
believes in providing long term and self-sustained initiatives to its potential beneficiaries.
Mr. Aqib was found a potential beneficiary for starting a small-scale business as he had
automobile-repairing skills, therefore, the team motivated the family to initiate a small scale
business relating to auto repairing shop. SWP team helped the family business plan and
supported the underprivileged family in starting up this business. At present, the business is
Ms.
Jahan’s
husband
at
his
shop

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Name
and
memories
left
in
mind,
a
shop
in
the
name
of
deceased
M.
Nawaz
being run smoothly with net monthly profit of RKR. 12,000 (USD131), which is twice as
much the monthly financial assistance from the Foundation.
VII. Mr. Amjad Ali
A Success Story
Mr. Amjad Ali was a driver by profession and he
was on duty when his right arm and left leg got
severely injured in the Marriott bomb blast on
September 20, 2008.
He lost his left leg
and fell into an
uncertain situation
regarding his mobility,
as he was the sole
bread earner of the
entire family including
his old aged parents.
“I
had
lost
my
hope,

but
when
I
saw
that
I

could
walk
on
my
feet,
I

thanked
God
and
then

the
Hashoo
Foundation

for
giving
me
my
hope

back
“
Amjad.

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His family members were also
concerned about his rehabilitation.
He lost his job for the time being as he
was unable to was unable to work
without the left leg.
Hashoo Foundation came forward in
the dire need of the family and tried its
best to get him come back to his
normal life and support his family.
Hashoo Foundation provided medical
and financial assistance to him and his
family respectively.
He underwent treatment at Life
Orthopedic Center Islamabad, where
he got his artificial leg, the Foundation
paid PKR. 120,000 (USD 1,311) for
the treatment.
Due to the continued support of the Foundation, Amjad Ali has medically recovered.
Currently, he is working in a private local construction company as a bookkeeper and earning
income, which is at least sufficient to provide for his family’s needs.

VIII. Nasir Hafeez
Hafiz was living a carefree life as any boy of his age would when he faced the tragic
incident that changed his life entirely. On the
unfortunate day of the Islamabad Marriot bomb
blast, he was on his way to the market. In a split
second, Hafeez could see blood oozing out of his
left arm and leg and he was blinded by excruciating
pain. Pieces from the shattered glass had hit Hafeez
and cut through his flesh, he was rushed to the
nearest hospital where his initial emergency
treatment was carried out. He underwent surgery
within hours of the injury in the Poly Clinic
Amjad
standing
with
the
help
of
artificial
leg

Hafeez
added,
“Hashoo

Foundation
is
an
exceptional

organization
that
targets
the

people
in
extreme
need
of

support.
I
find
it
a
hope
for

the
underprivileged
people
of

our
community
after
my
own

experience
with
it.
I
pray
to

Allah
that
He
gives
this

stupendous
organization,
the

potency
and
will
to
be
of

assistance
to
the
needy
in
the

years
to
come.”

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Hospital Islamabad, and had
been admitted in the hospital
for the next 18 days. After
that, he was shifted to PIMS
(Pakistan Institute of Medical
Science) Islamabad, where he
spent almost a month during
the recovery process. Hafeez
was a student of 6th
grade
when he met with this
heartrending incident. He had
to suffer great loss in his
studies as he got bed-ridden
for a long time. Hashoo
Foundation helped him in this
ordeal, and assisted him with
immediate emergency support
of PKR. 30,000 (USD 327) to
pay for his surgery. HF provided Hafeez with this monthly financial support without
any delay or suspension for a period of three years. Not only this, the Foundation also
provided the surgical instruments, equipment and medicines needed for his surgery at
PIMS Islamabad. Hafeez has now recovered and rejoined his school where he had
been previously studying.
10. CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWARD
The Sahara Fund Programme had been initiated by the donations received from different
donors, organizations and individuals, which helped out the smooth functioning and delivery
of the programme services to the affectees for the last 6 years. Hashoo Foundation’s team is
reviewing and analyzing the existing families, and planning to execute a mechanism for the
families during the course of time.

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At present, the existing families and beneficiaries have been categorized into two divisions,
beneficiaries who need long term support and beneficiaries who need to be phased out
gradually. Beneficiaries who need long term support totally depend on the monthly financial
assistance from the Foundation in terms of food, children’s education and house rent.
Beneficiaries who need to be phased out can be made financially self-sustained through job
placement and establishment of small-scale businesses.
Since the received donation amount has been utilized during the last 6 years, therefore, funds
availability for the programme is a great challenge and the short fall is being managed
through HF core funding. Considering the families’ situation and vulnerability of the existing
families, their sustenance could be difficult without the monthly financial support from the
Foundation; funds shortages in future will surely affect the existing families.
According to the prevailing situation, roughly, there are 22 families who needs long term
support and 20 families who need to be phased out in short term gradually.
Families’ Categorization Average Number of Families Time Line
Short Term Support 20 2-3 years
Long Term Support 22 5-10 years
Budget Estimation
Budget Requirements Details Average Number of Families PKR in
Million
Annual Budget Requirements for Short
Term Support Families 2015-2017
20 12
Annual Budget Requirements for Long
Term Support Families 2015-2025
22 40
Total 52

Sahara Fund Programme Consolidated Report 2009 2014

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