Pakistan needs abound, engagement is the way forward

“Westerners need to be engaged with the Muslim world. Through development we can have a respectful and peaceful dialogue. We build a relationship by addressing the issues of poverty together. This is how we’re going to see change,” Mr. Strong said.

World Vision’s relief and recovery programmes in the year since the quake are a foundation for transitioning into development in the poor northern regions where the quake claimed the most lives and did the most damage, he said.

“Our three programme pillars are children in crisis, livelihoods and humanitarian emergency assistance. Our team has a valuable set of skills and the drive to move forward,” he said. The area is subject to harsh winters, monsoon rains and continuing aftershocks, landslides and flash floods.

World Vision’s relief and recovery work has numerous successes, Mr. Strong said. Ninety-five thousand people received food; 284,000 were helped through the winter with non-food items like tents, mattresses, and blankets and hundreds of livestock, seeds, tools and fertilisers were distributed.

“We have moved into recovery work with our livelihoods programmes rebuilding roads and irrigation systems. Our Child Friendly Spaces are still with us and have inspired new programmes giving creative outlets for kids, saving some from dropping out of school and placing others in vocational training. The programming is exciting and true to our child focus,” Mr. Strong said.

“We are encouraged by the changes we\'ve seen in children’s lives. I encourage donors to invest in Pakistan. There is tremendous need. World Vision could work here for a long time,” said Mr. Strong.

Chronic problems there include mother-child health, micronutrient deficiencies and limited access to education, he said.

“Sometimes even access is difficult because of the rugged terrain and harsh weather but we should be able to prevail against these obstacles. The people do,” he said.