From Our Correspondent
DALBANDIN: Drought-hit like situation in recent past and now looming threat of coronavirus compounded the problems of the residents of union council Chilgazi in Western Balochistan near the Iranian border. No agriculture, livestock, the residents of the union council Chilgazi Tehsil Dalbandin district Chaghi have been earning livelihood while working as daily wage workers.
In view of growing poverty and unemployment, the Taraqee Foundation (TF) launched cash for work program with the financial assistance of World Food Program to support the marginalized and deserving people in the area. The program proved to be a blessing for Abdul Ghafoor, a disabled bearded man from the Chilgazi union council. “Through this cash, I will purchase foodstuff for my family”, Ghafoor tells daily Quetta Voice with tears in his voice. Ghafoor would be provided two installments after two months of almost Rs. 25,000. With that amount, I am planning to start a business at my village Soran, he mentioned.
Social indicators in the area remain extremely low. And that was the underlying reason for Taraqee Foundation to launch this project, Amjad Rasheed, the Chief Executive TF told daily Quetta Voice when asked about the reason behind selecting the area. Under the project, 32 beneficiaries for the rehabilitation of Agriculture Bandat. However, Ghafoor was selected unconditionally keeping in view his disability. Ghafoor who fathers six children, a wife and two aged parents leg fractured in an accident a few months back.
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The fractured leg complicated as there was no timely treatment owing to the worst poverty that made him permanent disabled person. “I cannot come down from the vehicle and I cannot walk”, Ghafoor told the TF members. He was provided cash of Rs. 8500 after his biometric verification inside the vehicle.
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