One of the most devastating earthquakes hit the northern parts of Pakistan on 8th Oct, 2005 at 8:50 am.

Following are some facts:employbility skills for earthquake victum.

• Thousands of buildings collapsed making millions homeless.

• Over 90,000 died leaving behind millions to grieve.

• Many who initially survived under the rubbles died an agonizing death due to late arrival of help.

• Astonishing some were rescued miraculously from under the rubbles even after 15-20 days.

• Many are yet not accounted for and missing.

• With the Pakistanis from within the country and abroad nations from all around the globe rose to the occasion and whole heartedly participated in the rescue and relief operations. The catastrophe saw humanity uniting to a level unprecedented.

• Now as the operations transition into the reconstruction & rehabilitation phase, undoubtedly the most important due to ever lasting impact that it could have on the lives of the effected people, the euphoria, hence the support seems to be diminishing.

• Now is the time that our commitment to the cause is needed more than ever.

• With their hopes pinned on us the entire fabric of the society could disrupt and cause irreparable damage to a community with immense potential to excel in society.

• In order not to dessert them there are many a brave hearts who are still present on ground to do as much as possible within their means. They need all the support that they can get so that they can do more and more because there is so much more to do for a long time to come.

• One such effort by a small group headed by Air Commodore Shahid Shigri is SARBULAND Village a concept in community development for the poor and needy.

• The first Sarbuland Village has been constructed at Bagh in Azad Kashmir.

• The concept entails building communities complete with homes, schools, healthcare centers, vocational training centers, cottage industries, community centers, markets, water and sewage facilities, electricity and telecommunications, roads, security, sanitation, and other civic facilities.

• The first phase of the first Sarbuland Village has been completed and 98 families have moved in – a population of over 800 people.  Of these 98 families, 65 are headed by widows with 5-6 children each.

• The Sarbuland School having over 200 children, a Vocational Training Center for Women teaching them skills in cottage industries, and a Basic Healthcare Center are already operational. The healthcare center with 2 doctors currently caters to an average of 50 patients a day covering Sarbuland and adjoining areas. The Vocational Training Center currently has over 50 trainees.

• Many of the residents of Sarbuland Village – men and women – have been provided jobs within the village in order to find permanent rehabilitation of this population and means of economic survival.

• A team of 50-60 staff headed by Air Commodore Shahid Shigri is providing overall management of the village including sanitation, maintenance, security services and overall civic services. These functions will be handed over to local residents upon maturity of the urban development.

• Other NGOs and agencies including the 22 Brigade, citizens of Glasgow, Turkish Red Crescent Society, Oxfam, UNDP, Sigma Motors, Abdalian Association, and many private donors led by Brigadier Naeem Sadiq have contributed to the success of Sarbuland Village.

• The second phase of Sarbuland Village constituting another 100 homes is under construction. Currently we have land to put up further 300-500 homes in the same locality with larger amenities, which will cater to around 5,000-6,000 people – a small fraction of the total affected population.

• Air Commodore Shahid Shigri would like to propagate this concept to extend its reach to all corners of the devastated region.

• Thus, future development plans include replication of this concept by building Sarbuland Villages in different parts of the affected earthquake zone to extend its benefits. The idea is to take advantage of the destruction by guiding the affected people to build and move towards compact communities at a much faster pace. It allows for bringing the scattered mountain people into communities for better and healthier living standards.

• This concept also entails social re-engineering and empowerment of the lower segments of the population – particularly women and the destitute people.

• The first Sarbuland Village has brought a spontaneous response from the local population. Thousands of displaced people are looking forward to being absorbed into these villages. Sarbuland is fast turning into one of the most appropriate permanent solutions for rebuilding the devastated areas and a move towards the future.

• A basic computer literacy program has been started at the school and students are learning the skills that will help them compete in the 21st century.

• ICWFD has donated 600 training courses to this cause. Please donate as many as you can as we can absorb students from nearby areas too. Thank you.