History of Country

Pakistan gained independence in 1947. Poverty is widespread, with 65 percent of the population living on less than $2 a day. Over half of Pakistan’s 157 million people live in rural areas and work in agriculture. Pakistan has also hosted up to 3 million Afghan refugees over the past 20 years.

Pakistan has a semi-industrialized economy, which mainly encompasses textiles, chemicals, food processing, agriculture and other industries. The economy has suffered in the past from decades of internal political disputes, a fast growing population, high inflation rate, increasing poverty level and and terrorism.

Islamic Relief's History in Pakistan

Over 70% of babies are not delivered by skilled health personnel

IRP commenced its operations in 1992 by the provision of relief items during Ramadan and Qurbani programmes. In 1994, by initiating a child welfare and protection programme, IRP established itself as a development organization and then expanded its work by launching Neelum Valley Health and Sustainable Livelihood Programme and Small Scale Enterprise Development in 2001. As well as development initiatives, IR responded to the Balochistan earthquake in 1997 and the floods in Punjab. Emergency responses continued during the 1998 floods in Turbat, the Afghanistan earthquake and then in Balochistan during severe drought episodes. IRP responded to the cyclone in Sindh in 1999, floods in Rawalpindi in 2001 and Afghan crises in 2002. A key achievement in 1998 was the launching of the Prevention of Blindness project which led to the opening of an eye hospital in the Nushki district in 2006. The programme is still successfully operating and benefiting the community. Similarly, IRP was the first social sector organization to launch an Islamic Microfinance Programme that provided Shariah compliant services to people in need. During the earthquake in 2005, IR received an award for its relief efforts by the government of Pakistan and received international acclaim for its extensive humanitarian response. IR extended its relief and rehabilitation operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the IDP crisis of 2009. In 2010 and 2011, IR responded extensively to the devastating floods which hit Pakistan. IR is still rebuilding livelihoods in Pakistan which has including 15 new schools in Muzaffargarh. One of IR Pakistan's key programmes is the Child Welfare Programme.