Strategic Plan

PREAMBLE

In early 2008, due to a deterioration of the security situation in Pakistan and particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it became apparent that it was necessary to review the existing Joint 3 year strategy which runs to June 2010.

In October 2008, an on the ground operational and strategic evaluation of current and future planned projects in Pakistan was completed by;

• William Bingley AF UK Chief Exec
• Helen Bingley AF UK Trustee
• Stephanie Chaplin AF UK Strategic Development Officer
• Chris Cork in country monitor and evaluator
• Mukhtiar Zaman AF PK Governor and Lead for Education and Research
• Obaid Ullah AF PK Chief Exec

The following revised draft strategy was completed following the evaluation for consideration by the AF UK Board of Trustees and the AF PK Board of Governors.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

SECTION ONE - Sets out a strategic summary of the current security situation completed by Chris Cork.

SECTION TWO - Restates the Protocol for Joint Working

SECTION THREE - Sets out the revised strategic objectives for 2009-2012 and an 18 Month Operational Plan (to coincide with the AF PK financial year 1st June-31st July) under the four headings of Health, Education, Health, Research and Humanitarian Relief.

SECTION FOUR - Consists of a set of appendices providing evidence of the findings of the evaluation and that support the revised strategy and 18 month operational plans:

SECTION ONE

SECURITY

Despite the obvious difficulties of working in Pakistan generally and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa specifically, it is still possible for the Abaseen Foundation to both continue working and to expand its operations in Pakistan. Whilst there are objective concerns about the security situation all over the country; so long as security advice and procedures are followed the risks are minimized. There is no such thing as a wholly risk-free working environment in Pakistan for any organisation or NGO.

The security environment in and around Peshawar is of variable quality but that of Chitral is generally fair-to-good. There is unlikely to be any improvement in the overall security situation either in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or in the rest of the country for the foreseeable future. In the short-term security may deteriorate further in and around Peshawar, but there is no indication that Chitral is going to be anything other than settled in the short-to-medium term.

The Abaseen Foundation has excellent contacts, both British and Pakistani, who are well informed as to local conditions and their advice was closely followed throughout the recent successful trip by Trustees.

There may be an opportunity for post-conflict work in health and education in the Swat valley which is currently inaccessible due to ongoing conflict, but this will eventually subside. The Abaseen Foundation may be able to move into and operate in Swat by working in the transition period between conflict and peace, and before full scale redevelopment is possible. The Foundation has good local contacts that are fully aware of the fluctuating levels of security.

The strengths of the Foundation to enable the above include;

1. Track Record of successful projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
2. Ability to operate in marginal zones where security is an issue.
3. Continuity and the ability to operate in adverse circumstances and to continue to provide quality services that are transparent, accountable and monitored.
4. A mature understanding of the cultural and religious issues that lie at the heart of current instability, which reads across to a proven ability to work within local imperatives.

The Abaseen Foundation will develop a security plan which will be updated annually, or as required to cover the visits of UK representatives.

SECTION TWO

PROTOCOL FOR JOINT WORKING AF UK/AF PK

The protocol dated October 28th 2002 (by coincidence 6 years ago today), a copy of which is included at Appendix 6, was reviewed in the light of 6 years experience of working in partnership. It is recommended that the protocol remains unchanged as the basis for future working. Both foundations recognize the importance of giving full effect to all the provisions of the protocol and especially that the governance arrangements for both foundations are fully implemented and coordinated. In particular:

1. Maintaining a joint planning process
2. Coordinating Trustee and Governors meetings and exchanging minutes to present at each others meetings.

SECTION THREE

REVISED STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES 2009-2012 WITH AN 18 MONTH OPERATIONAL PLAN FOR EACH AREA OF WORK

This section sets out the revised strategic objectives for 2009 to 2012 and an 18 month operational plan under the four headings of Health, Education, Research and Humanitarian Relief.

HEALTH

Strategic Objectives 2009-2012

1. Review the strategic objectives below following the evaluation of Nahaqi and the AF model by an objective agent funded by UNICEF due for completion in December 2008. This is important at this time of development for the AF as it will provide the following benefits:
   • information to confirm or change the strategic objectives
   • enhance current and potential future donor confidence in AF model
2. Consider new projects which focus on parts of the health system in Pakistan that do not work, with a view to piloting new replicable and sustainable models of working to produce complete care pathways for people from primary to tertiary healthcare.
3. Achieve medium to long term sustainability at Nahaqi and minimize the impact of reducing and eventually removing the financial support from the UK.

18month operational Plan

1. Reconcile AF PK accounts for 2006/07 by December 2008
2. Complete a financial model for Nahaqi Hospital current and future 50 bed situation – in partnership with Blackpool Victoria Hospital – by May 2009
3. Ensure UNICEF report delivered on time – AF UK requested draft to comment before report finalized
4. Reconsider BHU development around Nahaqi following Sarhad Rural Support Programme capital developments – complete a feasibility study
5. Consider a new development in Chitral to develop a model of providing health care in a mountain setting in Ayun. See Appendix 9 for a report about the public health system in Chitral. Maqsood ul Mulk has agreed to become a Governor of AF PK to support the strategic development of any possible project. Critical development tasks to determine the feasibility of a pilot project include:
   • Complete a feasibility study of a pilot project to develop the AYUN RHC to include:
     • Health needs assessment
     • Specification of building works required
     • Specification of equipment required
     • Consider skill mix and reviewing the requirements for Doctors – impossible to recruit Doctors to the area
     • Establish some early wins – low investment cost high impact
   • Explore possibility of a public private partnership with Health Department
   • Explore community interest through local Nazims and councilors

As a minimum it is recommended that a number of pieces of equipment should be provided to relieve the situation in the short term regardless of whether a long term project proceeds. This to include full extraction dental set, dental scaling equipment and a voltage stabilizer all of which have been donated.

EDUCATION

Strategic Objectives 2009-2012

Commence the Education Project

• Due to a deterioration of the security situation in FATA and the targeting of one of the girls schools by pro Taleban extremists a decision was made to suspend the plan to develop education in FATA.
• During a visit by Trustees in October the possibility of exploring the implementation a new project identified for children on the brick kilns. See Appendix 7 for detailed specification and work plan for one year
• During a visit by Trustees in October they agreed with AF PK a detailed plan to commence the development of the land at Shamshatoo

18month operational plan

1. Keep under constant review the security situation in FATA with a view to recommencing the project when things settle down and in the meantime look at other geographical areas in which to focus.
2. Brick Kiln Schools – funds identified and agreed for one year – see Appendix 7 for details
3. Development of land at Shamshatoo – year one development plan agreed see Appendix 8, fundraising for remaining project development to be given top priority by both Foundations

RESEARCH

Strategic Objectives 2009-2012

Develop a research strategy wider than current projects.

18month operational plan

Develop an operational plan for existing projects and future plans

HUMANITARIAN RELIEF

During the trip Trustees visited an Internally Displaced Persons camp for people who are being displaced from Bajaur in FATA due to the conflict. It was agreed that despite the situation appearing to be desperate, as the large organisations UNICEF, World Food Programme etc were present, that AF should not launch an appeal for this situation. One of the AF PK BOG members is in charge of the camp and will keep AF informed of any changes. Visiting Trustees felt moved to do some small thing and will donate a hypothecated amount through AF UK to provide some materials for the children in the school.

Strategic Objectives 2009-2012

Consider jointly between AFUK/PK responses to natural disasters as and when they occur

18month operational plan

To be developed for each project as and when required