Pakistan is on the frontline of the climate crisis and is affected by recurrent floods. The 2022 deluge submerged a third of the country, displacing 8 million people and requiring $327 million for reconstruction, according to a joint study by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Sindh, already poverty-stricken, bore the brunt, and homes in the area made of timber and steel collapsed under the weight of waterlogged roofs. Brick-and-mortar homes often used in reconstruction by aid agencies, are strong but too costly and difficult for residents to reconstruct when needed. 

Former Gold World Habitat Award winner Heritage Foundation of Pakistan (HFP) recognised the need for a shift from traditional approaches to post-disaster relief. Its strategy focuses on building long-term resilience by equipping communities with the skills and knowledge to rebuild safer, flood resilient and sustainable homes and economically self-sustain, reducing long-term reliance on foreign aid. 

With the programme, over a six-month period, communities aim to have basic housing and sanitation in place, increase food security through agriculture and livestock, mitigate for floods through environmental measures, and gain economic empowerment through local entrepreneurship. 

HFP focuses on constructing a one room cottage – small, prefabricated bamboo and mud shelter that are demonstrably more resilient to floods and easy to repair. They use locally available materials and traditional techniques, but with added improvements that make the structures stronger.  

Social Impact 

HFP has created a sustainable economic model where residents can make a good income by providing essential services to their communities. Barefoot Entrepreneurs are trained villagers who identify the community’s unmet needs, help with building, and then train others creating a multiplying effect.   

The project has helped to diversify income sources and improve the overall financial situation of households. As residents contribute labour – learning new skills as they go – housing is more affordable, and so they can spend more of their income on having a better quality of life or invest it in developing their own businesses. 

Mothers Committees are formed by mostly non-literate women from the village, who receive funding directly from donors.  This removes what HFP calls the ‘black hole’ of intermediary costs. Mothers Committees become responsible for buying services and distributing materials among households and for payments to suppliers. Mothers’ committees have started to use savings to build village school rooms, demonstrating a commitment to education and long-term community development. 

The project helps the community work together for the common goal of improving protection from natural disasters and becoming self-sufficient. Residents are proud of their achievements and want to share their experiences with other communities. Many have been willing to open their homes to those in need from other villages that have been affected by disasters. The project has also attracted many volunteers, contributing to knowledge sharing and capacity building. Residents gain a sense of ownership, pride, and confidence in their ability to manage future disasters.  

Environmental Impact 

HFP’s approach to building is low-impact and low-tech to minimize the amount of energy needed. Building on experiences from the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and subsequent disasters, the foundation has innovated with materials like stone, mud, wood, bamboo, and lime to create resilient and sustainable structures.  

Their ‘Zero Carbon/Zero Waste, Zero Poverty’ motto dictates the need to use all available resources. This includes building carbon-neutral homes and eco-toilets, restoring ecosystems through reforestation and water management, and repurposing waste materials for various uses. By focusing on local solutions, the project aims to improve living conditions while reducing environmental impact. 

Funding 

The project has built 6,300 housing units at a cost of $150 each, totalling $945,000. Funding was entirely provided by 14 private donors wanting to support a sustainable housing solution. Money was deposited directly into community bank accounts and distributed by the Mothers’ Committees.  

This approach empowers communities and fosters trust between sponsors and beneficiaries. The project aims to become self-sufficient, with the foundation covering supervisory costs and residents paying small fees to Barefoot Entrepreneurs. No government funds are involved. The long-term vision is to achieve a completely self-sustaining model where communities use their savings from the project to support future activities. 

Transfer and Expansion Plans 

The Barefoot Entrepreneur model’s strength lies in its ability to expand with minimal external aid. The recent launch of a Mothers’ Committee savings program is expected to accelerate this growth. 

Initially supported by private sponsors, the project has expanded from 1,000 homes in 13 villages to over 6,300 homes across 60 villages. Its impact is spreading organically, as neighbouring communities begin their own projects. 

To spread this success further afield, HFP is developing a training program in partnership with Re:Arc and Spiritual Chords. This program, set to launch in Malawi in 2024, will share the model’s principles. Additionally, training videos on YouTube share knowledge about safe building techniques worldwide. 

Why it’s a World Habitat Award winner 

HFP’s project presents a compelling alternative to traditional humanitarian aid. By fostering community self-reliance, building resilience, and empowering residents, the project offers a pathway to long-term sustainability and dignity for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. This innovative model has the potential to be replicated, offering hope, choice and control to countless communities struggling with poverty, displacement, and the ever-increasing threat of climate change.

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