NCHD is a unique step taken to improve social sector outcomes at the grassroots. The main objective of NCHD is to fill the implementation gaps and improve public sector delivery mechanisms to achieve the MDGs.
The aspiring force behind the formation of NCHD is to build a mechanism, which ultimately leads Pakistan to achieve the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Millennium Deceleration endorsed by all UN associate countries is September 2000 focuses on the basic Human Rights of Sovereignty, Justice, Unity, Equanimity, and Conscientious and is meant to achieve by 2015.
NCHD has initiated different program such as Universal Primary Education, Adult Literacy Program, Capacity Development Program, Volunteerism and Community Technology Learning Centre projects which are equally contributing to achieve the MDGs. Using the holistic approach, NCHD has spearheaded a mass movement for socio-economic development and behavioral change by seeking the sprit of volunteerism and community participation to ensure sustainability of its programs, while providing a support role for district education, health and community development along with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
NCHD’s human development endeavors are supported by a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between the government, the private sector and the international donor community. The Government of Pakistan showed its commitment to operationalize NCHD’s programs by creating an initial trust fund of Rs2 billion ($ 32 million). Further support of $2.3 million was provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). To complement these efforts, 25 eminent local and expatriate Pakistanis showed their resolve for social change in Pakistan by donating $2.5 million by a contribution of US$ 100,000 each as seed capital.
To ensure sustainability and to abide by stringent rules of governance, this tripartite funding arrangement between the Government of Pakistan, UNDP and the private sector was formalized by the creation of an independent funding agency called the Pakistan Human Development Fund (PHDF), registered under the Companies Ordinance, 1984. It functions under the patronage of the President of Pakistan, and a 31-member team representing the PHDF Board of Directors, monitors and evaluates NCHD’s progress, and acts as a custodian of funds.
NCHD has been operating in the “under served & under privileged” areas where the resources and facilities are not in full use and “un served” areas where the resources and option are not available. NCHD is operational in 122 districts of Pakistan. Initially in the Phase – I it started working in 17 Districts, than gradually it expanded in Phase II and started its operations in 31 districts and finally it expanded its operations to all districts of Pakistan.
NCHD has been officially declared as lead agency for the spread of literacy programmes in the entire country by the Government of Pakistan. The 2006 UNESCO International Reading Association Literacy Prize was awarded to NCHD for its National Literacy Program. To date NCHD has setup over 121, 187 Adult Literacy Centers where illiterate people have been taught to read & write. The main targets of NCHD literacy program are female.
The UPE Program was started in 2002 as the second prong of the literacy initiative of NCHD. It is aiming to achieving 100 per cent enrollment of children in schools. The major achievements of NCHD education programme includes.
Over 7.87 million (5-7 year old) previously out of school children enrolled in primary schools.
Over 21,000 Feeder teachers trained and deployed in Primary schools.
21,639 Community Based Feeder Schools established.
121,187 Adult Literacy Centers established and completed in which 2,680,000 learners (11-45 years) have been made literate (with 95% learners being female)
313,287 primary school teachers trained on UPE, data collection, dropout prevention and improving the quality of education.
Another initiative of NCHD is its Primary Health Care (PHC) program for which it has established a cadre of trained community based health workers Family Health Workers (FHW) to provide basic health services to communities. These programs are designed to improve communities' behavior toward health and preventable diseases.
This program is active in 13 districts all over Pakistan. The main achievements are mentioned below:
Monthly basic health care provided to 1.2 million people
13.77 million women trained in ORS preparation and use
Screened 1.8 million primary school children for health problems while 64,416 teachers trained in school health
43,543 Eyeglasses provided to needy primary class students free of cost.
Pakistan is the first country in the developing world to establish a National Volunteer Corps to coordinate volunteers’ activities for an organized voluntary action by creating a corps of 488,244 identified volunteers out of which, over 130,924 have been trained in UPE and ORS campaign, besides creating community participation and mobilization. The utility of these volunteers become obvious when earthquake hit the northern parts and AJK in Pakistan in 2005 and NCHD volunteers played a major role in the relief activities.
NCHD believes in transparency and monitoring that makes the reason for its regular internal and external audit. Annual Budget of NCHD is approved by Board of Governors of NCHD and PHDF. NCHD Board of Governor reviews accounts and performances on quarterly basis and financial reports are submitted to Ministry of Finance and UNDP. PHDF also reviews NCHD’ performances on quarterly basis before release of funds for the next quarter in a given year. The accounts of NCHD externally are Evaluated by Glaxo Smith Klien in 2004, UNDP in 2004, 2006, 2007 and Shell in 2005. NCHD and PHDF accounts are audited by Audit General of Pakistan and Ferguson & Co (Chartered Accounts) member firm of Price Waterhouse & Coopers and UNDP.
NCHD & PHDF is supported by an initial grant of $32 million by the Government of Pakistan, seed capital of $2.5 million by individual philanthropists (expatriate and local Pakistanis), and $1.7 million by UNDP. Other international donor agencies, international foundations and corporate donors have also supported the initiative of NCHD & PHDF.
An independent Board of Founding Directors comprised of distinguished Pakistanis of international repute manage the fund of NCHD. The blind support of expatriates and foreigner donor agencies is proof of NCHD worthy reputation among them which is ultimately beneficial for the positive image building of Pakistan.
National Commission for Human Development is Pakistan’s lead organization creating a lasting change in the lives of common people in need. The work of NCHD takes it into the heart of the people, where it teaches children and families to help themselves.
The out reach of NCHD is commendable for its strong interaction at the grass roots. It’s an organization operating at scale for the aim of health and education for all. The authentic data collected by NCHD volunteers gives it a new dimension and can be effectively used for the purpose of national census.
NCHD works under the umbrella of the government and the achievements of NCHD would not be possible with out the undeniable support of Government of Pakistan. In the next five-year plan NCHD would strive to achieve 100 % enrollment and to minimize the dropout rate. NCHD will require Rs. 3.9 billion annual grants from Government of Pakistan to achieve its national objectives and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Federal Government has only given passed Rs472 million to NCHD for its operations, which are not sufficient for its current programmes. The government has the agenda to promote education amongst the masses and also provide them with basic health facilities. NCHD is a well knit throughout prorgamme. If government shows resolve and rise above political divide to benefit the poor, there is no reason why NCHD cannot serve the vision of a popularly elected government.
