Masood Lohar, the National Coordinator of the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) implemented by UNDP in Pakistan received the "Benazir Bhutto Human Rights Award" from the President of Pakistan Mr. Asif Zardari.
The award is a recognition of the work of Mr. Lohar which have incorporated a human based approach to project design and implementation. His spirit of collaboration and service to the most poor and vulnerable has been a key characteristic of his work. Since 1993, the GEF SGP in Pakistan has successfully implemented 203 projects covering all GEF focal areas. Some of the projects have attracted international attention and received international awards including the Ashden, Alcan Prize and UN Habitat Award.Most recently, during the massive floods that have been hitting Pakistan during the past few months and affected an estimate of 20 million people, Mr. Lohar organized the communities supported by the GEF Small Grants Programme and other partners to help the victims and establish relief camps.
Moreover, under his leadership, SGP Pakistan designed an award winning, low-cost, energy-efficient and disaster resistant housing solution popularly known as "Benazir Model". This solution is the outcome of eight years of research supported by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme in Pakistan and replicated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Sindh.
So far, the project has built 500 units in the disaster-prone districts of Karachi, Thatta and Badin. Community involvement has been exemplary and has led to the successful implementation of this project. The new units are built by the community on their own land reducing the cost to USD 3,900 only. Most of these houses are owned by women. This has also generated income for the community as more than 1000 local masons have been trained in energy efficient technologies.
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| Mr. Masood Lohar presenting the Benazir Housing Project at the 2009 South-South Expo for which he won the 2009 South-South Expo Award | Relief Camps established by SGP grantees and partners as a response to the floods. | Benazir Housing Project |
Contact:
Mr. Masood Lohar, SGP National Coordinator in Pakistan | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.