Pakistan

Background

• Pakistan has a population of more than 160 million. Since the creation of Pakistan, the social and economic status of the population has not satisfactorily improved to the expectations of its citizens; inflation has risen; and poverty has increased throughout 1990s.
• Pakistan hosts the largest single Afghan refugee population in the world. The last refugee wave of nearly 300,000 reached Pakistan after post 9/11 US-led invasion. It is estimated that 2 million refugees from Afghanistan remain in Pakistan
• Conditions for Afghan refugees in Pakistan differ greatly. Some live in mud house settlements that look like the villages they left behind, but others, especially in urban areas, are not fully integrated or comfortable at all. The majority of urban refugees are in slum areas of Pakistan's major cities.

What We Do

Right To Play’s Program for Afghan Refugees in Pakistan has established project sites in the Afghan border cities of Peshawar and Quetta. These are home to the vast majority of Afghan Refugees living in Pakistan. We work to develop individual capacity by providing ongoing sport and play activities that promote health, teach leadership, communication and conflict resolution skills to Afghan refugee children and youth. Right To Play’s sport and play activities are useful tools that not only contribute to physical fitness, but also enhance psychological capacities of children and adults. Also, by involving parents, elders and community members in sport and play activities, children are able to establish strong, healthy bonds with adults.

So Far

In the project locations of Peshawar and Quetta, the number of direct beneficiaries is estimated at more than 17,000 individuals, including over 16,000 Afghan refugee children and youth, 150 Afghan refugee teachers, and 25 Afghan refugee Coach Trainers. Indirect beneficiaries are estimated at 60,000 with an average of 8 persons per family. Following the introduction of Right To Play Programming in Afghan refugee schools, attendance has increased, tardiness and truancy rates have fallen, students are taking more of an active interest in their studies, and relations between students and teachers have improved.