Humanitarian, Early Recovery, and Development (HERD) Program

The Humanitarian Assistance, Early Recovery, and Development (HERD) project, funded by Presbyterian World Service & Development (PWS&D) and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB), was implemented by Community World Service Asia (CWSA) with support from its partners in the Umerkot district of Sindh province, Pakistan. Umerkot was severely affected by climate change, experiencing both frequent droughts and flooding. Additionally, the community faced challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, agricultural difficulties such as increased pests and soil salinity, and the loss of livestock due to drought and disease.

The project provided food assistance for six months to 1,125 households. It also offered agricultural inputs, livestock, training on climate-smart agriculture and livestock rearing, kitchen garden establishment, and support for alternative livelihoods, including training for women artisans and improved access to markets. In total, the project aimed to benefit over 23,000 people.

As part of the project, photographs, videos, and photo stories were developed to capture the interventions, and the impact of the project in the region. Stories were followed over the course of the project to document the transition and progress of initiatives such as kitchen gardens and livestock growth for the communities. These visual materials were used in reports, updates, case studies, websites, fundraising campaigns and advocacy campaigns. The work involved traveling to remote areas and close collaboration with the program team of the HERD project and its donors.