Following are some of the key outcomes that have resulted from PPAF
activities:
Eradicating Poverty and Hunger:According to Gallup Pakistan study of 2009, there is adequate evidence to suggest
that on average, low income households that borrowed from PPAF are better off today
than they would have been if they had not borrowed. It notes “an overall improvement
in the income as well as personal and business assets of PPAF borrowers. Social
status, particularly of the women borrowers, has undergone a positive change.” Overall,
78 % of borrowers believed that loans had benefitted them.
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Similarly, Gallup Pakistan study of 2005 of PPAF credit indicated that the ratio
of borrowers experiencing positive change in their personal and household income
is significantly higher than that of non-borrowers. The study also reveals a similar
trend in sector-wise income changes from agriculture, livestock, and enterprise.
More importantly, Gallup Pakistan study of 2004 highlights greater participation
of microcredit borrowers in community affairs and local politics.
Economic Productivity:The estimated aggregate economic internal rate of return (ERR) relating to irrigation,
drinking water supply, community latrines, sanitation, link roads is 50.4%. The
aggregate ERR was estimated at 26.3 % and FRR as 30.6%. The highest contribution
to economic rate of return is found in irrigation schemes (11%) followed by link
roads (3.8 %), drinking water supply (3.7%) and drainage & sanitation (3.1%). The
economic benefits accrued are:
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According to the World Bank’s Development Research Group (DECRG) study in 2009
also underlines a 20 – 30 % rise in yields owing to the irrigation related schemes
which account for nearly 30 % or 2,500 projects of all infrastructure projects of
PPAF implemented since its inception till the end of 2008. While an increase of
US $ 15 – 23 per month in household income was attributed to roads and bridges accounting
for 13 % of total infrastructure projects.
The above study further reports that the community infrastructure schemes built
by partner organizations and community organizations are “proven to be more pro-poor
and less exclusionary than comparable government schemes in the same villages.”
Such schemes are not in better conditions five years after completion than comparable
government schemes in the same villages but the completion has also been executed
in a timely manner and better records have been maintained over time.
Improving access to health of poor groups (especially women
and children):From the outset, PPAF healthcare projects have primarily aimed to contribute towards
the achievement of Millennium Development Goals of reducing child mortality and
improving maternal health.
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All of PPAF models improve access in terms of reduced distances, lowered transportation
costs, and swift availability of cheap and quality service leading directly to the
outcomes of better health, more savings, and increased productivity. New/renovated
health centers established by PPAF have been able to successfully address a serious
vacuum for better services related to maternal health owing to sub-standard or non-existent
equipment required for the provisioning of healthcare.
Increasing access to education:All of PPAF models endeavour to improve access to education in a variety of ways
such as increasing geographical proximity, enhancing affordability, and ensuring
quality of service
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–all of which lead to increased enrolment and retention rates
of students especially girls and better learning outcomes manifested in stronger
literacy and numeracy skills.
Environment:Any impact on poverty cannot be lasting and sustainable unless environmental safeguards
have been embedded in the overall solution. PPAF views environment responsibility
as one of its essential values cutting across all of its programmes and activities.
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A firmly in place Environment and Social Management Framework (ESMF) guides and
ensures compliance to the environmental standards at individual and institutional
level.
PPAF is proud to claim that spanning over a period of last five years installations
of its micro hydel power plant have resulted in Carbon emissions savings of about
40 tons per annum. Besides reducing green house gases, the alternate energy initiatives
have saved forests while preventing respiratory problem because of burning wood.
