Projects

One of the central aims of WLO is to create knowledge that contributes to the speed and quality of poverty reduction, with a focus on assisting those who are trapped in a cycle of poverty by providing both immediate relief as well as lifetime tools for self-improvement.

WLO has three primary objectives, structured around three distinct streams that will be carefully sequenced and closely integrated:

The objective of THEMATIC RESEARCH is to deepen the understanding of poverty dynamics and particularly of the nature, causes and remedies of chronic poverty, including what the chronically poor already do to try to escape poverty, through analysis and development of appropriate combinations of research methodologies. The foundations of this work will lie in continuing to examine research approaches under three headings:
- Conceptualization of poverty dynamics and persistent poverty;
- Empirical methods for studying poverty dynamics; and
- Empirical methods for studying intergenerational transmission of poverty.

There are three problem-focused basic research themes through which WLO seeks to identify policy, the causes of chronic poverty and advance theoretical understandings:

Insecurity, risk and vulnerability;
Assetlessness, low returns and inequality; and
Adverse incorporation and social exclusion.

2.The objective of POLICY ANALYSIS is to assess key policy issues and aspects of the policy environments which have a bearing on chronic poverty, and to identify effective and sustainable policies to support the chronically poor in their efforts to improve their lives in varied policy contexts.

3.The objective of POLICY ENGAGEMENT is to contribute to a significant shift in policy through challenging governments, policy-makers and the public about the specific needs as well as the capabilities of chronically poor people, the neglect of their rights, policies and implementation strategies that can promote escape from and prevent entry into chronic poverty. WLO also seeks to support the efforts of agencies working in the field by developing with them a stronger relationship based on the policies which make a sustainable difference to the chronically poor.

As a means to achieve these objectives WLO seeks to raise the capacity of researchers, policy analysts and advocates producing and disseminating the knowledge that makes poverty reduction policy more effective.

Healthcare and disease prevention are our main concern in each program. We make sure that in our program areas we introduce measures for betterment of health and awareness of disease prevention. We have seen how the quacks have taken over the health sector in the rural Pakistan and also prevalence of various infectious diseases. To combat these issues WLO has implemented various programs, some of them are listed below;

1. Emergency Response Center

This center has 24-7 access for emergency response time reduction. This serves as a hub for controlling a fleet of ambulances equipped with GPS equipment. The control center works on real-time information as they arrange for medical attention before the patient gets to a medical facility. There is also a designated medical doctor on call to answer questions of the EMT staff and patients in emergency. This project will be expanded to other union councils in Vehari and after the pilot project is evaluated, at the end of the year it will be replicated in other districts.

2. Hospitals

Two hospitals are in the planning phases. The land has been allocated, one will be constructed in 102/E.B and the other hospital will be built at Adda Shah Junaid. These hospitals will be run with the help of WL-CCB.
There are free clinics held on a regular basis with specialists from recognized facilities. We have partnership with Rotary International and other local doctors who help us to establish clinics. Free medicines are provided to the needy. We have conducted twelve free Medical Camps in the year 2009 and twelve in the year 2010, giving free service to 16,000+ patients.

3. Infectious Disease Control

WLO has purchased a fumigator and a pickup truck to curb the mosquitoes and flies in the UC 85. Disease records from the basic health unit (BHU) shows that during the summer season 75% of the diseases are spread through the mosquitoes and flies.

4. Incinerator

Due to the efforts of WLO, an incinerator has been installed in Tehsil Hospital, Burewala. We asked the DCO office to issue a directive to all government and private medical facilities to dispose their medical waste at this incinerator.

5. Center for Disaster-Emergency Control (CDC)

WLO has entered into a contract with a partner organization to manage a fleet of ten ambulances in the district of Vehari. This fleet will be tracked using GPS and each vehicle will be linked to a central command center, All drivers will be certified EMTs, and will provide blanket coverage in rural areas of Tehsil Burewala. This will also provide job to twenty five individuals.
CDC will house the consultants command center and will have the GPS maps of the control area with real time information of assets positioning for better management.

6. Mothers and Newborn

District Vehari ranks very low when mothers and newborn are considered. The infant mortality rate is very high and awareness of basic infant care is low. Due to the efforts of WLO, USAID had a multi- million dollar project launched in district Vehari. This project worked on all levels of health related issues of mothers and newborn from birth control to birth and immunization. This program also training one midwife on a population of ten thousand. In this program all major hospitals in the district were upgraded, staff trained and grassroots-level data was collected for better policy implementation.