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The Program Area
Welfare Association Jared (WAJ) initially selected its program areas based on two key criteria: the level of poverty and the willingness of rural communities to engage as partners. The district of Mansehra was chosen as the initial focus area due to its high poverty rates and the organization’s mission to promote sustainable development while conserving natural resources. This selection was aimed at improving the economic, political, and environmental well-being of the local population.
Over time, WAJ expanded its geographic and programmatic reach to include additional districts such as Haripur, Abbottabad, Torghar, Battagram, Kohistan Upper, Kohistan Lower, Kolai Palas and Gilgit-Baltistan. WAJ is actively involved in advocacy campaigns across various sectors including: Local Government (LG), Women and Child Rights, Environmental Protection, Humanitarian Response, Human and Democratic Rights and Labor Rights.
These campaigns span local, provincial, national, and global levels, reflecting WAJ’s commitment to a broad and impactful advocacy approach.
WAJ Head Office
The central operations are based in Abbottabad, from where WAJ coordinates program implementation across the eight districts of Hazara Division in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The head office oversees field activities and supports local units to ensure effective program delivery and management.
Challenges
Operating in a mountainous and rugged terrain presents significant challenges for WAJ. Key issues include:
Environmental Degradation
The region faces severe environmental degradation due to illegal and excessive harvesting of pine forests.
Population Shift
There is a gradual migration from rural areas to urban and peri-urban centers, complicating service delivery and community engagement.
Poverty and Resource Limitations
The area's fragile natural resource base exacerbates the high levels of poverty. Access to essential social services remains limited, contributing to widespread economic marginalization.
Social and Political Deprivation
Communities often experience social and political exclusion, which hinders their ability to advocate for and achieve necessary changes.
Diversity
The ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity in Hazara makes social mobilization and advocacy work particularly challenging. Despite these obstacles, WAJ remains dedicated to addressing these issues through targeted interventions and collaborative efforts.
- HARIPUR
- ABBOTTABAD
- MANSEHRA
- TORGHAR
- BATTAGRAM
- LOWER KOHISTAN
- KOLAI PALAS
- UPPER KOHISTAN
- GILGIT- BALTISTAN
