Forty two year old Inayat of Buner district is among the several educated local leaders from the conflict driven areas of Northern  Pakistan, who have been trained on different participatory approaches in carrying our rapid assessments in these troubled areas. Inayat, like many others, was forced to leave his home along with his family and settle in camps situated in one of the cleared Union Councils of    Buner.  About 1000 affected families have been accommodated in the camp, where Inayat was in charge.

With Buner confirmed clear for repatriation by the Government, rapid assessments were undertaken by international NGOs and Pakistan's development partners in this region. “We strongly believed that without systematically engaging the local community and their expertise and understanding the cultural needs, the appraisals carried out by the Pakistan’s development sector partners and International NGOs could be ambiguous and misleading”, Inayat said.

USAID Pakistan Jobs  which is a USAID funded project implemented by Care International Pakistan organized a three day training session with the help of its Implementing Partners, with the local leaders (some holding PhD’s) from the conflict areas. The training, based on participatory approach, is meant to provide the local community leadership with the tools to conduct rapid assessments which would engage local people, demonstrate sensitivity to the prevailing cultures and development needs. Now trained in carrying out the appraisals, the group of local leaders shows great enthusiasm to help any organization planning to undertake rapid assessment in the troubled areas.

Job’s project further USAID’s long term strategic vision in Pakistan by promote private sector led training and placements for local communities, helping them to help themselves.
This training would be utilized for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the troubled areas and for the target vulnerable communities especially women and children. “Earlier I had nothing to say to my 6 year old daughter, when she used to ask me as when we’ll be going back home. Says Inayat, “Now I have “Hope” to offer her”.