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Table of Contents

1.   INTRODUCTION  .........................................................................................................................  2  

2.   RELIEF AND REHABILITATION  ..............................................................................................  3  

3.   SUMMARY REPORT OF TOTAL FAMILIES  ...........................................................................  4  

4.   DETAILS OF PHASED OUT BENEFICIARIES  .........................................................................  4  

5.   DONATIONS  ................................................................................................................................  5  

6.   FUND DISBURSEMENT DETAILS  ...........................................................................................  6  

7.   FUND DISBURSEMENT CATEGORY DETAILS  .....................................................................  7  

8.   DONATION AND FUND SUMMARY  .......................................................................................  7  

9.   ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROGRESS  ..........................................................................................  8  

10.   SUCCESS STORIES  ...................................................................................................................  10  

11.   CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWARD  ...................................................................................  18  

 

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1. INTRODUCTION The Hashoo Group and Hashoo Foundation (HF) initiated the Sahara Fund Programme to

provide relief and rehabilitation to the bomb blast affectees of Islamabad Marriott Hotel, on

September 20, 2008, which killed 54 and injured at least 266 people. The Hashoo

Foundation and Hashoo Group implemented these relief and rehabilitation plans in

collaboration with government, non-government and international donors in 2008, soon after

the tragic incident providing emergency medical assistance to the blast affectees. The Sahara

Fund Programme was formally started in January 2009, aiming to provide financial

assistance for the families to ensure their basic needs. This programme continues to assist its

beneficiaries.

Under the Sahara Fund Programme, a mechanism for fund disbursement was developed to

provide medical, financial and educational assistance to 65 families since 2009. Each

family’s financial position was evaluated in order to provide the family members with the

same income level they had as before. For acquiring financial assistance, specific policies and

procedures were developed by the Social Welfare department of Hashoo Foundation. Based

on individual interviews with family members and a review of their dependents, distinct

groups were created accordingly to cater to their needs.

Mr.  Geoff  Garside,  Executive  President  for  Marriott  Asia-­‐Pacific  region  presents  the  check  on  behalf  of  Marriott,  its  employees  and  business  partners,  to  Mr.  Saddrudin  Hashwani,  Chairman  of  the  Hashoo  Group  and  Founder  of  the  Hashoo  Foundation.  

 

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These distinct groups were categorized as:

A. Deceased Hotel Staff

B. Injured Hotel Staff with Disabilities

C. Deceased Outsiders

D. Injured Outsiders with Disabilities.

2. RELIEF AND REHABILITATION The Hashoo Foundation (HF) in collaboration with Hashoo Group (HG) took the following

relief and rehabilitation measures immediately after the tragic incident:

1. All staff and outsiders, affected by the bomb blast were supported by the Foundation

in terms of medical treatment in government and private hospitals.

2. The Foundation provided transport to injured staff and outsiders from Islamabad to

their homes.

3. HF’s management recognized the fact that relief alone was not enough; there was a

need for an elaborate mechanism of support to help the survivors regain their lost

livelihoods. Based on this realization, a support system for the affected families was

developed to ensure these families met their basic needs.

Mr.  Geoff  Garside,  Executive  President  for  Marriott  Asia-­‐Pacific  region  meeting  victims  and  their  families  

 

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The relief and rehabilitation measures were taken as per the criteria:

a. Nature of disability and severity of injury of the staff and outsiders.

b. Number of dependents and economic condition of the family in terms of family size

and a reliable source of income. c. Extent of families’ needs.

3. SUMMARY REPORT OF TOTAL FAMILIES

4. DETAILS OF PHASED OUT BENEFICIARIES

Categories Number of Phased out Beneficiaries (Year Wise)

Total 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Deceased Hotel Staff 1 1 2 4

Injured Hotel Staff 2 2

Deceased Outsider 4 1 1 1 1 1 9

Injured Outsider 2 1 2 2 1 8

Total 9 2 3 4 4 1 23

                                                                                                                         1  Families  were  phased  out  during  2009-­‐2014  who  during  the  period  of  time  became  financially  sound  and  medically  rehabilitated.  Some  families  were  provided  lump  sum  amount  for  small  business  initiatives  and  they  were  phased  out  after  their  successful  small  business  set  up.    

Categories Base Line

(2009) New Added Phased Out1 Current (Till

December 2014)

Deceased Hotel Staff 31 4 4 31

Injured Hotel Staff 2 3 2 3

Deceased Outsider 17 0 9 8

Injured Outsider 8 0 8 0

Total 58 7 23 42

 

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5. DONATIONS

The generous contribution of local and international partners has made possible the

implementation of the rehabilitation plan for the affected families set by the Hashoo

Foundation. Marriott employees worldwide showed their care and concern and sought out

ways to help fellow employees and their families who were victims of the attack.

The Islamabad Marriott Assistance Fund was quickly established, while employees’

worldwide- mobilized creative fund-raising activities such as car washes, bake sales and book

sales or made individual contributions. Marriott International and The J. Willard and Alice S.

Marriott Foundation also made contributions to the Fund. The money raised was used to

assist the victims and their families with education, food, medical and social support as set

forth by the Hashoo Foundation.

The following table provides a break-up of the donations towards the Sahara Fund:

Donors Date Donation in PKR Donation in USD2

Marriott International Dec 2008-Jan 2009 23,632,731 258,281.21

Hashoo Group Sept-Dec 2008 1,201,921 13,128.57

Hashoo Group Employees Sept-Dec 2008 3,950,800 43,154.56

UCH Power (Pvt) Ltd Nov 2008 500,000 5,461.50

Others and Individual donations Sept 2008-2009 6,126,272 66,953.79

Total 35,411,724 387,013.37

Donors Date Donation in PKR Donation in USD

Pakistan Bait-Ul-Mal3 Dec, 2010- Jan, 2011 2,000,000 21,845.99

                                                                                                                         2  Exchange  rate  was  calculated  as  an  annual  average  based  (PKR  relative  to  the  U.S.  dollar)  from  2009-­‐2014  and  the  average  exchange  rate  for  the  period  is  USD  1=  91.55  PKR.    Data  Source:  (World  Bank  data,  Ozforex).  All  the  amount  in  PKR  in  this  document  is  converted  into  USD  at  the  average  exchange  rate  unless  and  otherwise  specified  3With  the  technical  support  and  facilitation  of  the  HF  programme  team,  Pakistan  Bait-­‐ul-­‐  Mall  donated  to  Sahara  Fund  beneficiaries  directly.    

 

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6. FUND DISBURSEMENT DETAILS

 

                                                                                                                         4  One  time  assistance  provided  in  term  of  medical  and  emergency  relief  in  the  initial  stage.    5  The  beneficiaries  have  been  provided  with  monthly  financial  assistance  for  food,  shelter  and  children’s  education.    6  Other  assistance  provided  at  the  initial  stage  included,  educational  assistance  for  the  children  and  initial  financial  relief.    7Financial  year  period  of  the  Foundation  has  been  changed.    

Financial Years

Support Type Fund Disbursement in PKR

USD One Time Assistance4

Monthly Assistance5

Other Assistance6

Sub-Total Programme

Expenditures

July 2008-June 2009 1,349,742 3,330,320 1128025 5,808,087 63,441.69

July 2009-June 2010 409,500 6,968,390 162225 7,540,115 82,360.62

July 2010-June 2011 1,543,673 3,950,760 60900 5,555,333 60,680.86

July 2011-June 2012 6,241,040 6,241,040 68,170.84

July 2012-December 2012 3,921,720 3,921,720 42,836.92

January- December 72013 7,439,660 7,439,660 81,263.35

January-December 2014 7,216,800 7,216,800 78,829.06

Sub- Total Programme Cost 3,302,915 39,068,690 1,351,150 43,722,755 477,583.34

Programme Administrative cost

Sub- Total of Administrative Cost Since Inception 144,215 1,575.26

Grand Total 43,866,970 479,158.60

Family  of  Marriott  Islamabad  blast  victim  with  MD  Pakistan  Baitul  Mall  at  Marriot  Hotel  Islamabad.  

 

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7. FUND DISBURSEMENT CATEGORY DETAILS

Category One time Assistance

Monthly Assistance

Other Assistance Total PKR USD

Deceased Hotel Staff 1,296,300 30,213,000 31,509,300 344,175.86

Inured Hotel Staff 12,533 754,250 766,783 8,375.57

Deceased Outsiders 809,640 6,936,840 7,746,480 84,614.75

Injured Outsiders 1,184,442 1,164,600 2,349,042 25,658.57

Total Programme Cost 3,302,915 39,068,690 1,351,150 43,722,755 477,583.34

8. DONATION AND FUND SUMMARY

Category Number of beneficiaries PKR USD Emergency Relief and Financial Assistance via Pakistan Bait-ul- Mall

40 2,000,000 21857.92

Details PKR USD

Total Fund Received 35,411,724 387,013.37

Total Fund Disbursed till December 2014 43,866,970 479,158.60

Short Fall till December, 2014 -8,455,246 -92,356.59

Budget, 2015 7,396,800 73,960.90

Total Fund Requirement as at December 31, 2015 15,852,046 158,520.46

 

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9. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PROGRESS - HF Social Welfare Programme (SWP) team had great success in securing donation of

PKR. 2 million from Pakistan Bail- ul- Mal for the beneficiaries of Sahara Fund during

2010-2011.

- Out of 65 families, 23 families have been phased out (18 medically recovered and 5

families have been supported for small scale business initiatives; these families are

successfully running their businesses.

- HF’s SWP and Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (MER) team carried out an

impact study of the program in 2012. The study revealed that 73% of the families were

female-headed whereas, 27% were male-headed families. The study also showed that

major part of the programme fund had been utilized on children’s education and food

ration for the family. Without the support of this programme it would have been really

hard for these families to continue their children’s education and feed them properly.

HF  team  with  a  Sahara  Fund  family  during  monitoring  &  assessment  visit  in  2012

Similarly, a statistical survey was conducted in 2013 from all the existing Sahara Fund

beneficiaries regarding their level of satisfaction with financial assistance, team

behavior and overall sufficiency level of the support. The survey outcome showed that

most of the beneficiaries (67%) were satisfied in terms of the services, financial

assistance, team’s behavior, sufficiency level of assistance in meeting their urgent

needs.

 

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- Six (6) women beneficiaries were given skill trainings in different trades, two (2)

women beneficiaries were given Marble Mosaic work training in collaboration with

UNIDO (United Nation Industrial Development Organization) & First Women Bank,

Pakistan, in 2013. Two (2) women were trained in beautician and the rest of the two

(2) in Chic work in 2012.

- Two (2) women beneficiaries who were trained in Marble Mosaic work were

supported for home based business in 2014, to utilize their skill and strengthen their

source of livelihood so they could become financially self-sustained.

- The trained women beneficiaries in Chic work and Marble Mosaic were facilitated

and supported for exhibition of their products on different events including cultural

exhibition at Lock Virsa, Pakistan, Women’s Day, First Alumni get together of Hashoo

Foundation Scholars in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

- One (1) beneficiary’s son was admitted in a university in England and he is planning to

complete his CA as well as Diploma in Business Management and Marketing by Dec

2015.

- One (1) beneficiary was employed in a renowned national school in Islamabad. Now,

she is earning an income, which is sufficient to help her in meeting the additional

expenses of her children.

- 42 out of 65 families have been receiving regular financial support.

Executive  Director  HF  USA,  Cristal  Montanez  (in  the  back  from  right  corner)  with  a  Sahara  Fun  family  during  home  visit  to  the  family.  The  children  are  showing  their  school  progress  report  with  great  pride.

 

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10. SUCCESS STORIES

HF provided a one-time support to establish home based employment to encourage families

to become self-sustained. If it was not for the support given by the Sahara Fund many

children would have had to leave school to earn menial wages to support their families. There

are excellent examples of success stories of beneficiaries who with the continued financial

support of the Foundation, had completed their education, found employment, established

small business, and now, financially self-sustained. Some interesting success stories are

given below.

I. Zeeshan Murtaza, From Loss to Achievement

Zeeshan Murtaza, is the son of late

Murtaza-Uddin-Ahmed who was a shift

engineer at Marriott Islamabad.

A studious and hardworking child,

Zeeshan was awarded a Bronze medal

for securing 3rd position in Board of

Intermediate & Secondary Education.

Based on his performance, he was

granted full fee concession by Punjab

College of Commerce. After his father's

death, the family found it very difficult

to support Zeeshan's academic

aspirations. In 2010, Zeeshan managed

to complete his Master's degree in Business Administration from Quaid-e-Azam University,

Islamabad, through a 20% Scholarship and a contribution of 80% of his tuition fees from the

Sahara Fund Program.

Wanting to support his family as much as he could, Zeeshan started his professional career

with a two-month internship at Pakistan International Airlines' HR Department in year 2009.

Currently he is working in IT Company, Nayatel, as Senior Human Resource Executive.

Mr.  Zeeshan  Murtaza

 

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II. Dreams and Aspirations

Bashir Wali Khan, a young Chitrali, was a dreamer. He had a dream to banish the haunting

woes of poverty from his family and especially empower his sister, Bibi Seeda, to become an

independent and capable woman. This was not a dream that could be easily achieved since he

belonged to the remote area of Bang, Upper Chitral (KPK), where female education is till

frowned upon by the strong traditionalist forces. Adding to it, a family of eleven, and being

the sole bread earner, his aim seemed imposible to achieve.

Bashir, however, had not learnt to cave-in to the difficulties that life was throwing at him. He

moved to Islamabad in search of better opportunity, started working as a restaurant cashier in

Islamabad Marriott Hotel and life became a lot more bearable for his family. It was the result

of this steady source of income that Bashir got married and was blessed with two beautiful

sons and a daughter.

On the fatal evening of September 20, 2008, when a deafening sound snatched away his life,

taking away all his aspirations. His family was devastated by an utter sense of hopelessness at

the loss of their sole supporter.

It was in these circumstances that Hashoo Foundation stepped in through the Sahara Fund.

His family was provided with monthly financial support to meet their household expenses,

and get their children educated in good schools. Bashir's widow was also provided computer

training.

His sister, Bibi Seeda, was supported by the Sahara Fund, for her Master's degree in

Education Planning & Management (EPM) from National University of Modern Languages

(NUML), Islamabad. She is currently working with a reputed organization in Islamabad.

At present, his elder daughter, a brilliant student, got merit based admission in class 8th in

the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School in Kuragh, Chitral.

III. Khushi Maseh

Mr. Khushi Masih survivor of Extreme injury

Mr. Masih was working at the Baluchistan House as a sweeper and was on duty during

Marriot bomb blast. This bomb blast affected him severely and he lost his left leg. After the

incident Masih was unable to continue his job. Hashoo Foundation provided him with

medical assistance through provision of PKR. 8,000 per month untill his recovery.

 

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Meanwhile, Hashoo Foundation

developed linkage with Life Orthopethic

Centre, where an artificial limb was

created and implanted; thus, helping Mr.

Masih with his mobility. Now, Mr.

Masih is employed and earns a sufficient

amount for his family. The entire family

has extended their gratitude to HF for

helping him sustain their family.

III. Aftab Mehmood

Due to Muhammad Din’s sudden death all his responsibilities shifted onto the shoulders of

his son, Aftab Mehmood. The Hashoo Group has always considered all its employees as

family. Keeping in view the financial problems and needs of struggling families, Hashoo

Foundation introduced the Sahara Fund Programme under which, families like Muhammad

Din have been provided with monthly financial

assistance since 2009. In order to become self-

sustainable and acquire financial independence,

Mr. Aftab Mehmood and his brother expressed

their desire to initiate their own general store. For

this purpose, Hashoo Foundation provided an amount of PKR. 90,000 (USD 983) to start

their grocery store named, Rana General Store located in Sadiqabad, Rawalpindi.

“If  tears  could  build  a  stair  way  and  memories  a  lane,  I'd  walk  right  up  to  heaven  and  bring  you  home  again.”    A  word  from  the  son  to  his  beloved  late  Father  

 

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As per the survey of Social Welfare Team, Aftab Mehmood has been earning a net profit of

PKR 21,000 (USD 229) per month.

While interviewed, he said that he was looking forward to expand his business as he has been

earning a considerable amount of profit. Aftab and his brother were thankful to Hashoo

Foundation for its tremendous support.

IV. Azhar Mehmood

Azhar Mehmood a young, talented and dynamic Kashmiri, lost his right eye, and his liver

was damaged. During this time of helplessness and grief, the Hashoo Foundation played a

role by supporting the family. Due to severe liver and internal injuries, doctors had prescribed

him medical treatment. Hashoo Foundation financially supported him with the medical

expenditures, although he has recovered from his internal injuries but permanently lost his

right eye sight.

 

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Azhar and his wife, Rasila expressed their desire to initiate their own small home based dairy

business. Hashoo Foundation encouraged them by accepting their request and provided an

amount for the purpose of purchasing a cow. His business has been smoothly running and the

family has financially become self-sustained.

V. Ms. Jahan

Ms. Jahan, 28, resident of district Baltistan, lost her husband in the tragic incident of Marriott

Hotel Islamabad suicide attack in 2008, leaving behind three little orphans. His sudden death

left the entire family with extreme financial deficit and huge burden on her shoulder.

Realizing the family’s condition, Hashoo

Foundation provided financial support on

monthly basis to cater to the emergency

and domestic needs of his children. After

three years of the death of her husband,

she was asked to marry the younger

brother of her late husband, who is

currently running the business.

Hashoo Foundation believes in making its beneficiaries financially sustainable in the long run

and encourages them towards self-reliant initiatives. Foundation helped the family setup a

mobile and computer hardware repair shop.

Feeling  of  Ownership  of  something  brings  smile  on  faces,  a  beneficiary  with  the  cows,  provided  to  the  family  for  dairy  business  by  the  Foundation.  HF  Team  member  from  right  side  is  also  with  the  beneficiary.  

“Hashoo  Foundation  provided  regular  financial  support  to  my  family  for  four  years  enabling  us  to  meet  our  basic  needs.  Now,  I  do  not  have  fear  about  my  children  because  the  business  will  secure  their  future  and  they’ll  be  able  to  get  higher  education”  Ms.  Jahan,  the  direct  beneficiary.  

 

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To date, the business is being successfully run and making PKR. 20,000 (USD 218) net

profit, which almost doubles the monthly assistance of PKR. 9,600 (USD 104) he received

from the Foundation.

VI. Mr. Aqib

Mr. Aqib is from Kohat district. He became an orphan when his father M. Nawaz died due to

the blast at Marriott hotel Islamabad on 20 September 2008, while working at Phoenix

security service. The Foundation has been helping out the family with monthly financial

assistance of PKR. 5,500, it does not only support the family in emergencies, but also

believes in providing long term and self-sustained initiatives to its potential beneficiaries.

Mr. Aqib was found a potential beneficiary for starting a small-scale business as he had

automobile-repairing skills, therefore, the team motivated the family to initiate a small scale

business relating to auto repairing shop. SWP team helped the family business plan and

supported the underprivileged family in starting up this business. At present, the business is

Ms.  Jahan’s  husband  at  his  shop

 

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Name  and  memories  left  in  mind,  a  shop  in  the  name  of  deceased  M.  Nawaz being run smoothly with net monthly profit of RKR. 12,000 (USD131), which is twice as

much the monthly financial assistance from the Foundation.

VII. Mr. Amjad Ali

A Success Story

Mr. Amjad Ali was a driver by profession and he

was on duty when his right arm and left leg got

severely injured in the Marriott bomb blast on

September 20, 2008.

He lost his left leg

and fell into an

uncertain situation

regarding his mobility,

as he was the sole

bread earner of the

entire family including

his old aged parents.

“I  had  lost  my  hope,  but  when  I  saw  that  I  could  walk  on  my  feet,  I  thanked  God  and  then  the  Hashoo  Foundation  for  giving  me  my  hope  back  “  Amjad.  

 

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His family members were also

concerned about his rehabilitation.

He lost his job for the time being as he

was unable to was unable to work

without the left leg.

Hashoo Foundation came forward in

the dire need of the family and tried its

best to get him come back to his

normal life and support his family.

Hashoo Foundation provided medical

and financial assistance to him and his

family respectively.

He underwent treatment at Life

Orthopedic Center Islamabad, where

he got his artificial leg, the Foundation

paid PKR. 120,000 (USD 1,311) for

the treatment.

Due to the continued support of the Foundation, Amjad Ali has medically recovered.

Currently, he is working in a private local construction company as a bookkeeper and earning

income, which is at least sufficient to provide for his family’s needs.  

VIII. Nasir Hafeez

Hafiz was living a carefree life as any boy of his age would when he faced the tragic

incident that changed his life entirely. On the

unfortunate day of the Islamabad Marriot bomb

blast, he was on his way to the market. In a split

second, Hafeez could see blood oozing out of his

left arm and leg and he was blinded by excruciating

pain. Pieces from the shattered glass had hit Hafeez

and cut through his flesh, he was rushed to the

nearest hospital where his initial emergency

treatment was carried out. He underwent surgery

within hours of the injury in the Poly Clinic

Amjad  standing  with  the  help  of  artificial  leg  

Hafeez   added,   “Hashoo  Foundation   is   an   exceptional  organization   that   targets   the  people   in   extreme   need   of  support.   I   find   it   a   hope   for  the  underprivileged  people  of  our  community  after  my  own  experience   with   it.   I   pray   to  Allah   that   He   gives   this  stupendous  organization,   the  potency   and   will   to   be   of  assistance  to  the  needy  in  the  years  to  come.”  

 

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Hospital Islamabad, and had

been admitted in the hospital

for the next 18 days. After

that, he was shifted to PIMS

(Pakistan Institute of Medical

Science) Islamabad, where he

spent almost a month during

the recovery process. Hafeez

was a student of 6th grade

when he met with this

heartrending incident. He had

to suffer great loss in his

studies as he got bed-ridden

for a long time. Hashoo

Foundation helped him in this

ordeal, and assisted him with

immediate emergency support

of PKR. 30,000 (USD 327) to

pay for his surgery. HF provided Hafeez with this monthly financial support without

any delay or suspension for a period of three years. Not only this, the Foundation also

provided the surgical instruments, equipment and medicines needed for his surgery at

PIMS Islamabad. Hafeez has now recovered and rejoined his school where he had

been previously studying.

10. CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWARD

The Sahara Fund Programme had been initiated by the donations received from different

donors, organizations and individuals, which helped out the smooth functioning and delivery

of the programme services to the affectees for the last 6 years. Hashoo Foundation’s team is

reviewing and analyzing the existing families, and planning to execute a mechanism for the

families during the course of time.

 

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At present, the existing families and beneficiaries have been categorized into two divisions,

beneficiaries who need long term support and beneficiaries who need to be phased out

gradually. Beneficiaries who need long term support totally depend on the monthly financial

assistance from the Foundation in terms of food, children’s education and house rent.

Beneficiaries who need to be phased out can be made financially self-sustained through job

placement and establishment of small-scale businesses.

Since the received donation amount has been utilized during the last 6 years, therefore, funds

availability for the programme is a great challenge and the short fall is being managed

through HF core funding. Considering the families’ situation and vulnerability of the existing

families, their sustenance could be difficult without the monthly financial support from the

Foundation; funds shortages in future will surely affect the existing families.

According to the prevailing situation, roughly, there are 22 families who needs long term

support and 20 families who need to be phased out in short term gradually.

Families’ Categorization Average Number of Families Time Line

Short Term Support 20 2-3 years

Long Term Support 22 5-10 years

Budget Estimation

Budget Requirements Details Average Number of Families PKR in Million

Annual Budget Requirements for Short

Term Support Families 2015-2017 20 12

Annual Budget Requirements for Long Term Support Families 2015-2025 22 40

Total 52  

 

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