SCSP was established by a group of volunteers in October 2005 in order to provide assistance to the earthquake affectees in District Mansehra. The intensity of earthquake 2005 was very high and it brought immense miseries to the people of District Mansehra, Battagram, Shangla and AJK, left thousands dead and destroyed homes, schools, hospitals and transportation and communication infrastructures. Food that had been gathered and stored for the winter now lies in under the rubble of people’s homes. Hundreds of thousands of people were left with no means of livelihood, no shelter and suddenly dependent on Pakistan and the world community for help. Heavy rains made the situation even worse, as people are exposed to respiratory diseases, water-borne diseases and malnutrition.
Earthquake October 8, 2005 had changed priorities of almost all the organization working in Pakistan. At this critical stage, there was immense need that everyone should start work for providing immediate assistance to earthquake affectees. The founders of SCSP gathered and decided to start volunteer work for providing immediate support to earthquake affectees. An immediate volunteer network with the name of ‘SAHARA Network’ was established, which worked round the clock to respond to the sudden and massive need for aid and relief for the devastated families and communities. This network distributed food, shelters and provided medical help to the household in the affected Teshils of District Mansehra, i.e. Tehsil Balakot and Mansehra. SAHARA network carried out the relief and rehabilitation programme with its own means and with the help of individuals’ philanthropists. Later on SAHARA network was given the name, Sahara Community Support Programme and formally established on 17th September 2009 and registered on 15th March 2011 under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860.
