Rural poor in SRSO target area do not have basic critical infrastructure. Standards of living and quality of life for those living in the rural setting and crowded confines of squatter of slum urban areas is extremely bad. Low income or no income combined with lack of such critical infrastructure like functional Basic Health Unit, Pit Latrines etc is causing more poverty. They desperately need basic physical infrastructure (land, sewage, potable water); more family planning facilities; immunization; educational health programs; link roads; electricity and political commitment to improve basic needs. Concerted and sustained efforts are required to uplift standards of living and quality of life for those living in the remote areas.

SRSO follows basic needs approach - the conscious attempt to reduce poverty among the poorest groups. It is committed to assist communities in improvement and addition to the existing physical infrastructure with their participation as an essential element. Physical infrastructure is normally considered one of the strongest and more visible indicators of development with a high demonstration effect. It provides inspiration to the community to own and involve in the development process.

SRSO has worked with members of Community Organisations, and more recently with Village Organisations and Local Support Organisations.SRSO PITD Sector assists communities in building and managing Community Physical Infrastructure (CPI) Projects by providing guidance in technical and construction related initiatives. SRSO acts as an intermediary and facilitates the creation of linkages between the COs and donor agencies, notably including government departments involved in the provision of infrastructure services in rural areas. In toe with its fundamental belief in the power of participation in ensuring the successful identification and implementation of anti-poverty interventions, all CPI projects are identified at the grass roots level by the COs and VOs themselves. SRSO carries out feasibility studies to assess technical, financial and environmental viability. The PITD Sector also develops the capacity of communities to operate and maintain the projects after completion.Every scheme must benefit a wide range of recipients, be cost-effective and sustainable and have no adverse environmental impacts. SRSO’s strong team of engineers helps communities to construct new and rebuild damaged brick pavements, concrete blocks, open drains, hand pumps, water supply schemes, lined water courses, sanitation schemes (open drains, bathrooms/latrines), pavement of streets, cattle yards and schools through grants. The community contributes either through cash or by providing labour or material in-kind. PITD engineers also built roads linking remote villages to main roads, and houses,. This latter activity brings economic and social opportunities to communities:

  People pay less for goods and services,
  Opportunities to market their farm,and other produce are greatly expanded
  Their access to medical care is increased,
  Opportunities to attend school and to find employment are also increased.

Evidently, therefore, SRSO considers physical infrastructure projects to be an investment in the community-based organizations fostered by it. SRSO accordingly offers guidance to COs in technical and construction-related initiatives. Our sector Engineers have provided extensive technical support to community members in relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation activities during disaster. Following the riverine floods in 2010 SRSO implemented relief and rehabilitation projects and constructed 17000 houses in rural Sindh.