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Crypto Fundraising: Empowering Relief Efforts for Flood Survivors in Pakistan
Photo by Tayaba Organisation – All Rights Reserved
The devastating floods that struck Pakistan in August brought unimaginable destruction and loss. As the country grappled with the aftermath of one of the deadliest floods in history, we, at Tayaba Welfare International Association (TWIA), joined hands with communities to provide relief and support to the flood survivors. In this blog, we recount our journey of harnessing the power of crypto fundraising through the “SavePakistan.crypto” initiative and how it made a tangible impact on the lives of thousands of flood survivors.
The Devastating Floods
On August 25, 2022, Pakistan declared a state of emergency as the floods wreaked havoc across the nation. The floods were described as the worst in the country’s history, claiming the lives of at least 1,739 people and affecting more than 33 million others. The provinces of Sindh and Balochistan received rainfall far beyond the average, with 784% and 500% more, respectively, resulting in widespread devastation, with a peak area of standing flood waters reaching around 32,800 square miles (84,952 km2), almost two times the entire area of Switzerland.
Total Deaths
Houses Destroyed
Livestock Lost
Crops Destroyed (area)
Total Deaths
Livestock Lost
Houses Destroyed
Crops Destroyed (area)
GIF by SavePakistan.Crypto
Were Traditional Relief Efforts Adequate?
Amidst the scenes of destruction, a beacon of hope emerged as various fundraising communities came together to support the flood survivors. It was heart-breaking to witness our country drowning, but one part of our hearts found solace in the incredible relief efforts of these communities. However, as we delved deeper into the challenges faced by traditional fundraising, we realized the pressing need for a more transparent and accountable approach.
As traditional fundraising efforts were underway, concerns regarding corruption and the looting of aid began to surface. Instances like the looting of China-donated trucks and the delay in materializing pledged aid raised questions about transparency and accountability. Similar cases of fund mismanagement, such as the loss of $220,000 during the 2010 floods and the unaccounted usage of 60% of funds in the 2005 earthquake, further underscored the need for enhanced transparency.
The lack of transparency and accountability eroded donors’ trust, prompting US authorities to stress the importance of transparency in humanitarian relief systems (ANI News 2022). The reliance on manual aid distribution, weak supplier-buyer relations to find the most cost-effective relief products amidst the economic turmoil in the country, coupled with transparency issues, caused significant delays in converting funds into tangible aid. This two-month delay left devastated residents frustrated, as they witnessed their dire circumstances while pleading for the distribution of relief products. Their voices echoed the urgency and frustration, with pleas of “People are dying and hungry. Why are the relief products not being distributed?”
Tapping Innovative Avenues for Transparent and Accountable Fundraising
Driven by our unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability, TWIA embarked on a mission to revolutionize resource mobilization and utilization, sparing no effort to aid the flood survivors. Thus, we co-founded “SavePakistan.crypto,” an initiative to tap every possible avenue to gather support and aid for those in need.
This strategic decision offered a compelling solution to the prevailing challenges of transparency and accountability in philanthropy. By embracing crypto fundraising, we eliminated intermediaries, forging a direct and transparent pathway for funds to reach those in need. Leveraging the power of blockchain technology, we harnessed the unique advantages that crypto fundraising presented during the devastating floods.
Further, the transparent nature of crypto fundraising played a pivotal role in garnering donor trust. In real-time, donors witnessed how their funds were being utilized to relieve those in need. This transparency instilled trust and confidence in our initiative, attracting the attention and support of seven influential Web3 communities in China and Hong Kong. Their recognition validated the integrity and impact of SavePakistan.crypto, expanding our reach and strengthening our mission to provide much-needed flood relief.
Why TWIA Embraced Crypto Fundraising?
Despite many popular controversies, crypto fundraising represents a paradigm shift in raising funds for social projects. It harnesses the power of the digital currency, known as cryptocurrency, to enable individuals to support causes in a unique and innovative way.
One key advantage of fundraising in crypto is the inherent protection against the economic impact experienced by Pakistan. Unlike traditional currencies, cryptocurrency retained its value and even multiplied when converted to local currency. This multiplier effect was further amplified by platforms like GitCoin Grant, which matched received funds to a significant multiplier amount. The result? The impact of the donations was quadrupled, creating a ripple effect of support reverberating throughout the flood-affected regions.
Another key aspect of crypto fundraising is the emphasis on trust and transparency. Using blockchain technology, a decentralized and immutable ledger, ensures that every transaction is recorded and transparent to all participants. This transparency builds trust among donors, as they can verify how their contributions are utilized, thus promoting greater accountability.
Additionally, crypto fundraising facilitates efficient distribution of funds by allowing both aid providers and recipients to actively participate in determining the type and amount of aid, fostering an inclusive decision-making process. This decentralized approach eliminates intermediaries often associated with traditional fundraising methods, enabling a more direct and streamlined allocation of resources.
Preserving donor anonymity is another significant aspect of crypto fundraising. While traditional fundraising methods may require donors to disclose personal information, crypto fundraising can offer the option to contribute while maintaining privacy.
Photo by Tayaba Organisation – All Rights Reserved
How TWIA Harnessed the Power of Crypto?
To ensure effective project execution, we partnered with Unchain Fund, a renowned crypto organization deeply committed to social activism. Their impressive track record in the Web3 space made them an invaluable asset to our initiative.
Unchain Fund’s impact speaks volumes. Within the first 6-8 weeks of the Ukraine crisis, they raised an astounding $10M, including a significant contribution of $2.5M from Vitalik Buterin, who played a pivotal role in the early stages of crypto and went on to found the Ethereum blockchain, now empowering over 40K daily active users. These funds were swiftly mobilized to support over 400,000 affected individuals in Ukriane directly. Inspired by their remarkable initiative, we recognized the urgent need to tap into faster, cost-effective, and more flexible sources of capital in the face of the immense destruction caused by the Pakistan floods.
Photo by Tayaba Organisation – All Rights Reserved
Moreover, we embarked on an innovative path by mobilizing crypto funds tied to NFTs, leveraging blockchain technology for transparent transactions and real-time tracking. NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, represent unique digital assets such as art, music, or collectibles. We tied NFTs to real-world relief items, creating a bridge between the digital and physical worlds. Through smart contracts, digital agreements that operate autonomously without intermediaries, we automated the sales of these NFTs on our website.
Crypto donations and NFT fundraising emerged as powerful solutions. With the potential to multiply in value, these donations allowed us to mobilize greater resources to benefit millions in need. Our dedication was directed towards raising substantial funds to provide the essential support and relief required during this critical time.
Raising Awareness and Crowdfunding:
We recognized the importance of raising awareness about our crypto fundraising initiative. Through our website and various communication channels, we shared the address of our multi-sig wallet, inviting the crypto community, particularly the young Gen Z and Millennials with a charitable mindset that makes up 31% of the crypto community, to join us in making a difference. Witnessing the outpouring of support was heartening as crypto enthusiasts and supporters rallied behind our cause. Within a few days, we successfully raised USD 17,000 in funds through crypto crowdfunding and NFT (Non-Fungible Token) Digital Art sales, demonstrating the immense potential of crypto-powered donations.
Converting Crypto Donations:
Once the funds were raised, our dedicated team swiftly converted the crypto donations to local currency through peer-to-peer trading platforms. Through these platforms, without having intermediaries, we connected with other crypto buyers to exchange our crypto funds for our local Pakistani currency. This decentralized approach ensured efficiency and transparency, allowing us to mobilize the funds effectively and make an immediate impact on the ground.
Creating Lasting Impact:
Thanks to the support and generosity of our crypto community, we were able to directly help over 6,500 flood survivors, providing them with much-needed relief and hope. For detailed insights into the profound impact of our efforts, we invite you to explore our SavePakistan.crypto Flood Relief Reports, showcasing the transformative outcomes achieved through collective action.
Photo by Tayaba Organisation – All Rights Reserved
However, the road to recovery is long, and millions still require urgent humanitarian assistance. Even today, almost a year after the floods, 20.6 million people, including 9.6 million children, need support. More than 10 million people residing in flood-affected areas continue to struggle without access to safe drinking water, posing a grave threat to their well-being.
Moving Forward with Crypto Fundraising:
Our journey in leveraging crypto fundraising to empower relief efforts has demonstrated the immense potential of this approach. By embracing the power of crypto, we have achieved unprecedented reach, transparency, and efficiency in our fundraising endeavors. With your continued support, understanding, and recognition of the positive impact of crypto-powered donations, we can forge ahead and continue making a tangible difference in the lives of marginalized communities affected by natural disasters.
Crypto fundraising has revolutionized the way we support social causes, enabling us to transcend boundaries and provide timely relief to those in need. The floods in Pakistan are a stark reminder of the urgency and importance of collective action. Through our crypto fundraising initiative, “SavePakistan.crypto,” we tapped into the transformative power of crypto and made a significant impact on the lives of flood survivors. We invite you to embrace and support the positive potential of crypto in driving social good, as together, we can build a more resilient and compassionate world.
Written By:
Zoha Waqas, Communications and Blockchain Research Associate
Graphics By:
Basit Shah, Graphics and Digital Media Specialist
The opinions in this article are research-based which do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Tayaba Organisation.
Published on 26th May, 2023
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