WASH CLUSTER FLOOD EMERGENCY MEETING KP

WASH CLUSTER FLOOD EMERGENCY MEETING KP

Minutes of the 58th WASH Cluster Meeting:
Date: 30 July 2010 – 10:30 Hrs
Venue: LG & RDD, PESHAWAR, KP.

The 58th meeting of WASH Cluster KP (WASH cluster Flood Emergency) was held on 30-07-2010 at 10:30 AM in the LG &RDD, Peshawar. Mr. Jamal Shah, Wash Cluster Coordinator KPK, chaired the Meeting. The meeting started with the recitation from Holy Quran. After formal introduction, WASH Cluster Coordinator welcomed all the participants and declared that the meeting was called on short notice because of the Flood Emergency situation.
Overview:
WASH Cluster Coordinator said that the meeting was convened on short notice due the extreme floods emergency situation in the province; this meeting has only one point agenda and that is to discuss the flood situation in KP and map our WASH partners to respond to the situation he added. He informed the forum that though details of flood-affected areas are getting in yet initial information indicates that all 24 districts & FATA are affected.
He said that the heavy rains and flash floods have also affected other provinces of the country specially Punjab and Balochistan; this is a difficult situation & huge damages to WASH sector in terms of water quality can be predicted & WASH is a priority due to the spread of diseases he added. Emphasizing the need of the meeting he said that it is important to know the stock position of WASH partners in terms of NFIs, Aqua Tabs, Buckets & jerry cans etc & on the ground presence of partners for response (Who is where?).
He further informed that he had a brief meeting with PDMA yesterday (29.07.2010) and another meeting is scheduled for today (30.07.2010). He said that although initial focus of the Government is on rescue and relief operation by asking for more boats, shelters and foods. Yet WASH is equally important to be paid attention to. Government has already sought help from WASH cluster to assist the government in affected areas.
STOCK POSITION & GROUND PRESENCE:

UNICEF: The UNICEF representative informed the forum that in their Pir Pai Ware house they have: 7 (Seven) Million Aqua Tabs, 150,000 PUR Sachets, 5000 Hygiene kits, 50,000 Buckets, 7500 soap bars & IEC material; She also informed that bladder tanks of 5000 liters capacity are 20, 3000 liters capacity are 21, 1500 liters capacity are 15 and water tanks of fiber glass material having a capacity of 400 gallons are 100. She further informed that 4900 latrine slabs and 300 rolls of tarpaulin are also available in the warehouse. She also informed that UNICEF has both Government & NGOs as IP’s in Districts Tank, D.I.Khan, Swat, Buner, Dir lower & Upper, Shangla, Nowshera, Kohat, Hangu & Peshawar etc. she however expressed the fear that flood water has reported entered their warehouse in Pir Pai (Nawshehra) and they have to confirm if the above stocks are intact and useable or damage. Things will be clear soon she hoped.
OXFAM-GB: The OXFAM-GB representative informed the meeting that in their Islamabad warehouse 30,000 PUR sachets, Plastic sheets & 1200 hygiene kits are available. He also informed that in Swat & DIK their IPs are LASOONA & FIDA; he also offered flood emergency response in these areas through their Implementing partners’.
He further offered the water quality testing services in Swat & D.I.Khan. He also pointed out the importance of cleaning of dug wells & tube wells as some reports of contamination in union council Jarma of District Kohat.
IRD: The IRD representative informed the forum that they are on ground in Tank & D.I.Khan & have hygiene kits & soaps (bathing & washing) in the warehouse but was unaware of the quantity; he also offered IRD services for the distribution of WASH NFIs amongst the flash flood affectees in the Tank and DIK.
WATSAN CELL: The Coordinator WatSan Cell informed the forum that till now he has not received any WASH specific demand from any of the TMAs; if any demands were made he will immediately convey that to the Cluster & Government he added. He also said that he would share the information about WASH flood response as soon as he gets it. He further informed that all district and TMA’s administrators in the province have been communicated through notification to put up their staff and resources to respond to the flood emergency particularly municipals services which include water and sanitations services. In some of the TMA’s staff was unable to come for duty due to cut of roads links. Breaking down of telephonic contacts was also causing problems in getting timely information about damages caused to WASH infrastructure. WATSAN CELL representatives are available in Districts Swat, Buner, D.I.Khan & Tank areas and they will be in touch with TMA’s and PHED for communicating WASH related information.
Urgent Request from TMA Swat: The Chair informed the forum of a SOS message received from TMA Swat and WHO representative (Dr. Waseem) for an immediate WASH response as power supply in certain areas of the city is absent and TMA Swat need POL to operationalize their heavy duty generators for running the Tube wells in Mingora. Drinking Water Supply through Water Trucking is required (for at least the next 10-15 days) to a population of around 35000 individuals. WASH NFI's (Hygiene Kits, Jerry Can, and Buckets), Aqua tabs, PUR Sachets and Household Water filters are required for an estimated 50,000 individuals.
In response to POL for generators the UNICEF representative Ms: Sabahat Ambreen suggested that LG&RDD/WATSAN CELL has UNICEF funds which can be utilized for the purpose on emergency basis or as an alternative TMA’s can also send a request for demand on account of POL and water tankering. Coordinator watsan cell to coordinate with TMA Swat for the purpose.
World Health Organization (W.H.O): The WHO representative informed the forum that they are present in 12 districts & from now onwards they will share DEWS (Disease Early Warning System) data from flood affected areas on daily basis. About disease outbreak response he said that water quality reports would be shared. They also offered flood mitigation trainings to build capacity of WASH partners. He also said that their warehouse stock of Aqua Tabs/ Soaps and Chlorine is meant for emergency response to outbreak only and cannot be offered to Cluster at the moment due to volatile situation.
World Vision International (WVI): The WVI representative informed the forum that they are working in Districts Peshawar, Charsadda & Nowshera & presently looking forward to sign a MOU with LG&RDD under European Union Funds. She also said they attended the meeting to know what type of help is needed that can be responded?”
Situation in Jalozai camp: The UNICEF representative informed the forum that IPs teams were stuck in the camp; there were damages due to windstorm on June 23rd and now again she feared large scale damages caused to the camp, which would require major rehabilitation. She also informed that 30-35% facilities feared to be damaged and situation is very difficult. Roads blockades have made accessibility to the camp difficult.
Hangu Camp:
UNICEF’s representative informed that their engineer is present in Hangu to assess the situation. Initial information reveals that there are damages caused to the WASH facilities in camp. Water tankering in the camp has become difficult due to muddy roads and streets between the tents. Certain alternatives were proposed to help tackle the situation. It was also stressed that it must be ensured that the water source is safe from flood contamination. The SABAA representative suggested that water tankers should avoid the soft mud part of earth & camp people be advised to fetch water from tanker standing on road. The UNICEF representative informed the forum that they have already supplied PUR Sachets for Tough Sarai camp in Hangu.
SABAA:
He SABAA representative also informed that SABAA teams have started assessment in Tangi (Charsadda) area. He also requested provision for PUR sachets. He also informed that SABAA have presence in Kohat, Hangu & Charsadda.
Mr. Shurfud Din: The special UNICEF representative Mr. Shurfud Din informed the forum that he visited district Hangu yesterday and told that in union council Ibrahim Zai & Raisan of District Hangu, huge damages have been reported & will share the complete report via e-mail.
KADO: KADO representative informed about their assessment report of u/c Raisan. He also informed that they have presence in Kohat & Hangu. They were advised to share their reports and assessments, as we need information on urgent basis.
IMC: IMC representative offered their support in Tough Sarai camp Hangu & informed that 10 hygiene promoters are working in the camp. He also informed about their health facility in Kohat. He also informed that they have presence in Kohat & Hangu and shown their readiness to support in the flood emergency.
Kohat meeting:
Meeting was informed that 1st District WASH cluster meeting was fixed in Kohat on 29.07.2010 but the same was postponed on the 11th hour due to flood and roadblocks. It may be fixed early next week and all will be intimated accordingly.
Special request:
All WASH partners were requested to share the following information with WASH cluster on urgent basis.

1. WASH Organization and jurisdiction/ ground presence (area of working)

2. Staff position (total strength)

3. Stock position

4. Any other detail relevant to WASH flood emergency

NEXT MEETING WILL BE ANNOUNCED VIA E-MAIL.

Meeting ended with vote of thanks.