WASH CLUSTER 2nd FLOOD EMERGENCY MEETING KP

WASH CLUSTER 2nd FLOOD EMERGENCY MEETING KP


Minutes of the 59th WASH Cluster Meeting:

Date: 03 August 2010 – 1130 Hrs

Venue: LG & RDD, PESHAWAR, KP.

The 59th meeting of WASH Cluster KP (2nd WASH cluster Flood Emergency) was held on 03-08-2010 at 11:30 AM in the LG &RDD, Peshawar. Mr. Jamal Shah, WASH Cluster Coordinator KP, chaired the Meeting. Meeting was attended by large number of WASH partners and their IP’s. Complete list is attached. After formal introduction, the Flood Emergency meeting was given an overview by Mr. Said Rehman CWC LG&RDD regarding latest WASH situation prevailing in the flood affected TMA’s of KP.

Overview:

Mr. Said Rehman, WatSan Cell Coordinator, gave an update on the emergency situation and local government response so far. He informed that Provincial Government has constituted special Committees comprising of Ministers, MPA’s and Secretaries to visit the affected areas and assess the ground situation with special emphasis to expedite response mechanism of the government and non-government organizations.
 Their reports about WASH damages and priority areas for response will be shared once received he added.

He also informed the forum that Districts Swat, Shangla Charsadda, Nowshera, Kohat & parts of Peshawar are the worst affected areas. Non-availability of power supply in the affected areas has resulted into severe problem of clean drinking water. Roads are cut of at places and flood water has run on to the open wells in the plan areas of the province, rendering them unfit for human consumption.

On the response side, he informed that TMA Swat has operationalized 16 tube wells out of 37 with the help of diesel generators, being used on rotational basis. Efforts are underway to operationalize some more. However some of their tube wells have gone beyond repair. Drains and streets and pedestrians’ paths cleaning in the Mingora city is in progress; in TMA Batkhela 6 tube wells, in Charsadda 8 tube wells out of 14 tube wells have been brought into working conditions he added. About Nowshera he informed that this is one of the worst affected areas and department has yet to receive a WatSan damages situation report. About Kohat he informed that TMA Kohat has made certain tube wells functional and also supplying water through tankers in certain needy areas. They have also started fumigation spray since yesterday. Situation from other TMA’s are being collected and will be shared on urgent basis.

On request from PDMA we have issued clear instructions to the affected TMA’s for Fumigation sprays in the flood-affected areas to avoid Water Borne & Vector Borne diseases. He also informed that a request of funds for mass-scale fumigation/spray is being sent to PDMA on priority basis; he also suggested the WASH partner organizations that this is one of the needy areas to support the flood affectees. About Nowshera he said that IPs are trying their level best to provide clean drinking water to affectees but due to lack of coordination, TMA is unaware of the partners who are working where & serving to how many beneficiaries?

UPDATES FROM MR. ASIF MEHMOOD---UNICEF:

He informed the forum that according to Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) 16,576 houses, 42 educational institutions, 9 health facilities, 200 km roads, 67 bridges, 21 culverts, 243 water supply schemes have been damaged. He also informed that only in Nowshera 500,000 peoples have been reported displaced. He also presented detail of their response through TMA’s, PHED and NGO’s.

UPDATES FROM MR. REHMAN ULLAH OF UNICEF:

He said that he was looking into Kohat area and got a chance to visit the areas of Districts Nowshera, Charsadda & Peshawar in Helicopter but due to weather restraints, could not fly to Swat. He reported that most of the areas were found submerged in flood waters. About Charsadda he informed that according to DCO all 59 union councils are affected; and people are in dire need of clean drinking water/ food & shelter he added. About Nowshera he informed that 21 out of 47 union councils are affected. Quoting needs from a meeting in Nowshera, he informed the WASH partners that clean drinking water may be provided to flood affectees at any cost. He suggested that in Nawshehra, besides Tehsil Municipal Administration, ACO could also be contacted for coordinating the emergency and relief activities.

WASH Cluster Coordinator:

WCC Mr. Jamal Shah reported that World Food Programme (WFP) has completed assessment in Districts Mardan, Charsadda & Nowshera; according to that 56% of Houses are damaged in the three districts & 75% houses are damaged in Nowshera & Charsadda only he added. He also said that tube wells are non-functional due to power breakdown or submerged in flood water. About prioritized WASH response he said that our first priority is to provide Chlorinated water to the red alert areas, organizations interested in this should come forward; about 2nd priority he said that its removal of dead animals; about 3rd priority he said its restoration & functionalization of tube wells & its accessories & requirements; & about 4th priority he said its rehabilitation



UPDATES FROM PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS:

ABKT: The ABKT representative informed that 2 teams are involved in assessment in Dir Upper & Dir Lower.

BEST: The BEST representative informed that they are involved in educating flood affectees in health & hygiene messages.

BRIGHT FUTURE: The Bright Future representative informed that according to their assessment in District Charsadda 30 union councils are damaged while 8 union councils are completely washed out. About flood interventions he informed that they are distributing awareness material.

CRS: The CRS representative informed about their planned interventions for flood affectees including NFIs distribution, Cash for work and construction of watsan facilities.

FATA Development: The FATA Development Program representative informed about their planning for rehabilitation of tube wells.

Help In Need: The Help In Need representative informed about the damages occurred in Kohistan & Shangla including damages caused to water supply schemes.

HRDS: The HRDS representative informed about their rapid assessment in Swat & works in Jalozai camp. About flood affectees intervention he informed that they distributed hygiene kits & hygiene messages. Referring to WASH Cluster Meeting of 2/08/2010 in UNICEF Country Office Islamabad he informed the forum that 2 water filtration plants were pledged by USAID/OFDA; he also informed that both water filtration plants will arrive in Peshawar today & extended HRDS support in the installation, validation and operation of both water filtration plants. They will coordinate with feasible TMA’s for the purpose.



HDOD: The HDOD representative informed the forum that they are providing one water tanker to flood affectees in District Nowshera; he also informed about the appeal of ACO of the area for the clean drinking water & jerry cans.

HDP: The HDP representative informed that they involved in detailed assessment of the District Swabi; he also informed about the appeal of ACO of the area for 50 water storage tanks of minimum 300 gallons.

ICRC: The ICRC representative informed that they are involved in short term & mid term intervention in the areas of shelter & food in Dir Upper, Dir Lower & D.I.Khan. He also informed that they are planning one each water filtration plant in D.I. Khan & Upper Dir. About Mid Term interventions he informed that Bore holes & Water supply schemes will be rehabilitated.

UNICEF: The UNICEF representative informed that from today 03-08-2010 they are starting water trucking in Nowshera Kalan, AmanKot (NSR) & Utman Zai Charsadda areas & coordinating closely with TMA’s, LG&RDD and WASH cluster.

MSF: The MSF representative was of the view that due to huge damages every one should quickly respond.

NCHD: The NCHD representative informed that they have provided 6 motor boats of which 4 are with Station Commander & 2 with DCO of District Nowshera; he also informed that 4 trucks of Mineral Water were distributed amongst flood affectees in District Nowshera & 2 trucks will be distributed today on 03-08-2010. He suggested to all WASH partners to use motor boats for distributing items such as water bottles, cooked food, hygiene kits & messages literature etc. About drinking water he also suggested that jerry cans up to 20 liters could be filled in Peshawar & then transported to needy areas as mineral water is also in shortage as compared to demands. He also offered their motor boats to WASH Cluster partners for interventions & provided their contact details for the purpose as: Mr. MUHAMMAD ZAHIR SHAH, NCHD, 091-5200972.

Lawari Humanitarian Organization (LHO): The LHO representative informed that they are working in Dir Lower & Dir Upper & are doing preliminary assessment; he also informed that boats are available on rent to provide services in the needy areas.

PRCS: The PRCS representative informed that they are present in all districts & are distributing Food packages & NFIs including jerry cans to the flood affected population.

World Vision International (WVI): The WVI representative informed that they have completed the assessments in District Nowshera & Charsadda; he also suggested a single assessment report. He stressed the need to respond to FATA by WASH cluster.

WASH Cluster Coordinator told that McRAM for the four prioritized clusters of flood affectees is going to be started from today (03.08.2010) and initial report will be available in 72 hours.

Just Peace: The Just Peace representative informed that in Bajour assessment is underway. For the flood emergency response he also suggested including old tractor tyre tube as one of the items in NFI kit.

KADO: The KADO representative informed that they have completed assessment. They are planning for distribution of drinking water, aqua tabs & soaps on 04-08-2010 in Kohat.

SABAA: The SABAA representative informed that they have completed need assessment survey in Dir.

World Health Organization (WHO): The WHO representative informed that still some areas are cut off & inaccessible; he also informed that no Alerts has been received & 17 mobile teams are in the field; he further informed that these mobile teams have served 4000 patients of which 600 were treated for Diarrhoea comprising 15%. He told that they are vigilant to any situation.

IOM: The IOM representative informed that DCO Charsadda is looking for a space to erect a rubb hall (large tent for warehouse); he also informed that 1000 kitchen sets will be distributed amongst Nowshera & Charsadda flood affectees.

OXFAM-GB: The OXFAM-GB representative informed that they have started water tankering in District Nowshera for the flood affectees & working closely with the TMA on bore holes; 2 bore holes are functional now in Swat; he also informed that LASOONA have identified various schemes & work will be started today. He also suggested clean drinking water supply in bottles. In D.I.Khan teams are organized & water tankering will be started tomorrow he added. He further informed that they are distributing 2 types of NFIs kits one house hold kit & other tool kit; in tool kit necessary tools are provided while the house hold kit consists of various items including plastic sheet (4x6) & metal buckets etc.

PVDP: The PVDP representative informed that they were providing clean drinking water to flood affectees in 2 villages of Rajr & Agra (Charsadda) for 3 days.

UNSDP: The UNSDP representative pointed out lack of coordination amongst NGOs & Government in flood activities. He floated certain proposals to make the WASH emergency response more effective and visible.

Handicap International (HI): The HI representative informed that they are involved in assessment in Districts Swat, Kohat & Hangu.

Mercy Corps: The Mercy Corps representative informed that WASH Working Group District Swat meeting will be held tomorrow & according to needs response will be decided on the spot.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS): The CRS representative informed that rapid assessment in Shangla & Kohistan & 4 union council of Swat (Charbagh, Suli bagh, Saqram & Durmal) has been completed.

ACTED: The ACTED representative informed that need assessment in 55 union councils of Swat & 14 union councils of Dir Lower is in progress; after surveys ACTED will provide water, food & NFIs. He also informed that ACTED is planning for distribution of disinfectactant kits in flood affected areas.

ARC: The ARC representative informed that assessment in Charsadda & Nowshera is in progress.

INTERNEWS: The INTERNEWS representative informed that Humanitarian Information Project (HIP) is covering floods & relief efforts in KP. Two radio programmes Sabaoon & Maraam are broadcasted in Swat, Charsadda & FATA as well. She asked WASH partners to make use of this facility and float their messages and information through these sources.

AOB:

1. EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND (ERF):

WASH Cluster Coordinator informed the forum that Pakistan now has an Emergency Response Fund (ERF), managed by OCHA, which can disburse grants of up to US $250,000 for emergency responses to the floods. For more information, do visit UNOCHA website.

2. About meetings it was informed that meetings will be called on short notices.

3. Mr. Asif Mehmood of UNICEF informed about UNICEF assistance to TMA Swat, Matta, Charsadda, Timergara, Batkhaila & Kohat and told that TMA are being provided support to hire water tankers, tractor/ trollies, additional sanitary workers, POL to operate diesel generators on tube wells and purchase petty items such as Shovels, Handcarts, Nareel, Gloves and accessories.

4. It was also suggested that the frequency of the district/ filed level meetings be increased in view of the flood emergency and any gaps or issue related to WASH cluster should be referred immediately.

5. All WASH partners to share their updates on 3W matrix.

6. Mr. Amjad Hussain to share all Union Councils lists with WASH cluster to facilitate them plan their response on union council basis approach to avoid duplication and to reach to the maximum people.

7. All WASH Cluster to keep sharing their assessment on daily basis.

8. TMA’s will serve as coordination points for WASH response.



NEXT MEETING: The Chair said that it can be called on short notice/ & any time.

The meeting ended.