1st WASH WORKING GROUP FLOOD EMERGENCY MEETING-District Nowshera

1st WASH WORKING GROUP FLOOD EMERGENCY MEETING


DISTRICT NOWSHERA IN DISTRICT COUNCIL COMPLEX

Date: 08 September 2010 – 09:45 Hrs

Venue: HRDO Office, Nowshera

The 1st meeting of WASH Working Group district Nowshera was held on 08-09-2010 at 09:45 am in the HRDO Office, District Nowshera. The WASH Cluster coordinator KPk, Mr. Jamal Shah presided the WASH W.G meeting. The participants of the meeting included DDMA Coordinator, HRDO Nowshera, District Social Welfare Officer Nowshera, UNICEF, MSF, HRDS, SSD, RAHMA, BIRDS, Youth catalyst & Human Appeal.

MEETING PROCEEDINGS:


WCC informed that establishment of a coordination mechanism for the government line agencies & partner organizations was in order to coordinate and streamline the WASH flood relief activities in district Nowshera;

Action point:

It was decided that WASH working Group Nowshera meetings will be presided over by Mrs. Tamkeena Mansoor, District Coordinator, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and will hold one meeting every week on Wednesday at 10.00 hrs in the District Disaster Management Authority Office, District Council Complex, Nowshehra.

WCC informed the forum that 27 union councils in district Nowshera are affected by floods & 19 WASH partners are providing WASH services in 22 union councils; our main objective is to stop the out break of water borne diseases especially acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) by providing safe drinking water to the flood affectees; 21% AWD is reported in Nowshera he added. He also said that WASH Cluster is in close collaboration with Health Cluster about the origin of out breaks; majority of the water sources are contaminated; various agencies are providing chlorinated water through tankers still there is an increase in reporting of AWD.

Mr. Sharafat Gul, HRDO Nowshera pointed that deep sub level surface water is available but mostly people are using surface water and people using hand pumps are getting contaminated water. WCC informed the forum that 38 WSS are owned by TMA while 152 WSS by PHED.

WATER SUPPLY:

• MSF representative informed the forum that they are supplying 10 liters per person per day chlorinated water to 4000 house holds; water trucking is required where there is no piped supply he added. He pointed out that some water points in Nowshera are chlorinated and some are not; he was of the view that people be informed about non-chlorinated & chlorinated water through marking on water trucks. He also said that residual chlorine tests be performed. WCC replied to his certain points that PCRWR is the responsible organization for chlorination of all water supplies whether trucks are piped schemes and also for testing of residual chlorine in water supplies.

• Mr. Rehman Ullah of UNICEF said that if any source is not chlorinated they will take up the matter with PCRWR. MSF representative informed that Shama Ghee water source is not chlorinated and Army water tankers are also supplying non-chlorinated water.

• CLEANLINESS OF WELLS: WCC pointed out the issue of cleaning of house hold water wells and said that organizations interested may contact him through Mrs. Tamkeena Mansoor, WASH W.G focal point Nowshera.

• HAND PUMPS: The whole forum was of the opinion that after floods hand pumps are contaminated and people be informed that water from hand pumps is not fit for drinking; hand pumps are not advisable and no agency should be supported for hand pumps was added.

• It was agreed that restoration of WSS and chlorination of tanks are the top most priorities at communal level while at house hold level Aqua Tabs & PUR sachets will be WASH Cluster’s options for water treatment.

• Tayyaba Gul of Youth Catalyst pointed out the usage of Aqua Tabs that people must be educated on it other wise Aqua tabs or PUR sachets will be wasted. She was replied that who ever distribute Aqua tabs must explain its usage & organizations spread its usage instruction through the available sources of FM radio by IOM MassCom.

SANITATION:

WCC said that sanitation is a Broad term and is a serious issue in spread of diseases; NFIs should include disinfectant soaps for hand washing and people be accordingly sensitized to wash hands after critical times; supporting TMA in cleaning of drains, in removal of carcasses and in fumigating sprays he added. WCC asked WASH partners to identify places where there is a need for removal of garbage etc.

• The PVDP representative emphasized distribution of cheap soaps.

• The MSF representative pointed out a lot of solid waste on road is lying in Chowki Town. He also told that water level is very close & organizations are digging latrines. He stressed for technical assessments for latrines. To his certain queries WCC said that we are not advocating pit latrines in this area and in camps it should be installed with raised platform and pit latrines are not recommended near water.

HYGIENE EDUCATION:

The forum was of unanimous opinion that hygiene promotion should be done on war footings & both male & female hygiene promoters should work with missionary zeal.

COORDINATION:

WCC said that focal person has been identified for WASH Nowshera and government lines agencies and NGO organizations should start attending these meetings; agencies should fill up 3W Matrix and where ever there are gaps should be shared with this forum. He also said that in these meetings operational issues be discussed and matters such as technical specifications, designs, chlorination and contents of hygiene kits can be referred to provincial WASH Cluster.

AoB:

• HRDS representative pointed out the non cooperating attitude of Cantonment board & Shama Ghee mill staff in WASH related activities.

• Pak-CDP representative requested for allocation of UCs for interventions.



NEXT MEETING: 15th September, 2010 at 1000 Hrs in DDMA office, District Council complex, Nowshera.



---- The End----