Minutes of the 67th WASH Cluster Meeting-KPK

WASH CLUSTER FLOOD EMERGENCY/ IDPs MEETING KPk


(Minutes of the 67th WASH Cluster Meeting)

Date: 06 October 2010 – 1100 Hrs

Venue: LG & RDD, KP, PESHAWAR

The 67th meeting of WASH Cluster KPk (WASH Cluster Flood Emergency/ IDPs meeting) was held on 06-10-2010 at 1100 am in the LG &RDD, Peshawar. The LG & RDD (Mr. Said Rehman, CWC) and UNICEF (Ms. Annmarie Swai) jointly chaired the Cluster meeting. The joint chair welcomed the participants and after formal introduction the following agenda points were taken up
.

Agenda Point 1: Action Points from last meeting:

Previous meeting minutes were approved unanimously. The following action points were discussed:

3 W matrix:

It was informed that 3 W Matrix is an important reporting tool and organizations were requested to fill, update and send complete information.

Water treatment plants:

Ms. Annmarie of UNICEF pointed out that the water treatment plants sent to D.I.Khan & Tank under the flood emergency are yet to be installed. Mr. Said Rehman added that he has got reports that some of the water treatment plants in Nowshera & Charsadda are also not working. PDMA and OCHA has taken serious notice of the situation and has asked to the WASH cluster to get an immediate update on all such plants and suggest measures to make them functional. He requested WASH partners to help in ascertaining of information about non-functional water treatment plants installed for flood affectees.

He also said that PDMA is looking towards UNICEF for installation of these water treatment plants however it must be ensured that concerned line agencies will look into their O & M once installed. He also said that certain donors are installing such plants directly according to their own assessments and in some places. It must be kept in mind that the Federal Government has also installed such plants under Clean Drinking Water for All (CDWA) scheme.

Action point: WASH partners to fill in the format to be circulated by WatSan Cell and return to Mr. Amad Hussain watsan cell immediately.

NCA/ TARAQEE FOUNDATION representative informed that they have installed a water treatment plant of 45000 liters capacity in Nawan Kallay, Nowshera.

NCA/ PVDP representative informed that they have installed one plant in Mohib Banda, Nowshera. Miss Rabia of OXFAM-GB objected on PVDP intervention in Mohib banda & said that PVDP till now has not coordinated any activity with district WASH W. G forum in Nowshera. PVDP was advised to regularly attend the WASH W.G meetings. Mr Said Rehman explained the duplication issue from an example that if OXFAM GB is also working in UC Mohib Banda but did not install water filtration plant its not duplication. Even in one UC activities can be coordinated but for this attendance in the WWG meeting is must.

NCA/ CERD representative informed that they have installed one plant in a village Kamala, Adenzai in Lower Dir. He also informed that the plant is not functional yet. He was advised to send complete report about capacity, exact location and beneficiaries and status once the plant is functional.

Action point: Ms. Annmarie suggested mapping exercise for treatment plants in every district of KP; this will also show gap areas she added.

Agenda Point 2: Contingency Planning (Early recovery and winter):

Mr. Said Rehman informed the forum that Provincial Government has decided preparing contingency plan both for winter emergency and Early Recovery (ER). He requested WASH Cluster partners for ideas/ points to be included in contingency plans. He also informed that road from Bahrain to Kalam will be opened for light traffic & for light trucks from Oct 15, 2010. PDMA has advised that loaded truck up to 1.5 ton can be allowed after Oct 15, 2010. Quoting GCM meeting, he told that besides the routine seasonal migration trends of 25% from Swat/ Shangla/ Dir/ & Kohistan, it is expected that this trend will increase by 10%. He offered organizations if they want to add any point in contingency plan for these migratees.

Agenda Point 3: WASH partners abrupt exit on short notice:

Annmarie informed the forum that MSFF has circulated an e-mail about their exit from Nowshera and looking for partner (s) to fill the gap after their exit. She was of the view that a one month prior notice for a programme end may be forwarded to Cluster so that key partners can plan to fill the gap. She stressed for best use of resources available.

IOM representative seconded Ms. Annmarie views and added that agreed exit strategy of the Clusters should be followed strictly as WASH is a very important cluster and abrupt withdrawal may create bad impression and effects.

ACF representative informed the forum that they have reached in an agreement with MSFF for taking over activities of water trucking in Nowshera and will meet today after noon in DCO office, Nowshera to take over activities. He was of the view that PHED commitment for the restoration of damaged WSS will be crucial for them. ACF was advised to work closely with OXFAM-GB.

Action point: All WASH partners to give one month notice to WASH Cluster and concerned WWG prior to closure/exit.

Agenda Point 4: DEWS report and water quality testing:

Ms. Annmarie informed the forum that from village Ali Baig, Misri Banda, Sherin Koto, Pabbi and Rashakai are getting a big number of Acute Diarrhoea (AD) cases. ACF representative informed that they are working in Misri Banda and are providing chlorinated water. Ms. Annmarie was of the view that W.H.O should be more specific about the locations of AD cases. Mr. Said Rehman said that it’s sufficient information as for example Misri Banda is village and WASH partner for example ACF should now act on ground to remove the objection of supply of contaminated water if there or increase number of hygiene promoters if required for counseling.

Action point: WHO was requested to share the DEWS and AWD data with WASH Cluster and WatSan Cell on regular basis.

Agenda Point 5: Updates from WASH working groups:

Mr. Said Rehman informed the forum that WASH W. G meetings are regularly held in Charsadda, Nowshera, Swat, Kohat/ Hangu and in Tank/ & D.I.Khan. He was of the view that this provides a very effective and targeted response. He requested partners to ensure attend these meetings in their respective districts. He also informed the forum that CORDAID has offered to Co-Chair the district Shangla WASH W.G meetings. He desired to establish a WASH W.G in Kohistan one of the worst flood affected district of KPk and in other districts too. He also informed about Dengue fever report from Mansehra and Haripur. He also said that these forums are mainly established for field level issues to avoid duplication issues and for gaps identifications.

OXFAM-GB representative said that partners should attend WASH W.G meetings and quoted that during a mapping exercise in Nawshehra, 6 organizations were working in a single union council but not knowing each other.

Agenda Point 6: AoB:

1. IOM representative informed that they are working on Mass Communication and has established a call center which provides information to the entire province. She offered WASH Cluster partners to disseminate Health & Hygiene education messages through them on mass scale. The number for information dissemination is 0322-5555737.

2. Ms. Rabia of OXFAM-GB pointed out that OCHA may be requested to reschedule WASH Cluster meeting schedule as many important meetings (such as Health) coincides. Ms. Laila of IOM seconded the suggestion & informed that 4 meetings are scheduled for Wednesday. Ms. Mavira Riaz of ACTED suggested to fix different time in meetings schedule if dates can’t be changed.

Action point: OCHA and UNICEF to review the WASH Cluster date and time to ensure that it does not coincides with any other Cluster meeting.

3. Naveed Khan Foundation representative pointed out that Upper Dir is one of the worst affected areas during floods and organizations working in area do not coordinate with local NGOs/ CBOs. He was advised to attend the WWG meetings in Dir Upper and Dir Lower.

Action point: Ms. Annmarie said that working group meetings are the coordinating mechanisms and we request ACTED to organize weekly WASH meetings for the Dir upper and Lower in a suitable venue. ACTED representative agreed to the proposal of establishing a WASH W.G in the area covering Lower Dir & Upper Dir.

4. Ms. Maria Coady of OXFAM-GB informed the forum about the water purification tablet brand name OASIS and cautioned the forum about its usage instructions. She promised to share more information on the subject with WASH cluster.

5. Ms. Laila Mukaram of IOM informed the forum that calls from Torangzai & Nisatta (district Charsadda) were received for supply of clean drinking water and therefore WASH partners working there must enhance their activities.

6. Sangi representative informed the forum about their activities and was advised to share his latest updates on 3 W matrix.

NEXT MEETING: will be informed through e-mail.



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