MINUTES WASH CLUSTER 5th FLOOD EMERGENCY MEETING KP

WASH CLUSTER 5th FLOOD EMERGENCY MEETING KP


(Minutes of the 62nd WASH Cluster Meeting)

Date: 25 August 2010 – 11:30 Hrs

Venue: LG & RDD, KP, PESHAWAR

The 62nd meeting of WASH Cluster KP (5th WASH Cluster Flood Emergency meeting) was held on 25-08-2010 at 11:30 am in the LG &RDD, Peshawar. The LG & RDD (Mr. Said Rehman, CWC) & PHED (Mr. Sheda Muhammad) jointly chaired the cluster meeting and Co-Chaired by WASH Cluster Coordinator KP (Mr. Muhammad Masud Aslam). After formal introduction, the cluster was given an overview of the WASH flood emergency response and priorities of the Provincial Government by LG&RDD, PHED & UNICEF respectively.

OVERVIEW:

Mr. Said Rehman:

The chair informed that Provincial Government and local governments are trying their best to meet the flood emergency response with all their meager available resources. Counting some major restoration works, he informed that majority of tube wells in TMA Swat, Timergara, Charsadda, Nowshera and Kohat have been restored. In needy accessible areas, water tankering is done for affected people, both by TMA’s, PHED and also by NGO’s.
Large number of carcasses (dead animals) removed by TMA’s. Dewatering of stagnant water from the affected populated areas is in progress to reduce chances of diseases and bad smell. He thanked PDMA for providing 17 dewatering pumps to TMA’s for the purpose. After necessary repair of Chackdara Bridge, it has been opened for light traffic, an important link to Dir Lower & Upper, Bajour & Chitral but long queues of waiting vehicles on both sides of the bridge create traffic jam. About Kohistan, Dir Upper, Swat Upper, D.I.Khan, Tank & Nowshera he informed that these areas are still hot spots & needs special attention. As for WASH response is concerned he said so many serious issues were still to be addressed & response is not in accordance with the people needs and requirements. Our outreach is also limited.

He also informed the forum that in Swat & Malakand districts, power has partially been restored but due to low voltage energized water supply schemes can not be operated & still heavy duty generators are used for the purpose. About Charsadda he said that demands are very higher then response, in Shabqadar only UNICEF is working while in Tangi, besides UNICEF only two other organizations are responding. He requested the WASH partners to work in areas such as Tangi and Shabqaddar.

About the number of population served so far against the target figures, the chair said that no consolidated statistics are available. However the target figures have gone up as compared to initial estimation. Yesterday 1st draft of WASH flood response mapping was shared but in majority of districts the response mapping exercise is needed he added. He emphasized for the health aspect of WASH response & requested the partners to focus more on this issue.

He also requested the Cluster partners to report back on flood emergency 3 W Matrix so that the provincial government & PDMA have a clear picture of response. He also said that government as well as other clusters is looking forward to improvement in WASH response as provision of clean drinking water is vital for health. He noticed & pointed that for the last 20 days most of the WASH partners were in planning & assessments phase but the government is now keen to see them delivering soon;

In order to improve the coordination at the field level, WASH district working group has been established in Charsadda (2 meetings already held). Similarly in Swat, D.I.Khan & Kohat, roles & responsibilities has been assigned to partners & local governments he added. About water quality issues PCSIR has shown interest in the monitoring & testing of water but looking for funding he added. He also said that PCRWR is already in the field with UNICEF funding.

Action point: He requested WHO and PCRWR to guide the WASH cluster about the type of tests necessary in the flood emergency response as presently in majority cases only biological tests are done but PCSIR experts have suggested need of chemical tests as well.



Mr. Sheda Muhammad PHED:

The joint chair said that PHED took immediate measures after floods; in 1st phase they restored WSS & started fumigation of the schemes and in 3rd phase will start rehabilitation of 993 WSS, 700 schemes are still lying unattended. He offered the cluster partners the complete list of damaged water supply schemes and suggested to start work which ever scheme they are interested in. Following suggestions were agreed.

• DWSS of PHED and TMA’s consist of deep dug wells therefore their restoration serves more population and also no issue of water quality.

• Dr. Maggan of W.H.O suggested the department and WASH cluster for prioritization of WSS on the basis of beneficiary population;

• Annemarie Swai of UNICEF suggested establishment of a central point in WASH Cluster who should be taking care of the WSS rehabilitation list.

The joint chair (PHED) also informed that 710 gravity-based schemes in Kohistan, Dir & Shangla are damaged & if restored people will get clean drinking water; the total beneficiaries from the restoration of WSS are 2.9 million he added.

Mr. Muhammad Masud Aslam:

The Co-chair informed the forum that project proposals received against Pakistan Initial Floods Emergency Response Plan (PIFERP) has been forwarded to the Federal WASH Cluster, Islamabad; DFID funding is in pipeline & CERF proposals can be submitted to OCHA he added. He emphasized for the response documentation on 3 W matrix and suggested a central list of all schools acting as relief camps.

A few views & comments were observed during Co-chair statement were:

• Annemarie Swai of UNICEF said that UNICEF have given support to certain partners for school interventions & requested for the update on 3 W matrix from the partners; schools camps figures of 1000 has gone down to 800 she added. She was of the view that large populated schools are on focus & need to ensure families have access to safe drinking water.

• Dr. Magan of W.H.O said that interventions of the critical schemes is very important but partners response is slow; government guidance is required where the funds should be spent he added.

• The chair emphasized for immediate restoration of genuine & technically feasible WSS, which benefit more people.



Partners Updates:

The chair requested the partners to share the issues & progress details could be shared on 3 W matrixes through emails with Mr. Amjad Hussain.

1. World Vision International: The WVI representative informed the forum that they are working & planning in Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera & Swabi; they are planning all WASH interventions including rehabilitation of WSS, drainage, solid waste disposal, vector control & NFIs distribution; procurement for the purpose has started she added. A few queries were raised and discussed during WVI updates:-

• Dr. Magan of W.H.O commented that the scope of the interventions in terms of beneficiaries and quantum of response be identified.

• The chair also commented on the coverage of total beneficiaries.

• The joint chair commented about the need of consultations with the concerned line departments in drainage intervention.

2. World Health Organization: The W.H.O representative informed the forum that they will be sharing Disease Warning on regular basis through WASH cluster. They faced challenges in to regularize the Chlorination process; supplying water from a central location is a big challenge he added. Referring to school camps of flood affectees of Choki drub, Choki mumraiz, Pabbi village, Muhib banda, Cena public school, Girls College etc( Nowshera) he informed that AWD cases have been reported. He also informed that from Peshawar in Palosai & Tehkal and from Mardan in Ganderi & Mohulla Lohari, AWD alerts were received; yesterday in Swat 23%, Nowshera 22%, Buner 10% & Charsadda 9% AWD cases were reported of the total consultations he added. A few queries & suggestions were made during W.H.O updates:-

• Annemarie of UNCEF suggested that a concise list of AWD Alert villages be prepared & updated on 3 W matrix so that targeted WASH response can be ensured in schools where IPs are working. She also wanted commitment on the part of IPs to ensure supply of chlorinated water. She also said that complete WASH package with promotional activities & messages are awarded to IPs.

• WCC emphasized the residual chlorine testing.

• Dr. Magan of W.H.O suggested affixing stickers or banners on water tankers from the cluster partners for identification of chlorinated water supply. He also suggested blanket chlorination & said in mass displacements all the water should be chlorinated. He also emphasized hygiene promotion activities in parallel to chlorination of water. He also said that our priority is to protect the health of the affectees & options be made available to the families for chlorination, boiling & filtration of water.

• Mr. Niaz of Care Int’l pointed out that due to lack of requisite knowledge, there are reports of unacceptability of chlorinated water amongst the affectees for drinking.



3. INTERNEWS: The Internews representative offered the forum that they are ready to disseminate their hygiene promotional activities through 3 FM radio channels.

4. UNICEF: The UNICEF representative informed the forum that they are working in partnership with government agencies mainly TMA’s and PHED 13 flood affected districts & are providing clean water to 1.3 million people through restoration of 284 water supply schemes & through 47 daily water tankers. He also said that quality control & chlorination has been ensured through PCRWR & 270 water sources were identified & chlorinated. He also informed that 3300 aqua tabs distributed, 235 latrines installed in schools & new camps for flood affectees, 39684 NFIs distributed, 8797 people sensitized through hygiene promotion sessions & 60,000 WASH house hold packages distributed. He also said that through TMAs & PHED UNICEF is involved in restoration of WSS & sanitation facilities. Total 280 sanitary workers & 18 tractors/ trolleys are provided for the sanitation campaigns in flood-affected districts he added.

5. UNHABITAT: The UNH representative informed the forum that currently they are not implementing any WASH project but are planning for Charsadda & Nowshera.

6. SPO: The SPO representative informed the forum that they initially responded in UC Agra of Charsadda & now planning for Kurvi, Mohib banda & Naway kallay in Nowshera from next week. Their interventions involve hygiene kits distribution, hygiene sessions, restoration of WSS, clean up campaigns & water testing, cleaning of household wells. In a few days 13000 families will be reached he added. He also showed interest in Charsadda.

7. Save the children: The SC representative informed the forum that they are working on 4 years developmental project in Battagram & Alai & diverted some funds to floods affectees. He also informed that 40 damaged WSS assessed & 1000 NFIs distributed. He also informed that they assessed the Atta-abad Lake for impact in the area & funds diverted to address flood affectees. He also said that proposals have been submitted for Shangla & D.I.Khan. The chair advised them to share update on 3w matrix.

8. SABAWON: The Sabawon representative informed the forum that they are working in D.I.Khan & Charsadda; in D.I.Khan they are working in Shah Khel & Daraban & providing water tankering, water testing facilities & training (health & hygiene). He also said that they are providing WASH facilities to flood affectees in Tarnab, Tangi, MC1, MC2, MC3 & in schools & Degree college of Charsadda.

9. SABAA: The SABAA representative informed the forum that proposal has been submitted for Tangi, Charsadda.

10. LASS: The LASS representative offered 1000 water bottles of 10 liters capacity to forum for distribution amongst needy flood affectees.

11. PDI Mardan: The PDI Mardan representative informed the forum that from day one of the flood, they started distribution of NFIs & so far have distributed 300 NFIs in Kandaro camp, 150 NFIs in Muhabbat abad Mardan & 120 NFIs in Pirsabbaq. He also said that all these distributions were funded by self help basis.

12. PAK-CDP: The Pak-CDP representative informed the forum that they are working in Agra (Charsadda) with OXFAN-GB funding & providing chlorinated water through tankers. He also said that so far they have distributed 3400 NFIs kits & are conducting health & hygiene sessions. He also said they are covering the whole UC including village Shabarha there.

13. NCHD: The NCHD representative informed the forum that they are conducting medical camps & offered their network services to cluster for partnership.

14. Just Peace International: The JPI representative informed the forum that they were providing water tankers in schools in Rajr, Gulabad, Gedar kallay, Nazo kallay & in Hasan zai of Charsadda. He also said their project has been closed on 23-08-2010.

15. JOHANNITER INTERNATIONAL: The Johanniter Int’l representative informed the forum that she is attending the WASH Cluster KP meeting for the first time and looking to WASH cluster to utilize their services and enable them to start work. She also said that they have distributed WASH NFIs in Jaffer abad & Naseer abad of Baluchistan.

16. IRC: The IRC representative informed the forum that they have distributed 5500 hygiene kits in Nowshera Kalan. He also informed the forum that water supply through tankering will be started soon in Charsadda & Nowshera. He explained 8 tankers, four each for Charsadda & Nowshera (2 trips/day) will be serving the flood affectees. He also informed about planning of installation of 600 pit latrines & 300 wash rooms in Charsadda only. He further informed that from September 2010 IRC is starting a new project in Kohat, D.I.Khan & Swat. He was advised to attend WWG meeting in the respective districts of better coordination.

17. HRDS: The HRDS representative informed the forum that through UNICEF funding they have distributed 1065 NFIs in Charsadda Sugar Mill camp, installed 26 pit latrines, 11 wash rooms & 7 water tanks & cleaned latrines. In Charsadda they are promoting hygiene in communities. He also informed that on motor way they have installed water tanks fo affectees & are planning for coverage of 10,000 families in Charsadda.

18. ISLAMIC RELIEF: The IR representative informed the forum that they have distributed 3500 hygiene kits & 1700 jerry cans in Charsadda & Nowshera & are doing water tankering in both the districts.

19. FRD: The FRD representative informed the forum that through UNICEF funding they are involved in 9 schools of Charsadda. He pointed out that flood affectees residing out side schools due to lack of space have looted their hygiene kits. He also said that complete assessment is underway in the area. The chair suggested the organizations for their security measures & recommended to attend WASH W.G meetings in Charsadda for the identification of needy areas.

20. ENGRO CHEMICALS: The ENGRO CHEMICALS representative informed the forum that they are working with UNICEF Sindh on addressing water Arsenic problem & looking forward to UNICEF KP to support WASH cluster here. She said we produce chemicals (Chlorine) & want to equip the WASH Cluster partners to the best possible in providing clean drinking water to the affectees. She offered for help on water purification & said ENGRO CHEM is interested in eradication of water borne diseases. She offered providing required quantity of chlorine free of cost for the flood affected DWSS and wished that UNICEF in consultation with PHED and TMA’s may inform them about their needs.

21. CORDAID: The Cordaid representative informed the forum that they are working in health in district Shangla & finished with assessment. He also said that it will take a few more weeks to start activities. He also informed that they are planning for chlorination of water, clean drinking water, rehabilitation of wells, protection of wells & tankering in all union councils of Kohat urban and rural. He also informed that they are attending Kohat WASH W.G meetings.

22. CRS: The CRS representative informed the forum that they are working in Swat, Shangla & Kohistan. He also informed that in Swat (Behrain, Terat & Fatehpur) they have distributed 758 NFI kits and the same number of hygiene kits serving 5306 people, in Shangla & Kohistan CRS has distributed 597 NFI kits & same number of hygiene kits serving 5541 people and in Kohistan they have distributed 362 NFI & same number of hygiene kits serving 3359 people. He also informed about rehabilitation of WSS in union council Butyal of district Shangla that work has been started on 9 water supply schemes and upto now one WSS is completed and in Kohistan are working on 3 WSS. He was advised to coordinate with watsan cell for selecting schemes out of list available with them.

23. CARE INTERNATIONAL: The Care International representative informed the forum that their water filtration plants have arrived & are waiting for sites selection for installation. He said that list for sites selection was provided to Charsadda & Nowshera line departments. He also informed that pit latrines will be installed in spontaneous camps in Naway kallay & Zarin abad in Nowshera and in Parao kallay in Charsadda. Following points were discussed during Care International updates:-

• The chair informed that W.H.O shared the list of contaminated WSS in Swat, Malakand, Nowshera and Charsadda, which need water filtration plants.

• WCC enquired about gaps & number of water filtration plants.

• CI representative said that DCO & PHED is now short listing the sites for filtration plants.

24. ACTED: The ACTED representative informed the forum that in Beshigram, Fatehpur, Januchamtalai, Miandam, Madyan, Shin and Bharthana in district Swat they are involved in rehabilitation of gravity (Spring) water supply schemes, 25% work completed (4 gravity schemes completed), hand pumps rehabilitation 40 % work completed (137 hand pumps), water quality testing and disinfection of water points, in sanitation they are cleaning drainage lines. She also informed in Swat Upper in 3 UCs (Balakot, Mankial and Miandam)& Dir Upper in 5 Union Councils (Kalkot, Patrak, Barikot, Shiringal and Palam) they distributed 3000 Hygiene Kits and are working on gravity (Spring) water supply schemes, community latrines (25% work completed), on hand pumps rehabilitation ,Cleaning of drainage lines/debris/waste removal in villages ,water quality testing and disinfection of water points and training of community women on Hygiene Promotion for community door to door visits.

She further informed that in Swat Upper & Lower and in DIR Upper & Lower (total in 24 UCs) they have distributed 2000 Hygiene Kits & installed 35 latrines in communities, rehabilitated hand pumps & 10 WSS and trained local community women on hygiene promotion. She also informed that they are working in Tehsil Salar zai in Bajour.

25. ACF: The ACF representative informed the forum that they are working in Nowshera (Misribanda & Mughalki), Charsadda (Nisatta) and in Lower Dir. He also informed that so far they installed 125 VIP latrines and distributed 600 NFIs & 5000 hygiene kits. He also informed that in Charsadda they are fumigating the area with antimalarial sprays. He further informed that so far they have conducted 100 hygiene sessions & 10 cleaning campaigns.



CLOSING REMARKS TO THE MEETING:

• The Chair checked with the WASH partners that due to hectic campaign by the respective TMA’s there is hardly any case of dead animal burial left unattended. He also asked cluster to inform concerned TMA’s immediately in case any such case is found.

• Annemarie suggested the listing of flood affectees camps on PDMA website to facilitate response.



NEXT MEETING:

Will be on same day next week (Wednesday) unless intimated other wise.

-The End-