WASH CLUSTER 4th FLOOD EMERGENCY MEETING KP

WASH CLUSTER 4th FLOOD EMERGENCY MEETING KP


(Minutes of the 61st WASH Cluster Meeting)

Date: 17 August 2010 – 09:30 Hrs

Venue: LG & RDD, KP, PESHAWAR

The 61st meeting of WASH Cluster KP (4th WASH Cluster Flood Emergency meeting) was held on 17-08-2010 at 09:30 AM in the LG &RDD, Peshawar. In his opening remarks the chair Mr. Said Rehman CWC informed that from now onward Public Health Engineering Department KP will be jointly chairing the provincial WASH Cluster meetings with LG & RDD. Engineer Khan Zeb, Deputy Secretary (Tech) PHED jointly chaired the cluster meeting and Co-Chaired by Mr. Muhammad Masud, WASH Cluster Coordinator, KP. Meeting was attended by large number of WASH partners and their IP’s. 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 told that both PHED & TMA’s are major responsible public sector entities for provision of water supply and sanitation services in rural & urban areas; flood have caused damages in all the 24 districts, even Kala Dhaka is affected he added. He also said that PDMA has categorized the districts in three categories on the basis of extent of damages as 1st, 2nd & as 3rd category and the complete list will be circulated once formally received. He mentioned that power supply is cut off in all parts of Swat including Shangla & resultantly, no water supply scheme is energized through electricity there. However, TMA Swat’s tube wells have been made functional through heavy-duty generators, provided by UNICEF and UNICEF is also providing POL.

He also said that in Peshawar, Charsadda & Nowshera the major issue was that of disposal of dead animals; 16000 dead animals were reported; this issue was resolved to a great extent he added. He further said that in Nowshera urban area 15 tube wells are restored and in TMA Charsadda 11 out of 14 are functional & in Swat 36 out of 38 tube wells are being run through generators on rotational basis. He was of the view that the information from remote hilly areas (where large number of gravity water supply schemes would have been damaged) will be available in a few days.

About coordination amongst the WASH partners in some of the flood affected districts he said that it’s an issue as access is still limited and therefore we need strong coordination mechanism in these areas to fill the gaps in flood response.

Since large numbers of organizations are in the field providing almost similar WASH services such as water trucking, cleaning of streets and drains, removal of solid waste and distribution of NFI’s and hygiene kits to the affectees, therefore serious duplication issues have been noticed. It was also observed that both TMA’s and PHED are being approached for detail of support and resultantly casually prepared lists of supplies and support are passed on to different organizations with out specifying the areas and extent of support.

He also informed that the Provincial Government has also decided to divert their own resources and current ADP funds to the flood emergency response. Therefore it becomes more important for the NGO’s working in WASH flood emergency response to keep close coordination with PHED and TMA’s to ensure better utilization of resources and reach to the maximum affectees. He concluded that response is not of desired level & pointed out that through a random check on Sunday August 15, 2010 by WatSan Cell WASH officer, some villages such as Torlandey, Biar Gharai and Mioley of UC Mirzadher in District Charsadda were found to be with out clean water for days. He feared list of such deprived villages might be high and they needed to be accessed through active coordination and information sharing mechanism.

Engineer Khan Zeb, PHED:

The joint chair of WASH Cluster KP said that Public Health Engineering Department adopted a 3-pronged Restoration Strategy for flood damages, outlined as under;

1. Immediate restoration of water supply schemes with minor repairs in the main districts of inundation;

2. Urgent Cleaning & disinfection of water supply sources;

3. Water supply schemes with major repairs as civil work.

The joint chair said that in this effort PHED has signed MoU with UNICEF & PCRWR and started disinfection in 3 districts where inundation prevailed. He also informed the forum about the tentative damages of WSS received from the field as:-

1. 1000 plus million damages have been assessed for 963 schemes out of total 4000 schemes; however the cost has been rationalized to 692 Millions as the initial estimates are revisited and confirmed.

2. Referring to the restoration strategy he informed that in District Peshawar 13 out of 14 WSS, in Nowshera 7 out of 11WSS, in Charsadda all 40 WSS, in Mardan all 35 WSS, in Swabi 49 out of 65 WSS, in Abbottabad 41 out of 72 WSS, in Haripur 48 out of 56 WSS, in Mansehra 12 out of 40 WSS, in Batagram 5 out of 68 WSS, in Kohistan 2 out 6 WSS, in Shangla 3 out of 23 WSS, in Swat 4 out of 43 WSS, in Chitral 10 out of 38 WSS, in Dir Upper 12 out of 43 WSS & in Malakand 30 out of 63 water supply schemes have been restored.

He also said that Provincial Government has established “Flood Damages Restoration Directorate” & this directorate is working on preparation of cost estimates of losses to WASH facilities & will check quality of restoration and repair works. 1st meeting of the forum has been held and its minutes will be shared with WASH partners soon.

Action point: He requested WASH partners in the disinfection campaign of PHED for the restoration of water sources throughout the flood-affected areas.

Mr. Masood Aslam, WASH Cluster Coordinator

The Co-chair said that UN-Pakistan WASH response has been finalized; about funding opportunity, OCHA, DFID and CERF windows are available, he added. Quoting yesterday’s general coordination meeting in PDMA, he said that most of the WASH partners are providing their services on the main roads and flood affectees living off the roads are still deprived; WASH partners must look into the matter and focus on the issue raised in GCM. He also said that 3W WASH matrix be updated regularly so that gap areas be identified.

Updates from Partners:

1. ACF: ACF representative informed the forum that rapid assessment in Charsadda has started yesterday (16.08.2010) in UCs Agra and Nisatta and assessment in Nowshera is ongoing. Oxfam-GB’s representative objected that they are already covering UC Agra and have registered 3400 families for response.

Action point: both the organizations were advised to set after the meeting to resolve the issue mutually but to avoid such duplication issue, the chair emphasized for the 3W WASH matrix filling and return on most immediate basis. PDMA has also requested WASH cluster to ensure mapping and reporting on the 3W matrix.

2. ACTED: ACTED representative informed the forum that they are providing WASH services in Swat, Dir lower and Dir upper. In Swat they are providing water tankering in 9 UCs and are involved in the rehabilitation in 2 UCs, she added. She also informed that they are doing door to door hygiene promotion and have reached 1200 household in Swat and Dir Upper. She informed that the assessments have identified 90% needs of the people and 70% of the common group latrines have been completed. She further informed that water quality testing lab in one UC of Swat is in planning. She also informed that a new project with ECHO funding will soon start.

Action point: ACTED was requested to extend their organizational support to strengthen coordination for schools’ WASH response in the province in close consultation with UNICEF and Watsan Cell.

3. BEST: BEST representative informed the forum that they will soon start WASH project in Peshawar; this will include water tanks’ installation, buckets and Jerry-cans distribution, training on water treatment and solid waste management. He also said that rapid assessment for latrines, taps and hygiene has started at school level and the actual activities will start next week.

Action point: The chair emphasized that in addition to the reporting on the 3w matrix, a “one-pager” summarized report may be prepared by all the WASH partners by highlighting their major flood response activities, areas of response and issues faced by them alongwith proposals and recommendation to improve the response. This may be shared on (saidrehman65@hotmail.com).

4. BRIGHT FUTURE: BRIGHT FUTURE representative informed the forum that they are responding in Charsadda in UC Yasinzai and collected WASH need data. He informed that they have submitted proposals.

5. CESSD: CESSD representative informed the forum that they are attending the WASH cluster meeting for the first time and are working in 12 districts of KP in capacity building programmes from the last one-decade. Their project steering committee is headed by the ACS P&D and other departments are also represented. He also said that due to the huge flood losses, they floated the idea to the government for supplementing their efforts and for this; they are negotiating with their funding agency, CIDA. He further said that the final decision from CIDA is awaited. He offered that because of physical presence of their district focal points, they can provide useful support to the district WASH working groups in the affected districts;

Action point: WASH Cluster welcomed the offer and requested CESSD management to share their district focal points names and contact addresses for utilizing their services in establishment and strengthening of district WASH working groups.

6. CARE International: Care Int’l representative informed the forum that they are providing services in 2 UCs; one in Nowshera (Navay Kalay) and one in Charsadda (Nisatta). They have distributed WASH NFIs and water tanks and two treatment plants will arrive in a week he added. He requested for the identification of feasible sites for the installation of water treatment plants. Each plant has a capacity of 4,000 litres/ hour. Their argument was that this plant should be installed either in a cluster of IDPs or a village having no ground water.

Action point: The chair informed that two water treatment plants have already been installed one in Charsadda and the other in Nawshehra for the flood affectees with support of PDMA/USAID. He suggested to closely coordinate with PHED and TMAs of the concerned area for selection of feasible sites. Care-International was also advised to examine the working of the plants already installed in Charsadda and Nowshera to learn from the experiences there and ensure most beneficial sites for the new arrivals.

7. CRS: CRS representative informed the forum that that they have distributed 900 hygiene kits in Kohistan, Shangla and Swat & are planning distribution of kitchen sets.

• The chair requested CRS to check the damaged water supply schemes of TMA Shangla & share their technical feedback with cluster.

• UNICEF (Ann Marie Swai) suggested that WASH Cluster should provide a volunteer for the compilation of a central list of all WSS damaged schemes due to floods and for listing of 1000 schools in which currently flood affectees are staying.

Action point: The chair requested ACTED that due to their past experience of working in schools WASH rehabilitation they better provide a volunteer for the purpose.

8. Cordaid: Cordaid representative informed the forum that they are planning WASH programmes for Kohat & Charsadda and will be in Shangla for their projects. He said detailed assessment in Shangla is in progress & they were setting up programmes for WASH Health interventions before floods in Kohat. He also said that they have no emergency ware houses. He further said that capacity building of local partners in Kohat is on their agenda. Yet another representative of Cordaid informed the forum that the very next day of floods they were in Shangla & were providing medical assistance in Kozkanra, Wolander, Shahpur & Barkanda etc. He also said that they need coordination in Kohat.

• CESSD representative offered their good office for coordination support in Kohat to Cordaid.

• The Chair requested Cordaid to take responsibility for facilitating the District Shangla WASH working group coordination mechanism.

• IOM representative suggested their model of leading the Shelters in 7 districts.

Action point: UNICEF (Ann Marie Swai) suggested the listing of coordination meetings & contact numbers of responsible persons. She was also of the view that already partners are working in districts and a structure (of presence) is present there. Only schedule is needed to kick start the district meetings.

9. DOSTI DEVELOPMENT: Dosti Development representative informed the forum that before floods they were working in Swat & due to floods have diverted funds to NFIs & Hygiene kits distribution in Swat & Matta. He also said they are funded for health & hygiene promotion in district Charsadda only by IFMCA; yet to finalize union councils in district Charsadda he added.

10. EPS: EPS representative informed the forum that they doing water trucking in all the 9 UCs of Mingora and are providing NFIs & hygiene kits in Madyan, Behrain and Bishigram; has also restored some water supply schemes he added. He also said that they have arranged medical camps for the flood affectees staying in schools in Khwazakhela & Bishigram and raised health & hygiene awareness. It was also pointed out that EPS is implementing partner of CRS.

Action point: The chair requested EPS to help cluster assess the WASH needs/ gaps in upper Swat, which is still not accessible for most of the partners.

11. HRDS: HRDS representative informed the forum that they are IPs of UNICEF & has delivered 2 generators in Nowshera for the restoration of water supply schemes. He also said that teams are helping EDO Education Swat in damage assessment in 11 UCs & UNICEF has awarded 5 schools in Charsadda to them for water tankering.

12. HAYAT FOUNDATION: Hayat Foundation representative informed the forum that they are responding to flood affectees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa & Punjab; will initiate WASH project in Upper Swat & Dir Lower.

13. ISLAMIC RELIEF: IR representative informed the forum that they have installed 50 latrines of which 20 latrines are in Kandaro camp (Government Technical College) camp Nowshera, 8 latrines in Pir Sabaq No 1, 11 latrines in Pir Sabaq No 3 and 6 latrines in Nisasata. He also said that so far they have distributed 1180 hygiene kits in Charsadda & 1010 kits in Nowshera & has provided one water tanker in Pir Sabaq camp & 5 in Challegon.

• Oxfam GB representative objected that they are already covering UC Pir Sabaq 3 camp.

Action point: both the organizations were advised to set after the meeting to resolve the issue mutually.

14. IMC: IMC representative informed the forum that they have conducted need assessment survey in 3 districts & distributed hygiene kits in Peshawar. He also said that Mini Hygiene Kits for children were also distributed & has done hygiene promotion sessions.

15. IRSP: IRSP representative informed the forum that they are IP of OXFAM-GB & has so far installed 38 pit latrines & 12 wash rooms & replaced a water pump in Kandaro camp, Nowshera. He also informed that they are providing chlorinated water to 3000 families in Pir Sabaq UC on daily basis. He also said that so far they have registered 99 families in 6 schools & 200 families in Aza Khel Bala & Payan. Yet another representative of IRSP informed the forum about union councils Utman Zai & Mirzadher in district Charsadda. He said that so far they have distributed 1268 NFIs kits and provided 16500 gallons of water through water trucking in the area.

16. IOM: IOM representative informed the forum that they are not directly involved in WASH but through Mass Awareness Communication they disseminate information on radio. She offered organization to disseminate health & hygiene messages through their channels. She also requested the agencies to share their NFIs/ & hygiene kits distribution data with Shelter NFI Cluster.

17. NCHD: NCHD representative informed the forum that they are distributing mineral water, buckets & jerry cans. He also said that so far they have arranged 276 medical camps & hygiene promotion is in progress. They offered their services to be utilized by any organization.

18. KADO: KADO representative informed the forum that they are responding in 25 schools in Lakki Marwat, Kohat & Bannu & providing water trucking on daily basis. He also said that so far they have distributed 100 hygiene kits & are doing hygiene promotion on daily basis. He further informed that need assessment is completed in 2 union councils Chowdan & Lunda sharif in D.I.Khan.

19. NCA: NCA representative informed the forum that they have received 2 mobile water treatment plants from Norway & requested site locations for installation in Charsadda & Nowshera districts.

Action point: they were advised to coordinate with DCO/TMA Charsadda and Nowshera for the purpose.

20. OXFAM-GB: OXFAM-GB representative informed the forum that they are responding in 13 union councils of Swat, 6 UCs of D.I.Khan, Nowshera & 1 UC of Charsadda Agra & in schools. She also said that teams are ready for dispatch of supplies in the inaccessible areas of Swat and they are also campaigning on radio about health & hygiene messages. She also said that they have done assessment in Akora Khattak.

• IOM representative pointed out that entire Akora Khattak is in need of clean drinking water.

• UNICEF (Rehman Ullah) said that Labor Colony Akora Khattak will be taken care by UNICEF IPs.

21. MUSLIM AID: Muslim Aid representative informed the forum that in union councils Mirza Dher & Tarnab in district Charsadda they have distributed 1500 jerry cans & 10,000 aqua tabs & are planning distribution of 1500 hygiene kits from next week. He also informed that in district Nowshera they have distributed 2000 jerry cans, 2000 buckets, 10,000 aqua tabs & 12000 liters of water. He further informed that they are planning for hygiene awareness sessions and distribution of1000 hygiene kits.

22. Pak-CDP: Pak-CDP representative informed the forum that work is in progress on health/ hygiene promotion sessions & on NFIs/ hygiene kits distribution.

23. PVDP: PVDP representative informed the forum that they are providing water tankering in 9 schools in Peshawar on daily basis with the help of UNICEF funding. He also said that in Charsadda & Nowshera the process of assessment is in progress.

24. PRDP: PRDP representative informed the forum that they are responding in Tangi, Tarnab & Agra & has provided cooked food in Mirza Dher. She informed & requested the forum that 2000 women hygiene kits are needed in these areas.

Action point: UNICEF asked her to coordinate with them after the meeting.

25. Pak Ever Bright Organization: Pak Ever Bright Organization representative informed the forum that they are working in 3 UCs of Chitral and have distributed 200 water bottles, food, biscuits & juices.

26. RAHBER: RAHBER representative informed the forum that they are working in Shangla & Buner and identified 6 badly flood affected union councils in Buner and completed need assessment. He also said that proposals are submitted to UNICEF for funding in Buner. He also said that in Shangla they are working with UNICEF in Nutrition sector & also has an office in Alpuri (Shangla).

27. SSD: SSD representative informed the forum that they have distributed 25000 NFIs in as many families in the last 10 days. He said they are starting WASH project in Charsadda & Dir Upper.

28. W.H.O: WHO representative informed the forum that 65 health clinics are serving the flood affectees & diarrhoea is our major concern due to unsafe drinking water & poor hygiene conditions. He informed about the statistics of diarrhoea in various districts are: D.I.Khan 42%, Tank 29%, Swat 25%, Charsadda 23%, & Nowshera 18%. About outbreaks he said alerts from various areas have been reported including Govt School Rajr, Charsadda. He also said that alerts for outbreak will be shared regularly.

• OXFAM-GB representative pointed out that not only water & poor hygiene conditions but poor food quality available near flood affectees is also one of the causes of diarrhoea.

• UNICEF representative pointed out that water trucking through non-member cluster NGO’s may also be discouraged as it is feared that may also be a cause due to non chlorination of some tankers by philanthropists.

29. Khwendo Kor: Khwendo Kor representative pointed out the need of water activities on Peshawar-Islamabad motor-way. She also requested the need for appropriate security around the affected people as certain community leaders are not allowing the NGO’s supplies to pass to deserving persons with out their permission.

• UNICEF representative informed the forum that their IP HRDS is providing water trucking on Peshawar-Islamabad motor way.

Next Meeting: Could be called on short notice, any time.

-The End-