LIVELIHOOD & DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PROJECT

PKNB-06.

FINAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Submitted by

SHANGLA DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY

to

Oxfam GB +92-996-850744 & 412626.

+92-996-851258.

sds@sds.org.pk.

http://www.sds.org.pk

1. BACK GROUND:

The October 8, 2005 earthquake was marked as the worst calamity in the country’s history in terms of scale of destruction and high cost in terms of lives lost, injuries sustained, destruction of infrastructure and economic losses. Besides human sufferings, livelihoods of the poor communities were grossly disrupted and income generation capacity was markedly diminished. Many families lost their earning hands, while others reduced meager livelihood opportunities. This project was based on long-term commitment of the team of “Shangla Development Society” towards the socio-economic development of the poor communities in the area and was built on relief and rehabilitation activities carried by the society in partnership with OXFAM GB.

Project concept reveals around providing the marginalized communities in targeted three union councils of the Shangla district with sustainable livelihood opportunities, with a focus on building socio-economic assets of the vulnerable communities and strengthen their capacities to be prepared and be able to cope with emergencies in future. Emphasis was placed on building capacities of the women, proved to be the most vulnerable segment of the target communities. Efforts were made to sensitize the local representatives and responsible staff of the line departments on issues of disaster preparedness and mitigation. Key activities of the project included formulation and capacity building of Disaster Preparedness committees at village and union council levels, Provision of inputs to recover economic assets of the most vulnerable people in the target communities i.e. small-scale interventions for revival of income generation activities, and rehabilitate economic infrastructure essential for recovery of livelihood activities in three union councils of District Shangla. Establishment of a Disaster Resource Center in Shangla and institutional/organization development of the Shangla Development Society was an important component of the project that will help the society to sustain its activities as well as develop a long term development partnership not only with OXFAM (GB) but other international organizations to better serve the vulnerable and poor communities in Shangla District. Disaster Resource center will play a vital role in sensitization and building understanding and skills of the targeted communities as well as Government officials and other civil society organizations on sustainable livelihood and Disaster Management in future.

2. PROJECT AREA:

The project was implemented in 3 union councils of district Shangla, namely Lilownai, Kamach Nasrat Khel and Bahlool Khel. Union Council Kamach Nasrat Khel and Bahlool Khel, being the most remote and backward UCs, lie in the sub-temperate zone while UC Lilownai is in the cold zone. Details of the population of the targeted union councils are as under:

Sr. No Union Council Total population Male Female House holds

1 Lilownai 27,739 14,396 13,343 3,511

2 Behlool Khel 24,129 12,100 12,029 3,016

3 Kamach Nasrat Khel 20,666 10,604 10,062 2,583

TOTAL = 72,544 37,100 35,434 9,110

3. INTERVENTIONS UNDER THE PROJECT:

The following interventions were carried out under the Livelihood and Disaster Preparedness Project:

3.1 Goats distribution 3.2 Promotion of Kitchen gardening3.3 Fruit plantation3.4 Restoration/construction of irrigation channel3.5 Livestock vaccination3.6 Livestock management trainings3.7 Formation of Disaster Management Committees3.8 Trainings on Disaster Management3.9 Publication of awareness raising material on disasters3.10 Establishment of resource center3.11 Capacity building of SDS

3.1 GOATS DISTRIBUTION:

Livestock is the 2nd major farm sector of livelihood in this region. Its importance increases with the increase of altitude. Besides contribution to daily food consumption, it is an important asset, for sale, calves and ultimately meat. The damage to livestock was quite heavy in EQ region. In addition to livestock mortality, rate of de-stocking was quite high as many livestock owners were selling animals because of a lack of shelters, feed and need of cash. The prices of animals declined by more than 50% in the area and farmers who were already suffering, incurred a further loss. There was a need to give support to the female headed households in shape of livestock to stabilize their economic conditions and help them recover from the earthquake shock.

I) Dialogue with the community and line department;

Shangla Development Society (SDS) members and social organizers visited the targeted Union Councils and gathered those members of the community who kept their own livestock or who were expert in the livestock. These community members were told about the distribution of goats among the female headed households of the area. These community members were asked about the adaptability of the kind of goats in the environmental condition of the area. Information was also collected about the fodder for livestock and survival of the various kinds of goats. They also held meetings with the Director Livestock and got information about various kinds of the goats, availability in the market, prices of the various kinds.

II) Criteria for Livestock (Goats) Beneficiaries.

Targeted group: Female headed households & widows fulfilling the following criteria were the target group for the distribution of goats:

a) Earthquake affecteesb) Landlessc) Tenantsd) Have two or more than two children of less than twelve years.

e) Who is able to keep the livestock.f) Who agrees to fulfill the agreement conditions.

III) Assessment of the beneficiaries:

Assessment for the beneficiaries of goats was completed in three phases. In the first phase community was consulted, criteria was discussed and lists of the female headed house holds were taken from them according to our criteria. In the second phase Shangla Development Society (SDS) social organizers went door to door for the verification of these lists. They collected different kinds of information from them and lists were prepared of those female headed house holds that fulfilled the criteria. In the third phase Shangla Development Society (SDS) shared these lists with the community for the re-verification.

IV) Market analysis:

An extensive market analysis was carried out before the purchase of goats. As the shepherds had moved out of the area it was difficult to find the required number of goats in the area. The purchase committee of SDS, formed for the purpose, visited all livestock fairs in Swat, Shangla, Buner, and Mardan.

As a result of the dialogue with the community and the line department the following were outlined options for purchasing of livestock (goats).

Hybrid Goats: Environmental condition of the area is not suitable for this kind because of the cold weather of the area. This kind of goats gives more milk than the other kinds. It has a less survival chance than the other kinds. This kind of goat does not give wool which is used for making blankets.

Small size goats: Environmental condition of the area is not suitable for this kind. These goats give less milk than the highbred. The size of these goats is very small. It also does not give wool.

Local Goats: Environmental condition of the area is suitable for this kind of goats. It gives more milk than small size goats. It has more survival chance than the other. It also gives wool. Its fodder is also easily available in area. It is low cost.

V) Market Survey:

Keeping in view the above options and information taken from the community and line department the committee visited the following fairs from 3rd November to 7th November.

Rustam livestock fair at Mardan District. Sawarai Livestock fair at Buneer Distirct. Khawazakhela Livestock fair at Swat District.

Hybrid goats were not available in these livestock fairs. These goats are available in the Sindh and Punjab farm houses. Small size goats were available but not in so large number. Local goats were available in these livestock fairs in various forms i.e. lactating goats, pregnant goats etc. the prices of local goats were also low as compared to the other kinds.

VI) Justification for purchasing local goats:

Local goats are more adaptable to the environment of the area. It gives enough milk and also gives goats hair which is used for making blankets. The fodder of these local goats is easily available in the area. The fodder of these local goats is easily available in the area. These are more economical and low cost. These goats were available in the required number.

VII) Transportation of goats

Transportation of goats was a challenging task because of the geographical status of UC Bahlool Khel and UC Nusrat Khel. In the transportation process three goats expired because of the lack of skilled labour. After going through a hazardous route from Suwarai, Bunair Shangla Development Society (SDS) transported the remaining goats to UC Nusrat Khel. The goats were transported through truck for 80 KM and the onward journey of 50 km was covered by foot with the help of expert shepherds. Transportation took 3 days.

Due to heavy rains in the area SDS had to keep the goats for 10 days. As there were lactating goats among them their keeping was not an easy task and SDS had to arrange fodder, shelter and shepherds to look after the goats.

VIII) Arrangement of goats in UC Lilownai:

Keeping in view our past experience of purchasing goats for the beneficiaries of UC Nusrat Khel and Bahlool Khel, the purchasing committee decided to purchase the goats in the local area. It was not possible to purchase 100 lactating or pregnant goats from one shepherd as all the goats were not available with one shepherd so they purchased 100 goats along with 20 kids from six shepherds. Quality, bulk and kind of goats were kept in view while purchasing goats. All the goats were lactating or pregnant. With lactating goats kids were also there.

After the purchase of goats for UC Lilownai, the weather unexpectedly got rainy and the area received unusual heavy snowfall due to which the distribution was delayed for five days and SDS had to bear the extra burden of looking after the goats.

IX) Selection of distribution points:

The distribution spots were selected after close consultation with the beneficiaries. Easy accessibility of the beneficiaries to the distribution point was the major factor in deciding the distribution point. Distribution point for UC Lilownai was SDS office while in UC Bahlool Khel the goats were distributed at Bihar village and at Dedal village in UC Nasrat Khel.

X) Token distribution

Tokens were distributed among the beneficiaries a day before the distribution date in which date, time and distribution spot were conveyed to the beneficiaries. Tokens were distributed through Shangla Development Society (SDS) social organizers. They gave tokens to the beneficiaries at their door step.

XI) Agreement with the beneficiaries

To ensure the sustainable use of the goats for better livelihood, an agreement was designed between Shangla Development Society (SDS) and the beneficiaries, which has the following terms and conditions:

The beneficiary will not sell the goat until it has produced at least two calves.

The beneficiary will not slaughter the goat.

The beneficiary will use the goat and its products for its own use.

If the goat gets ill and slaughtering is necessary, SDS will be informed and if it is not possible to contact SDS then the beneficiary will slaughter it in front of two

witnesses.

XII) Distribution of goats

Distribution in UCs Nasrat Khel and Bahlool Khel took place from December 13 to 16, 2006, while in UC Lilownai the distribution was carried out on March 15-16, 2007, in presence of Oxfam staff. All the three distributions took place in a smooth and cordial atmosphere.

Female from various villages were present there for the verification of the beneficiaries. Shangla Development Society (SDS) female social organizers facilitated the beneficiaries about the use of the goats.Beneficiaries were briefed about the conditions of the agreement. Numbers were stick on every goat and the same numbers of lots were prepared for the draw. Each of beneficiaries took a lot and whatever number she took, the same number of goat was given to her so as to keep the distribution transparent and acceptable to all. Before giving her goat token was received from her. Signature or finger print was taken from her on the distribution proforma and agreement in the presence of two witnesses.

3.2) Promotion of Kitchen gardening:

District Shangla has very fertile but limited agricultural land suitable for the growth of different kinds of vegetables and fruits. The available agricultural land does not meet the requirements of the local population and most of the food items are imported from other parts of the country. The local population engaged in agricultural activities is more inclined towards the growth of traditional crops like wheat and maize and do not try such options which can enhance their income.

As the womenfolk is also engaged in the agricultural activities the need was felt to promote kitchen gardening and other home based income generating activities among the women folk to strengthen their economic condition and help them play an active and productive role in the well being of the family.

To promote kitchen gardening culture in the targeted union councils, leading to sustainable livelihood of the inhabitants 120 females were targeted to be provided with vegetables seeds and tools and training on kitchen gardening.

I) Criteria for Vegetables Seeds and tools Beneficiaries:

Females fulfilling the following criteria were eligible for the receipt of vegetables seeds and tools:

Poor having enough space for kitchen gardening Female headed house hold or widow Landless Ability to cultivate the plot for vegetables

II) Motivational campaign for kitchen gardening:

SDS social organizers went into the community and motivated the female of the community for kitchen gardening. They facilitated the female on food nutrition. The social organizers also facilitated them how they can get fresh vegetables and reduce their kitchen expenditure and earn from kitchen gardening by selling the vegetables at micro level.

III) Distribution of seeds and tools:

UCs Bahlool Khel and Nasrat Khel lie in the sub-temperate zone of Shangla and have hot weather while UC Lilownai lie in the cold zone and has severe cold winter. After consultation with the government agriculture department and due to the variance in weather in the targeted union councils vegetable seeds were distributed in two phases among the beneficiaries. UCs Bahlool Khel and Nasrat Khel were covered during November and December 2006 while seeds were distributed in March 2007 in UC Lilownai.

A total of 120 families were provided seeds and tools for kitchen gardening. They were provided with seeds of mustards, garlic, turnip, peas, beans, okra, chilies, tomatoes etc.

Union council wise summary of the beneficiaries:

Sr. No. Union Council Beneficiaries

1. Lilownai 42

2. Bahlool Khel 44

3. Nasrat Khel 34

Total = 120

3.3) FRUIT PLANTATION:

In spite of the vast potential for the growth of different kinds of fruits in Shangla, due to its fertile land and variety of weather, the local population still employs the outdated techniques, thus having no substantial increase in the agricultural income despite of the large increase in the feeding mouths and introduction of modern agricultural techniques and cropping patterns elsewhere. Keeping this in mind Shangla Development Society (SDS) proposed to promote fruit plantation culture in area to provide an alternative livelihood source to the inhabitants of the targeted union councils.

I) Consultation with agriculture department:

The government agriculture department was consulted regularly and meetings were held with the Executive District Officer Agriculture on the suitability of fruit plants for the targeted areas and the suitable time of plantation. Union council Lilownai lies in the cold zone and has severe winter and mild summer while UCs Bahlool Khel and Nasrat Khel lie in the sub temperate zone with mild winter and very hot summers. Therefore the time of plantation and types of fruit plants suitable for both the areas were different.

II) Criteria for fruit plants beneficiaries:

The following criterion was chalked out for the identification of beneficiaries for fruit plants to ensure and maximize the impacts of the activity:

a) Farmer who has own land for the fruit plants.b) Small land owners who cultivate their land themselves.c) Whose main source of income is agriculture.d) Who can grow and take interest in plantation.

III) Identification of beneficiaries:

Keeping in view the above criteria SDS identified 240 farmers in UC Nusrat Khel, 275 in UC Bahlool Khel and 352 farmers in UC Lilownai. Targeted families were facilitated to dig holes for the plants so as not to keep the plants in the open air for long time. Community was motivated about the importance of fruit plantation culture, how they can use fruit plants as a source of income generation and lead to a sustainable livelihood.

IV) Arrangement of fruit plants:

Arrangement of fruit plants was done well in advance of the plantation period. After consultation with the agriculture department and analysis of the fruit plant nurseries in Shangla and Swat, agreement was made with a local fruit plant nursery as it had the capacity to meet our demand of 18000 fruit plants of different kinds. All the fruit plants were provided well in time.

V) Types of fruit plants distributed:

Apricots, lemon, apple, plum, walnut, orange, guava, peaches, almonds, cherry, pears, persimmon, grapes, loquat and peek plants were distributed among the farmers, these plants were found to be suitable for the targeted areas after consultation with the government agriculture department.

VI) Distribution of fruit plants:

A total of 18000 fruit plants of different kinds were distributed among 867 farmers of the targeted three union councils. As UCs Nasrat Khel and Bahlool Khel lie in the sub-temperate zone plantation drive was carried out in these union councils from January 15 while in UC Lilownai the plantation drive began from 1st February as it lies in the cold zone. Tokens were delivered to the farmers at their doorsteps a day before the distribution of fruit plants. The community was very receptive and enthusiastic about the fruit plants distribution and demanded more fruit plants.

3.4 RESTORATION/CONSTRUCTION OF WATER CHANNEL:

Agriculture crops production is the major livelihood activity in the earthquake hit areas. Wheat is the major crop, which is followed by maize. Due to land sliding fertile agricultural fields and standing crops were destroyed, domestic and farm livestock were killed. Due to after shocks, a good number of people were afraid of sleeping inside, stayed on cultivable land and so were not able to cultivate the next crop. Agricultural activities were also affected as people were busy in rehabilitation activities and collection of compensation cheques at the time of harvesting in these areas. The earthquake caused great damage to agricultural infrastructure too i.e. land, irrigation channels etc. and as a result the agricultural output decreased tremendously.

I) Assessment

Assessment was completed in three phases. In the first phase Shangla Development Society (SDS) social mobilizers identified four potential spots in UC Nasrat Khel and two spots in UC Bahlool Khel. SDS SOs took measurements of the channel, number of beneficiaries and agriculture land to be irrigated from the channels. In the second phase of

assessment SDS Executive Director and Project Coordinator visited the identified six spots and held meetings with the community. Every aspect of the activity was carefully analyzed in the identified spots for the restoration and construction of water channel. Out of these, three spots were chosen and

the water management department of district Shangla was also consulted in this phase. A joint visit by SDS team and Water Management was made to these three spots. Then with the collaboration of Water Management Department of District Shangla an engineer visited two spots in UC Nasrat Khel and one spot in UC Bahlool Khel. The engineer made his assessment and also prepared a rough estimate for each of the channel.

II) Selection of the spot for restoration/construction of water channel:

Oxfam GB was kept informed about the result of each phase of assessment. After consultation with Oxfam and keeping in view the number of beneficiaries, feasibility, irrigated land and the approved budget for the activity Bihar Shingri village of UC Bahlool Khel was selected for the restoration/construction of water channel.

Bihar Shingri of UC Bahlool Khel has fertile land and is suitable for rice, wheat, maize and vegetables. Community of this village is very cooperative. They are all progressive farmers. Their main source of income is agriculture. But as the people of Bihar village have no irrigation system and their crops and vegetables depend only on rain thus in case of lack of rains at proper time their crops are adversely affected.

This water channel is from Karaga Khwar and is 2700/ m long. 3 & 4 inch HDPE pipe has been used for the channel. Total Beneficiaries of this channel is 65HHs and will irrigate 600 kanals of Agricultural land. A source tank of 4*4 has been constructed for the sucking of water and a second tank of 4*4 was made for the discharge of the water. The purpose of the second tank is to prevent soil erosion at the discharge spot. 3 and 4 inches HDPE pipe was used for the channel in which 350 meter 4inch pipe has been used from the source tank so as to make the pressure of the water and then 2350 has been used 3 inches.

III) Agreement with the community:

Before the implementation of the activity an agreement was signed with a representative committee of the community in which roles and responsibilities of SDS and community were defined. Conditions of the agreement are as under:

a) Material for the irrigation channel i.e. pipes, fittings etc will be provided by SDS.

b) SDS will monitor the completion of the irrigation channel according to its work plan and ensure the quality of work.

c) The management committee will be responsible for the removal of any hurdles in the irrigation channel.

d) The community will be responsible for the provision of space for laying the pipe and water for the irrigation channel.

e) The community will keep close coordination and consultations with the SDS staff and project coordinator during and after the completion of the irrigation channel.

f) After the completion of the project the community will be responsible for the protection, repair and sustainability of the water channel.

g) After the completion of the project the community will follow the traditional division of water among the beneficiaries/landowners.

IV) Implementation of the activity:

Implementation of the activity was challenging task as the location of the water channel consists of steep mountains and the distance between the water source and the agricultural lands was quite hard. As the area is quite remote and inaccessible the transportation of the pipes and other material to the site was a challenging task. The pipes and other material were first transported through mini trucks to the bank of river Indus and from there through boats

via Indus River. Due to the dedication of the SDS project staff and cooperation of the community the implementation was made possible despite of various difficulties. The community itself never expected that their fertile lands will ever be irrigated and agricultural productivity will be enhanced as a result of the completion of the water channel. The water channel is expected to bring about prosperity in the region. Although the unskilled labour was paid by SDS but the

community was so enthusiastic and cooperative that they used to beat drums to inform the community to come to the construction site. As Bahlool Khel lie in the sub temperate zone its weather is very hot and has very mild winters. The weather of the area in addition to the irrigation facility will help the farmers to enhance their production and they can even get three crops annually from their lands Besides the agriculture crops the community will also be able to grow vegetables.

3.5 LIVESTOCK VACCINATION:

6000 animals had to be vaccinated under the project. Close coordination and consultations were maintained with the government livestock department and guidance was taken from the livestock department on the type of vaccines suitable in the prevailing conditions and types of livestock in Shangla. Experts for the vaccination drive were provided by the livestock department. SDS social mobilizers motivated the community about the importance of vaccination. Local trained people

also took part in the vaccination process. The vaccination drive continued from May

1 to 8, 2007. Small animals (goats and sheep) were vaccinated with ETV and big animals (cow, buffalo and ox etc.) were vaccinated with HSV.

Summary of Livestock vaccination

Union Council

Total Beneficiaries

Small animals Big animals Total animals

Lilownai 133 1216 985 2201

Bahlool Khel 305 1325 703 2028

Nasrat Khel 192 1455 607 2062

Grand Total 630 3996 2295 6291

3.6 LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT TRAININGS:

As livestock is a major source of livelihood of the inhabitants of Shangla and the livestock owners rear their livestock in traditional ways. Often the livestock and family members reside in the same premises and the wastes are disposed off near the house which leads to different kinds of diseases among the family members and neighbors. Productivity of the livestock is less compared to the labor it consumes in its rearing and management. Due to lack of proper management of the livestock the poor farmers often lost some of their animals.

The need was felt to train the farmers in proper management of livestock and increase their productivity. Livestock management trainings were proposed in the proposal in the targeted 3 union councils.

Three trainings were arranged for the community in the targeted area. Dr. Usman Ali, District Officer Livestock department was the resource person for the trainings. Training at UC Lilownai was held on June 06-08, 2007 at SDS office Alpurai. 30 members of the community participated in the training. Trainings in UCs Bahloolkhel and Nasratkhel were held on June 10-11 and 12-13, 2007 respectively. 20 members of the community belonging to different villages participated in each training.

Different diseases of livestock, precautionary meausures, vaccines, cleanliness,

suitable species of livestock for Shangla, productivity and fodder were the main topics covered in these trainings.

3.7 FORMATION OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEES:

According to the agreement SDS had to form one Disaster Preparedness Committee (DPC) at UC level and four DPCs at village level in the targeted union councils. SDS started this activity from UC Bahlool Khel and Nusrat Khel in December 2006.

The UC level Disaster Management Councils consist of 20 members each having representation from various villages of the concerned union councils. The committee is led by a chairman selected by the committee members. UC wise committees consist of five members from each of the village committee.

SDS also formed village wise committees in Bihar, Peshlore, Dankool and Titwalan villages of UC Bahlool Khel. Each village Disaster Preparedness Committee consists of 20 members. In the same way SDS has formed village wise committees in Didal, Kamach, Dingan and Nakhtaroo villages of UC Nusrat Khel.

Formation of the disaster Preparedness Committees in UC Lilownai was delayed due to the severe cold weather and was carried out in March 2007. The UC level Disaster Management Council of Lilownai consists of 30 members with a chairman chosen by the members of the

committee.Village level Disaster Preparedness Committees were formed in Shishan, Biagalai, Kas,

Shalizara, Chorbut and Jamra Dehrai villages of UC Lilownai.The response of the committee members was enthusiastic and they assured SDS to keep the

committees active and play its due role. These committees were involved in all activities of the project to activate them and give a sense of participation to the community.

I) Roles and Responsibilities of Disaster Management Councils:

a) The DMC will identify potential hazards in the respective area and will suggest plans for mitigation as precautionary measure to Govt. Line departments

b) The DMC will undertake rescue and relief operations in its area of jurisdiction.c) The DMC will establish and regularly update database regarding the vulnerable

population and areas in their respective jurisdiction.d) The DMC will form groups of volunteers and activists who will be provided training

in different fields by specialized people arranged by Shangla Development Society (SDS).

e) The DMC will disseminate information in its area of operation about the potential hazards like health epidemics, floods, landslides and jungle fire etc.

f) Coordination at UC level as well as Tehsil level .

3.8 TRAININGS ON DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND PROVISION OF FIRST AID KITS:

30 volunteers were identified by the UC Disaster Management Councils to be trained on disaster risk reduction, management and medical first aid. 10 volunteers were provided by each UC Disaster Management Council. The volunteers were provided trainings on disaster risk reduction by Ijaz Durrani of SPO in UC Bahlool khel and Nasrat khel and Zahir Shah PM SDS conducted the training in UC Lilownai.

The volunteers were imparted with trainings on medical first aid by Dr. Amjad Ali and these volunteers of disaster management committees were provided with First Aid Kits.

I) Female Disaster Preparedness Committee:

Shangla Development Society (SDS) firmly believes in mainstreaming of women’s participation in every sphere of life for a better change in the society. Shangla Development Society (SDS) social organizers Alia and Mihnaz Begum visited various villages of UC Lilownai for the mobilization of female for the formation of disaster preparedness committee. On 24th

March an orientation meeting was held at GHSS Lilownai for the formation of Committee. 25 female from various villages of UC Lilownai including teachers, nurses and women belonged to farming and other profession attended the meeting. Miss Shakila Naz DDO Education facilitated the participants on hygiene issues. She also highlighted the importance of female committee and

stress for the same kind of meeting once a month. Then Miss Alia and Mihnaz Begum facilitated the participants for the formation of disaster management council and a committee was formed in this meeting.

The committee met again on June 28, 2007 in which Ms. Nadia, Programme Assistant Oxfam GB also participated. The committee demanded establishment of a vocational training center for the poor women of the area to enhance their capacity and leading to their economic emancipation.

3.9 PUBLICATION OF AWARENESS RAISING MATERIAL ON DISASTERS:

District Shangla is prone to different kinds of natural disasters which have caused damages in the past. The October 2005 earthquake was an eye opening event which compelled the authorities, civil society and community to think seriously about the potential hazards and take appropriate precautionary measures to minimize human and asset losses in the future.

Shangla Development Society (SDS) deemed it necessary to make the community aware of the potential hazards in the area and the disaster risk reduction measures to minimize casualties and losses in different sectors. Earthquake, avalanches, landslides, heavy snowfall and epidemics are the hazards which have caused severe human and physical losses in the past. As the literacy rate is low in Shangla informative material having simple messages with pictures on the above mentioned hazards were printed in Urdu and distributed among the community. 1500 leaflets were printed and distributed. However awareness raising of the community is a continuous process and SDS will continue its efforts in this regard.

3.10 ESTABLISHMENT OF RESOURCE CENTRE:

Shangla previously was a part of district Swat and was upgraded to district level in 1995. As it is a new district the local administrative set up is still not fully established and during the October 2005 earthquake the relief organizations could not get the required information from the government line departments because of the lack of their capacity. District Shangla has a difficult hilly terrain, having many such areas which are inaccessible and the concerned government departments also did not have the required information and coordination at the relief time. Due to these factors the initial earthquake damages assessment was not up to the mark.

The need was felt to establish a center where all kinds of information regarding district Shangla is collected, processed and disseminated so that the community, civil society organizations interested in working in Shangla and government line departments benefit from it. Under the Livelihood and Disaster Preparedness Project Shangla Development Society (SDS) took the initiative to establish a District Resource Center to fulfill the above mentioned needs and serve as a base of reliable information about district Shangla. The District Resource Center will have the following functions:

a) Information Collection and Dissemination to communities, line departments and other civil society organizations.

b) Training of volunteers and Govt. line departments.c) Publication of information material on Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation.d) Coordination with Government line departments and other civil society organizations.

3.11sss CAPACITY BUILDING OF SDS:

Shangla Development Society was established in 1997 and formally registered in 2001. Right from its inception, the society has been involved in socio-economic development of the areas on relatively small scale mainly on self-help basis. October 8 emergency posed a lot of challenges to the team. This exposed them to new programme areas as well as provided opportunity to expand its services throughout the District. New staff and volunteers also joined the team. All these challenges called for a comprehensive strategy to build SDS institutional capacity as well as technical skills of SDS team and volunteers. On the basis of these challenges, SDS took the following measures to improve its required capacity.

A) Formulation of Policies and Procedures.

1. Formulation of HR policies and procedure.2. System up-gradation for Finance team and developing internal controls.3. System development for Admin departments including Procurement polices and procedures.

B) Capacity building of SDS team on the followings:

1. Project Management.2. Social Mobilization and Communication Skills3. Conflict Resolution.4. Disaster Management.5. Gender and Development.

A-i) Formulation of Policies and Procedures.

Oxfam hired the services of Dev Con to formulate policies and procedures for SDS for the following:

A.1. HR policies and proceduresA.2. System up-gradation for Finance team and developing internal controls.A.3. System development for Admin departments including Procurement polices and

procedures.

A-II) PRE-ASSESSMENT:

Dev Con started their assessment of SDS, on January 14, 2007 to review our existing polices and procedures and internal controls mechanisms. The assessment was conducted using specific area wise questionnaires specially designed to review control mechanisms in place for different

departments/working areas. During the process Dev Con staff interviewed the key SDS staff, physically looked at the available records and related documentations to gather reasonable information to form an opinion on the state of affairs of SDS. Gaps were identified and assessed the key areas.

A-III) TRAINING:

The training session was from April 29 to May 04, 2007 to train on all those gaps which were assessed during the pre-assessment period. The Dev Con team provided SDS a complete Administration Manual and the Financial Manual as well as training with practical implementation of the policies & procedures defined in these Manuals about Organizational Management, Human Resource Management, Financial Management, General Administration and Reporting System.

A-IV) POST-ASSESSMENT (FOLLOW UP):

The Post-Assessment/Follow up period was from May 16-19, 2007. During this session DevCon assessed again on the same questionnaires as it used in the pre assessment period to know the actual achievements done by SDS based on Dev Con’s training and the efforts made by SDS’s staff.

S. No. Assessment Area Pre AssessmentPost

AssessmentAchievement

(% age)

1. Organizational Management. 34% 43% 9%

2.Human Resource Management. 24% 52% 28%

3. Administration Management. 29% 48% 19%

4. Financial Management. 32% 60% 28%

Due to the shortage of time between development of manuals and trainings and the follow up visit by Dev Con there has been a substantial improvement but not up to the desired level. However SDS is committed to continue implementation of the recommendations and build its internal systems on sound footings.

B) Capacity Building of SDS Team:

Different trainings were arranged for SDS staff members to enhance their capacity.

a) A three day training workshop on Social mobilization and organization was arranged for all SDS field staff at SDS office on 25-27 March 2007. Mr. Fazal Mabood, Executive Director HUJRA was the resource person and the following topics were covered in the training workshop:

Social Mobilization Social Mobilizer and

Characteristics of Social Mobilizer. Organization and its importance Concepts of poverty and

development. Presentation skills. Social and Political influence on

Social Mobilizer Effective Communication Skills. Reporting. Case study. Convincing Strategy. Conflict Resolution.

Group task were given to the participants to ensure the effectiveness of the training. All the topics were discussed in detail. Hand outs of the training were distributed among the participants. At the end of the second day training certificates were distributed among the participants of the training.

b) Amir Badshah Finance Officer SDS, participated in a three day training workshop on “Project Based Accounting and Cost Centers for NGOs” at Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) Islamabad, on January 23-25, 2007.

c) Mohammad Qazafi, Project Coordinator and Abid Ali Social Mobilizer participated in five day training on Disaster Preparedness and Management, arranged by Strengthening Participatory Organizations (SPO) at Peshawar on October 31 to November 4, 2006.

d) Ikram ullah Khan Rehabilitation Manager SDS attended three day training on “Technical Report Writing Skills” at Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) Islamabad, on March 6-8 2007.

e) Two day workshop was arranged for all SDS staff at SDS office on “Disaster Risk Reduction” on April 20-21, 2007.

f) Three members team of SDS from the livelihood and Disaster Preparedness Project visited DOABA organization from 22nd May to 28 May 2008. to District Muzafargarh and Jung in an exposure visit organized by Oxfam for its partners of District Shangla. The basic aim of the visit was the capacity building of the partner organization.

Total Beneficiaries of the Project

4. MONITORING OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES:

In order to ensure the quality of all the interventions and maximize its impacts special emphasis was laid on the monitoring of the activities and all the interventions were monitored from time to time. Monitoring of all the activities was carried out in close collaboration with the Oxfam staff.

Monitoring of goats distribution was started two weeks after the distributions. The purpose of this monitoring was to ensure that the beneficiaries were using the goats according to the terms and conditions of the agreement. It was observed in UC Nasratkhel only that two of the beneficiaries had sold their goats because they had to shift their residences to other places and at the new places they could not keep the goats.

In UC Bahloolkhel five cases were identified whose goats had given birth to lambs and the owners were very enthusiastic about it. (A case study is given)

As the distribution in UC Lilownai took place in March, it was observed that the owners were keeping the goats in the pastures and eight of the goats had given birth to lambs.

The first distribution of vegetable seeds for kitchen gardening was found to be very fruitful and productive in UCs Nasratkhel and Bahloolkhel due to the suitability of weather over there. In UC Lilownai the first distribution could not achieve the required results because of the advent of extremely cold weather. In light of the

Covered House HoldsS. No Activity

UC LilownaiUC Bahlool

KhelUC Nasrat

Khel

Total

1 Goats Distribution 50 49 48147

2 Kitchen Gardening 42 44 34120

3 Fruit Plants 360 275 240875

4 Livestock vaccination 133 305 192630

5Disaster Preparedness Committees 150 100 100

350

6 Live Stock Training 30 20 20 70

Total = 2192

monitoring of the first distribution in Lilownai SDS carried out a second distribution in March and has given the desired results.

During the monitoring of fruit plants it was observed that the beneficiaries have planted the plants near their agricultural lands and as the fruit plantation has proved to be successful now the beneficiaries are inclined to grow fruit orchards on larger scale to increase their productivity and income. It was observed that 5-10% of the distributed plants got dried due to various reasons.Vaccination of the livestock and livestock management trainings were found to be very fruitful for the community during the monitoring visits and consultations with the community.

The water channel construction activity was closely and continuously monitored at every stage in order to ensure the achievement of the objectives and quality of the intervention. The community will be responsible for the sustainability of the water channel but SDS will continue to monitor it and evaluate its impacts.

5. VISIBILITY:

Shangla Development Society (SDS) is well aware of its responsibilities to make prominent Oxfam’s humanitarian efforts in the area of Shangla. For this purpose proper attention was given to the visibility of all the activities under the project and Banners, carrying the names of Oxfam, SDS and details of the project, had been displayed at the occasion of different activities. Photographs of the events were also taken by SDS photographer and video films have been made as well. This all, will help SDS to highlight the well played role of Oxfam in the socio-economic uplift of the people of Shangla region. During each activity the beneficiaries of the Project were always briefed about Oxfam and SDS activities, their objectives and support to the people in District Shangla.

6. ACHIEVEMENTS:

The targeted activities have been completed successfully according to the targets set in the proposal and in some cases Shangla Development Society (SDS) has even delivered beyond the targets. The following were the major achievements under the project:

Successful completion of all the activities proposed in the most remote and inaccessible union councils of the area.

Most of the activities were focused on the most marginalized segment of Shangla i.e. the womenfolk to bring them into the main stream of social life and get their efforts recognized, contributing to Oxfam and SDS objectives successfully.

A Female Disaster Preparedness Committee was formed for the first time in Shangla. 150 female headed households were provided with goats to provide them with means of

sustainable livelihood and empower them economically. 120 females were provided with vegetable seeds and tools for kitchen gardening against

the target of 100. The fruit plantation drives were a big success as the community demanded more fruit

plants and it proved to motivate the community successfully to promote fruit plantation culture in the area.

The formation of village and union council wise disaster management committees was a new concept and very well taken by the community.

Training on disaster preparedness and provision of First Aid Kits to the committees was carried out for the first time in Shangla.

The completion of the irrigation channel at village Shingrai, UC Bahloolkhel was a big achievement keeping in view the difficult hilly terrain of the area.

Livestock vaccination exceeded its target of 6000 by 291. SDS was provided with a sound footing for growth in shape of its capacity building. Manuals for Administration, finance and HR were developed for SDS. Trainings on livestock management provided to the community were fruitful in the eyes

of the community. The printing and distribution of awareness raising material on disasters helped in raising

the awareness of the community about the potential hazards in the area and precautionary measures.

Establishment of the resource center is a unique initiative in the area and will play a pivotal role in collection and dissemination of information among the community, civil society organizations and the government.

7. IMPACTS:

The interventions carried out under the project had immediate and long term impacts. It is projected that the long term impacts of the interventions will be more fruitful and lead to a positive socio-economic and cultural change in the area.

The irrigation channel will irrigate 650 kanals of agricultural land benefiting 60 households. The irrigation will help in increasing the productivity of the land and the income of the local farmers.

Previously the farmers cultivated only wheat and the productivity was very low due to the lack of irrigation but after the completion of the irrigation channel the local farmers can cultivate up to three crops annually and fruit orchards can also be planted.

As the area has poor communication links and fresh fruits and vegetables are not available in the area. The irrigation channel will help the local population to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables and will also lead to make them food sufficient.

The agricultural land irrigated by the irrigation channel has the potential to meet the requirements of the local population and the community can export fruits and vegetables as well.

The fruit plantation drives have stimulated and motivated the community to grow fruit orchards as the area has a lot of potential and will lead to substantial increase in income and providing an alternative source of livelihood to the local population.

Due to the contrast in the weather conditions of the targeted union councils and potential in agricultural lands new suitable kinds of fruits were introduced in the area which has been proved to be very successful.

The fruit plantation activity was very much appreciated by the community and demanded more fruit plants during SDS monitoring visits.

Fruit plant nurseries have been grown in the targeted union councils. The provision of vegetable seeds and tools for kitchen gardening to the targeted poor

female population helped in reducing their kitchen expenses and even proved to be a source of earning as it was observed that they sold vegetables daily.

Most of the kitchen gardening activity has been carried out in such areas adjacent to the houses which were used to dump garbage. The dirt spread by the garbage has been controlled and the land has been brought under a more positive use.

The goats’ distribution took place among the female headed households which helped in providing them with fresh milk and proving to be an asset for them as the goats

will be giving birth to lambs. The lambs can either be kept by the families or can be sold to fulfill their needs.

The goats will help in reducing the dependency of the female headed households. The disaster preparedness committees have manifold impacts. On the one hand it will

help in disaster risk reduction and management and on the other hand the community has been organized.

The committees were involved by SDS in all its activities and they were given the confidence to play an active role in the society and it is expected that these committees will play an active role in the development of their areas.

Community was mobilized and organized at a large scale and women focused activities which were considered to be impossible were carried out very successfully.

The trainings attained by SDS staff and the manuals developed helped in enhancing the capacity of SDS and streamlining procedures. With the passage of time these will contribute to putting SDS on a sound footing.

8. CHALLENGES:

Bahlool Khel and Nusrat Khel are the most remote and inaccessible union councils of district Shangla. Most of the population lives on hilltops. It takes four to six hours on foot to reach some of the villages like Peshlore, Peshkand, Terawaray, Nakhtaroo, 28 Kotkay, Landay and Bagaray etc. Assessment and token distribution was a difficult task. Assessment in these union councils took more time because of the accessibility problems and SDS carried the assessment strictly according to the criteria to keep it transparent.

Social life of these two UCs, Nasratkhel and Bahloolkhel, is quite different from other parts of district Shangla. The people are more tribal. Cultural and tribal norms and strong influence of the clergy do not allow female intervention. In such situation distribution among the female was a great challenge for SDS. SDS arranged local female members of the community and facilitated them. They helped SDS and the whole distribution process took place in a peaceful and fruitful environment.

Transportation of goats to the distribution points was not an easy task. It took 3 days to transport the goats from Swarai, Bunair to Nasratkhel and Bahloolkhel through the difficult hilly terrain. Due to security reasons the route was chaged and it created further difficulties in the transportation. Arrangement of fodder for goats on the way to the distribution points was another problem.

Some of the beneficiaries did not come on the distribution day. In Nusrat Khel our social organizers went twice to the houses of the beneficiaries for token distribution and informing them again. We extended the distribution time from 14-12-2006 to 16-12-2006 so as to achieve the objectives.

During distribution of goats on both the occasions in UC Bahloolkhel and Lilownai the weather unexpectedly got worse and the distribution was delayed for 5-10 days.

Due to the inaccessibility of UCs Nasratkhel and Bahloolkhel the transportation of the fruit plants to these areas in fresh form was a challenge in order to keep the fruit plants fresh to be suitable for plantation.

Mutual rivalry in Nusrat Khel is at its peak and most of the families are against each other. No member of a family agrees to sit with another family in a meeting. Formation of disaster committee at UC level in Nusrat Khel was a tough task. But SDS overcame this problem and a very functional committee was formed in UC Nusrat Khel.

The long severe cold weather affected the kitchen gardening and goats distribution activities in UC Lilownai.

Reaching the livestock for vaccination was tough task because most of the livestock was on the hilltops.

Assessment for the irrigation channel was conducted 5 times in the potential locations and every time the approved budget for the activity was the main hurdle in implementation.

Purchase of the pipes and other material for the irrigation channel took more than the estimated time and efforts because pipe was not available in the markets of Swat, Batkhela, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Haripur and Abbotabad.

Transportation of the pipes to the irrigation channel site was a difficult task because of the inaccessibility of the location and length of the pipes. The pipes were transported in mini trucks and later via boats through river Indus.

Construction of the irrigation channel during the extremely hot weather when the temperature sore up to 48 Celsius was a tough task.

The irrigation channel has to pass through steep rocky mountains and zigzag paths.

8. LESSONS LEARNED:

Socio-cultural conditions of the targeted areas must be kept in mind and intervene in a way which does not disturb the existing set up.

Interventions having long term impacts need to be continued and must be followed by complementary activities.

Although SDS involved the committees in its activities but to keep them functional and active there is a need of their capacity building and must be given support.

There must be flexibility in the budget of project so that change in prices from time to time and other factors are adjusted.

9. CASE STUDIES:

Case Study (1):

Driving down the bumpy road from Martung when you reach the hilltop the breathtaking view of River Indus (locally known as Abasind, the father of rivers) in full flow gives an entirely different picture of the topography of Shangla. Once in Bihar village of union council Bahlool khel one comes across a strange character of Ms. Muzlefa roaming around in the village.

Muzlefa walks around as if she has no worries in life but looking behind the sorrowful laughter on her face one is compelled to praise her courage and the way she laughs away worries. Muzlefa is the widow of Mahi Taban, who died two years back of heart failure after a long illness due to brain haemerage. She is mother of four children (two sons and two daughters), the elder son is 10 years of age.

Muzlefa has neither land nor house of her own. She was dependent on charities to feed her orphan children. But after the start of WFP assisted Livelihood Restoration Project of Shangla Development Society (SDS) she regularly receives monthly ration sufficient for her family.

During the assessment for Oxfam funded Livelihood and Disaster Preparedness Project Muzlefa was identified to receive goat and seeds and tools for kitchen gardening. As she has no land of her own SDS Social Mobilizer provided her land where she has initiated kitchen gardening.

Muzlefa was provided a goat which has given birth to a baby and the goat is helping her in meeting the milk needs of the family. With the combine efforts of Oxfam and SDS and her untiring courage Mulzefa will be able to live an independent economically empowered life.

Case Study (2):

Naseeb Sewa is a widow of Khan Mohammad resident of Therawary village UC Bahlool Khel. Her husband died in 1998 in an accident in a coalmine at Hayder Abad. Now she has no adult in her home. She has two daughters and three sons. All her children are under fifteen. She lives in a small house which belongs to her neighbour. Therawary village of UC Bahlool Khel is situated at the border of District Buneer and District Shangla. There is no road access to this village and can be reached only on foot. This village is at a distance of 12 miles from the main town Marthung. Therawary comes in the cold zone of district Shangla. From November to April it receives heavy snow fall. Main source of income of the people of this village is labouring in the coal mines of Hayder Abad, Hangu and Quetta. Live stock and agriculture is the next main source of livelihood of its people.

Khan Mohammad was the only person in this family who earned for his family. Now after his death Naseeb Sewa is passing through a very difficult time. She is landless and homeless. She has no livelihood source. She and her elder two daughters, Najma and Sher Zadagi, go to the forest to cut wood, which she sells in the village to feed her family. She has lost her 6th baby because she had no money to take her to hospital and brought medicine for her. Her elder daughter Najma is suffering from tuber cholouses. But Naseeb has nothing to do for Najma. In spite her this disease, she goes with her mother to forest to fetch wood. Naseeb Sewa herself is suffering from lung and stomach diseases. She and her children often go to sleep without food.

Shangla Development Society (SDS) with the help of Oxfam distributed goats in the said union council. Naseeb Sewa was one of the beneficiaries of goats. Naseeb Sewa says that this goat has brought a change in her life to some extent. This goat has given birth to a young one. It fulfills her needs for milk. Najma now keeps this goat and does not go to fetch wood. Naseeb Sewa is hopeful that this goat will soon become a source of livelihood for her family.

Case Study (3):

Gul Remina was leading a content life as she had a loving husband a daughter three years old. Although the family was not well of and Gul Remina’s husband Wisal Mohammad was working in a coal mine in Balakot. They were able to meet their basic necessities of life from the remittances of her husband. The october8th 2005 turned their small world upside down when Wisal Mohammad died in the coal mine he was working in. Gul Remina and her small daughter were taken by shock and sorrow as the incident shattered all their dreams.

As the family lost their earning hands, Gul Remina and her daughter were now dependent on others to make the too end meet. Shangla Development Society (SDS) already knew of the miserable conditions of the family and Gul Remina was short listed among the goat’s beneficiaries. She was provided with two pregnant goats under the Oxfam funded, Livelihood and disaster preparedness project, to decrease her dependency and provide her with means of sustainable livelihood.

The goats has given birth to two lambs and Gul Remina is getting enough milk from them which not only fulfilled the mother and daughter requirement but they also sell some quantity of milk in the neighborhood.

Case Study (4):

Afarina Bibi wife of residence of village Bihar UC Bahlool Khel is mother of three children, two daughter and one son ages from 4 to 10 years. She is a young lady of 35 years. Her husband Sadoo Khan had been used to bring wood from the jungle and sell it to meet their family need. While cutting wood Sadoo Khan fell down from a tree in 1999 and seriously injured and due to this accident he became disable. The family was passing a miserable life. Afarina Bibi and her family became dependant on the neighbourer charity.

During the assessment for goat’s beneficiaries under the Oxfam funded Livelihood and disaster Preparedness Project, Shangla Development Society (SDS) identified her and short listed her. She was provided with one pregnant goat. Latter on she was also provided with seeds and tools for kitchen gardening.

During the monitoring visit it was observed that the goat has given birth to two lambs. The family meets their need of milk from the goat. Afarina Bibi is also selling vegetables from her kitchen garden to her neighbourer and earned about 50 to 90 per day. She is now happy and her family is now no longer depending on charity. She also intended to enlarge her kitchen garden so as to earn more for her family livelihood.