Promote WASH and Disaster Management in at risk communities of Taj/Afg

تاریخ : اگست ۲۰۱۵ - اپریل ۲۰۱۷

<p><span lang="EN-GB">The project “Promote water, sanitation, hygiene and disaster management in at risk border communities of Afghanistan and Tajikistan” was funded by the Pakistan Afghanistan and Tajikistan Regional Integration Program (PATRIP) and was successfully executed by Mission East Tajikistan. The project began on 01 January 2014 and culminated on 30 April 2017.  The project budget was </span><span lang="EN-GB">€</span><span lang="EN-GB"> 2.85 Mio. </span>The project has been successful in achieving its stated objectives as the project has managed a) Successfully e<span lang="EN-GB">execution of 28 gravity fed safe drinking water supply systems in 14 villages in Darvoz district of Tajikistan while the remaining 14 in Nusai & Moimai districts of Afghanistan, 804 improved sanitation systems including demo, public and domestic latrines, successful conduction of participatory hygiene and sanitation transformation (PHAST) sessions having targeted 29897 participants, 4165 students and 194 school teachers were educated through child in hygiene and sanitation training (CHAST) sessions. To substantiate the health and hygiene education efforts local women (water and sanitation implementers-WSIs) were trained in each village for weekly data collection on personal and domestic hygiene.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">The end line study reflects that the impact of the project, especially that of health and hygiene education has played a key role in raising awareness amongst the local populace, in particular, women folks( 60% high compared to 0% baseline), resulting in reduced incidence of water bore diseases by more than 40%, especially diarrhoea. The end line study demonstrates there has been by and large 90% latrine coverage as opposed to only one respondent in the baseline. </span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span lang="EN-GB">b) The project has been successful in achieving its targets under DRR section by formulating and training 5 light search and rescue teams, successfully organised 6 simulation events,  establishment and training of VDMBs in all the 28 project villages, seismic retrofitting and thermal insulation of three public buildings and execution of 4 medium and 16 small scale mitigation projects. The trainings of VDMBs and light and search and rescue teams were well received by both governments and beneficiary communities with full participation and commitment. The three seismically retrofitted and thermally insulated public buildings will not only secure the lives of the inmates but will also work as save heavens at times of disasters. The pedestrian and light vehicle transport bridges have not only made easy access for 1000s of people, especially school going children during high flow of water in early summers but also ensured security of lives of humans and animals who would otherwise crossing those charged waters risking their lives. The trained VDMB and light search and rescue teams will be helpful in reducing risks to people’s lives and prime investment.</span> </p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">The impact of hazard sign boards placed at various locations across the project area has been very significant in raising awareness amongst the local communities alerting them not to plan any future investment on hazardous sites. </span></p> <p><strong><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></strong><span lang="EN-GB">c) Under cross border communication section, a significant number of events including meetings between government senior staff at Ruzvai cross border market, exchange visits to Nuasi by Tajik government officials (3 visits) and visits by hygiene promoters, VDMB members, water user groups and Mission East technical and social staff. A significant impact of the cross border visits and meetings between the two governments was the approval from the Tajik central government for taking spring water from Ruzvai village Tajikistan into Nusai market and nearby villages in Afghanistan. </span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">Another important outcome of the cross border PHAST and CHAST training sessions conducted at Ruzvai market was providing opportunity for the mobility of Afghan young females from remote villages to attend the training sessions at Ruzvai market and meet with Tajik women and share their experiences vis-à-vis ventilating their grievances. The outputs and interest of the training participants were very interactive, participatory and productive that unfolded the potential of local village women that also substantially increased the flow of visitors to Ruzvai market benefiting female sales women and/or entrepreneurs. </span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB"> </span>The project successfully collated both baseline and end line data from the project villages vis-à-vis capturing insights of some of the key stakeholders of the project including district government heads, heads of government line departments, heads of Jamoats/Shuras, heads of villages. The local government leadership and village leaders are very happy and satisfied with the out puts and outcomes of the project. There was a great team work of very effective monitoring including Mission East HQ & GFF periodic visits coupled with program teams that resulted in a successful conclusion of the project with high quality and standards. As recognition of the hard and quality work executed by Mission East field teams under the leadership of the Program Manager, district governor Nusai and provincial governor of Badakhshan conferred on Mr. Qayum Ali Shah, with a certificate of appreciation and commendation acknowledging his concerted efforts put in place for execution of the high quality works with diligence and honesty. On Tajik side the district governor also conferred certificates of appreciation to Program Manager and Project coordinator for best execution of PATIP project across the district.</p> <p> <span lang="EN-GB">e) A livelihood study was conducted through engagement of an external consultant. T</span>he overall purpose of the consultancy was to collect relevant data and insight into the nature of poverty in the District of Darvoz (Tajikistan) and the District of Nusai (Afghanistan), and bring about practical recommendations for further improving the resilience of the selected communities</p>