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2896

Twenty members of sixteen Village Disaster Management Committees (VDMCs) established by Community World Service Asia in rural Sindh visited the Pakistan Meteorological Department in Karachi this May.  The members of this hazard-prone community, which is regularly and severely affected by seasonal flooding, were able to observe the ways in which the government department processes and responds to information on weather, climate and geophysical phenomena with the aim of ensuring safety in the air, land and sea. They also observed how these measures mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture, the main source of employment and income in the province of Sindh.

Chief Meteorologist, Abdul Rasheed, and his colleague, Sarfaraz, introduced the visitors to the effects of climate change, weather forecasting and early warning systems for heavy rains, heatwaves and flooding.

“It’s a matter of great pleasure for us that Community World Service Asia is taking such brave steps to educate communities at a grass-root level,”

Rasheed shared. “The role of DDMA [District Disaster Management Authority] should be strengthened to reduce disasters at the local level, however our unconditional support is always there.”

Gul Hassan, a VDMC member, added,

“It is a good opportunity to learn how government machinery works. We would also like to request the Chief Meteorologist and his team to educate us in the villages.” 

Hanif Nooh Waliro, another VDMC member, said,

“We have learnt a lot; although the presentation was quite tricky, visiting observatory stations was very informative.”

With support from Christian Aid, Community World Service Asia is working to empower local communities to take action so that they can protect themselves from the impact of natural disasters.  Activities such as this visit enable community members to learn about the causes of natural disasters and the mechanisms which are in place to anticipate them. Such activities build links between government departments and local organizations which contribute to effective coordination for preparedness.

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Children waiting for their turn to be examined by the doctor

The government in Sindh is considered as the main provider of preventive care throughout the province and a major provider of curative services in most of its rural areas. Health services in the public sector are provided through a tiered referral system covering a  range from primary, to secondary and tertiary medical facilities. Primary care facilities include basic health units (BHUs), rural health centers (RHCs), government rural dispensaries (GRDs), mother and child health (MCH) centers and TB centers.

Unfortunately, most of these facilities lack the provision of a broader range of preventive and curative health services. The Taluka (Administrative division) and seventeen district headquarter hospitals in rural Sindh are responsible for providing medical care to the people of these areas. However, many are unable to benefit from these health care institutions due to the lack of technical assistance and the poor infrastructure.

The public health system in Sindh is unable to cope with the mounting health challenges that people are facing in the province. The province’s  district of Umerkot faces the highest national statistics on human and material health care shortages.

Community World Service Asia has been working in the health sector in Pakistan for the past thirty years. Through this experience, the organization has learnt that project interventions must work towards strengthening the existing government structures regardless of its weaknesses. This approach results in a more  sustainable impact instead of working in isolation or parallelly to the system.

Based on a recent rapid assessment carried out by Community World Service Asia, development of  three RHCs in villages Nabi ser, Dhoror Naro and Hyder Farm were proposed and approved. These RHCs aim to benefit a combined population of around 98,341.

To ensure long-term sustainability, the project’s plan is to work in close coordination with the government health department thus aiming to bridge the gaps in services such as provision of human and material resources. This includes working closely with female medical officers and para-medical staff, provision of essential medical supplies/equipment, necessary maintenance and repair of existing medical facilities as most of them have been damaged due to the floods that hit the province  in years 2010 and 2013. Through this project, preventive and curative services will be developed, as well as  the capacity of the government health staff will be enhanced.

In Umerkot, three RHUs in Hyderfarm Taluka Umerkot, Nabisar Taluka Kunri and town committee Dhoronaro have already become operational providing curative and preventive health services to the communities. At the initial stage, the infrastructure of the dilapidated RHCs was worked upon and these units were provided essential equipment required to cater to the health needs of the community. In the health facilities located at Hyderfarm and Nabisar, an outdoor patient departments (OPDs) providing free consultations and essential medicines to patients has also been set up. Additionally, labour rooms have been made operational at all the three health facilities. Medical services are provided by health staff including female medical officers, lady health visitors (LHVs), medical technicians and social mobilizers at these facilities.

These health services are focusing on the reproductive health of women of child-bearing age. Disease Early Warning System (DEWS) and Health Information System (HIS) have also been established at both the health facilities. Information from these centres is regularly shared with the district government and Community World Service Asia’s head offices.

  • 44,341 community members have received preventive and curative healthcare
  • 16,802 patients are provided with general out-patient department (OPD) care
  • 2,184 pregnant women received Antenatal check-ups
  • 560 postnatal check-ups conducted
  • 501 community members practising child spacing
  • 21 Deliveries facilitated
  • 34 delivery kits provided for safer deliveries made at home
  • Labour and Consultations rooms repaired 3 hospitals
  • Six health committees formed (3 for men and 3 for women)
  • District health advocacy forum established
  • Established DEWS and HIS in two health facilities
  • 24,294 individuals participated in health education sessions
  • 4,379 women and children assessed for malnutrition
  • 16,802 patients received free of cost essential medications
  • Proper referral system setup for complicated cases

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    For the second consecutive year, an extreme heat wave has hit South Asia. To prevent the loss of lives, we have been working towards spreading awareness via social media and radio. Our health centers running in various parts of Sindh have been equipped to provide immediate care to those suffering from heat-related illnesses. In this video message, we would like to appeal to our partners and donors to support us further as we continue to save lives of the vulnerable.

    Thank you to the support of all our international partners who have helped launch the response to this life threatening natural calamity! Y Care International The United Methodist Church Church of Scotland CWS Start Network UMCOR – United Methodist Committee On Relief

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    A result of global warming, an extreme heat wave has hit India and Pakistan for the second consecutive year. In India, more than 100 people have lost their lives due to severe heat with temperatures soaring as high as 40°C and above. The worst affected areas include western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, eastern Rajasthan and some parts of Madhya Pradesh.

    While last year, the heat wave struck Karachi and other parts of Sindh in June, this year it has hit the province even earlier. A heat wave alert for Karachi had already been issued by the Meteorological Department for three days starting from today (Friday).

    Doctors have just confirmed the first death from heatstroke near Manghopir Mazaar, as reported by Geo TV.

    In this time of need, we have issued an appeal to our partners and are still receiving pledges to provide life saving services to communities in Sindh province.

    Our social media campaign will be starting from today and is aimed at creating awareness regarding heatstroke and necessary precautions that must be taken during the heat wave.

    Other than spreading awareness, we will also be setting up health centers to provide immediate care to those suffering from heat-related illnesses.

    Sources: Reuters, GEO Tv

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    Picture: bloem.getitonline.co.za

    In June 2015, a terrible and unexpected heat wave claimed the lives of more than 2,000 people in Karachi and interior Sindh. As the death toll went up, many others were brought to major hospitals in the port city of Karachi for treatment. The majority of these patients had been affected by heat-related illnesses such as dehydration and heat stroke. In the South Asian region, India also suffered unbearably hot temperatures. According to TIME magazine, an extreme heat wave in India has already resulted in casualties across the country for the second consecutive year, with temperatures rising above 40°C in some areas.

    This year, Community World Service Asia has initiated a support program for awareness aimed at spreading information about heatstroke. This will be carried out through social media, radio, and IEC (Information, Education and Communications) materials. By educating at-risk communities about the causes, symptoms, and preventive measures of heat/sunstroke, we can aim to reduce the mortality and morbidity rate among people affected by the heat wave in Sindh.

    Other than spreading awareness, we will also be setting up first-aid health centers in six districts of Sindh to provide immediate care to affected communities. This will include medicines and ambulance service for critical patients.

    We would like to thank our communities, donors and the government for their continued cooperation in this regard.

    Contacts:

    Muhammad Fazal
    Associate Director
    Emergencies/DRR/Climate Change
    Email: fazil.sardar@communitryworldservice.asia
    Cell: +92 332 5586134

    Alison Sneddon
    Head of Communications
    Email: alison.sneddon@communityworldservice.asia

    2417

    Community World Service Asia, with the support of the ACT Alliance, has been working to respond to the needs of families affected by severe flooding in 2015.  District Sujawal, in the Sindh province of Pakistan, has been faced with many serious health risks in the aftermath of the flooding.  Access to health facilities and services is a major issue for the community, as the nearest government health facility is at least five kilometers away.  With high levels of poverty, unreliable income sources and the losses faced by families as a result of the floods, the cost of transport and treatment can be an insurmountable obstacle.

    Stagnant water and poor shelter conditions result in widespread incidences of malaria, diarrhea, fever, scabies and other skin diseases.  Families who have been displaced by the flooding, as well as young children and the elderly, are especially vulnerable to these illnesses.

    Community World Service Asia has been working directly with communities in the Union Councils of Bello and Bijora in District Sujawal for many years, and has developed strong relationships in these areas.  In order to meet the urgent health needs of these communities, a seven-month project was initiated in August 2015.  Mobile health units enabled vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities to access health care in their own villages, and have consultations with doctors.  A total of 12,793 patients were examined by doctors in this seven-month period, which enabled health issues to be properly identified and addressed.  Essential medicines were also provided to patients, which eased the financial burden of health needs and ensured that patients were able to receive the treatment they needed.

    In such situations of uncertainty and insecurity, pregnant women in particular are faced with specific risks and challenges.  A Lady Health Visitor and a doctor were also available to provide vital ante- and post-natal care services to 388 women.

    As well as responding to current health needs, 362 awareness-raising sessions on health and hygiene were delivered to 8,378 community members in order to prevent the outbreak of illness through improved knowledge and practices.

    Community World Service Asia is committed to the accountability of all its interventions, and works to ensure that our projects are implemented in a way that is inclusive and participatory.  A key method for engaging and empowering the communities we work with is to form village committees, who play a vital role in liaising between the communities and the project teams, identifying relevant issues and mobilizing the community.  In seven months 24 village health committees were formed in Union Councils.  We are also committed to ensuring that the voices of all affected people are heard, so half of these committees are women’s committees, and are dedicated to highlighting and addressing the needs of women in the area.

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    Picture: (Reuters: Fayaz Aziz)

    Since Saturday 2 April, torrential rains and flooding have led to collapsing roofs and land sliding incidents, causing extensive devastation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), with the death toll escalating to 71.

    Among the deceased, 45 people are from KP, 14 from GB and 12 from AJK, while the extent of damages are expected to increase as detailed information will be received from the affected areas.  Landslides are blocking main highways and link roads in Hazara and Malakand divisions in KP, and in AJK, while swelling rivers and streams are damaging infrastructure and livelihoods, as floods wash away homes and shops.

    Forecasters have predicted that unstable weather will continue over the next 24 hours, especially in Malakand and Hazara divisions. This flooding follows severe rain and flood-related damage which killed 122 people, injured 124 and destroyed or damaged 1,620 houses across Pakistan and AJK last month.

    The Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan has already declared a state of emergency in the province.

    Response by Community World Service Asia: Food, tents and winterization to support the affected families in AJK were proposed by the district government in AJK during last month’s flooding.  The same support is also expected to be required support in KPK and GB.  Community World Service Asia is currently monitoring the situation. Its disaster response team is in close coordination with the Government authorities and local partners present in the affected areas and will propose the response strategy accordingly.

    Contacts:
    Allan A. Calma
    Deputy Director
    Disaster Management Program
    Email: allan.calma@communityworldservice.asia
    Cell: +92 301 5801621

    Muhammad Fazal
    Associate Director
    Emergencies/DRR/Climate Change
    Email: fazil.sardar@communitryworldservice.asia
    Cell: +92 332 5586134

    Alison Sneddon
    Acting Head of Communications
    Email: alison.sneddon@communityworldservice.asia
    Cell: +44 7575 284828

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    Picture: www.xinhuanet.com

    The heavy rains which started from 9th of this month still continued to affect various parts of the country. So far Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, FATA and Azad Jammu and Kashmir have received intense precipitation leading to floods, avalanches and landslides, resulting in severe loss of human life as well as damage to physical and social infrastructure.

    As per the update of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and local government departments, dated March 21, 2016, 122 people have been killed and 124 injured, while 1,620 houses have been completely or partially damaged due to rain and flood-related incidents in AJK, Baluchistan, FATA, KPK and Punjab.

    The rains still continue in several areas and the risk of increase in the number of damages and losses is foreseen to be inevitable. Landslides have caused road blockages in different affected areas of KPK and AJK leaving certain areas inaccessible by road.

    Azad Jammu and Kashmir: Bagh, Haveli, Poonch, Sudhnoti, Muzaffarabad and Hattian Bala are the worst affected districts of AJ&K. As per the information collected from the Deputy Commissioner (DC) offices of the respective districts, so far 14 people have been killed and 1,370 houses have been damaged, leaving 3,900 families affected.

    The concerned government offices of AJ&K have requested for immediate support in the shape of food, tents, winterization support and provision of plastic sheets.

    Response by Community World Service Asia:
    Community World Service Asia is currently monitoring the situation. Its disaster response team is in close coordination with the government authorities and local partners present in the affected areas, and will propose the response strategy accordingly.

    Contacts:
    Allan A. Calma
    Deputy Director
    Disaster Management Program
    Email: allan.calma@communityworldservice.asia
    Cell: +92 301 5801621

    Muhammad Fazal
    Associate Director
    Emergencies/DRR/Climate Change
    Email: fazil.sardar@communitryworldservice.asia
    Cell: +92 332 5586134

    Alison Sneddon
    Head of Communications
    Email: alison.sneddon@communityworldservice.asia

    2970

    Sindh is known as the “breadbasket of Pakistan”, as the agricultural sector in the province directly supports around three quarters of the country’s population.  However, due to heavy rains, cyclones and sea intrusion, leading to rising water levels, as well as the flat topography of the land, the area is extremely vulnerable to flooding, and has suffered extensively from the effects of flooding, which causes extensive damage to the lives, health, livelihoods and homes of millions of people living around river embankments in low lying areas.

    Community World Service Asia has been working to meet the urgent food needs of families displaced by flooding and residing temporarily in underdeveloped areas of Sajawal district.  The floods not only washed away their belongings, but also destroyed standing crops, leaving them food insecure and vulnerable to malnutrition and illness. To address the critical food insecurity faced by these families, Community World Service Asia provided food assistance through the distribution of wheat seeds to enable the affected farmers to sow for the coming cropping season. Each of the 1,470 farming families was provided with 100 kilograms of wheat seed, to cultivate two acres of land. The harvest from this crop would enable the families to meet their food needs until the next harvest.

    Monthly food rations were also provided for a period of five months while waiting for the harvest. Rations were distributed to 2,100 families, including 70 kilograms of fortified wheat flour 70, six kilograms of pulses, five liters of oil and ten match boxes. All packages adhere to international standards to ensure that the needs of vulnerable people are respected and met.

    Community World Service Asia believes in incorporating sustainability into its relief efforts, and in developing the long-term resilience of the communities with which we work.  This initiative therefore included the training of 1,470 farmers on integrated crop management, a holistic approach to sustainable agriculture based on indigenous knowledge, and the training of 419 community members on disaster risk reduction practices.

    As part of the capacity building on disaster risk reduction, a tree plantation campaign, titled “One Family, One Tree”, has been initiated to protect the community from soil erosion, which exacerbates the risks of flooding.  The campaign supports the government’s efforts to minimize the threats posed by climate change and future environmental hazards, and was welcomed by the community.  With support and facilitation from the district administration and the Social Forestry Department, some 2,200 saplings for Eucalyptus, Bakine and Neem trees were provided at subsidized rates of just PKR 2 (approximately US$ 0.02) per plant.

    Community World Service Asia is delighted by the enthusiasm and commitment to the campaign, and will continue to support efforts for a green future for Pakistan.

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    Picture: www.thethirdpole.net

    At least 49 people have been killed and 80 injured as the rains and flash floods wreaked havoc across Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunwa, Punjab and FATA Region.

    According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) 75 houses collapsed due to the relentless rains and flash floods.

    Province Deaths Injured Houses Destroyed
    Baluchistan 18 22 49
    FATA 15 25 3
    KP 6 15 19
    Punjab 10 18 4
    Total 49 80 75

    The number of casualties and damages is expected to further increase as more information is received from the affected areas. Most of the casualties resulted from roof collapses and lightning.

    To date, Baluchistan is the worst affected province with 18 people dead, 22 injured and 49 houses destroyed.

    Low lying areas have been inundated due to the continuous rains while several roads have been blocked at different places due to Landslides in the hilly areas making access difficult to the affected areas.

    Severe weather hits the country every year (usually monsoon season happens in the mid of the year) with hundreds killed and huge tracts of prime farmland destroyed in recent years. However, such a high precipitation in the month of March with lots of losses is unusual; and is attributed to the impact of El Nino.

    During the rainy season last summer, torrential downpours and flooding killed 81 people and affected almost 300,000 people across the country.

    Response by Community World Service Asia:
    Community World Service Asia is currently monitoring the situation. Its disaster response team is in close coordination with the Government authorities and local partners present in the affected areas and will propose the response strategy accordingly.

    Contacts:
    Allan A. Calma
    Deputy Director
    Disaster Management Program
    Email: allan.calma@communityworldservice.asia
    Cell: +92 301 5801621

    Muhammad Fazal
    Associate Director
    Emergencies/DRR/Climate Change
    Email: fazil.sardar@communitryworldservice.asia
    Cell: +92 332 5586134

    Alison Sneddon
    Head of Communications
    Email: alison.sneddon@communityworldservice.asia

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