Community World Service Asia, with the support of Act for Peace (AfP) has set up three Rural Health Centres (RHC) in in the villages of Nabiser, Dhoronaro and Hyder Farm, located in the Umerkot district of Sindh in Pakistan since 2015. These health centres are run and managed by Community World Service Asia and are supporting more than 100,000 people in the district. The RHCs provide routine OPDs, Reproductive Health Services, Family Planning Services, Health Education Sessions, Antenatal and Postnatal services, and also provide free of cost medication and a full range of preventive health coverage.
The community mobilizers assigned with these RHCS regularly visit and monitor the catchment population to mobilize, organize and increase the awareness of the communities residing in these areas on health issues. They are also delivering health awareness sessions for men and women in their villages and for children in their schools.
Access to well-equipped health facilities is a major issue for most rural communities in Sindh. In order to provide health services nearly at the doorstep of these deprived communities, free medical camps were organized in three different Union Councils in the farther catchment areas of the RHCs. The religious ethnicities of the communities where the medical camps were set up were mainly Hindu and Muslims, belonging to different sects and castes of each religion.
The Medical camps services focused primarily on Mother and Child Care. The first two camps were set up at the Syed Muhammad Memon village and Abdul Majeed Arain village through the 24th and 25th of November, while the third camp was organized at the Daim Nohri village on the 30th November. Apart from delivering free consultations, free medicines were also provided to patients visiting the camps. Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), Gastritis, Diarrhea, flu and fever were found to be the most common health concerns while diagnosing patients at these camps.
Antenatal cards were also issued to pregnant women visiting the medical camps and were advised to visit their nearby Rural Health Center for further consultation and medication. The lady medical officers at the camps shared key awareness messages on the importance and methods of family planning. Community Mobilizers conducted sessions on Child Spacing, family planning and the importance of check-ups during pregnancy among camp visitors as well.
A focal person from the town committee also visited the medical camp and appreciated the efforts of the health team involved and emphasized on the need to conduct these camps on a monthly basis.
The three villages where the camps were set up were all at a distance of seven to nine kilometres from the district of Umerkot. These areas were identified as the most vulnerable in terms of access to health facilities and frequency of diseases. Most of the community members from these villages are unskilled laborers and farmers who cannot afford expensive medical treatment or travel costs to health centres in the cities.
A 7.3 magnitude quake that struck the Iran-Iraq border late Sunday (November 12th) has killed more than 300 people and left an estimated 2,530 or more injured. As aftershocks continued till this morning and as rescuers sped up their operation, Iran’s state news agency IRNA confirmed the death toll, saying at least 382 of the injured remain in hospital.
The US Geological Survey said the 7.3 magnitude tremor was centered 30 kilometers (19 miles) southwest of Halabja, near the northeastern border with Iran. Most of the victims are believed to be in the Iranian town of Sarpol-e Zahab in Kermanshah province.
In Iraq, officials said the quake had killed six people in Sulaimaniyah province and injured around 150. “Four people were killed by the earthquake” in Darbandikhan, the town’s mayor Nasseh Moulla Hassan told AFP. Another two people were killed in Kalar, according to the director of the hospital in the town about 70 kilometers (45 miles) south of Darbandikhan.
The electricity was cut off in several Iranian and Iraqi cities, and fears of aftershocks sent thousands of people in both countries out onto the streets and parks in cold weather.
Iranian rescue teams are rushing to try to find survivors but their efforts have been hampered by landslides which have cut off many rural areas. Officials expect the casualty toll to rise when search and rescue teams reach remote areas of Iran.
Community World Service Asia Response: Community World Service Asia’s disaster response team is in contact with local partners in Iran and are compiling information on damages and losses incurred due to the earthquake. Community World Service Asia’s team is on standby and will act as the need to respond arises.
Contacts:
Emmeline Managbang Deputy Director
Disaster Management Program
Email: mae.manags@communityworldservice.asia Cell: +93 78 635 0703 / +63 908 102 1016
Before construction, the road was narrow and the ground was not leveled.
The bags of sand are deposited along the water channel for safety and cutting.
The members of the Village Organizations reconstructed the road to make it wider and smooth.
VO members leveling the road to make it smooth and safe to travel.
Post construction, the ground was leveled and wider making It easier and safer to travel.
The total length of the road is 2500 ft with a minimum width of 10-15 ft..
Community World Service Asia is working in partnership with Christian Aid towards making the hazard prone communities of Thatta more resilient to disasters and its impacts through various participatory activities. Under this project, small mitigation schemes have been designed to provide access and safe evacuation to make communities more resilient to flooding, cyclones and other natural hazards.
Following a series of meetings between community mobilization and community based Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) teams, the design and implementation of the mitigation scheme for Raeem Dino Thaheem village was planned. After attending the Village Development Training conducted in May this year, the Village Organization (VO) of Raeem Dino Thaheem listed down the issues faced in the village on priority basis. Referring to this list, the project team decided to work on reconstructing the main road linking the village to Bello and Darro city.
Laborers to work on the road construction were selected from amongst the VO members of the village in question. A total of ten VO members from Raeem Dino worked on leveling the ground and widening the road through earth-filling. These laborers worked effortlessly for ten days under the cash for work scheme of the project. As a result, the road was successfully completed within the timeline, benefiting approximately 1500 people residing in Raeem Dino Thaeem and nearby villages.
Ali Hassan, a member of the Rahim Dino Thaheem VO, expressed,
Being part of the construction activity gave me a sense of ownership. We worked hard so that the whole community can benefit as a result. I appreciate this project’s team to provide us with this platform, enabling us to work for the betterment of our own people.
Yousif Channa briefing the participants about implements placed in Agriculture Training Institute (ATI).
Briefing at Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) Sakrand about Local Drip Irrigation Technology.
Farmers at WRI Sakrand witnessing different implements used in soil management.
Yousif Channa in Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) Sakrand briefing farmers about compost making.
An exposure visit of fifty-five rural farmers from different villages in Badin, Sindh, to the Wheat Research Institute (WTI) in Sakrand, Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) and the Seed processing unit of Sindh Seed Cooperation took place in September. This visit was conducted as part of building the capacity of rural farmers on adopting sustainable agricultural practices, under the CFGB supported, Sustainable Farming and Food Security project implemented in Sindh, Pakistan.
Through this project, together with the participation of the farming communities, we are promoting the production of food, fiber, and other produce using farming techniques that aim to protect the environment, public health, communities, animal welfare as well providing long-term development and food security among the communities. Most of these Sindhi communities are most affected by climatic hazards and the adverse impact of climate change.
Muhammad Yousif Channa, Senior Instructor at ATI and Coordinator of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Unit, Sakrand facilitated this farmers’ exposure visit. The work and development of high yielding new wheat varieties of WTI were shared with the farmers and the two new wheat categories, of early and late sowing, released by WTI, were introduced to them.
The farmers then visited the Wheat Museum where different varieties of wheat were on display. The different types of machinery in use to implement the diverse practices used for wheat crop management were shown to the farmers. This learning was essential to the rural farmers’ knowledge as they could see it’s practical implementation, enabling them to easily apply it in their own farming to ensure successful integration of sustainable agricultural practices in their villages.
Ashraf Soomro, Director at the WTI, Sakrand, engaged the farmers in an interactive discussion to identify and address the issues they face in crop management. While responding to questions about water shortage Ashraf Soomro recommended sowing wheat on Ridge, which was also demonstrated to them, as it would save 30% to 40% of the water. He also shared with them hand bills and a booklet on wheat production technology.
At the CRRI, the farmers watched a presentation on the institute itself, the many cotton varieties it has developed and most importantly on cotton pesticides and the damages it does. The Senior Scientific Officer at the institute, then went on to talk about insects that are beneficial to crop growth and how those can be managed. During these presentations, it was learnt that development of different cotton takes 10-12 years.
The Plant Physiologist at CCRI delivered an in- depth presentation on crop production technology, focusing on soil analysis and fertility management, for the farmers. He emphasized on the importance of soil analysis, without which it would be impossible to identify if the soil is enriched with nutrients or not.
After the CCRI, the farmers’ visited the Seed Processing Unit of the Sindh Seed Corporation. The focal person at the Unit, shared and demonstrated the process of adulteration, the removal of broken and shriveled seeds, and the process of seed grading, to ensure the production of the best seed quality.
As the last stop of the exposure visit, the farmers were introduced to the Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) and to different methods of adopting sustainable agriculture practices. The Senior Instructor at the ATI demonstrated different and cost effective methods of farming. These included compost making, plantation with pitcher irrigation, drip irrigation by using water material, propagation via air layering and organic gardening, all carried out at the ATI.
Ashraf Memon, Instructor and Veterinary Doctor at ATI, not only shared better livestock management practices but also responded to queries and prescribed medicines and indigenous techniques to control the various diseases.
The farmers were very appreciative of this exposure and learning opportunity. Not only did they learn various crop management techniques first hand but would also take back the learnings to share among their farming communities. For them it was much appreciated the visit as they learned different techniques of cop management which will be useful for them to implement in their field of work.
Since our forefathers’ time, we used to sow either by placing the seed or a vegetative part of the plant in the soil. The technique of Air Layering, i.e. to make new plants from the branch which is in the air, was very new and we couldn’t ever imagine that we could produce a new plant this way. This exposure visit has taught us innovative techniques of farming which can be beneficial for us.
Ghulam Mustafa Kaloi, farmer from Babar Kaloi village, Badin.
It was the first time for me to ever visit such specialized institutions. Visiting the Cotton Research Institution was a great opportunity for us to witness and learn how to develop new cotton varieties and manage pests through an integrated approach.
Muhammad Zaman Lalial, Ghulam Hussain Lalial village, Badin.
We waste many thing which, if processed properly, can be very productive for the land. One of the example is the dispose off the medical infusion drips after utilization however we have learnt that that wasted drip can further be used for drip irrigation where there is scarcity of water. This was a new learning for me at the Agriculture Training Institute Sakrand. Water scarcity is a serious issue in our village and we cannot afford expensive irrigation Drip and Sprinkler irrigation systems due to our weak financial status. I learnt the simple and no-cost DRIP irrigation technique by using the waste material at the ATI and I applied that technique at home for kitchen gardening. I am very thankful for being given this exposure visit as it has taught me a lot.
The team of Community World Service Asia and PDMA conducted a meeting with the families of food assistance project implemented in district Tharparkar.
The visiting team held a meeting with the participants of Farmers Field School (FFS) discussing the sustainable agricultural farming in Badin.
Meeting with families of Tharparkar district.
Farmers showed their cotton crops to Ajay Kumar. He was quite satisfied with the work of the farmers in the field.
Community member in Raeem Dino Thaheem village, Sujawal presented an Ajrak gift to Ajay Kumar, PDMA Sindh.
Ashar Nasir, Project Manager, briefing Ajay Kumar about the challenges faced by communities due to shortage of irrigation water in Badin.
Ashar Nasir, Project Manager – Community World Service Asia, presenting IEC material kit to Ajay Kumar, Assistant Director Operations, PDMA Sindh.
Community World Service Asia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Sindh. The core components of the agreement focus on:
Disaster Risk Reduction and Response
Advocacy on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction
Quality and Accountability
Through this agreement, PDMA Sindh and Community World Service Asia will consort together on strengthening disaster risk reduction and response mechanisms in the province and advocating and acting together on climate change adaptation, emergency response, and relevant recovery activities to help Sindh’s disaster affected communities.
Ajay Kumar, Assistant Director Operations of PDMA Sindh, with his team, conducted a field visit to oversee the projects in Sujawal, Badin, and Tharparkar districts this August. The team first visited a community-level Emergency-Operating Center (EOC) and met with the Disaster Management Committee (DMC) established in Rahim Dino Thaeem, a village in Sujawal. The committee briefed the functions of the DMC and Emergency Operation Center. Ajay Kumar suggested that the EOCs needed to be linked with each other as well as connected with the district EOC through a wireless system. Community World Service Asia assured to work on the suggestion and analyzed how this would further strengthen the role of the EOC in the community.
PDMA Sindh team then visited Community World Service Asia’s Food Security and Livelihood project in Abbas Thebo, Badin. There, their team along with our staff, me the farmers, enrolled in the project supported, Farmer Field School (FFS). FFS promotes sustainable agricultural practices. It examines most appropriate methods of irrigation water use, role of Macro and Micro Nutrient trends in plants growth, weed management, land preparation, sowing methodology, demarcation of acres, and determining seed quality.
Abbas Thebo farmers shared that the involvement in FFS has enhanced their working capability in the agricultural fields. Approximately 12,000 fruit and forest trees have been allotted to and planted by the farmers, and kitchen gardening kits were distributed to women-headed households. Farmers participated in different festivals including the Farmers Festival recently held in August and took part in exposure visits to increase their knowledge on the subject.
The team’s next stop was at Baghtani village in Chachro, Tharparkar where they met drought affected families supported by PDMA Sindh in 2015. The Baghtani community still remembered the team members and praised the organization for visiting the village again. They told PDMA Sindh that its’ food assistance, given every seven months during the drought in 2015, helped the villagers survive the peak of the drought season. The food rations received were sufficient in quantity for their families. The community these days is very grateful to the rains they have received as it has brought their rain-deprived homeland some relief.
Upon the end of his visit, Ajay Kumar expressed,
“I commend the efforts of Community World Service Asia’s field team and the opportunity given to me to meet communities that have benefited from the various projects. It was nice to observe the enhanced capacity of communities in disaster risk reduction, early warning, sustainable agricultural farming, and strengthening of community institutions. This will all ultimately help communities to depend less on external support.”
Monsoon rains continue to lash the city of Karachi and other districts in southern and central parts of the province. So far thirteen people have been reportedly dead, mostly due to electrocution. Rain water is rolling into most of the city like gushing streams. Most residential areas and houses are partly submerged in water and drainage canals and tributaries are overflowing. Side-roads on the main Karachi highway have also been washed away and are completely under-water.
Moreover, a 150-feed breach in the Thado dam, in Karachi, has resulted in thousands of cusecs of water pouring out and flooding nearby areas and towns, housing more than 6000 residents.
This rain water has inundated many urban and semi urban towns of Hyderabad, Sanghar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Badin, Thatta and other districts, in ankle-deep water.
The Deputy Director of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) released a statement indicating that there may be high chances of urban flooding in most parts of Karachi due to the city’s poor drainage system. Heavy downpour has wreaked havoc in the city, leading to most roads being submerged in water and the civic infrastructure crumpled.
The PMD has predicted more rains on Friday and Saturday, which may lead to the situation further deteriorated.
Community World Service Asia Response: Community World Service Asia is monitoring the situation and is in contact with the local authorities on updated information. The emergency response team of Community World Service Asia is on standby and will be deputed immediately if the need to respond to the crisis arises.
Government Medical Superintendent sharing about the benefits of breastfeeding
Community World Service Asia’s Lady Health Visitor briefing the about the benefits of breastfeeding
Women participating in the breastfeeding campaign
Combined session on breastfeeding conducted by Lady health workers from Government and Community World Service Asia staff
A seminar promoting breastfeeding among local communities in rural Sindh was held during the World Breastfeeding week at the three Rural Health Centres, supported by Community World Service Asia and Act for Peace. A large number of community members consisting of women and men and government health department officials took part at the various sessions of the seminar at the RHCs in Hyderfarm, Nabisar and Dhoronaro. The seminar was facilitated and sessions were delivered by experienced Medical Superintendents (MSs) and Community World Service Asia health team on the importance and benefits of breastfeeding. This was organized to encourage more and more women to breastfeed for longer periods and to not consider it a taboo.
Key points highlighted at the seminar were:
WHO recommend that babies are exclusively breastfed for 6 months and solid foods are started after that, along with continuing breastfeeding for two years and longer
Breastfeeding provides the ideal amount of nutrition for infants. It is a perfect combination of vitamins, protein and fat – everything that the baby needs for a healthy development
Breast milk consists of antibodies that help babies fight viruses and bacteria
Babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months without being given any formula milk are less prone to infections and illnesses
Breast milk is easily digestible and is also known to be a contributing factor towards higher IQ scores later in childhood
Breastfed babies are considered to have a healthy weight with less chances of obesity later on
Breastfeeding also helps the mother to lose pregnancy weight faster
An FM radio campaign on monsoon preparedness has been initiated on FM 92 by Community World Service Asia considering the Monsoon outlook issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department. Community World Service Asia is executing this campaign with the support of Christian Aid and in close coordination with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Sindh. The radio messages are aired six times a day and reaches 12.2 million people in twelve districts of Sindh.
This radio campaign has been appreciated and acknowledged by the Director General, PDMA.
Participants of kitchen gardening gathered to learn the process of Clay Pitcher Technique.
Participants making holes with the help of a nail in the clay pots which will allow water to moisture the soil.
“This is very some techniques to grow vegetable with small water,” expressed Tejo Prem Nager from Badin.
The clay pots are dug in the ground with the mouth of the pots exposed.
Placing clay pitcher in the soil for kitchen gardening.
Community World Service Asia, with the support of Canadian Foodgrains Bank and PWS & D, is implementing a three year project on Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture to support flood and drought affected families in two Union Councils of District Badin in Sindh, Pakistan. Kitchen gardening is among the main components of the project.
The current summer cropping season is faced with severe water shortage in the Sindh province. This has not only reduced major crop yields but has also limited vegetable sowing in home-based kitchen gardens which almost hundred percent of the flood affected families relied on during the last cropping season. Considering this year’s water shortage and predicted water scarcity which is due to the impact of climate changes in the area, this season, Community World Service Asia’s project team is training targeted farmer families in Kitchen Gardening through introducing the Clay Pitcher Technology. With using this method, farmers will be able to grow vegetables even with limited water.
The Clay pitcher technology is a simple, low-cost solution for dryland farming which involves the usage of wasted, scratched or broken clay pots placed at home. Unglazed clay pots with a capacity of seven to ten litres and with a conical body and narrow neck, are buried approximately one meter apart in the ground, with the mouth of the pot exposed. Vegetables are then planted around each pot which is filled with water after every four to seven days. Water percolation from the pot moisturizes the surrounding soil to make bed with enough moisture that can help produce healthy vegetables.
Along with being inexpensive, the Clay pitcher irrigation technology is very simple to follow ensuring farmers sustainability, food diversification and an increase in nutrition levels at farming homes even in worse water scarcity conditions. Abdul Sattar, a farmer from Abbas Thabo village, shares,
“the clay pitcher techniques is innovative and cost effective which effectively addresses the water scarcity issue in kitchen gardening for us.”
In another village, Muhammad Bux Diwani, Bachaln Bibi, a house-wife and kitchen gardener, shared,
“This technique has aided in mobilizing our available waste materials in areas where we experience water shortage to ensure a productive growth of vegetables in our gardens throughout the year.”
Group photo of all participants of the Disaster Preparedness and Contingency Planning Training Course.
“I personally liked the training due to its relevancy to my job. There was a lot of learning from other colleagues specially participants came from Provincial Disaster Management Authority – KPK and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The training was conducted in a cordial atmosphere and the entire staff was very cooperative throughout the training course,” said Mr. Muhammad Ali Shiekh, Director Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh.
“I am grateful to Community World Service Asia for providing an essential opportunity where I met with top focal organizations of emergency response and learnt disaster preparedness and contingency planning in a much organized and control environment,” expressed Hanif Mohammad, LSO President from Thatta.
DRR training in full swing with an active participation from various departments.
Dr. Sarfaraz Solangi explaining about scientific reasons of an earthquake.
Dr. Sarfaraz Solangi, Pro Vice Chancellor, Sindh University, presenting an award certificate on completing the DRR training to Mr. Muhammad Ali Sheikh, Director, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh.
Dr. Sarfaraz Solangi, Pro Vice Chancellor, Sindh University, delivering a session on Seismic and Geologic Hazards.
Awarding a certificate to Dr. Mukhtiar Ahmad (Director CDDS Sindh University). Director, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Dr. Sarfaraz Solangi, Pro Vice Chancellor, Sindh University, also present at occasion.
Considering the susceptibility of the Sujawal District in Sindh, Pakistan, to natural and anthropogenic disasters, a lot of work still needs to be done to promote and streamline disaster risk reduction (DRR) approaches and activities among the local communities. Contingency planning in the wake of natural disasters in this newly established districts needs to be developed and improved.
To make the communities of Sujawal, and other disaster prone areas of Pakistan, more resilient to onset, recurrent disasters Community World Service Asia conducted a four-day training on Emergency Preparedness and Contingency Planning in Murree. The training held in June, was participated by nineteen representatives from line Departments of Sujawal, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) KPK, National Disaster Management Authority Pakistan (NDMA) and Health and Education Departments.
The training aimed to enhance the skills and capacities of government staff in responding effectively pre, post and during emergencies (disasters) and to prepare the communities for such situations with effective and immediate contingency planning. The key agenda of the training aimed to equip local authorities, who are focal points in their respective regions, to be well prepared for and respond to disasters, and mitigate its’ damages, efficiently and promptly. The training enabled the organizations and their staff to review their existing plans and make improvements where required. It provided an opportunity to provincial institutions to share information and best practices among each other to promote mutual learning and extend cooperation. The lead facilitator, Falak Nawaz, from Network of Disaster Management Practitioners (NDMP), explained the project objectives and the process involved to ensure implementation of activities and plans. He encouraged participants to be proactive and raise questions during the training and urged them to exhibit ownership to make such workshops successful at district levels.
The standard terms and concepts developed by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) were introduced in the session on “Basic concepts and terminologies using in Disaster management”. These were taught through a group activity using charts and pictures of a Disaster Risk Management (DRM) cycle. The participants were oriented on global, regional and national environments of disaster risk situations. A historical timeline of past disasters and its impacts on local, regional and global levels were briefly explained. Examples of The Greatest Eastern Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan, 2011, were cited and discussed.
A detailed session on contingency planning was conducted. The participants were briefed on the importance and uses of contingency planning and its differences to disaster risk management planning.
Towards the end of the training, a formal closing ceremony, which was chaired by Director Operations, PDMA Sindh was held at which all participants were awarded certificates. The DO appreciated the efforts made by Community World Service Asia towards disseminating knowledge and skills amongst government officials of PDMA’s, NDMA, academia and district administration of Sujawal and urged the participants to take lead in disaster management activities at local levels through close coordination among each other and the communities.
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