Baseline Survey Village Mian Essa- CBDRR Project

BASELINE SURVEY VILLAGE MIAN ESSA DISTRICT NOWSHERA SUBMITTED BY: Dr. Fauzia Moghees Executive Coordinator Network for Human and Social Development www.nhsd-pak.org

NHSD

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Baseline Survey Village Mian Essa District Nowshera

Village Mian Essa has a population of 10,932 and 1231 Houses. 1984 families are living in village Mian Essa in which 2631 are men, 2659 are women, 2925 are boys and 2717 are girls. From the whole population 1484 are educated people while the rest are non-educated. 1613 are skilled people and rest of them are unskilled. There are only 2128 people are employed while 8804 people are unemployed. It has 3 government primary schools for boys with the total strength of 1200 students is studying in this school. One Government middle school for boys with the strength of 450. One Government high school for boys strength 210. Local teachers for all the educational institutions are 7 only. There is only one Government Primary School for girls who have 2 teachers only, 150 girls’ students, and Government Middle School for girls is under construction. There is only one LHV for the whole area. There is one civil dispensary with very limited medicines run by a dispenser Muhammad Nawaz. Land has been allotted by the local people but has not been started yet. There are two local community organizations in the area Gharib Dost Society and Mian Essa Welfare Society. UNCR made 54 houses for the local community. NRC made 124 houses. ILAP gave seeds and Rations after the flood. IRC worked in WASH and are making 150 toilets in the area. Hadiqa Kiyani Welfare made 60 rooms for the displaced people of Village Mian Essa. Al Khidmat Foundation distributed rations, 1000 blankets and quilts. ACF worked in WASH. Danish Muslim Aid worked on water supply.

Mr Pervez Ahmed Khan is the MPA from Misri Banda. Masood Abbas is MNA Constituency NA6.

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Executive Summary: (Dr Fauzia Moghees Executive Coordinator NHSD)

NHSD was contracted by Karwan Development Foundation for conducting a Baseline Survey in Village Mian Essa District Nowshera.

On visiting this village it was found that for several kilometers there is no pacca road and only a kacha road is leading to the village which is completely cut off from the other areas in case of flood further adding to the difficulties of the villagers. Moreover the village is located very near to the river Kabul. The houses are made of brick but not very strong. In the past the flood waters have damaged the roads and reached the houses of the villagers, while that time they were totally unprepared. Communities are the basic disaster response units and form the first line of defense against disasters, unfortunately they are lacking in skills, resources and social organization. They need support in building capacities and hazard coping mechanisms. Recent experiences have adequately highlighted their striking limitations. In the flood situation there was absence of warning and planning instruments and a feeble outreach, moreover the communities were weak in social organization and disaster coping mechanisms. The population in this area is extremely vulnerable to floods but there is no early warning system in the area. In this village there are pathetic and primitive conditions like limited access, poverty, limited facilities for education, health and damaged infrastructure. There is only one primary school for girls and have only a very basic health dispensary. The people are very concerned about this lack of educational and health facilities and the fact that their past and future generations are presently deprived of all basic facilities of education and health. There is great need for intervention in all areas. Special focus needs to be given for flood mitigation measures preparedness and trainings.

On survey it was found that the villagers extremely friendly and willing to learn and cooperate. They all have opinion that their area is much neglected as far as help reaching them was concerned especially from the Government. They are desperate about the situation and are agreed that it is due to lack of capacity. They were all willing for receiving training to increase their capacity to cope with disaster so that they can respond effectively in any future disaster condition.

Methodology for base line survey was essentially a primary source based study, relying on focused group discussions, semi-structured interviews, personal observation and multiple inputs. Secondary sources were consulted for developing contextual understanding. The objective of this Baseline survey and need assessment is to develop an understanding of the impact of flood on lives of different communities in village Mian Essa, District Nowshera and also to measure their necessary needs in terms of training for DRR and increasing preparedness for any future emergencies in this area

It was a pleasure to work with this brave community who are willing to continue to strive towards ensuring a better future for themselves and their families. They are facing all hardships bravely and are rebuilding their houses with few resources that they have. I would like to thank KDF for caring for their welfare. There is a definite need to increase the education level in this area especially for girls as this is the main concern for them. There is a definite and immediate need for training in disaster management to make their lives safer.

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Methodology:

The team members visited individual households and interacted directly with Peoples and population families in order to reflect on their needs in a participatory way; these interactions provided an opportunity to the team to understand and reflect on the vulnerabilities of these households but in fact they also managed to conduct informal counseling sessions to ease their immediate tensions and frustrations. They developed a feeling that somebody is there who are thinking about them and their care. The major findings of the study were documented in the form of this report. Presently, much information is available of District Nowshera regarding the status and condition of peoples and hence their problems remained largely un-addressed.

Methodology for base line survey was essentially a primary source based study, relying on focused group discussions, semi-structured interviews, personal observation and multiple inputs. Secondary sources were consulted for developing contextual understanding. The objective of this Baseline survey and need assessment is to develop an understanding of the impact of flood on lives of different communities in District Nowshera and also to measures their necessary needs in terms of training for DRR and increasing preparedness for any future emergencies in this area.

Tools and Techniques:

Primary Data Collection (By Interviews, Focal group discussions & Baseline Survey) Secondary Data Collection Observations Baseline Survey Results using Primary Data: Questionnaire forms were administered to the general population including men and women to see the clear picture about the people’s needs of Village Mian Essa of District Nowshera. We also conducted focal group discussions and interviews. We believe that Need Assessment approaches are a practical way of thinking about, planning, implementing and developing project. The assessment approach puts the voices and concerns of the poor at the centre:

• We bring all appropriate aspects of people’s lives into these forms • It stresses the importance of being able to respond to disasters promptly and effectively • It unifies sectors behind a common theme • It identifies the existing knowledge, attitude, practice and gaps in emergency response which

need to be filled • It identifies the need for training and capacity building specially in DRR, First Aid and

Trauma Management, Search and Rescue and Flood mitigation measures • It emphasizes the importance of understanding links between policy decisions and

households level activities

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Statistics of Village Mian Essa:

We have differentiated the population of Village Mian Essa with respect to age and gender.

Education Level:

Due to the unavailability of good teachers and lack of schools there are only 1484 people are educated from the whole population of 10,932.

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Ratio of Skilled and Non skilled people:

Only 1613 persons are skill while 9319 are unskilled .

Employed and Unemployed people Ratio:

From the whole population of Village Mian Essa only 2128 persons are employed while the rest of the population is dependent on them.

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Question # 01: Name the Hazards in your area which have caused loss of life, property and environmental damages.

1. Floods 297 2. Land Slide 266 3. Drought 38 4. Earthquake 0 5. Fire 0 6. Dust Strom 0

In response to this question 50% responders attributed floods as the main disasters that have occurred in this area and 44%to Land Sliding as main risks which may lead to economic and environmental damage. Some of them also mentioned about drought that are also a cause for such damages. None of them mentioned about Earthquake, Fire and Dust Strom. Which are uncommon hazards in this area.

Question # 02: Are the people of your area fully aware of these risks?

1. Yes 296 2. No 935

76% Responders said that the people of that area are not aware of these hazards. And only 24% of them admitted that they know exactly what kind of risks they are going to face in future.

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Question # 03: What are the factors that increase the vulnerabilities of the people.

1. Children 646 2. Poverty 396 3. Old Persons 136 4. Disabled Persons 49 5. ill people 4

53% of responders replied that the children are the most vulnerable while 32% felt that poverty was the main problem. 11% respondent that old person are the most vulnerable while 3.8% of the people mentioned Disabled persons and few of them agreed on ill people.

Question # 04:

Identify risk factors that can cause natural or manmade disasters.

1. Tempestuous Rain 1128 2. Mud Houses 72 3. Substandard Construction Material 31 4. High Speed Accidents 0 5. Bomb Disaster 0 6. Fire Disaster 0

The tempestuous rain was identified as main Risk factor leading to natural disaster by 91% responders. Mud houses and substandard construction were identified by 6% and 3% respectively as the respecters.

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Question # 05: Name the different measures by which the losses can be minimized?

1. Preparedness 724 2. Early Warning 381 3. Contingency Planning 126

59% responders suggested that better preparedness can reduce the damage while 31% and 10% consider early warning and contingency planning as an option that can reduce the damage respectively.

Question # 06: Describe the affective response in a disaster situation?

1. Immediate help 753 2. Family Protection 478

61%responder recommended immediate help and 39% family protection in disaster response.

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Question # 07: Is there any early warning system available in your area or not? If yes then give details.

1. Yes 27 (Syeron in Mosques) 2. No 1204

98%of responder said that no early warning system is availability in their area. Only 2% said that the early warning system is present comprising of a syreon in mosque.

Question # 08: Is there any contingency planning for dealing with the hazards or not? If yes then give details.

1. Yes 0 2. No 1231

100% of responders mention that there is no planning to deal with any Hazard.

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Question # 09: Does the community have any equipment to deal with risk and disasters?

1. Yes 0 2. No 1231

All responder of Q#9 mention non availability of equipments to deal with disasters.

Question # 10: What kind of resources is available with the community to face risk and disaster?

1. Yes 0 2. No 1231

100% responder denies availability of resources to face risk and disaster.

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Question # 11: Have you received any training regarding disaster management or not? If any please mention.

1. Yes 0 2. No 1231

100% responders mention that they did not receive any disaster management training.

Question # 12:

What kind of trainings do you people need to face disaster situations for your own safety?

Training Level o f Importance (1 Min to 5 Max)

1. First Aid 5 2. Search & Rescue 4 3. Health and Sanitation 3 4. Fire Fighting 2 5. School security 1

According to the level of importance, Fist Aid was the most important followed by search and rescue, health training, fire and school safety. All of them felt that these trainings are very important and that they will help in ensuring their safety and safety of their families.

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Question # 13: Will you be willing to undergo these trainings if they are offered in your village?

1. Yes 1231 2. No 0

100% responders agreed to accept trainings.

Question # 14: Are Health Care Centers available in your area? If so how many.

1. Government Care Center 01 2. Private Care Center 01

One government and one private health care center are serving the community.

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Question # 15: Which schools are present in your village?

1. Government Primary School for Boys 03 2. Government Middle School for Boys 01 3. Government High School for Boys 01 4. Government Primary School for Girls 01 5. Government Middle School for Girls 01 6. Government High School for Girls 0

Primary, secondary and high school for boys and primary and middle school for girls are available in town but no high school for girls.

Question # 16: What are the factors that may create difficulties in dealing with hazards?

1. Lack of Access 581 2. Lack of Resources 379 3. Lack of Timely Information 271

47% responders attributed single and limited access to the village, 31% attributed lack of resources and 22% lack of information as the main hurdles in dealing with hazardous situation.

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Question # 17: Is there any committee available in your area to help the people during an emergency situation?

1. Yes 0 2. No 1231

100% responders mention that no committees are available in their area to deal the emergency situation.

Comments of the Community:

1. Need of School for both boys and girls 2. Need for formation of first aid teams 3. Provide shelters for displaced people 4. Provide free education for children 5. Should conduct health & hygiene and First aid courses 6. Construct basic health units for them 7. Construct bridge over Kabul river for giving them access to main road 8. Provide planning for the prosperity of farmers 9. Provide us teacher for school 10. Train local community regarding Fire and other disaster 11. Identify and provide safe places for the community 12. Provide courses for embroidery 13. Take steps for girls education 14. Make dams for the safety of Mian Essa People 15. Provide boats and other necessary items

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Focal Group Discussion

Our purpose of focal group discussions is to gain knowledge about the need of village Mian Essa community who directly affected by the disaster. Through focal group discussion we collect information about their needs. We have done focal group discussions from both men and women. Focal group discussion with female community was done by Dr. Fauzia Moghees, Executive Coordinator NHSD where the community discussed their problems, current disaster scenario and available & unavailable resources. While focal group discussions from male community was done by Mr. Istiaqe Akhtar, Field Officer NHSD.

Interview

My name is Rehban uddidn and I am a resident of Mohalla Tarkhanan of Village Mian Essa. I am 31 years old. I have a physical disability of my left foot, which was sustained while cleaning a well. Since then I am living a life of a disabled person. I do not have the resources to get my treatment done and I’m spending my life with great difficulty. The recent floods further compounded my difficulties. It was nearly Eight O’clock in the night when the flood waters entered our village. We were not prepared for this disaster and never expected the waters of river Kabul to enter our homes since this had not happened in the past 60 to 70 years.

The turbulent water gushed into our homes. I had to leave my home with my elderly mother and had to support not only myself but my mother and this was a hell like situation. The home in which I had spent my whole life was under water. My mother was unwilling to leave it. Our house was made of clay and being poor we had some furniture and few domestic items which were made by my father who was a poor farmer but we were sad and reluctant to leave it. I tried to collect a few things but was unable to take anything with me. My disability made my exit difficult but I had to take my mother with me as well. My house was falling due to the rushing waters and a stage came when evacuation from the house had become very difficult. With great difficulty I moved myself and my mother to the street. The situation there was terrible, and everyone was busy facing this situation. No one was willing to help anyone else. Everyone was worried about themselves and their families. I and my mother kept moving in the flood waters which reached our knees and after 3 hours we were able to reach our destination Meera which was at a distance from our village. We watched our house drowning with our own eyes.

We stayed in this shelter for 10 days and there was no help available for us. There was no provision of clean drinking water and food was nonexistent. My old mother became seriously ill during this period and has still not recovered fully. At times some help would reach us but mostly we remained hungry. We were worried about our home and belongings. Very few rescue teams reached the area to help and assist us in our rehabilitation.

If there was an early warning system in our area and rescue teams was present the loss could have been greatly minimized. Announcement in mosques or siren could have helped us a lot, but these systems were unavailable and we all suffered.

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Now since the flood waters receded, we have returned to our broken homes. We have no other place to go, and have to stay here. I have rebuilt my home to make it habitable, and am dependant on help from my neighbors’ for food.

I now hope that I may get help to rebuild my house and also build a shop as a source of income. I hope that planning may be done to avert or minimize the damage in any future disasters. This will ensure that the community will be safer and prepared for any future disaster. I hope we can get training as well. We cannot stop a disaster from coming, but better preparedness can make lives safer.

In the end I would like to thank KDF and NHSD for their interest in conducting this survey and for their interest in making our lives safer and ensuring that we are better prepared for any future disasters.

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Data Analysis

1. Village Mian Essa has a very poor population, who are leading a very deprived life because of very limited access and resources. The fact that the waters of River Kabul are very close to this community and their houses further compounds and aggravates their problems. They are living a life of poverty and deprivation. There are only 6 schools for boys and one for girls, thus they are mostly illiterate or semiliterate and thus have limited jobs and opportunities for progress.

2. The people of this area are very hospitable, helpful and friendly and it was a pleasure to meet them and conduct this survey. They facilitated us in every possible way and looked after our team of surveyors.

3. The total houses were 1200 with a population of 10932. 4. It has 3 government primary schools for boys. Total strength of 1200 students. One

Government middle school for boy’s strength 450. One Government high school for boys strength 210. Local teachers for all the educational institutions are 7 only. There is only one Government Primary School for girls who have 2 teachers only, 150 girls’ students, and Government Middle School for girls is under construction.

5. The medical facilities are nonexistent. There is only one LHV for the whole area. There is one civil dispensary with very limited medicines run by a dispenser Muhammad Nawaz. Land has been allotted by the local people but has not been started yet.

6. There are two local community organizations in the area Gharib Dost Society and Mian Essa Welfare Society.

7. International Organizations who helped during the floods were, UNCR made 54 houses for the local community. NRC made 124 houses. ILAP gave seeds and rations after the flood. IRC worked in WASH and are making 150 toilets in the area. Hadiqa Kiani Wlefare made 60 rooms. Al khidmat foundation distributed rations, 1000 blankets and quilts. ACF worked in WASH. Danish Muslim Aid on water supply.

8. Mr Pervez Ahmed Khan is the MPA from Misri Banda. Masood Abbas is MNA constituency NA6.

9. They were totally unprepared for the flood as no flood waters had previously entered the homes of the villagers. There was no early warning system in place and they had no warning about the flood.

10. In response to this question 50% responders attributed floods as the main disasters that have occurred in this area and 44%to Land Sliding as main risks which may lead to economic and environmental damage. Some of them also mentioned about drought that are also a cause for such damages. None of them mentioned about Earthquake, Fire and Dust Strom. Which are uncommon hazards in this area.

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11. 76% Responders said that the people of that area are not aware of these hazards. And only 24% of them admitted that they know exactly what kind of risks they are going to face in future.

12. 53% of responders replied that the children are the most vulnerable while 32% felt that poverty was the main problem. 11% respondent that old person are the most vulnerable while 3.8% of the people mentioned Disabled persons and few of them agreed on ill people.

13. The tempestuous rain was identified as main Risk factor leading to natural disaster by 91% responders. Mud houses and substandard construction were identified by 6% and 3% respectively as the respecters.

14. 59% responders suggested that better preparedness can reduce the damage while 31% and 10% consider early warning and contingency planning as an option that can reduce the damage respectively.

15. 61%responder recommended immediate help and 39% family protection in disaster response.

16. 98%of responder said that no early warning system is availability in their area. Only 2% said that the early warning system is present comprising of a syreon in mosque.

17. 100% of responders mention that there is no planning to deal with any Hazard. 18. All responder of Q#9 mention non availability of equipments to deal with disasters. 100%

responder denies availability of resources to face risk and disaster. 19. 100% responders mention that they did not receive any disaster management training. 20. According to the level of importance, Fist Aid was the most important followed by search

and rescue, health training, fire and school safety. All of them felt that these trainings are very important and that they will help in ensuring their safety and safety of their families.

21. 100% responders agreed to accept trainings. 22. One government and one private health care center are serving the community. 23. Primary, secondary and high school for boys and primary and middle school for girls are

available in town but no high school for girls. 24. 47% responders attributed single and limited access to the village, 31% attributed lack of

resources and 22% lack of information as the main hurdles in dealing with hazardous situation.

25. 100% responders mention that no committees are available in their area to deal the emergency situation.

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Recommendations

• An integrated intervention is proposed, for building their disaster management capacities. • Intensive training to face any such situation efficiently in future to prevent and minimize

loss of life and property. • To install an early warning system so that advance warning may be given. • There is a need to train the men and women in disaster risk reduction, first aid and trauma

management, search and rescue, casualty handling, water rescue and flood mitigation. • There is a need to provide disaster kits so that they can become self sufficient and are

able to respond promptly and efficiently to any disaster. • Dr. Mahbood Ex Nazim also felt that if these houses could be relocated to a higher

ground further away from the river their safety will be ensured. • Definite need to improve education and health facilities which are very basic and

insufficient for their needs • Need to improve access road and also alternate roads. • KDS has worked hard in the area by mobilizing the local population and formulating

committees who are extremely keen to work for the betterment of their people. However none of them are trained in DRR and given the precarious scenario there is a very great need to train them in this field. We hope to work with KDS in this regard.