2012
RAPID NEED ASSESSMENT, TALUKA JACOBABAD, DISTRICT JACOBABAD, SINDH - PAKISTAN
Submitted By:
Muhammad Achar Bozdar Executive Director Fast Rural Development Program (FRDP) Sindh – Pakistan Cell: +92 334 5549316 Office: +92 22 2671085 Email: [email protected] Rapid Need Assessment of Flood affected Areas UC Qadir Pur, UC Miran Pur, UC Rind Wahi, Taluka & District Jacobabad- Sindh (September 10-13, 2012)
Situation Analysis Heavy rains 2012 in Sindh Province hit major part of the Upper Sindh, where most affected Districts are Jacobabad, Kashmore, Shikarpur and Sukkur.
District Jacobabad is badly hit by heavy rains where 400 mm heavy rains are recorded and all 40 UCs are affected. There is no access to health facilities even DHQ is surrounded by water. In Shahi Canal near Bahu Khoso, 3 breaches have reported and more than 1 million populations are reported badly affected during current heavy rains in the district. Two deaths & one injury have been also reported till the writing of this assessment.
1. Objectives of the Assessment
The overall objective of this assessment was to gauge the situation of flood affected population in worst hit district Jacobabad of Sindh and identify areas of possible intervention to assist them. The specific objectives of the assessment are as follows:
To establish a good understanding of the entire humanitarian crisis by effective consultations with affected population to grasp the context To assess the emergency needs of the flood affected population of district Jacobabad of Sindh. To identify most vulnerable segments of flood affected population and understand the challenges being faced by them To provide recommendations for immediate and medium to long term actions needed to assist the flood affected population of District Jacobabad, Sindh.
1. Methodology
FRDP Teams conducted FGDs with effected men and women groups. The respondents were randomly selected from the village population at road side. Recognizing the traditional and conservative culture in the area, the team made sure to incorporate interviews with women headed households in the assessment process. Therefore, the team tried to interview such households through ‘deliberate sample selection’ wherever possible.
a. Selection of Target locations Keeping in view the limitations the team tried to focus on those areas where still no any organization/agency reached or having limited access. As since last 2 weeks villages are stuck under water but less humanitarian organization are reached over the said union council for the support to those community. The team was also able to visit a very brief part of the affected area that was under water.
b. Selection of Respondents The team used both purposive and random sampling techniques to select respondents. The types of respondents selected are as follows: Men, women and children affected by rains and floods
c. Timeline
Fast Rural Development Program (FRDP) Sindh – Pakistan Page #2 Rapid Need Assessment of Flood affected Areas UC Qadir Pur, UC Miran Pur, UC Rind Wahi, Taluka & District Jacobabad- Sindh (September 10-13, 2012)
The entire period of assessment – beginning with an initial planning meeting and ending with the dissemination of the draft report – covered a period of 03 days. The assessment itself was conducted over a period of three consecutive days from September 10-13, 2012.
3.1 Techniques Participatory techniques were utilized to get basic information from a range of respondents including men, women & children. These techniques helped in collecting both qualitative and limited quantitative data in terms of loss /damages. Qualitative data comprising, type of basic needs, degree of challenges, quality and degree of assistance provided or not, people’s perceptions, beliefs and experiences etc. The quantitative data collated comprised statistics related to deaths, injured, damages of households and livestock, crops and other assets. Following are some of the techniques adopted: 5.3.1 Focus Group Discussions 5.3.2 Key Informant Interviews 5.3.3 Transect Walk & Observations
2. Findings
4.1 Village Size
The assessment teams were able to reach 22 villages (Goth) and conducted the FGDs. The village size varied from one to the other. The average size of the village was 110-200 households. The household size observed was 8 members averagely where people live in extended families system.
4.2 Social construction of communities
The districts host different caste groups. Each and every caste groups have branches representing different clans. Overall, Muslims are in majority but the area is also home of Hindus communities. Sindhi and Balochi are the vastly spoken languages. About 90 % of the villagers are tenants/formers called “Haris” in Sindhi language. Social relationships within the community are good at the grass roots level whereas the power distance exists. Internal lending on interest is carried out at local level whereas the some local institutions also provide microfinance to the communities.
4.3 Livelihoods Patterns
4.3.1 Agriculture Agriculture is the largest source of earning for 90% community members in the villages. It was observed that 80% of the community members are tenants. The Tenancy pattern includes the shared cropping. rice, red chili, and vegetables are grown in the area. The areas had established irrigation system which is feed by the local canal and through tube wells.
4.3.2 Livestock It was observed during the exercise that the farming communities keep livestock at large. On the average a farmer keeps one large and two small animals. The large ruminants include Buffalo, cows and bulls. The small animals include goat and sheep. Buffalos are kept
Fast Rural Development Program (FRDP) Sindh – Pakistan Page #3 Rapid Need Assessment of Flood affected Areas UC Qadir Pur, UC Miran Pur, UC Rind Wahi, Taluka & District Jacobabad- Sindh (September 10-13, 2012) at large for milking purpose that has continues demand in the local market. Goats and sheep contribute to fulfill the meat needs of the local market. Bulls are kept as local transportation mode, the bullock cart. Bulls are also used for plough purpose as well.
4.4 Availability of Basic needs and social Services
It was observed through the FGDs that the water and sanitation services in at the village level were of worst condition. Because Water is contaminated in almost district and the ground water is salty and people of the area used to take drinking water from different points through donkey carts. Low literacy rate, poverty and lack of awareness put the community at low with respect to hygiene condition. The water and sanitation facilities were not good enough at the village level.
4.5 Housing patterns
Housing pattern in the areas is adobe (kacha) and in some places the concrete. The housing construction is subjected to the wellbeing of the household. The majority of people living at the village level are poor earning their livelihoods through tenant farming, casual labor and on-farm labor. The housing pattern of the community was not flood resistant. Settlements in the villages in pre flood situation did not follow any specific construction method or settlement approach. While health and hygiene conditions are reported worse for migrants and effectees of these areas.
4.6 Health
Health infrastructure developed by Government includes the Basic health units at UC level & some of cases refer to Jacobabad city. Civil hospital is available at Taluka and district level. The private physicians have the clinics at the UC level and charge the different fees to the community. The traditional birth attendants handle the child birth cases at village level. These birth attendants are not trained in handling the cases. The children and pregnant women on the average are malnourished. Awareness level of community about the dengue, malaria and other contagious diseases is below average. RH needs, friendly spaces for Breast feed ,EmOC and safe and clean deliveries are need to address them on priority . In addition nutrition of PLWs for neonates and children for exclusive breast feed were also found unavailable or equal to poor .
3. Overview on impact of the floods
During the course of rapid needs assessment in flood affected villages of UC Qadir Pur, UC Miranpur & UC Rind Wahi Taluka & District Jacobabad. The size of participants in each FGD was on the average 15. The FGDs were conducted separately with male and female groups. During the course of assessment 13 FGDs were conducted with men and 7 with women groups. FGDs were conducted following the guidelines.
In this section, synthesis of the information noted is presented. The FGDs covered the thematic areas of damages, losses and immediate response. The sectors covered include WASH, Education, Shelter, NFIs, protection, emergency food security and livelihoods.
Fast Rural Development Program (FRDP) Sindh – Pakistan Page #4 Rapid Need Assessment of Flood affected Areas UC Qadir Pur, UC Miran Pur, UC Rind Wahi, Taluka & District Jacobabad- Sindh (September 10-13, 2012)
In all the villages surveyed, displacement due to continuous heavy rains and floods was reported. In most cases, displacement had been on an individual basis, and chaotic. Many families displaced after the start of the flood. Some families remained behind as long as possible to guard their homes and valuables. Heavy losses to livestock, agriculture land, communication and agriculture related infrastructure and communication means have been reported and observed by the assessment team. The houses have been badly affected due to heavy rain fall in the area.
5.1 Impact on Water and Sanitation
Floods posed a high risk of water contamination due to an increase in open defecation and open source of drinking water. During the assessment it is found that in the affected villages several hand pumps in the affected areas are submerged in flood water however, the water drawn from such sources appears to be turbid and possibly contaminated
(Direct observation & Community feedback). The increased level of water left the villages with 3-4 feet standing water. The underground water is not available for drinking. The district administration is unable to generate the response such level. The information collected revealed that 95% community has no access to the safe drinking water. The Human waste, dead animals and human waste has contaminated the water sources. The communities do not have access to the water for bathing and cleaning. Women have specific needs which they do not access to at present. Floods have multifold impact on the sanitation structure at all levels as well. The solid waste conditions have become worst. Slinging water and human waste has contributed to the miserable conditions. Open defecation practice is being adopted by the community as latrine facilities have been demolished.
5.2 Food
All the assessed villages in UC Qadir Pur, UC Miranpur & UC Rind Wahi Taluka & District Jacobabad were found to be in need of food as food reserves (wheat and rice ) were severely damaged and now being as fodder for the animals. Lactating mothers, pregnant women and children are in dire need of food for their survival. A number of reasons were cited for the reduction and/or lack of food stocks in the homes: People have less cash to purchase food items for a number of reasons: o Lack of work opportunities and therefore income for daily workers. o As Rice crops are cash crops, people have lost that income o Some families had many expenses related to their displacement (arranging transport for displacement/return, rental of houses in displacement areas, etc) Some markets are not functional (see Livelihood section above) Where markets are functional, a high rate of inflation has been noted Floods and road blocks due to damage do not permit people to access markets easily Livestock have died, disappeared (lost), sold at lower prices or are not in good condition, resulting in lack of milk, eggs and meat. Some existing stocks like wheat grain have been damaged due to floods and being used by the local people for livestock intake.
5.3 Impact on Shelter and NFIs
Fast Rural Development Program (FRDP) Sindh – Pakistan Page #5 Rapid Need Assessment of Flood affected Areas UC Qadir Pur, UC Miran Pur, UC Rind Wahi, Taluka & District Jacobabad- Sindh (September 10-13, 2012)
Heavy rains and floods caused habitations to collapse and/or develop major cracks and/or had their roofs blown off. The majority of the habitations affected were found in all villages. In many places the standard of the affected habitations was already poor due to poor workmanship and/or use of poor quality building materials such as pole and mud. In addition, most of the affected habitations were localized in areas prone to flooding such as the flood plains and riverbanks. It was observed that the community members were unable to get the non-food items out of the houses. Some of the belongings were rescued by the villagers. The adobe houses collapsed and all the belongings were left under the debris. In some of the areas older people were not willing to leave owing to emotional attachment with the area.
In all villages surveyed, the lack of certain NFIs was highlighted by the local population. In some cases, items were damaged when the house was hit by the floods. It must also be noted that some of the areas visited are generally poor and this survey did not compare pre- and during flood availability of NFIs. The population highlighted their priority needs in terms of NFIs as the following (in descending order of importance): Kitchen items and hygiene items Fans, buckets, bedding/mattresses Clothing and fuel for cooking
Hygiene items include women’s/girls hygiene items – these items are of very high priority for women and girls interviewed. Women and girls also stated that due to lack of sanitary items during displacement, they are facing lot of problems.
5.4 Impact on Health Floods have disrupted the health facilities at UC level. The out-reach workers are also affected by the floods are unable to continue their services.
4. Priority Needs Definition of priority comprised two areas. Firstly, all respondents were asked to rank their top 5 priorities. Secondly, different segments of the population were asked their specific priority needs. Results are below. Note, in the second table, lists are not in order of priority.
Water and sanitation includes: provision of safe drinking water through water trucks, waste management, sewage/drainage systems, emergency latrines etc.
Food: As mentioned that food conditions also worst and people displaced and they don’t have money to buy food and currently some social workers providing food but still government not provided.
Health services includes: health facilities in general, specific services such as pre and post natal care, vaccination for malaria control and basic health services including medicines.
NFIs includes: hygiene kits, women’s/girls hygiene items, kitchen items, clothing etc
Fast Rural Development Program (FRDP) Sindh – Pakistan Page #6 Rapid Need Assessment of Flood affected Areas UC Qadir Pur, UC Miran Pur, UC Rind Wahi, Taluka & District Jacobabad- Sindh (September 10-13, 2012)
Annex: List of Assessed Villages:
House Union Working S.No Village Hold Council Taluka District NGO 1 Mola Bux Pandrani 210 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad Red Cross 2 Khair Wah 170 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad 3 Jongal Khoso 110 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad 4 Jurial Khoso 105 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad 5 Aqil Buledi 90 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad 6 Khanan Dari 200 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad 7 Qubo 80 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad 8 Atta Muhammad Khoso 50 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad 9 Soomra Wahi 90 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad 10 Wada Bajhani 80 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad 11 Basham Faqir 110 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad 12 Rehmat Pur 200 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad 13 Janan Khoso 300 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad 14 Faqirabad 90 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad 15 Sohbat Rind 120 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad 16 Fakhardin Khoso 215 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad Red Cross 17 Ghulam Nabi Khoso 114 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad Red Cross 18 Zamir Khoso 214 Qadir Pur Jacobabad Jacobabad Red Cross 19 Chandanpur 250 Miran Pur Garhi Khero Jacobabad 20 Lal Khan Jakhrani 25 Rind Wahi Jacobabad Jacobabad 21 Jaro Khan 30 Rind Wahi Jacobabad Jacobabad 22 Saifal Jakhrani 20 Rind Wahi Jacobabad Jacobabad Some Pictures Taken during Assessment:
IDP Camp Qadir pur
Fast Rural Development Program (FRDP) Sindh – Pakistan Page #7 Rapid Need Assessment of Flood affected Areas UC Qadir Pur, UC Miran Pur, UC Rind Wahi, Taluka & District Jacobabad- Sindh (September 10-13, 2012)
Migration towards safer places/camps from Jacobabad
Flood Water on Mubarakpur Van stop.
Fast Rural Development Program (FRDP) Sindh – Pakistan Page #8 Rapid Need Assessment of Flood affected Areas UC Qadir Pur, UC Miran Pur, UC Rind Wahi, Taluka & District Jacobabad- Sindh (September 10-13, 2012)
FRDP team collecting information from villagers about the loses
IDP’s from different locations. Fast Rural Development Program (FRDP) Sindh – Pakistan Page #9 Rapid Need Assessment of Flood affected Areas UC Qadir Pur, UC Miran Pur, UC Rind Wahi, Taluka & District Jacobabad- Sindh (September 10-13, 2012)
IDP’s from different locations.
Fast Rural Development Program (FRDP) Sindh – Pakistan Page #10