Humanitarian Regional Team HRT – Southern Region Meeting Minutes –April 2019

Location: UNAMA Conference Room Data and Time: 29 April, 2019 – 1000hrs Attendance: OCHA (chair), SCI, M.C, HAPA, ICRC, IOM, WHO, FAO H.I, INSO, UNICEF, UNHCR, ANCC, REACH/ ACTED, MSF, MEDAIR, INTERSOS, DACAAR, HRDA and UNAMA. Agenda:  Humanitarian updates (OCHA)  Security updates (INSO)  FSAC presentation on impacts of drought and recent floods  Cluster update  AoB 1. Humanitarian updates ‐ OCHA;

OCHA informed of key humanitarian events which took place since the last meeting: ‐;  Decrease in conflict due to poppy harvest season but no major reduction in human suffering as IEDs, night raids, airstrikes and movement restrictions continue  Humanitarian services, particularly health continued to be challenged by NSAGs in Kandahar and Hilmand provinces  Polio programs with new cases and reducing access remains a major concern in SR

In Kandahar, the flood response to 4,674 families has ended with NFI gaps for 1,350 families. However, the food and hygiene response was completed to all verified families in Kandahar city and districts. ANDMA, DRC and NRC have availed cash for shelter repair and this will help to cover majority of those families with damaged houses. DoRR has informed about 1,123 petitions submitted as conflict IDPs with a joint team currently screening and sample checking said petitions. Five health personnel on the way back from a mission to Ghorak were abducted by NSAG in Khakrez and released after 15 days in captivity. Similarly, three humanitarian personnel in Shahwalikot were tortured by unknown group with their vehicle carjacked. Airstrikes and one IED incident on KDH – TK highway in Shahwlikot district killed ten civilians and seven others were injured.

The flood response to the affected population in Khanashin, Marja, Deshu and Garamser (Hilmand) was delay due to access negotiations, with other affected areas, specifically in and near the provincial capital (Government controlled areas) assessed in a timely manner.

During the reporting month, 880 of the total flood affected families with destroyed houses received cash for shelter repair. With the river overflowing, 34 more families were affected in Nawa‐e‐Barakzai. The families were verified and assisted by joint teams.

Two more polio cases found in Washer and Sangin. NSAG suspended polio vaccination activities in their areas of control depriving around 427,000 children (across the region?? Or just Hilmand.

In Uruzgan, the Interagency assessment team verified 147 conflict IDP families after screening and random sampling of the two sets of petitions (364 & 70) previously submitted. Uruzgan OCT estimates around 1,000 families have lost their shelter/houses over last two conflict driven years in Tirinkot. Large numbers of the population are still displaced because of their places of origin are near the frontline, are still contaminated with IEDs and their homes remain destroyed and or in need of repair. After one month in detention, all five abducted NGO staff were released unharmed. One new Polio confirmed cases found in Shahid‐e‐Assas

In Zabul, the Interagency response to flood affected population covered identified food and WASH needs, but NFs remain a gap with DRC stepping in to assist with cash for shelter repair to 253 families. DoRR initially reported 400 conflict IDP petitions are currently under the screening and sampling process.

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In Nimroz, the Interagency assessment for flood affected families in Chakhansur verified only 5 (five) families. ANDMA have responded to the caseload. In second similar floods incident, Interagency assessments has verified 353 HHs as affected in Khashrod, Charburjak and Chakhansur.

Outlook:  Decrease in conflicts due to ongoing poppy harvesting season with expectations of an increase in number and intensity soon after completion  Polio cases identified with activities halted

WHO Polio immunization focal point shared with members the status of polio in SR. He informed that all six confirmed cases throughout the country this year are in SR and majority of them are in NSAG controlled areas with the remaining one in Spinboldak, a Government controlled area. The current suspension of activities is three weeks old with no clear reason for the decision by the NSAG military wing. as the decision to suspend the activities is taken by military part of NSAG. However, the whole Polio team is struggling to find a way to resume the program after the month of Ramadan and Eid.

SR Security updates (INSO) Both ANSF and NSAGs haves announced spring offensives applicable throughout the country. The ANSF mostly targeted NSAG locations with increased airstrikes, night raids and other ground offensives focused on regaining ground lost during the previous three years. Similarly, AOGs with the announcement of Alftah offensives aims to target the government installations as well as ANSF locations and movements. With ongoing poppy harvest, conflicts have slightly reduced however, both sides seem ready to escalate fighting once the poppy harvest is completed. In Kandahar, the number of targeted killing incidents remain high with ANSF personal the main targets. Maywand district, was the hotspot for conflicts during previous weeks but has because calmer more recently. However, Ghorak, Shorabak and Arghistan remain unstable.

Sangin district (Hilmand) experienced more military engagements with ANSF and IM airstrikes, ground offensives and night raids. The aim seemed to be to push NSAGs towards the old DAC to regain control over the district. Highway one in Zabul experienced IED and NSAG attacks against ANSF between Tarnak ‐wa‐Jaldak to Shahjoy. Shinky also witnessed several security incidents. In a special ANSF operation in Daichopan, 53 detainees (mostly ANSF personnel) were released from NSAG detention. In Uruzgan the NGO staff were safely released after community and tribal elder involvements after nearly one month in NSAG detention. Khashrod district in Nimroz is very insecure due to the number of IEDs and cross firing attacks.

A number of incidents involving humanitarian personnel and programs were affected by NSAG. This was mainly because the personnel and program were not understood, and therefore suspicious. Organizations were asked to get a clear understanding of the area and requirements for intervention before deploying your teams. INSO will always welcome to provide security advisor and information sharing to all humanitarian organizations.

UNAMA in a new addition to the HRT format broadly informed members on the security situation andkey developments and changes in peace talks i as well as preparation for Advisory Peace Jirga to be held in Kabul. Moreover, he informed about SRSG’s engagement with Taliban leadership in Doha with areas covered including civilian casualties’, peace talks in Afghanistan and Polio.

UNAMA is looking to maximize utilizing the air assets by expanding visits to areas with high importance. Agencies were asked to make request by addressing the areas with possibility and needs for visit to be included in future mission plans.

Presentation on Floods and its impact on FSAC in SR FAO while briefing participants informed that all five provinces in SR received various precipitation levels during last one year (Kandahar: 281 mm, Helmand: 165 mm, Uruzgan: 226 mm, Zabul: 326 mm and Nimroz: 40 mm). Moreover, he informed that during the wheat cultivation season there was no rainfall resulting in a very small

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During recent floods in Kandahar, Hilmand, Uruzgan and Zabul provinces, around 4,604 hector agriculture land was damaged and 6,645 livestock died. Moreover, due to shortage of forage in pasture and its high prices, most of livestock owners, especially Kochis, sold their animals at low prices which affected their economy. TAnimal production has decreased. Re‐stocking of cattle/flock for Kochis will be challenging with investment and time required to assist recovery. Some of farmers left their homes and were faced with very bad economic challenges during displacement. However, to help the affected population recover from drought and flood affects, FAO provided livestock feed, crop seeds, deworming, wheat packages, pulses & vegetable seeds and home gardening kits to around 36500 HHs in the aforementioned four provinces. (For details, please see the attached presentation) The drought had very severe impact on agriculture and livestock like displacement of farmers, damage of fruit gardens and loss of livestock and this could take years to recover. Therefore, it was once again emphasized by the participants that proper assessment & surveys need to be carried to analyze the status of food security and agriculture in SR

Key Issues/ gaps in Cluster – (Cluster Focal Points);

Protection Cluster: Conducted emergency monitoring found protection concerns on shelter, lack of livelihoods, civilian casualties due to conflicts, movement restrictions, insufficient food and limited access to basic services mainly health. Protection monitoring was also done for flood affected population and 38 most vulnerable families were selected for PSN assistance.

Protection cluster visited Tirinkot (Uruzgan) where during meetings and visits to the conflict affected areas it was found several issues that required urgent protection and broader humanitarian attention: ‐ access limitation to basic services, movement restrictions, lack of livelihood services, insufficient WASH in general, loss of shelters, the destruction and insecurity of schools for boys and girls.

The voluntary repatriation process continues. During 01‐28 April, 95 families /393 ind. returned through Spin Boldak Zero point and from start of the year 2019 to date 135 families (552 Ind.) have returned. Similarly, through Milak border in Nimroz (237 families & 6197 Ind) have voluntarily returned. Moreover, there were 558 families, 9,230 single individuals and among them 202 under age minors were deported.

Mine Action: UNMAS has five ongoing projects in Kandahar, Zabul and Nimroz provinces. During the reported period 25,207 returnees were provided with M/ERW. 465 mines and IEDs were cleared GBV cluster was on annual retreat. The cluster meeting was held on 25 April and through participation in other clusters the GBV mainstreaming was encouraged in all other programs particularly WASH.

CPIE: conduct assessment of children affected by recent floods and the results were shared with key actors. Totally, 2,277 children received Psychosocial sessions in CFS at Zero points in Kandahar and Nimroz. There were 263 unaccompanied deported children reunified with their families.

Health Cluster: WHO informed that during the reporting period all health facilities were functional throughout the region. During the floods, health kits were delivered to all five provinces of southern region therefore sufficient stock available in all heath facilities. As there are risks of more floods in Uruzgan and Hilmand, additional supplies will be arranged. Similarly, based on a cluster meeting decision, more essential medicinal stock was dispatched to health facilities to safeguard against flood related injuries and sicknesses. WHO is constructing Infection Disease Ward in Zabul Provincial Hospital. This will help to prevent the disease caused by Infections inside the hospital. ES/NFIs:

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During recent floods, 10,580 families were verified as affected. Majority of these families were covered with NFI assistance. Cluster has a drafted contingency plan and has been shared with national cluster. Those who are active member of the cluster were asked to share their stock record for stockpile update. WASH Cluster: WASH cluster informed about totally 9,317 families verified as flood affected and over 50% were already covered with hygiene kits. However, with the arrival of additional hygiene kits, distribution has already started and the remaining gaps will be filled. For WASH recovery, there are certain programs ongoing in Kandahar and Hilmand provinces in key affected areas. UNHCR is planning to construct three deep wells with 60000 litter water reservoirs in Tirinkot, Uruzgan and five others in Babajee and Nad‐e‐Ali districts. UNHCR to coordinate the project (location and activities) with WASH cluster separately. EiE: Absent Nutrition cluster: The quarterly cluster meeting was held. Emergency response plan is finalized for Kandahar and Hilmand and under work progress for Uruzgan, Nimroz and Zabul provinces. The cluster has conducted post emergency assessment in Kandahar and Nimroz provinces though it is still pending in Hilmand due to some technical issues. It was emphasized that WFP to send Nutrition technical person to participate in cluster meetings as most of the times, the issues remain unresolved due to irrelevant attendance. FSAC Cluster: Covered in presentation. AOB.  ECHO delegation will be visiting Kandahar 07‐09 May  IOM has temporarily stopped cash for transportation distribution to undocumented returnees in Kandahar due to funding shortfall.  Date for next HRT will be communicated as the activities during the Holy month of Ramadan will be slow. However, ad‐hoc meeting could be called (if required)

Action Points and recommendations:

Initiated Action and Status Due Responsible

29 April 2019 Agencies interested in utilizing UNAMA air assets to suggest possible Immediately HRT members locations for expanding visit areas Cluster 29 April 2019 Share inputs of their available stocks with ESNFI cluster Immediately members

29 April 2019 Share bore well and water reservoir construction details with WASH Immediately UNHCR cluster

29 April 2019 Send Nutrition technical person to the cluster meetings Future WFP

https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/operations/afghanistan/document/humanitarian‐response‐plan‐2019

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