Afghanistan 2012
Appealing AgencyOXFAM Netherlands (NOVIB) (OXFAM Netherlands (NOVIB))
Project TitleStrengthen Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction in WASH- in Faryab and Saripul Provinces, in Afghanistan.
Project CodeAFG-12/WS/45753
Sector/ClusterWATER,SANITATION AND HYGIENE
Refugee ProjectNo
ObjectivesOverall Goal: • To improve WASH resilience of conflict and disaster affected communities in Afghanistan Specific objective: • To reduce the risk of faecal-oral disease transmission in 63communities through hygiene promotion and installation and maintenance of effective and resilient water supply and excreta disposal facilities.
BeneficiariesTotal: 25,000 natural disaster beneficiaries
Female: 4,900
Children (under 18): 15,000
Other group: 5,100 Men
Implementing PartnersCHA and CoAR
Project DurationJan 2012 - Dec 2012
Current Funds Requested $900,000
Location Multiple locations
Priority / CategoryB. MEDIUM
Gender Marker Code2a - The project is designed to contribute significantly to gender equality
Subset of Appeal
Contact DetailsJames Arputharaj, James.Williams@oxfamnovib.nl , +93 (0) 795391309
Enhanced Geographical Fields
Northern - Sari Pul
Northern - Faryab
Cash Based Intervention
Is any part of this project cash transfer programming (including vouchers)?No
Conditionality:
Restrictions:
Estimated percentage of project requirements to be used for cash/vouchers:0


Needs
1. Problem and need analysis: In 2011, in the mainly northern Provinces of Afghanistan, a combination of untimely snow and inadequate rainfall caused the depletion and lowering of ground water and surface water levels, this lead to many water points to render insufficient water quantity and quality, and has called for an urgent need for rehabilitation works. Oxfam Novib (ON) carried out EFSA in Shirin Tagab district of Faryab province and Shozma Qala and Sangcharak districts of Saripul province with partners CHA and COAR. The EFSA results indicate these three districts as some of the worst affected districts of Afghanistan that require emergency food and water assistance. The assessment results show population movement out of this region in search of employment and distress sale of livestock as their coping mechanism. The ON’s assessment targeted 150 households (HHs) samples in three districts indicates that 98% of families have a cereal stock for less than 2 weeks in assessment villages. 12% households are women headed and disable person heads 5%. 2% of population is physically or mentally challenged. These are one of the most vulnerable groups of the community. 2% of entire population is above age of 65. Water Supply The impacts of the drought are further exacerbated by chronic vulnerability due to under-development in the affected areas; with a substantial number of non-functioning water-points and insufficient water point coverage. Furthermore, existing water sources in communities that range from Kandas, springs, and wells produce in sufficient water quantity. According to the ON EFSA assessment in 150 HHs, some 70% of water-points in three districts are non-functioning due to insufficient maintenance and decreasing levels of ground water. In addition the effects of low water levels have deteriorated water quality at many water points with increased levels of turbidity and salinity. The impacts on affected communities, especially on women burdened with the daily responsibility of fetching water, have to cope with increase distances to fetch water from water sources further afield, and often in conflict with neighbouring communities. In some hard hit areas, communities have little option than to buy their water, there are some reports water vendor fees as high as 200 Afghanis for 300 litres of water (14.6 USD / m3). Hygiene and Sanitation The ON assessment findings found the general level of hygiene to be low in the majority of households surveyed, and that many households lack basic knowledge on issues of safe drinking water, hand washing and safe excreta disposal practices. Furthermore, according to the joint monitoring plan (JMP) (WHO/UNICEF) in 2008, rural coverage of improved sanitation was only 30%. The sanitation coverage is low, and latrines are not well located in upland rural communities resulting in contaminated water sources. Public health There are reported cases of widespread Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD), generally transmitted through faecal-oral contamination paths from contaminated food, drinking water, and poor hygiene. The poor environmental health conditions in many households are exacerbated through insufficient water quantity thus faecal-oral diseases are a serious public health risk to the target population. Needs The EFSA ON assessment highlighted substantial water and sanitation gaps that remain to be addressed in order to reduce the potential for further displacement of communities and to prevent the outbreak of water and sanitation related diseases. There is a need to provide longer-term Disaster Risk Reduction measures more sustainable WASH activities, such as rainwater conservation, protection of water sources, and the rehabilitation or construction of strategic water sources to meet long-term water supply needs and strengthen the community’s resilience to natural hazards.
Activities
HRVA and Gender Assessment: During the initial stages of the project a hazard and vulnerability assessment will be conducted in the 63 targeted communities to identify the main hazards and vulnerabilities. In addition a gender analysis will assess women’s, girls’, boys’ and men’s roles and responsibilities around livelihoods, water collection, sanitation and hygiene practices. The project activities will integrate these findings to ensure that the cross-cutting issues such as gender prospective is programmed in all WASH and livelihood activities. WASH / Disaster Risk Reduction: Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CB-DRR) will be at the core of the Livelihood and WASH response, integrating sustainable coping mechanisms to improve the resilience of vulnerable communities affected by persistent drought. Wide range of mitigation measures will be incorporated into existing water facilities to ensure adequate water quality and quantity in line with SPHERE standards. In addition under the cash for work activities the construction of community owned water systems harnessing technologies such as increased catchment and storage capacity, protection of water sources through increased sanitation coverage and artificial ground water recharge systems will be developed. To optimise use of the water supply and sanitation facilities public health promotion will be at the centre of the WASH response activities. The activities will include an initial public health assessment to analyse the problems, risks, priorities, and what essential activities are needed to improve public health conditions in communities as well as schools. There will be emphasis on community and gender participation with trainings of community hygiene promoters to scale up hygiene awareness campaigns. The use of IEC materials will promote key messages in hand washing, safe excreta disposal, drinking safe water and the use of rehydration (ORS). In consultation with men and women, the construction of culturally appropriate latrines will be provided for households and where necessary in schools, and will include hand-washing facilities. To optimize positive impacts for women and girls the program will encourage gender sensitive WASH facilities appropriate in terms of use, access and protection. Moreover, the Gender balance will be addressed where possible with equal assigned roles and responsibilities to both women and men throughout the program implementation. The program will establish mechanisms of exchange of routine information with the target population, through existing community structures elders and local association groups. Promotion of Water management structures Oxfam Novib and its partners in the targeted 63 communities will undertake a activities that would strengthen the rehabilitation of existing water supply facilities. These activities will help improve access to safe drinking water and excreta disposal. Strengthening capacities of Water Committees: To ensure the sustained functioning of the community water systems elected members of the communities’ equal men and woman will form water management committees trained in the operation and maintenance of WASH facilities. In addition the project will raise awareness on issues of Water Resources Management and conflict prevention measures with local actors and water committees groups, with the aim to encourage the preservation and harmonised sharing of water resources.
Outputs
Expected outcomes of the program: • 63 communities benefit from gender sensitive safe water supply schemes resilient to natural hazards. • 63 community-based gender balanced WASH committees established and trained in operations and maintenance of water and sanitation systems. • 63 communities have improved access to gender sensitive safe sanitation facilities. • 63 community based gender balanced health and hygiene promoters trained. • 63 community based water surveillance/testing established and water testing results are shared. • Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies developed and mainstreamed in 63 communities aimed at reducing vulnerabilities of the community in face of shocks from natural hazards.
RPM Activities and Indicators
OXFAM Netherlands (NOVIB) (OXFAM Netherlands (NOVIB))
Original BUDGET items$
Water supply schemes (rehab. & new)585,000
Latrine construction135,000
Hygiene promotion and kits117,000
Support Costs and Indirect Costs63,000
0
0
0
Total900,000


OXFAM Netherlands (NOVIB)(OXFAM Netherlands (NOVIB))
Current BUDGET items$
Water supply schemes (rehab. & new)585,000
Latrine construction135,000
Hygiene promotion and kits117,000
Support Costs and Indirect Costs63,000
0
0
0
Total900,000


ACTIVITY DETAILS
NO