Action by Churches Together (ACT) Appeal - Afghanistan Emergency Drought Relief ASAF-01 Appeal Target: US$ 1,146,723 Geneva, 17 May, 2000
Afghanistan, with a population of almost 21 million, has been suffering the ravages of a protracted war and inter-factional militant engagements these last several years. An inordinate number of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and droughts, in the recent past have further exacerbated the situation. Unquestionably, Afghanistan today is one of the poorest nations in the world with its totally destroyed infrastructure and lack of any security. The current drought is reported to be a part of the wider climatic phenomenon affecting countries in South Asia across to the Near East and the Greater Horn of Africa. In Afghanistan, it is reported to be the worst drought since 1971, severely affecting large numbers across southern and western parts of the country, while a moderate drought is affecting much of the rest of the country. Thousands of families have been evacuated and considerable numbers forced to leave their homes in search of water, food and fodder. Crops have withered and the mortality rate amongst livestock is estimated to be as high as 80%. ACT members Church World Service - Pakistan/Afghanistan (CWS P/A) and Norwegian Church Aid - Afghanistan have drawn up plans to address this emergency situation by providing food, fodder and water to the most needy and vulnerable sections of the population affected by the drought. Another ACT member, Christian Aid which works with local partners in western Afghanistan is working on a drought relief proposal, which on receipt will be distributed to all concerned. Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested NCA CWS P/A Total Total Appeal Targets (in US$) 640,161 506,562 1,146,723 Less: Pledges/Contr. Recd 263,956 0 263,956 Balance Requested from ACT Network 376,205 506,562 882,767 Implementation period and project completion dates are: CWS P/A May - September 30, 2000 NCA May - December 31, 2000 Ms. Genevieve Jacques Thor-Arne Prois Rev. Rudolf Hinz Director ACT Coordinator Director WCC/Cluster on Relations LWF/World Service REQUESTING ACT MEMBER Church World Service (CWS) - Pakistan/Afghanistan IMPLEMENTING AGENCY Registered as an international NGO with the Government of Pakistan, ACT member Church World Service - Pakistan/Afghanistan (CWS P/A) has been operational with its relief and development initiatives in Pakistan and Afghanistan, since 1954. It is the regional office of the Church World Service USA and the relief and development arm of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCCCUSA). CWS P/A has offices in Lahore, Karachi, Mansehra and Jalalabad. The head office of CWS P/A is based in Karachi, while the Disaster Response Office is based in Lahore. CWS P/A works through and with, both faith based and secular organizations, on pre and post disaster management and development aspects, for improvement of the quality of life of underprivileged communities. Over the past few decades, CWS P/A has sought to enhance access of the impoverished to basic amenities, such as potable water, food, shelter, education, etc. Efforts have been made to increase their participation in the development process for establishment of a democratic civic society and bridge the gap between policy makers and development implementers, such as local bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community based organizations (CBOs). The organization adheres to the belief that communities themselves must set the agenda for change. This approach encourages equal and even growth in communities. CWS P/A works in the areas of disaster response, capacity building and social development. CWS P/A had been working on disaster response and relief since the mid-eighties. Subsequent to extensive deliberations held with Emergency Response Office of the CWS in the United States in late 1997, CWS P/A organized, in collaboration with Action by Churches Together (ACT), a national level Disaster Management Training Workshop. This program was organized under the Capacity Building initiative of the organization and included CWS partners, who were already working in disaster response in Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as other interested and involved organizations. This training program, which was facilitated by a representative of the University of Wisconsin, actually set the tone for the CWS P/A to establish a network of the partners, namely Pak-Afghan Disaster Response Network. This network consists of 13 regional organizations, working in the relief and development sector. For some time after its inception, the Pak-Afghan Disaster Response Network, remained focused on sharing of information on training and disasters. This included publications, Disaster Response Office (DRO) Updates and News and DRO Alerts and Warnings. In 1998 and 1999 however, when double earthquakes, cyclones and floods took their toll in Afghanistan the network became tangibly active. Implementing Partners Among vital members of the network, Norwegian Project Office / Rural Rehabilitation Association for Afghanistan (NPO/RRAA) is one that has significant institutional capacity with its regional offices in the provinces of Laghaman, Logar, Hazarajat and Takhar in Afghanistan and in Peshawar in Pakistan. NPO/RRAA, has 200 staff members and over 1500 volunteers, working jointly in disaster response initiatives in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Hazarajat, central Afghanistan, is focal point for the NPO in its relief and development work. DESCRIPTION of the EMERGENCY SITUATION Afghanistan, with its population of around 21 million people stretches over 652,225-sq. km. and shares its borders with China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. It is unarguably one of the most impoverished countries in the world. Even before the nineties, the country in general was barely on subsistence level, with only 10 % of its land being cultivable and that being the source of livelihood for 80% of the population. As a consequence of the protracted war and inter-factional militant engagements, the country has lost the few subsistence sources that it had. During the last decade agricultural production has fallen by 70%, infrastructure has been destroyed and floods, earthquakes and droughts have taken their toll. Currently, Afghanistan is teetering at the edge of an abyss. The current drought, which started in 1999, has drastically undermined any remaining food security in the country. During the winter period of 99/00 there was 50 - 60% less snow than average (snow being the sole source of water in the area) and consequently, with such a major decline in the natural water resource, cash crops, especially wheat have been a total failure. This has also resulted in a lack of fodder for animals with livestock numbers declining rapidly. Impact on Human Life and Damages The provinces of Laghaman, Logar, Hazarajat and Takhar are among the worst affected areas. These areas are inhabited mainly by poor, subsistence farmers and Kochis (nomads who live by trading animals) who even in normal times live from hand to mouth. Nearly 80 % of the animals have either died, been sold or slaughtered as there has been no other viable alternative. Exacerbating the already dire situation is the fact that farmers have also had to pay back for the wheat-seed they borrowed for 1999 and 2000. The consequences of the lack of food and water are already manifesting themselves in the form of rising child mortality rates and malnutrition especially among children, women and the elderly. Many people are leaving the areas in desperation. GOAL & OBJECTIVES The project aims to provide emergency relief to some of the most vulnerable families to tide them over a period of three months enabling them to plan and take measures for the future. Specifically the project will: Provide food packages to 4,000 of the most vulnerable families in the Afghan provinces of Laghaman, Logar, Hazarajat and Takhar and prevent already rising cases of malnutrition and disease. BENEFICIARY INFORMATION & TARGETED AREAS ACT member, CWS P/A proposes assisting 4,000 of the most vulnerable families in the provinces of Laghaman, Logar, Hazarajat and Takhar by providing them food for a period of three months. This will help in the prevention of malnutrition, disease and untimely death and also encourage them to remain where they are instead of migrating to other areas. The criteria for beneficiary selection is based on economic indicators of impoverishment and vulnerability. After an assessment, 4,000 families who have totally lost their means of livelihood and are unable to cope were identified as fitting these criteria. Location Number of Families Total Persons Laghaman 1,000 8,000 Logar 1,000 8,000 Hazarajat 1,000 8,000 Takhar 1,000 8,000 Total 4,000 32,000 Family Composition: Average size of the families is 8, with an average of 6 children in each household. Children number around 24,000 while adults number 8,000. Nearly 80 % of these families are headed by men. DESCRIPTION of TARGETED ASSISTANCE The proposed appeal seeks to provide 4,000 of the most vulnerable families with food packages. Each three-month food package for a family of 8 members includes: 150 kg wheat, 11 liters cooking oil, 20 kg rice, 6 kg beans, 6 kg sugar and 2 kg tea. The project will be implemented through NPO/RRAA regional offices, already working in the target areas. However, NPO requires a further 15 full-time paid workers in the regional offices to help carry out the project along with the 1,200 volunteer workers that the organization already has in the target areas, NPO/RRA is working closely with UN support agencies which are working on health, sanitation and water. Thus, filling in the gap, NPO seeks not only to provide food to the vulnerable families for three months, but also to provide them a "breathing space" thus enabling them to gather their energies and strategize for food security; through agriculture and enhancement of their productivity and livestock. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION & MANAGEMENT Administration CWS P/A partner has established offices in Laghaman, Logar, Hazarajat and Takhar to carry out the relief operation. In association with the implementing partner, the Disaster Response Office (DRO) team of CWS P/A will be responsible for monitoring, reviewing and reporting of the program. Specialized forms prepared by CWS-P/A will be used for such exercises. This team comprises of 4 staff members, headed by the Coordinator for the Disaster Response Program. In liaison with the implementing partner, DRO team will ensure that the program moves forward according to its plan and schedule. Procurement CWS P/A and NPO have requested quotations from different dealers for the commodities. A number of factors, including price, quality, efficiency of delivery, policies and procedures (if applicable), political and cultural sensitivity and reputation of the suppliers, will be taken into account. Finance The Administration and Finance divisions of the CWS P/A, Karachi the head office, will make sure that financial and management aspects are dealt authoritatively, according to the established budgetary guidelines and procedures. All payments will need the approval of the Director and regular financial updates will be produced. At the end of the project, the finance officer will collect the supporting documents from the partner and carry out the internal audit. External audit will be carried out on completion of the project. Reports will be submitted to ACT Geneva as per schedule and in prescribed forms. COORDINATION CWS P/A will operate through its Disaster Response Network partner, the Norwegian Project Office (NPO), which is working in the target areas. However, CWS P/A will be overall responsible for the project implementation and management. CWS P/A will be in liaison with other organizations, which are working on health, water, sanitation, shelter etc. in the vulnerable area. Coordination will also take place with other ACT members NCA and Christian Aid as appropriate. BUDGET ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE ACT-CWS-P/A Description Type of No of Unit Cost Budget Budget Unit Units PKR PKR US$ Liason assessment Lump sum 51,000 983 Direct Assistance Wheat Kg 600,000 25.5 15,300,000 294,940 Cooking oil liter 44,000 76.5 3,366,000 64,887 Rice Kg 80,000 30.6 2,448,000 47,190 Beans Kg 24,000 30.6 734,400 14,157 Sugar Kg 24,000 25.5 612,000 11,798 Tea Kg 8,000 178.5 1,428,000 27,528 Empty Bags pieces 4,000 20.4 81,600 1,573 Sub total 23,970,000 462,072 Transport Regional/In-country lump sum 459,000 8,848 Storage Rent of Stores/Godowns stores 4 7,650.0 30,600 590 Handling Labour Persons 500 102.0 51,000 983 Sub total 540,600 10,421 Description Type of No of Unit Cost Budget Budget Unit Units PKR PKR US$ Communication Equipment Sattellite Phone unit 1 153,000 2,949 Salaries and Benefits Supervisor nos 2 0 Field Officer nos 4 0 Logistic Officer nos 4 0 Driver nos 6 0 535,500 10,323 Travel Regional/Local Travel lump sum 204,000 3,933 Vehicles Operations Fuel and Maintenance of km 9,000 11.3 102,000 1,966 Communication Cost Telephone/E-mail lump sum 102,000 1,966 Other Administration/Support 25,500 492 Sub total 969,000 18,680 Audit of ACT Funds lump sum 102,000 1,966 Documentation lump sum 76,500 1,475 Sub total 178,500 3,441 ACT Communications lump sum 155,625 3,000 EMT Appeal 1% of expenditure 260,177 5,015 TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE & APPEAL TARGET 26,277,902 506,562 Exchange Rate: US$ 1 = PKR 51. 875 REQUESTING ACT MEMBER INFORMATION Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) - Afghanistan Program IMPLEMENTING ACT MEMBER AND PARTNER INFORMATION ACT member Norwegian Church Aid has been working in Afghanistan since 1979 with main focus on reconstruction and recovery work with Afghan communities through Afghan national NGO partners in around 17 provinces of Afghanistan. However, responding to emergency situations caused by man-made and natural disasters has been part of the portfolio and of utmost priority. Recent examples are the responses made to alleviate the human suffering of those Afghan communities affected by the 1998 and 1999 earthquakes in Rostaq (Takhar), Wardak and Logar provinces of Afghanistan. These interventions were made in collaboration with Church World Service (CWS) and a number of Afghan NGO partners, drawing in part on ACT generated resources. In addition, NCA has also participated in a common program of the assistance community for Afghanistan (including UN agencies, ICRC and NGOs) to alleviate the suffering of the IDP population forced to leave their devastated homes and livelihood in Shomali as a result of renewed fighting between Taliban and the Northern Alliance in 1999. NCA is still supporting a number of programs that aim to provide work opportunities for IDP men and women in Kabul and education for their children, both boys and girls. NCA is not only specializing in large-scale emergency operations but also in responding to the protracted emergency-type situations, especially in central highlands and Kabul, where the vulnerability of the population is exacerbated by the chronic socio-economic and political conditions. NCA has acquired a great deal of experience from its earlier work with refugees, IDPs and disaster affected populations. The main assets are NCA's experienced staff members, efficient NGO partners, broad institutional relations with the NGO community (including ecumenical partner organisations), UN and ICRC in addition to the organisational infrastructure inside Afghanistan. In terms of emergency response, NCA's role is non-operational. But NCA endeavors to mobilise its NGO partners for effective disaster preparedness and response, provide programming advice to NGO partners, carry out advocacy missions and to provide financial resources and capacity building services for our partners. The Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Response and the Minimum Standards in Disaster Response of the Sphere Project informs NCA's disaster response work. Description of ACT Member's Implementing Partners Two of NCA's main Afghan partners, Afghan Development Association (ADA) and Co-ordination of Afghan Relief (CoAR), will be carrying out the proposed operations. NCA has been in long-term partnership with both organisations since early 1990s. Afghan Development Association (ADA) is one of the largest Afghan NGOs with high standards of accountability and performance. The main area of its work is food security, rural infrastructure (road, irrigation, water supply, etc.), environment and community development, with a geographic concentration on provinces of Kandahar, Farah, Herat, Uruzgan, Zabul, Wardak and Logar. ADA has a large operational infrastructure in these provinces. ADA has also built on its experience from emergency response work. The last example of their engagement in this work was a relief programme to assist flood-affected population in Kandahar in 1998. As a development agency, ADA, however, engages with emergency response work only in its programme area and in situations where their engagement is of much necessity. NCA's financial support to ADA's programmes in 1999 amounted to US$379,000, but ADA has also got funding from EU and other bi-lateral donors. Co-ordination of Afghan Relief (CoAR) is among the larger Afghan NGOs with a multi-thematic portfolio mainly in areas of community development, food security, health and veterinary services. Their main geographical concentration is in Wardak, Logar and Ghazni provinces with an organisational infrastructure established in these areas. It started as a relief oriented organisation but has moved increasingly into development and reconstruction work. Recent years have marked a significant professional growth of the organisation with high standards of accountability, efficiency and effectiveness. CoAR has wide experience in emergency response as well as community development work, food security and health services. In responding to the needs of the 1999 earthquake affected people in Wardak and Logar, CoAR played a very important role that was acknowledged throughout the aid community. In post-disaster reconstruction work, CoAR implemented one of the most successful programs of home reconstruction in Logar together with MEDAIR, an international NGO. In 1999, despite its financial constraints, NCA contributed around US$100,000 towards CoAR's development and post-disaster reconstruction programs. Both organisations have a very strong relationship with the communities in their respective program areas and NCA has committed itself to long-term partnership with these organisations to promote sustainable recovery and development processes in Afghanistan and mitigate human suffering of those victimised by disasters. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMERGENCY SITUATION Background 1999-2000 is the second drought year in Afghanistan and is much worse than 1998-1999. With the unprecedented low precipitation over 1999-2000 winter in Afghanistan, the effects of the drought have now begun to take a heavy toll on Afghan communities, their livestock and livelihood. Current Situation The situation is characterized by a very severe drought (Crisis Phase) over the past thirty years in Afghanistan. The unprecedented drought, considered to be the worst since 1971, has continued to affect southern and western parts of Afghanistan with an estimated population between 3 to 4 million. The worst affected provinces, according to the field reports, seem to be Kandahar, Zabul, Nimroz, Helmand and Uruzgan. However, reports from our partner organisations indicate that Wardak, Ghazni, Logar and Hazarajat have also been affected by a comparatively moderate drought. Various assessments of the situation have reported that unsatisfactory rainfall in 1998 and 1999 followed by unusually dry weather with far below average precipitation in recent months are root causes of the widespread aridity in the region Afghanistan - Drought OCHA Situation Report No. 2 dated 4 May 2000 1. The drought has generally resulted in unprecedented reduction of water flow in rivers (e.g. the River Helmand, Arghestan and Arghandab), drying up of Karezes 2. Karez is an underground passage of water, originating from melting snow in highlands, used widely for irrigation and domestic water supply, wells and springs and dropping of water table. The little or no rainfall has resulted in failure of rain-fed crops and decreased fodder for livestock. In rural areas, the farmers and Kochis (nomads) "have lost almost all their rain-fed wheat crops and up to 80 percent of their livestock due to the lack of precipitation." WFP report dated 2 May 2000 (WFP helps victims of a severe drought in Afghanistan) 3. As a result there will be no harvest this year in many of the villages in these provinces and the next harvest is going to be in summer 2001. The affected population in rural areas are in need of food and some assistance to search for alternative water sources. It is predicted that Kandahar city will face a water crisis if the drought persists. According to incoming reports (UNCHS Habitat), shallow wells are now drying up and the available water is hardly fit for human consumption. There is a fear that the harsh conditions in these areas (both rural and urban) might lead to major population movements both within the country, largely towards urban areas like Kandahar and Kabul and beyond the borders of the country, especially to Pakistan which has itself been hit in some parts by the drought. Impact on Human Lives in the Target Districts This section and the ones below will describe the situation in nine districts of six provinces that are the target area for emergency response by NCA and its partners: District Province District Population (estimated) Affected pop (estimated) 1 Dand Kandahar 55,000 60% 2 Arghistan Kandahar 24,000 50% 3 Qalat Zabul 30,000 70% 4 Shahjoy Zabul 43,000 60% 5 Centre Farah 75,300 50% 6 Balablok Farah 32,500 50% 7 Sayedabad Wardak 42,000 70% 8 Moqur Ghazni 25,300 80% 9 Baraki Logar 44,186 60% Total pop 371,286 Average 65% (Data source: ADA & CoAR) The effects of the drought will be further known by the end of June, which is the harvest time. The estimate of the affected population is therefore very rough. No human loss has yet been reported. Population movement in these provinces, recorded to date reveals the following: With assistance from the authorities, an estimated 250,000 livestock have been trucked out. About 4,000 to 5,000 families were taken to Herat and Badghis, another 2,000 to Ghazni (Nawar, etc.) and about 800 families to Uruzgan. A further 500 - 600 families were taken to the north of Gamser district of Helmand A UN-NGO joint mission report of 8 May 2000 4. Some 100 families are also reported to have left their villages in Baraki, Logar and sought refuge in Charkh Logar (reported by an NCA partner). Altogether, displacement of around 8,700 families (roughly 60,000 men, women and children) from their homes in the above areas has been so far recorded. However, there is a fear that if the situation deteriorates in terms of water availability, the population movement will continue, and perhaps on a large-scale. Water/irrigation situation The effects of the drought on water sources in the target areas: Districts Karezes Canals Wells Nos % decrease Nos % decrease Nos % decrease Dand 14 30 28 25 35 15 Arghistan 60 30 25 25 15 15 Qalat 106 30 24 25 30 15 Shahjoy 108 30 10 25 35 15 Centre 65 30 27 25 30 15 Balablok 17 30 20 25 30 15 Sayedabad 300 30 - - - - Moqur 380 40 - - - - Baraki 200 70 - - - - Total 1250 Average 50% 134 Average 25% 175 Average 15% Source: ADA & CoAR From the statistics above one can estimate that the population is now facing around 30% reduction in the potable and irrigation water availability because of (a) reduction of water discharge from karezes, canals and rivers (b) drying up of karezes and (c) 2-3 metre drop of water-table of wells. Unfortunately however, this reduction is not evenly distributed, evident from the fact that some pockets of the populations in these districts have entirely lost their water sources. For example, 30 karezes in Sayedabad, 40 in Moqur and 70 in Baraki have dried up leaving around 70 villages with a population of 3,500 families with extreme shortage of water. The effects of the drought creep and there is a fear that many more sources will dry up. Food Situation The table below suggests an initial finding from the various preliminary surveys carried out by NCA's partner organisations in the target districts: Wheat crop Rain-fed Irrigated Districts # Jeribs5 A Jerib (traditional unit of space measurement) is equal to 2,000 square metres 5 % of crop loss # Jeribs % crop loss Dand 17,765 100 33,478 35 Arghistan 20,000 100 25,000 20 Qalat 18,105 100 18,254 35 Shahjoy 27,173 100 28,490 30 Centre 28,000 100 35,000 20 Balablok 20,000 100 15,000 30 Sayedabad 3,000 90 1,500 20 Moqur 20,000 100 6,000 40 Baraki - - 6,500 90 Total 154,043 Average 95% 169,222 Average 55% (Source: ADA & CoAR) The worst effects of the drought can be seen in the loss of rain-fed cultivation. In the 9 districts, it appears that the average loss of the rain-fed wheat is 95%. The little or no rainfall has imposed upon the population extreme forms of food insecurity as the next harvest will be not before 2001. With the drying up and reduction of the water discharge from the canals and Karezes, an average 55% loss can be seen in irrigated wheat cultivation in the 9 districts. However, the entire effect of the drought on the irrigated cultivation will be known in late June and early July when the farmers harvest what they are left with. "In Abo Kala village, Zabul province, people resort to eating the boiled roots of Alfalfa (an animal fodder)" (WFP report of 2 May 2000). In the 9 districts, the affected population has also suffered from the loss of animals and is now faced with the critical problem of how to feed their remaining animals. The low precipitation resulted in the severe reduction of pasture and grazing land. The percentage of loss differs tremendously. The worst affected are Kochis (nomads) who have lost 50 to 100% of their livestock. However, the loss of livestock with the sedentary farming communities is comparatively less, ranging between 10 to 20%. There are also reports of malnutrition and spread of diseases among the livestock. The latter is among other things, especially because of animal carcasses that have not been removed or buried. Health Situation There has not been any report of epidemics breaking out in the 9 districts yet. However, an increase in morbidity rate among children has been reported in all districts as a result of water-borne diseases. There are health facilities in all districts and in Sayedabad & Moqur districts, CoAR has been running a number of health clinics and health education programmes with resources from NCA. The situation is under surveillance. A major cause of concern however remains the unavailability of safe drinking water and food in some areas. Impressions from an NCA HQ Delegation from a visit to the area The NCA HQ delegation, consisting of the Deputy Director of NCA International Division and the Senior Program Officer for Asia and Europe, visited two of the focus provinces and districts (Wardak and Logar) between 6-9 May 2000. In describing the situation of the drought-affected areas, Mr Evjen pointed to the four things they had seen in Logar and Wardak. The karezes that have dried up and the desperate population in search for water. In Sayedabad, they came across a man who was digging a well as deep as 15 metres and yet no sign of water. When the man came up out of the well, the first thing, he talked about was whether the delegation would accept his offer for a cup of tea at his home. The delegation saw, in some places in Sayedabad, animals grazing in failed rain-fed and irrigated wheat fields. They also saw caravans of Kochies on the move from the areas. A Kochi man said to them that of the 1,500 sheep he had, his family was now left with only 200. The above account is typical of a much larger population that is now at risk. Unless there is a timely and effective response from the international assistance community, the affected population will find it extremely hard, if not impossible, to cope with the situation. Locations for Proposed Response While there is a large population, estimated to be 3 to 4 million, in severely and moderately affected provinces, NCA's partners will concentrate through the proposed program only on the nine districts of the two categories. The rationale is that these districts are most badly affected and the partners have field capacity already on the ground to respond. It would not be feasible at this stage for our partners to go beyond these areas, though the needs are equally dire in other districts. An additional criterion to choose these districts is the fact that nobody as yet has practically responded to the needs of the affected people in the districts. The target response areas include nine districts in six provinces: Dand, Arghistan (Kandahar), Qalat & Shahjoy (Zabul), Centre of Farah & Balablok (Farah), Sayedabad (Wardak), Moqur (Ghazni), Baraki (Logar). In most of these districts, ADA (Kandahar, Zabul & Farah) and CoAR (Ghazni, Logar & Wardak) have field offices with experienced staff who know the communities well. They have already been carrying out a number of agriculture, horticulture and health programmes in the areas. Also, ADA and CoAR have an operational infrastructure there with adequate communication and transportation systems. Among the key aid organisations working in these areas are Swedish Committee, DACAAR, MCI, OXFAM, World Food Program, UNOPS, UNICEF, Food and Agriculture Organisation , International Committee of the Red Cross and others. Incoming reports suggests that WFP has begun its food assistance to the most vulnerable sections of the population in Kandahar and Zabul. However, the nine districts have not yet received any assistance. Many of the agencies are still in the process of surveying their program areas. Except for Kandahar, there is not as yet any field level co-ordination mechanism established in the target districts to bring together operating agencies for joint assessment and programing. NCA and its partners will therefore assign high importance to setting up of such bodies in the field as soon as possible. Disaster and Emergency Statistics As yet, there is not any statistical information on the affected areas sent out by the authorities. On the other hand, the information so far received from UN and other NGOs does not cover the nine districts NCA plans to focus on. It is therefore not possible at the moment to provide comparative statistical information. Current Security Situation The Taliban control the areas under focus for this program and there does not seem to be any particular security concern there. The partners have not had previously any security problem in the areas, either. Access is not restricted to any part of the population. The authorities have been sympathetic and co-operative in the wake of the disaster. GOAL & OBJECTIVES The overall goal of the proposed response is to enable the most vulnerable among the disaster affected population in the nine districts to cope with the effects of the drought. In doing so, NCA aims to save lives and livelihood and reduce human suffering among the target population. Specific objectives: Objective One: by the end of July 2000, 1,200 families of the most vulnerable will have received 100 kg of wheat and 16 kg of cooking oil each as an immediate relief in districts of Dand, Arghistan Qalat, Shahjoy, Farah Centre and Balablok. Objective Two: by the end of December 2000, 1,050 of most vulnerable families will have been assisted to have adequate irrigation water for 4,250 Jeribs (850 hectares) of their farming land through construction of 160 lift-irrigation systems in the districts of Dand, Arghistan, Qalat, Shahjoy, Farah Centre and Balablok. Objective Three: by the end of December 2000, 5,400 families of the most vulnerable will have been assisted to have access to adequate drinking and irrigation water for an estimated 3,000 Jeribs (600 hectares) of their farming land in districts of Sayedabad, Moqur and Baraki. Objective Four: by the end of December 2000, 10,350 families of the vulnerable will have been assisted to feed their livestock (31,050) with mineral blocks (90,000) on 50% subsidy basis in districts of Sayedabad, Moqur and Baraki. TARGETED BENEFICIARIES Number and Type of Targeted Beneficiaries Beneficiaries Type Families Men Women Children Individuals Total Rural 18,000 20,200 20,750 85,050 126,000 The actual number of beneficiaries might be slightly less than 18,000 families in total. In the calculation above, some families may have been counted twice. For example, some may benefit from both water supply and relief or water supply and livestock feeding activities. This is almost unavoidable since the most vulnerable will qualify for both types of assistance. Criteria for Beneficiary Selection An important definition: drought-affected families are those, inter alia, who have: suffered from the loss of crops and livestock or are in the process of losing these lost their drinking water source or the source is severely reduced. lost their irrigation water source or the source is severely reduced. left their home areas because of one or combination of the factors above. Food aid: Drought-affected women headed families Drought-affected families with a disabled male head Drought affected families with malnourished children and malnourished expecting mothers (malnutrition to be measured based on UNICEF and WHO criteria) Drought-affected families who have lost all of their crops Drought-affected IDP families Lift-irrigation system: Drought-affected villages and families with no irrigation water for their cultivated farming land, i.e. families whose water sources have dried up as a result of the drought Drought-affected villages and families with inadequate irrigation water for their cultivated farming land, i.e. families whose water sources have been severely reduced because of the drought If one or combination of the above is present, then the lift-irrigation construction work must be technically feasible in the area and the beneficiaries should make a contribution of 40% towards the equipment, material and labour cost Water supply: Drought-affected villages and families with no or inadequate safe drinking water sources, i.e. those whose water sources (Karezes and wells) have either dried up or severely reduced as a result of the drought. Drought-affected villages and families with no or inadequate irrigation water for their cultivated farming land, i.e. families whose water sources (Karezes and wells) have either dried up or been severely reduced because of the drought If one or combination of the above is present, then the beneficiaries should make a contribution of 40% towards the labour cost required for clearing and construction of their Karezes or wells. Livestock feeding: Drought-affected families who have lost part of their livestock Drought-affected families who can not feed their livestock because of the loss of pasture in the grazing land and the failure of the irrigated farming. Drought-affected families with malnourished and sick animals If one or combination of the above is applicable, the drought-affected families should pay 50% of the actual cost of the mineral blocks. Based on the criteria listed above for the four objectives, the selection process will be carried out by local institutions, valued and used by the target communities (e.g. Jirgas, Shuras, elders, women groups, etc.). ADA and CoAR will have an advisory role and assist the local institutions in application of the criteria. The criteria will not be revisable unless there are very compelling reasons only in exceptional cases where the purpose is to reach the most vulnerable and the revision is acceptable to all parties involved. Number of Targeted Beneficiaries according to Proposed Assistance The table below presents statistical information on beneficiaries for each activity. In the absence of accurate information, NCA has used the widely accepted average of 7 for a typical Afghan family (1 man, 1 woman and 5 children). Objective One: relief Districts Relief Irrigation W. Supply Livestock owning Families Families Families Families Dand 200 180 0 0 Arghistan 200 120 0 0 Qalat 200 210 0 0 Shahjoy 200 180 0 0 Centre 200 180 0 0 Balablok 200 180 0 0 Sayedabad 0 0 1,800 3,450 Moqur 0 0 1,800 3,450 Baraki 0 0 1,800 3,450 Total 1,200 1,050 5,400 10,350 The estimated number of livestock to be fed in Sayedabad, Moqur and Baraki is 31,050 (10,350 for each district). PROPOSED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE & IMPLEMENTATION Relief distribution Wheat (100 kg per family; total 120,000 kg) and cooking oil (16 kg per family; total 19,200 kg) will be distributed to 1,200 families. The food is expected to be contributed by WFP and the cost of operation and transportation will be covered from ACT Appeal funds. Lift-irrigation 160 lift-irrigation wells will be constructed for 1,050 families. This involves construction work (equipment, material and labour) and installation of a pump system for each lift-irrigation well. 60% of the direct cost of wells will be borne by NCA-partners and 40% by the beneficiaries. Water supply 90 karezes and wells will be repaired, cleared and reconstructed for 5,400 families. NCA partners' assistance will include cash-for-work for the labour. Of the total 54,600 work-days of skilled and unskilled labour required for this work, NCA and partners will pay for 60% and the local community will cover 40% of the cost. NCA-partners will also cover the cost of some equipment such as shovels, rope, buckets, etc. Livestock Assistance will be given in the form of animal feed (mineral blocks) to 31,050 animals owned by 10,350 families. In the first round, some 60,000 blocks of the feed will be provided to the intended beneficiaries at 50% subsidy of the actual price. The payment by the beneficiaries will be utilised for new procurement of the feed, i.e. 30,000 blocks, half of the initial supply. The second supply will also be provided for new beneficiaries with a 50% subsidy. Implementation Description Per Activity Relief Distribution With operational cost from ACT, NCA's local partners will be able to access food aid (139,200 kg) from WFP for distribution to 1,200 families, among the worst affected, in six districts. The six districts are on high priority list of WFP for food distribution. WFP has agreed in principle to the plan for food aid. The food will be transported from WFP warehouse in Kandahar in 14 lorries, to be rented, and distributed to the target groups based on strict application of the criteria. Transportation, field stockpiling and distribution will be carried out on the basis of a proper plan over a two-month period (June-July). 3 supervisors, 3 logisticians and 6 store keepers (altogether 12 staff members of ADA) will carry out the procurement, transportation and distribution work in close collaboration with the local community institutions. This work will be part of a larger plan of food aid programme by the assistance community in the region and ADA will closely co-ordinate the work with other actors on the ground. NCA will however make sure that this work is co-ordinated at macro level of food aid distribution by the assistance community. While ADA will apply a strict internal supervision to the work, NCA and WFP will provide external monitoring on the progress and implementation process. ADA already has field offices in the area with a reasonably good organisational infrastructure to ensure effective implementation of the work. Lift-Irrigation In view of the deteriorating situation in terms of water availability, the lift-irrigation system is assessed to be the only solution, in the target areas, that is technically feasible and viable in long-term. The need for lift-irrigation system was felt long before the war and the Agricultural Bank of the Afghan State offered some assistance to people in these areas to construct such systems. However, the need for this arises now critically, as many of the agrarian families in the six districts have been left with either very little or no water for their farming as a result of the drought. This has now reached an alarming situation and may lead to further loss of crops resulting in loss of livelihood and subsequently in displacement of the population. The lift-irrigation systems will provide adequate water for irrigation and some domestic use. 1,050 families and ADA will work together to (re)construct 160 lift-irrigation well systems and the communities will contribute 40% of the total budget of the project, US$271,360. Thirty-one staff members of ADA will manage and implement the program over a period of seven months starting in June 2000. The project is rather capital intensive as the construction and installation of pump systems take a high proportion of the resources. Only the water pumps will be procured from Pakistan and the rest of the material and equipment locally. Of the total labour cost US$ 48,320 of the project, NCA will pay cash-for-work for its share, which is 29% of the total and the rest will be covered by the communities themselves. NCA is also considering a food-for-work approach to cover its share. If NCA receives a positive response from WFP in the near future to provide the food input, the budget will be modified accordingly in consultation with ACT Geneva. ADA has a fleet of vehicles, already in the field, which will be used in this project. Internal systems of ADA and NCA will provide monitoring on regular basis to the work and an evaluation is also planned to offer further insights into the technical and socio-economic aspects of the proposed work. For the evaluation work, there is a plan to draw on the expertise of NCA (Oslo) water supply specialists during the implementation process. Water Supply 15 Staff members of CoAR, from management and program/technical side, will carry out this program over a period of seven months, starting in June 2000. In the three drought-affected districts, 90 Karezes and wells will be repaired, cleared and reconstructed through joint work of CoAR and the representative of the 5,400 families, who will benefit from the project. These Karezes and wells will provide potable as well as irrigation water for the intended families. The project is highly labour intensive and the ratio of contribution to the budget for this is 60%-40% by NCA and the local communities respectively. Similar to the above, NCA will continue to explore the possibility of food input instead of cash to pay for the labour cost. In the event of a positive response from WFP on this, there will be a revision of the budget in close consultation with ACT Geneva. The cash input though has the advantage that the communities will not need to sell the food to meet their other needs to cope with the drought effects. The small amount of equipment that is required for the work will be locally procured. In addition to its available vehicles in the field, CoAR will also need to hire some transport for implementation of the project. The internal systems of program and financial monitoring of CoAR and NCA will cover the entire process of project implementation. In addition, the proposed evaluation will also study the technical and socio-economic immediate and long-term impact of the project. Livestock 12 program, technical and support staff members of CoAR will execute the project within 7 months starting in June 2000. In the first round, 60,000 blocks of feed for animals will be procured from Pakistan and transported to the target areas. The animal owners will pay 50% of the cost and the income generated will be again spent on procurement of some 30,000 blocks to be distributed, on 50% subsidy basis, to new beneficiaries. In consultation with the back donor, NCA and CoAR will propose how to best utilise the income from the second round after an assessment of the situation. This work is to be carried out in close consultation with the local institutions of the communities involved. CoAR has four veterinary clinics operational in the target areas and these clinics will be used as the main infrastructure for implementation of the project in addition to the mobile units of veterinarians that operate in remote villages. CoAR will draw on its own vehicles in the field and their Rural Development Centres (RDCs) in the three districts will play a central role in implementation of this and the above activities. The distribution will focus on villages, which have endured heavy losses of animals as a result of drought, which has led to failure of crops and drying up of grazing land. NCA and CoAR will employ their internal financial and programme monitoring systems to cover the entire process of project implementation. The proposed evaluation will also look at the impact of this work. Transition from Emergency Two of the projects, lift-irrigation and water supply, are in fact addressing the issues that should have been already worked on through ordinary rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes. This would have reduced the vulnerability of the population in terms of water availability. It seems quite feasible in technical terms that the two projects, despite the drought effects, will help the target communities increase their access to water for human consumption and irrigation. NCA plans to do these out of necessity, as the proposed lift-irrigation and Karez systems will have immediate impact on the current emergency situation in terms of water crisis and provide a long-term solution to the problem. The communities and the assisting agencies can effectively build on these in their future recovery and development initiatives. The proposed measures in connection with the two projects will help other communities to learn from the work and take self-help initiatives. After the completion of this project, the plan is to continue to work with the local communities to build on the achievements through the general rehabilitation and development frames for assistance. However, the food aid and provision of feed for animals are a one-off measure in order to save human lives and livelihood. While those families who are in need for immediate food aid will need to search for long-term solutions together with assisting agencies including NCA and its partners, the proposed relief will provide immediate help in terms of saving lives until the communities get their act together. The subsidised animal feed distribution will not go on beyond the scope of this project. What NCA and its partners can commit to at this point is to continue to work with the affected population through the existing development programs in the area to strengthen preparedness capacities. For instance, exploring possibilities of developing a community enterprise to produce animal feed in the area on commercial basis. This will however be linked up to the mainstream development work in the area. Through bilateral co-operations with donors and NGO partners, NCA will continue to invest its generated resources, non-ACT, into long-term community development programs informed on and responding to the needs of the drought affected populations. PROJECT ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE, MONITORING & REPORTING Project Administration and Monitoring The Director, NCA Afghanistan Program, will assume the overall responsibility for the management of the program to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability in all aspects. He will be assisted by a Deputy and the Program and Finance Departments of NCA with experienced staff. The Program Department will be effectively working with the partners, CoAR and ADA, offering programming advice and monitoring. The Program Department will also help in organising an evaluation to study the relevance, effectiveness and impact of the four proposed activities. Coordination with the wider assistance community, including UN, NGOs and ICRC, and contact with the authorities to the extent of concern to NCA and the proposed work, will be handled by NCA leadership and the Program Department. The Program Department will remain in contact with the affected population to ensure that the needs and views of the people informs NCA's broad and specific planning in addition to the indirect communication systems with the people through the partner organisations. The Finance Department will carry out the financial transactions based on universal and ACT-NCA specific policies and procedures to ensure efficient, transparent and accountable practice. This department will also carry out financial monitoring and internal audits in relation to the partners both at HQ and field level. The two departments will work closely with each other and with the partners in the strategic management of the program. Narrative and financial reporting will also be provided by the two departments for both internal and external use based on the requirements of ACT and back donors as well as NCA's own systems. The Directors of ADA and of CoAR, will assume the overall responsibility for the execution of the program. In doing so, they will be assisted by their HQ departments of planning, finance, human resource development and monitoring and evaluation as well as the field offices in Kandahar, Zabul and Farah (ADA) and in Ghazni, Wardak and Logar (CoAR). Within the organisational set-up of ADA and CoAR, the program and finance, monitoring and evaluation sections will be closely working together with the field staff in a well coordinated manner in implementation of the project. The partners have the prime responsibility of developing detailed plans and their implementation in relation to the project. The work with the communities will be carried out by the partners field offices. The finance department of the partners will conduct transparent, efficient and accountable financial transactions according to this plan and the established standards and policies. Internal financial and program monitoring at all levels of the program management is carried out by the designated finance and program departments of the partner organisations which cover the whole system from the HQ down to the field office level. Based on existing policies and additional donor requirements, the partners will produce timely and adequate reports on program and financial work related to the design, implementation and closing of the program. The partners will also work closely with NCA in evaluation of the program with assistance from a combination of internal and external teams of experts. Project Finance Management and Controls NCA, ADA and CoAR have their own Finance Departments charged with conducting financial transactions in an efficient, controllable, transparent and accountable manner. Within all these three organisations, there are internal auditing systems that will cover the program as part of their routine work within the organisations. NCA will also carry out auditing of the partner organisations as part of the routines. In addition, all the three organisations are audited, once or twice a year, by independent audit companies with good track record. This program will be naturally covered by both internal and external audit systems. The reports from these will be both shared with NCA and the partners and with ACT as well as other donors. The finance disbursement will take place based on the agreements with the donors and between NCA and the partners in line with the established policies and procedures. IMPLEMENTATION TIMETABLE Timeline for major activities June-December 2000 Activity June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 Relief 2 Lift-Irrigation 3 Water Supply 4 Livestock Feeding 5 Partner internal & NCA monitoring 6 Independent Audit 7 Evaluation COORDINATION Co-ordination at field level: The assistance actors, UN, NGOs and ICRC, need to establish effective area-based co-ordination mechanisms for joint assessment and response at a level lower than regional and provincial. The rational is that these regions are so wide geographically and actors with a sharper geographical focus so few, that it becomes increasingly difficult to coordinate beyond information sharing. However, the situation is changing and some joint missions for assessment have been sent out and the actors have begun to talk about coordinated responses. NCA and the partners have been pushing for establishment of area-based flexible mechanisms to co-ordinate assessment and response. NCA's partners are, therefore, trying to share their assessment findings and the proposed response with the few organisations that are present in the districts. NCA will however aim at coordinating the program to the extent possible, with those actors who are or will be working in the focus areas. In addition, the partners are in dialogue with the local authorities who are at the moment sympathetic. There is an exceptionally high level of willingness on their part to assist NCA partners in carrying out the assistance work and all sorts of assurances have been received from their side. Co-ordination at national/strategic level: NCA has taken responsibility for this on behalf of the partners. It has kept a close contact with the joint taskforces established by UN, NGOs and ICRC. NCA is participating at coordination meetings at various levels. The recent examples of NCA's participation in the coordinated responses to the disaster affected population in 1998, 1999 and 2000 (Rustaq, Wardak, Logar and Shomali) have been highly appreciated by the key assistance actors. At Islamabad and Kabul level, the concept of the program has been shared with the joint co-ordination bodies of UN and NGOs and they are fully supportive. WFP has also been contacted and they have shown interest in supporting the food aid component of the program. The discussion has continued to explore ways of utilising the food input of WFP for other components of the program. In general, NCA will shy away from doing a stand-alone and go-it-alone program. It will continue to participate in the coordination work and try to fully integrate this program in the overall response to the drought-affected population. Co-ordination with other ACT members: This appeal has been shared with CWS P/A and Christian Aid and NCA will continue to explore with them how this program and other initiatives can be coordinated among the members to ensure a cohesive and coherent ACT response to the needs of the drought-affected population. BUDGET INCOME: In-kind Donations US$ WFP Relief food 70,039 Local contribution Labour 175,240 Local contribution Nutr.feeding (livestock) 18,677 TOTAL ANTICIPATED INCOME 263,956 ACT-NCA ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE Description Type of No of Unit Cost Budget Budget Unit Units PKR PKR US$ DIRECT ASSISTANCE CRISIS PHASE Relief Food Distribution - Wheat kg 120,000 20.0 2,400,000 46,265 - Cooking oil litre 19,200 62.5 1,200,000 23,133 Sub Total 3,600,000 69,398 Nutritional Feeding (livestock) lump sum 2,985,000 57,542 Community Infrastructure Rehabilitation/construction Irrigation Water Wells - Various Equipment wells 160 42,120.0 6,739,200 129,912 - Various building materials wells 160 16,344.5 2,615,120 50,412 - Labour wells 160 15,520.0 2,483,200 47,869 Water & Sanitation - Various Equipment Lump sum 292,900 5,646 - Skilled labour man-days 18,200 200.0 3,640,000 70,169 - Unskilled labour man-days 36,400 150.0 5,460,000 105,253 Sub Total 21,230,420 409,261 Total Direct Assistance 27,815,420 536,201 MATERIAL, TRANSPORT, STORAGE & HANDLING - Truck Rental & Related lorrys 14 30,000.0 420,000 8,096 - Labour Loading & Unload man-days 150 100.0 15,000 289 Sub Total 435,000 8,386 Vehicle Equipment - Motorcycles nos 3 75,000.0 225,000 4,337 Staff Salaries & Support - Project Staff Salaries months 7 2,923,500 56,357 - Project Staff Benefits months 7 112,500 2,169 - Project Staff Housing months 7 273,750 5,277 Staff Travel - Local and Regional Travel trips 9 27,000 520 - Per Diems (Food/Lodging) months 7 21,000 405 Office Operations - Office Rental months 7 168,000 3,239 - Office Utilities months 7 31,500 607 - Office Stationary & Supplies months 7 35,000 675 - Other Costs months 7 14,000 270 - Computer maintenance months 7 2,500.0 17,500 337 - Printer & photocopier toner months 7 1,600.0 11,200 216 Communications - Telephone and Fax months 7 17,500 337 - Electronic Mail months 7 5,075 98 Vehicle Operations - Fuel (Gasoline & Diesel) months 7 87,000 1,677 - Maintenance (Parts/Labor) months 7 38,500 742 - Insurance months 7 10,500 202 Description Type of No of Unit Cost Budget Budget Unit Units PKR PKR US$ -Vehicle Rental months 7 105,000 2,024 Sub Total 3,898,525 75,152 OTHER - Audit of ACT Appeal Funds lumpsum 80,000 1,542 - Prog Evalby consultant days 45 6,000.0 270,000 5,205 Sub Total 350,000 6,747 ACT Communication 155,625 3,000 EMT Appeal 1% of expenditure 328,796 6,338 TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE & APPEAL TARGET 33,208,366 640,161 US$ Total Appeal Target 640,161 Less: Pledges/Contributions 263,956 Balance Requested from ACT Network 376,205 Exchange Rate: US$ 1 = PKR 51. 875 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Action by Churches Together (ACT) is a worldwide network of churches and their related agencies, meeting human need through co-ordinated emergency response. 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