Nepal: Floods - ACT: 19-Sep-02

Action by Churches Together (ACT) Appeal - Nepal Assistance to Flood & Landslide Victims - ASNP-21 (Revision 1) Appeal Target: US$ 71,292 Balance Requested from ACT Network: US$ 31,111 Geneva, 19 September 2002

Since issuing ASNP-21 on 9 August 2002 fresh reports have been received from western Nepal of serious food deficits in the Kailali District resulting directly and indirectly from flood and related seasonal factors. This has come to attention only after nearly completing the crisis phase of the assistance in the four other districts. Kailali is in the western part of Nepal where the monsoon arrives later. Since the funds pledged for the crisis phase have not been fully utilised, the Lutheran World Federation, Nepal have requested to include up to 500 families for the Kailali District - for food distribution only for a period of between 15 to 30 days. The original appeal includes food distribution so this is an appeal for an extension of the geographical area within the existing budget. LWF Nepal still needs funds to complete the implementation of this project. We strongly urge our donors to consider further funding for this appeal. Project Completion Date: 31 December 2002 Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested US$ Total Appeal Target(s) 71,292 Less: Pledges/Contr. Recd. 40,181 Balance Requested from ACT Network 31,111 John Nduna Acting Director, ACT REQUESTING ACT MEMBER Lutheran World Federation/Nepal Programme (LWF Nepal) IMPLEMENTING ACT MEMBER & PARTNER INFORMATION LWF Nepal is the field programme of LWF/DWS, Geneva. The programme was established in 1984 and remains one of the leading international development and relief organisations (INGOs) in Nepal. LWF Nepal has ongoing development programmes and has since also implemented several emergency programmes. They include relief and rehabilitation of school buildings after the earthquake in 1988 and floods in 1995. In 1998, LWF Nepal received ACT Rapid Response Funds for relief support to flood victims. In 2000, an Act Appeal for relief and resettlement assistance to freed bonded labourers in SW Nepal was implemented in far-western Nepal. Since LWF Nepal's establishment, it has implemented many projects in partnership with local NGOs. From the programme's inception, the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) was one of LWF Nepal's main implementing partners and good working relations and co-operation has been maintained, even though LWF Nepal has phased out development assistance from those areas where NRCS was the formal local implementing partner. LWF Nepal also implemented several Community Projects in partnership with NRCS of which the Water Resource Development Project in Baglung was a major one. During 1989~92, LWF Nepal implemented community development programmes in Mahottari district (one of the planned intervention areas for this appeal) in partnership with NRCS. NRCS has an extensive network in every district throughout Nepal and is recognised as the leading relief organisation in Nepal. DESCRIPTION OF EMERGENCY SITUATION Background The emergency has arisen as a result of torrential monsoon rains from 20 July onwards which have struck a belt of central Nepal. When the scale of the flooding and landslide became apparent, LWF Nepal issued an initial Alert on 26 July. A Rapid Assessment Team comprising staff from the LWF Bhutanese Refugee project made a short visit to five of the worst affected districts and submitted a report plus photographs; a debriefing and discussion on actions to be taken was held on 2 August and an appropriate intervention strategy developed. On this basis a second Alert including a provisional budget for ACT relief assistance was sent on 2 August. An Interim Report was sent to ACT Co-ordination Office on 5 September after part of the crisis phase distribution had been completed. Current Situation Torrential and persistent monsoon rains over the last week of July and early August in central Nepal have caused significant damage and loss of life. According to the reports received from Nepal Red Cross Society District Chapters & Ministry of Home Affaire, the recent floods and landslides have affected approximately 301,046 persons and 49,249 families in 49 districts of the kingdom. The Nepal Red Cross Society has provided relief materials to approximately 61,224 persons of 9,419 families in more than 43 districts. In certain central districts, the intensity of rainfall has exceeded records; in the plains district of Sarlahi one day's rainfall volume exceeded 200 millimetres, the heaviest recorded in the past 200 years. Though flood damage was very localised in the western Districts, related seasonal problems have also caused localised suffering. The high level of insecurity arising from the Maoist insurgency and security operations, the recent resettlement of former bonded labourers (Kamaiyas) whose first farming season has just commenced, together with the lack of farm work during the monsoon seasons has meant severe shortages in certain remoter parts of Kailali District. LWF Nepal staff working in the district report people suffering food deficits and forced to eat leaves (arum) from the forest. In some cases, children are consuming only rice-boiled water (soup) there are reports of sickness due to nutrition deficiency. Some adults also suffer ill health and are unable to move long distances for work. Farm work will become available by the end of September but there is currently desperation in the remote settlements. Locations for ACT Emergency Response Since some areas remain inaccessible, full and detailed information is still lacking. However is necessary and appropriate for ACT/LWF Nepal to intervene with relief and immediate recovery assistance, though on a modest scale in five badly affected districts, namely Sarlahi, Mahottari, Jhapa, Morang and Kailali. Disaster and Emergency Statistics Districts Disaster type Affected Displaced families Families Population Sarlahi Flood 941 6,218 700 Mahottari Flood 1,259 8,183 825 Jhapa/Morang Flood 1,050 6,825 100 Kailali Flood/food shortage 750 4,125 500 (newly settled) Total 4,000 25,351 2,125 Current Security Situation Although a low-level civil war between Maoist insurgents and Government security forces has been taking place in Nepal with increasing intensity over the past 7 years, this will not significantly affect relief involvement in the targeted districts. However, landslides caused by excessive rain and flooding have caused access problems both on the main highway through the hills (which is being reopened) but also in local access to communities and villages affected by landslides. Access problems and a recent intensification in Maoist attacks (and resultant security force operations) from mid-August have also created complications. GOAL & OBJECTIVES Goal: The overall goal is to provide basic support for survival of the displaced and homeless families worst affected by floods and seasonal hunger. Objectives: To ensure that worst-affected displaced and homeless families are assisted in meeting their immediate basic food and related needs for a period of 15 days. To ensure that the worst-affected displaced families are assisted in re-establishing their lives and livelihoods through a recovery programme of shelter, water and sanitation assistance for a period of up to 4 months. TARGETED BENEFICIARIES Number and Type of Targeted Beneficiaries Only rural areas will receive assistance, those deemed to have suffered the greatest degree of destruction and deprivation as a result of flood (and landslide) and seasonal hunger in the far west. An effort will be made to limit assistance to focused geographic areas (for ease of distribution and monitoring). The final selection will be made once more detailed assessment of local damage has been received On the basis of the above criteria, relief and recovery assistance will be extended on a family-household basis with priority to women-headed households. However since damage and vulnerability are the prime criteria, equal assistance to all family members (women, men, children). Approximately 6,000 individual flood victims will benefit from this assistance: an estimated 1,148 households in total Criteria used in Beneficiary Selection Immediately following the disaster, ACT/LWF Nepal sent a Rapid Response Team to the assess the situation in Sarlahi, Mahottari, Jhapa and Morang districts. Later, in early September an assessment team visited affected parts of Kailali District and based on these finding the following criteria were identified Rural households/families worst affected by floods, landslide and seasonal hunger/deprivation Worst-affected rural Village Development Committees in the selected Districts Households/families worst affected by flood/landslide in the selected and worst affected VDCs Among those families, those with greatest vulnerability (women-headed households, elderly, children) Plans for relief distribution were made to assist the following Jhapa/Morang - 6 Village Development Committees - 100 families Sarlahi - 7 Village Development Committees - 268 families Mahottari - 15 Village Development Committees - 280 families Kailali - up to 6 VDCs - 500 families (food assistance only) Number of Targeted Beneficiaries According To Proposed Assistance This assistance should cover an estimated 6,300 people from the 1,148 worst affected families in Sarlahi, Mahottari, Jhapa, Morang and Kailali districts. PROPOSED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE And IMPLEMENTATION Assistance will be provided to 1,148 families in Sarlahi, Mahottari, Jhapa, Morang and Kailali districts. It is planned to provide the following assistance (the specific items may be adjusted according to (a) local assessment of needs; and (b) local availability) Crisis Relief phase (within 1 month): SN Particulars Unit Qty. 1 Rice gram/family/day 2,400 Pulses gram/family/day 360 Veg Oil gram/family/day 150 Sugar gram/family/day 120 Salt gram/family/day 60 Potato gram/family/day 450 Onion gram/family/day 90 Kerosene Ltr./family 10 Utensil Set/family 1 Clothing Set/person 1 Tarpaulin sheet Sheet/family 1 Mosquito net Nos/family 2 Note: for Kailali District, only food assistance will be provided. The actual allocation varies according to local needs assessment. The unutilised funds earmarked are used to cover additional families. Post-Crisis Recovery Phase (after 1 month, to be concluded within 4 months): SN Particulars Unit Qty. Hand pump/water system rehab nos 125 Chlorination of existing water supplies nos 500 Latrines nos 250 Medical supplies* set 1,000 *If insufficient received, medical supplies have lower priority Implementation Description Per Activity A joint team comprising LWF Nepal and the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) local chapters in each district has been implementing the relief assistance activity. In all districts efforts are co-ordinated with the local District Development Committee. LWF Nepal has seconded 3 staff experienced in relief assistance to implement the operation. The relief materials will be purchased by LWF Nepal - foodstuffs locally (to reduce transport costs) and items such as tarpaulins, utensils and cotton mats centrally in Kathmandu - after receiving competitive quotations in accordance with ACT/LWF Nepal procurement procedures. Transition from Emergency There is no specific intention, at this stage, to plan for follow-up rehabilitation in Sarlahi and Mahottari Districts, which is not part of the current LWF Nepal working area (though relief operations have extended there in the past). LWF Nepal is however already operating in Jhapa, Morang and Kailali Districts - for relief assistance which is channelled to those communities, LWF Nepal will continue its ongoing rehabilitation and development activities. ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE, MONITORING, REPORTING Administration The ACT/LWF Nepal Kathmandu Co-ordination office is responsible for the overall operation. A total of three staff, possessing some experience in emergency operations, will be temporarily seconded to the project area(s) in Sarlahi and Morang and be responsible for the detailed implementation. For assistance in Jhapa/Morang, the LWF Nepal Eastern Region/BRP Centre will be responsible, For Kailali, the LWF Nepal Western Region Centre will be responsible. Finance Management and Controls Since the assistance requires some bulk purchase of relief items, all procurement and financial matters will be dealt by LWF Nepal Kathmandu office. Project accounts will be maintained as per LWF Nepal established accounting norms (including procurement policy). The Auditors are the regular LWF Nepal external auditors, associated with Price WaterhouseCoopers, Katmandu. Monitoring Procedures The seconded team at field level and LWF Kathmandu Office will conduct monitoring. LWF Kathmandu office staff will visit fortnightly and report to the Country Representative. IMPLEMENTATION TIMETABLE Approximate date Actions Planned Current Status/remarks 30 July -1August Issue preliminary Alert to Act Intl, Visit to affected District by Rapid Assessment team from BRP Completed 1 - 8 August Review of situation, assessment findings, contact with other agencies/actors, plan for ACT Alert and Appeal Completed 15 August - 9 September Relief/Crisis Phase: secondment of relief Team, further detailed assessment, identification of areas/communities for assistance, agreement with local authorities and NRCS, procurement of relief items, distribution; field monitoring and reporting Assessment conducted in Kailali District following reports of severe shortage; arrangements for distribution to first batch of 118 families advance Completed In advanced stage (at 13.9.02) 16 September - 31 December Recovery Phase (depending on response to ACT Appeal); further detailed assessment of recovery needs, and identification of area/communities to receive assistance; agreement with local authorities and partners (NRCS); field monitoring and reporting Depending on progress in the crisis phase, detailed needs assessment and level of response to the ACT Appeal CO-ORDINATION LWF Nepal is a member of the Disaster Preparedness Network (DPNet) comprising 20 leading NGOs and the Red Cross which meets on a regular basis. Meetings of DPNet were convened following the disaster to exchange information and bilateral contact is maintained in Kathmandu. In the affected districts, LWF Nepal, in collaboration with the NRCS local chapters and the District Administration (CDO), have deployed a Rapid Assessment team in Jhapa/Morang where LWF Nepal presently operates. The BRP senior staff maintains regular contact with the local Government officials as well as with local communities. When the project commences, co-ordination will shift primarily to local level. Within the selected districts, the ACT/LWF Nepal Team will link directly with NRCS and the local administration to ensure that the relief and recovery assistance is channelled to those locations/communities and households in greatest need. BUDGET Description Type No. of Unit Cost Rev. Budget 19.09.02 Orig Bud 09.08.02 Rev. Bud 19/09/02 Actual 10/09/02 Unit Units NPR NPR USD USD USD INCOME - through ACT C.O Lutheran World Relief 5,000 Disciples of Christ: Week of Compassion 1,000 1,000 ACT Netherlands 14,783 14,783 Diakonisches Werk 19,398 19,398 TOTAL INCOME 40,181 35,181 ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE CRISIS PHASE ASSISTANCE - 1148 families Food - 1148 families for 15 days: Rice kg 39,600 16 613,800 7,101 8,071 4,688 Pulses kg 3,240 40 129,600 1,704 1,704 1,648 Vegetable oil kg 1,850 65 120,250 1,154 1,581 1,318 Sugar kg 1,080 27 29,160 454 383 385 Salt kg 1,540 9 13,860 71 182 67 Potatoes kg 4,050 16 64,800 852 852 805 Onions kg 810 16 12,960 170 170 184 Non Food Items: Kerosene litre 5,480 17 93,160 1,578 1,225 1,224 Utensils sets 648 327 211,896 7,101 2,786 2,782 Clothing sets 3,600 200 720,000 9,467 9,467 9,631 Shelter: Tarpaulin sheet sheet 2,212 270 597,240 5,602 7,853 7,807 Mosquito nets nos. 1,296 330 427,680 5,523 5,624 5,624 Distribution Costs: Staff Salaries - implementation person 2 32,450 64,900 853 853 0 Staff Salaries - logistics person 1 14,400 14,400 189 189 0 Staff Salaries - monitoring Travel and per diem days 39 400 15,600 205 205 0 Office rental Communications month 1 8,000 8,000 105 105 0 Office expenses month 1 5,000 5,000 66 66 0 Vehicle expenses - 4+B12WD month 1 5,000 5,000 66 66 0 Transportation L/S 108,750 108,750 1,430 0 Total Crisis Phase assistance - 1148 families 3,256,056 42,261 42,815 36,163 POST CRISIS PHASE - 600 families Water and Sanitation: Hand pumps set 125 3,500 437,500 5,753 5,753 0 Chlorination of existing water supplies each 250 150 37,500 986 493 0 Description Type No. of Unit Cost Rev. Budget 19.09.02 Orig Bud 09.08.02 Rev. Bud 19/09/02 Actual 10/09/02 Unit Units NPR NPR USD USD USD Latrines each 250 1,100 275,000 3,616 3,616 0 Health and Medical: Medical supplies set 1,000 200 200,000 2,630 2,630 0 Direct Expenses: Staff Salaries - implement. person 2 32,670 65,340 859 859 0 Staff Salaries - logistics person 1 14,400 14,400 189 189 0 Staff Salaries - monitoring - 197 - 0 Travel and per diem month 4 15,600 62,400 821 821 0 Office rental - - Communications month 4 8,000 32,000 421 421 0 Office expenses month 4 5,000 20,000 263 263 0 Vehicle expenses - 4WD month 4 5,000 20,000 263 263 0 Programme Monitoring lump sum 15,000 197 0 Sub - Total 1,179,140 15,998 15,505 0 MATERIAL TRANSPORT, STORAGE & HANDLING Truck rental lump sum 1 250,000 250,000 3,287 3,287 0 Salaries - drivers - 163 - 0 Warehouse rental month 4.0 6,000 24,000 316 316 0 Labour loading & unloading family 600 170 102,000 1,341 1,341 0 Salaries - warehouse staff - 184 - 0 Sub - Total 126,000 5,291 4,944 0 PERSONNEL, ADMIN, SUPPORT & OPS Staff Salaries & Support - Kathmandu Salary - LWF Rep - 5% month 5 88,000 440,000 5,786 5,786 0 Salary - Finance Magr - 10% month 5 10,000 50,000 657 657 0 Admin Staff 2 @10% month 460 0 Salary - Driver 25% month 5 3,100 15,500 204 204 0 Office Operations - Kathmandu Office rental - 5% month 5 1,500 7,500 99 99 0 Office utilities lump sum 5 2,000 10,000 131 131 0 Office stationery & supplies lump sum 5 1,000 5,000 66 66 0 Communications - Kathmandu Telephone and fax lump sum 5 2,000 10,000 131 131 0 Email lump sum 5 500 2,500 33 33 0 Vehicle Operations - Kathmandu Fuel lump sum 5 3,000 15,000 197 197 0 Maintenance lump sum 5 2,000 10,000 131 131 0 Insurance month 7,000 7,000 92 92 0 Sub Total 572,500 7,988 7,528 0 Description Type No. of Unit Cost Rev. Budget 19.09.02 Orig Bud 09.08.02 Rev. Bud 19/09/02 Actual 10/09/02 Unit Units NPR NPR USD USD USD AUDIT FEES lump sum 2,891,801 38,025 500 500 0 TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE 5,171,721 72,038 71,292 36,163 BALANCE -72,038 -31,111 -983 EXCHANGE RATE: NPR: 1 USD = 76.05 NPR - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Action by Churches Together (ACT) is a worldwide alliance of churches and their related agencies, meeting human need through co-ordinated emergency response. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ecumenical Centre Phone: ++41-22-791.60.33 150, route de Ferney Fax: ++41-22-791.65.06 P.O. 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