Action by Churches Together (ACT)
Afghanistan
Emergency Assistance - ASAF11 (Revision 3)
Appeal Target: US$ 24,789,505
Balance:   $14,560,580
Geneva, 19 August 2002


In Revision 3 of ASAF-11 we present revised proposals by ACT members, the
Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and Hungarian Interchurch Aid
(HIA).

MECC is requesting a revision and extension to further assist refugees who
have moved back into Afghanistan and who are located close to the Iranian
border, with the funding which was received when the originally planned
programme - assisting Afghan Refugees on the Iranian border - was nearing
its completion.

HIA is requesting a no cost revision and extension of its programs due to
the late arrival of a considerable amount of funding and the delay in
signing a co-operation agreement with WFP on FOODAC (Food for Asset
Creation). ACT/HIA wishes to use the balance of funds to address some of
the needs identified during the implementation of the food distribution.

Furthermore, ACT member Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and its implementing
partners were unable to complete certain activities by 31 March 2002 as
originally planned. Consequently, the implementation period was extended
to 30 June to facilitate completion. NCA reports therefore record a period
ending 30 June 2002 and not 31 March 2002.

In addition to MECC and HIA, ACT member Christian Aid is finalising its
projects under ASFA 11.

For sake of brevity, Revision 3 comprises only the revisions proposed. For
the total overview please refer to the original appeal and the two earlier
revisions.

In the meanwhile a follow up appeal, ASAF21, has been issued under which
programmes are currently being implemented by ACT members Church World
Service (CWS), NCA and the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC).

As a signatory of The Code of Conduct, ACT will adhere to and promote its
respective principles in this humanitarian operation.

Project Completion Dates:

HIA  1 December 2001 - 30 September 2002
ROC  1 November, 2001 - 30 April, 2002 (completed)
NCA  1 October 2001 - 30 June 2002 (completed)
CWS  1 October 2001 - 31 March 2002 (completed)
MECC  1 October - 31 October 2002
CAID  1 October 2001 - 30 September 2002
UMCOR 1 October 2001 - 31 March 2002 (completed)

Thor-Arne Prois
Director ACT



BACKGROUND

Afghanistan has for the last 24 years been hit by various disasters
(man-made and natural) that have severely affected lives and livelihoods
of the entire population directly or indirectly. The severity of the
situation owes its origins to the wide spread destruction of social and
economic fabrics of the Afghan society as a result of the ongoing-armed
conflict, extreme poverty and absence of social services. In addition the
collapse of state institutions has been a contributory factor to the
continuation of the humanitarian situation.


Co-ordination Assessment Team (ACT CAT)

The first ever CAT sent to the field program successfully completed the
mission to Pakistan.  The CAT submitted a comprehensive and highly
informative report from which one can derive many important lessons
learned and recommendations for future CAT missions, ACT response in the
region, ACT appeals and many other key-issues related to rendering of
humanitarian assistance. The CAT also conducted an assessment of the
capacity of ACT implementing members and their local partners and examined
potential for a set-up of a reliable monitoring mechanism.

This revision only presents the changes for finalisation of their projects
as presented by the ACT members MECC and HIA.



IMPLEMENTING ACT MEMBER & PARTNER INFORMATION

Middle East Council of Churches, Ecumenical Relief Service (MECC/ERS)



GOAL & OBJECTIVES

Goal:  To assist IDPs on the Afghan side of the border within 50 km of
Iran with basic necessities and help them obtain some level of stability
to restart their lives.


Objectives:  MECC proposes providing

basic necessities for school children - shoes, school kits and powdered
milk

a stable school-like environment by carrying out some basic repairs on
targeted schools and providing minimal equipment.

potable water for the school children - delivery in water containers.

to improve health care facilities by providing medicines and basic
equipment for clinics




TARGETTED BENEFICIARIES

The MECC will be assisting Afghans who are re-settling back into their
area of origin near the Iranian border or are IDPs who can not return to
their home areas.  Most of the people are currently living in tents or
semi/totally destroyed houses.  MECC's implementing partner will continue
to be the Iranian Red Crescent Society, which has already established
health care and social programmes in the area, and will be working in
collaboration with the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS).

MECC is proposing to assist 15,000 students (male and female) in two
community schools in Zarangi in the province of Nimroz to restart their
education by providing an environment conducive to learning. More schools
may be added to the project should funding allow.



PROPOSED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE & IMPLEMENTATION

Relief supplies (water and milk for children in 2 schools).

Education - repairs of school windows and doors, school kits and shoes for
the school children

Health Care - medicines and basic equipment for clinics - benefiting
approximately 10,000 persons.


The above relief and educational needs were identified by the IRCS and
school directors when the MECC representative visited the area. The health
care items were requested by the dispensaries and outpatient clinics.

The MECC representative procures all assistance materials needed and
arranges delivery to the IRCS.  The IRCS selects the beneficiaries using
their established criteria, carries out the distribution and implements
the project.

Once the relief phase has been completed, discussions will be initiated
with the implementing partner and other NGOs working in the area to decide
on follow-up and rehabilitation projects. Water supplies such as wells etc
may then be discussed.



ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE, MONITORING & REPORTING

Administration, Finance, Monitoring.

MECC will be responsible for monitoring the implementation through its
Representative in Iran (as in past appeals).  Another person may be taken
on to assist.

Auditor: George Awida



IMPLEMENTATION TIMETABLE

Implementation will be completed by 31 October 2002



CO-ORDINATION

MECC/ERS will co-ordinate with any ACT member in Iran, the Iranian Red
Crescent and if needed other NGOs.  The MECC church committee will be also
involved and kept informed and consulted whenever the need arises.



BUDGET

INCOME RECEIVED: US$
Income through ACT Co
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance USA 50,000
Finnchurchaid 15,187
United Church of Canada 42,000
Anglican Church of Canada 3,112
United Church of Canada 50,321
United Church of Canada 3,460

Income sent directly to IP
United Church of Canada 185,839
TOTAL INCOME 349,919



ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE

Description Type of No. of Unit Cost Budget   Rev. Budget
 Unit Units USD 11/10/01 8/7/02
    USD USD
DIRECT ASSISTANCE  - Crisis Phase
Cooking oil    28,000
Tents    174,000
Blankets    80,000
Sub total    282,000

Post Crisis Phase Assistance
Relief supplies
Milk & water for school   Lump sum  51,000
Health Care
Clinical equipment and medcines   Lump sum  54,000
Educational Inputs / School Rehabilitation
Schools repairs and kits/ shoes for children  Lump sum  63,000
Sub total     168,000

Material Transport, Storage, Warehousing, Handling
Rental of trucks    2,000
Storage and handling    1,500
Labor fees for loading and unloading   750
Sub total    4,250

Personnel, Administration, Operational & Other Support Costs
Staff Salaries & Support
Administrative cost for post crisis   Lump sum  10,313
Project staff salaries    1,500
Project staff benefits    250
Project staff insurance    100
Staff Travel
International travel    750
Local and regional travel    250
Perdiem for food and lodging    1,500
Office Operations
Rental    500
Utilities    150
Stationery and supplies    100
Communications
Telephone and fax    250
Vehicle Operations
Fuel    500
Sub Total    5,850

CAPITAL ASSETS
Computer     1,000
Photocopy machine    750
Sub Total    1,750

AUDIT AND EVALUATION
Audit     2,000
Evaluation    1,400
Sub Total    3,400
TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE   297,250 178,313
REQUESTING & IMPLEMENTING ACT MEMBER INFORMATION
Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA)



BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION

Background information

Almost 180,000 refugees have returned to the north, many of whom had fled
during Taliban rule. Returnees receive a return package upon arrival the
contents of which have been substantially reduced during the previous
months and which now comprises only plastic sheeting. The number of
shelter kits has been reduced to 50,000 families as well as the number of
agricultural packages. UNHCR/IOM assisted the return of 59,044 IDPs to the
North as of 11 July. As of 26 June 30,062 refugees returned to Jawzjan
province and 24,720 to Faryab. The funding crisis experienced by the IOM
and UNHCR as well as the breakdown in the food pipeline experienced by WFP
limits the access to assistance.

Returnees face many challenges caused by a continuation of the drought,
debt and further depletion of assets, which in turn contributes to a
continued food insecurity at the household level; isolation, limited
access to health centres, etc.


Security concerns:

There are still security concerns due to factional fighting in several
areas in the north: Sar-i-pul province, Charbulak, Sholgara (Balkh
province), Hairaton (Samangan province), Maimana (Faryab province). Armed
robberies, attacks, assaults, kidnapping, murder, sporadic shootings and
rape of national and international aid workers and their families is still
taking place. There is no unified police force in Mazar, however there are
ongoing efforts to demilitarise parts of the city by relocating armed
groups to barracks outside and removing military checkpoints.

Under this revision the ACT/HIA project activities in Northern Afghanistan
can be divided into two phases:

Distribution of food and non-food items in the north: Jawzjan, Samangan
and Sari-Pul provinces.

Reconstruction of schools and health centres in Khoja DuKho District and
Koshkak in Balkh Province.



During food distributions in two districts in Jawzjan province (Khoja Du
Kho and Qarqin) it became clear that there is an urgent need to assist
with the following:

  - Reconstruction of schools,
  - Reconstruction of health centres,
  - Cleaning canals
  - Reconstruction of  roads.


Recognising these needs ACT/HIA Mazar FO made several assessments in Khoja
Du Kho, Qarqin and Khamyab districts in Jawzjan province. It should be
noted that Qarqin and Khamyab districts, situated at the Turkmen-Afghan
border, are very difficult to access and lack in any form of assistance.
The same is true for Khoja Du Kho where, due to better accessibility, the
situation is only slightly better.

As May - July is normally the harvest season in Afghanistan it was not
advisable to continue with food related projects as this is one of the
periods when seasonal work can be found in agriculture.

Schools are in a very bad situation. UNICEF and INGOs mainly strive to
carry out minimal repairs and blackboards remain broken and unusable and
in many cases there is no classroom furniture.  Many schools have been so
damaged that they no longer have walls and toilets are usually just holes
dug somewhere in the courtyard.  Hygiene facilities are unknown and there
is a serious lack of water.

There is only one defunct health centre - without walls - in each of the
districts.  Due to security concerns patients do not visit the clinic and
would rather stay at home and die. These health centres are vital for
providing health services, especially in Khamyab and Qarqin districts
where access is difficult and there is no other health facility available.

Already in May ACT/HIA submitted its proposal to WFP Mazar to implement
FOODAC programs in Khoja Du Kho district. The proposal was approved but
due to permanent breakdowns in WFP's food pipeline no co-operation
agreement could be signed. The implementation of the FOODAC program with
WFP can be interpreted as a bridge phase between emergency assistance
(food distribution) and rehabilitation (reconstruction). Under the FOODAC
project, beneficiaries will receive food for canal cleaning work.


Locations for Proposed Response

Khoja Du Kho district is situated west of Shebarghan in Jawzjan province.
It comprises 16 villages with a total population of 10,000 families
according to the local communities and 4,630 families according to WFP VAM
figures. Because of the huge differences in the available figures, GOAL,
HIA and WFP agreed to work with an estimated figure of 7,315 families
(43,890 persons).

About 95% of the population is Uzbek with a smaller representation of
Türkmen (~5%) and Pashtoon (<1%). The villages' size differs from 40
families to 400 families mainly dominated by one ethnic group.

Small landowners, landless, female-headed and non-income families amount
to about 75% of the population. After 3-years of drought, last years'
harvest of wheat and barley was described as the worst ever and flax and
sesame production was reported as a total failure.  The harvested crops
were of poor quality and affected by diseases such as smut. Consequently,
many farmers decided not to cultivate this season.

Alongside crop production, livestock rearing plays an important part in
the local economy. Before the drought livestock herds included cows,
sheep, goats, horses, donkeys and camels. Because of the drought and
increasing costs they have already sold a part or all of their livestock.
Community members claimed that livestock herds have dropped by 75% and in
some cases by 100%.

Planting appeared to be low scale, with only 25% of land prepared for
cultivation. Besides the problems caused by drought, there is a lack of
potable water and irrigation canals need to be cleaned out to prevent
possible flooding should there be rain.

The identified projects will be implemented in the following locations:
School reconstruction
In Khoja Du Kho district:
Chobash Turkmania Secondary School,
Taghani Turkmania School,
Qezil Ayagh School.

In Balkh Province:
Koshkak Primary School

Health centre reconstruction
Khoja Du Kho centre


GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Goal:  The main goal is to help in providing an environment conducive to
learning by providing educational facilities as well as providing access
to health facilities.


Objectives:

To reconstruct four schools in Khoja Du Kho district,

To ensure both for girls and boys to continue/start with their studies,

To provide school furniture (chairs, desks) and equipment for the
reconstructed schools

To reconstruct the health centre in Khoja Du Kho district,

To provide basic conditions for health services in Khoja Du Kho district.




TARGETED BENEFICIARIES

Education:
Children of the age 6 to 12 (primary school)
Children of the age 12 to 15 (secondary school)
It is expected that all the reconstructed schools will be open for boys
(morning shift) and girls (afternoon shift)


Health Facilities
Whole district population

Number of Targeted Beneficiaries

Koshkak Primary School:   300 pupils, 7 teachers
Chobash Turkmania Secondary School: 450 pupils, 8 teachers
Taghani Turkmania School:  400 pupils, 4 teachers
Qezil Ayagh School:   500 pupils, 12 teachers
Subtotal:      1,650 pupils, 31 teachers

In the case of the health centre:  43,890 people / 7,315 Families (WFP
figures)




PROPOSED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE & IMPLEMENTATION

Reconstruction

Based upon the findings of its field trips and questionnaires, ACT/HIA
Mazar FO decided to reconstruct four of the schools and the health centre
in Khoja Du Kho district, Jawzjan province. ACT/HIA has collaborated with
the competent ministries - Ministry of Education (MoE) and of Public
Health (MoPH) who have signed a Letter of Intention. The selection was
made during the assessment in discussion with the representatives of the
local communities (shura) and with the governor of the district. The
schools identified by ACT/HIA are in desperate need of reconstruction to
enable children of the village and surrounding villages to take classes.
The health centre is the only one in the district and is totally
dysfunctional.

The first step will be to partly pull down the old buildings, as what is
left of the buildings is presently unsafe. When ever possible material
will be re-utilised. Meanwhile the construction materials will be procured
and transported to the project sites. The reconstruction of the five
buildings will take place simultaneously. They are mainly made of locally
produced sun dried bricks. The government does not provide any design for
the schools or health clinics. It depends on the local representative of
the MoE or MoH according to what guidelines the buildings will be
reconstructed. In the case of Koshkak school the following was stipulated
in the agreement between MoE, Ministry of Planning and HIA:  wooden
ceilings ; walls plastered both inside and outside; floor to be made of
concrete ;doors and windows to be painted ; toilets will be reconstructed.

Craftsmen will be hired either from Mazar-e-Sharif or from Shebarghan.
Their daily salaries are estimated at Afg. 500,000 (USD 6,25). The
unskilled labour will be done by the local population selected by the
Supervisiors of each site. They will receive wages of an estimated AFG
120-150.000 (USD 1,5 - 1,88). Work tools and all construction materials
(bricks, cement, gatch, ball, doors, windows, cents, paints etc) will be
procured from the local market. ACT/HIA will arrange the transportation of
these materials gradually to avoid the risk of any looting. For temporary
storage a warehouse will be rented in Shebarghan from where the project
sites can be reached very quickly.

In addition to the reconstruction of schools, ACT/HIA will provide school
furniture, such as chairs, desks and blackboards. All these items will be
made by local carpenters.


FOODAC/canal cleaning :

A specific 2 months proposal to assist in canal cleaning through Food for
Work has been submitted to WFP. This project will directly benefit a total
of 5,486 vulnerable families and indirectly all the inhabitants of the
district. The beneficiaries will be paid by WFP with wheat.


Objectives of this specific project are:

To cover the immediate food needs of 548 most vulnerable families in Khoja
Du Kho district before the harvest

To ensure food security at the household level for 4,938 drought affected
households by providing them work through FOODAC,

To restore the irrigation network by cleaning the existing canals and
removing one side where it is necessary to ensure food production and to
prevent flooding.



The Project Activities are:

Distribution of food for the 548 most vulnerable families in Khoja Du Kho
district for 2 months

Removing 12 km-long side of the canal at three different locations and
cleaning 42 km-long three different canals.



WFP is expected to contribute 548.6 MT of Wheat.

Procurement and Distribution

Procurement will be made from local traders and manufacturers according to
the ACT Procurement Guidelines. The ACT/HIA Mazar FO has the following
procedure: the Logistic Officer (LO) is responsible for collecting
quotations from the local market.  HIA usually collects 5 different
quotations., which are then compared and decided upon by the LO and the
HoM. Orders are placed with the most favourable provider which fulfils all
conditions. Payments are usually settled after meeting the order. Only the
HoM is entitled to place an order. The LO with the Transport Monitor
organises the delivery of the items to the spot. Only after receiving the
Way Bill signed by HIA's representative in the field will the bill be
paid. Materials are stored in HIA's temporary warehouse in Shebarghan
which is guarded during the evening/night.


Distribution is carried out by ACT/HIA Transport Monitors who are
supervised by the LO.


Field Office

The reconstruction of schools and the health centres will be directed from
the ACT/HIA Mazar Field Office. Walkie Talkies will be procured to enhance
the communication between staff and office and to increase the security of
the staff.  Satelite phones are used for communication, mainly email.



ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE, MONITORING & REPORTING

Administration

The project will be implemented by ACT/HIA Mazar FO. The acting Head of
Mission is an HIA HQ staff member - an expatriate based in Mazar for the
duration of the project. Her work will be assisted by the Logistics
Officer, an Uzbek citizen. A site engineer and 3 transport monitors will
be responsible for implementation. Other reconstruction related activities
will be carried out by local people. ACT/HIA Mazar FO will implement the
above-mentioned FOODAC program simultaneously with the reconstruction
activities.



Monitoring & Reporting

ACT/HIA Mazar FO is responsible for reporting, co-ordination with UN and
other INGOs on the ground. It will inform the local authorities and
ministries (MoE, MoPH, MP and MFA) about the activities. Monitoring is the
responsibility of ACT/HIA HQ and monitoring visit are made by the HIA
Director and the Financial Director.


Finance

Finances will be supervised by HIA HQ in Budapest and an audit will be
carried out by KPMG Hungary.



IMPLEMENTATION TIMETABLE

1 June - 30 September 2002


CO-ORDINATION

ACT/HIA has been co-ordinating its activities with UN, INGOs (GOAL and
CESVI) active in the province, local authorities and ministries. HIA is
the only ACT member based in the North.



BUDGET

INCOME  Proposed Additional Revised Actual
  Activities Bud. 6/8/02 31/5/02
Income Received - ACT Alliance:
Hungarian Interchurch Aid/MFA Hungary  176,442 176,442
Presbyterian Church of Canada  12,621 12,621
Wider Church Ministries/ UCC  25,000 25,000
Finnchurchaid  29,546 29,546
Finnchurchaid/Government of Finland  29,546 29,546
Lutheran World Relief  20,000 20,000
National Christian Council in Japan  23,500 23,500
United church of Christ in Japan  987 987
Iglesia Evangélica Española  5,547 5,547
Hong Kong Christian Council  15,940 15,940
United Church of Christ in Japan  52,062 52,062
Presbyterian Church in Canada  64,694 64,694
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance/PCUSA  20,000 20,000
Income Received - Non ACT Alliance:
North West Medical Team  28,776 28,776
WFP  3,292 3,292
Other Income - in kind donations:
Lutheran World Relief  397,837 397,837
UNICEF   3,654 3,654
WFP  205,725 205,725
TOTAL INCOME 209,017 1,115,169 906,152


ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE

For details please contact the ACT CO



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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.
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   Ecumenical Centre                          Phone: ++41-22-791.60.33
   150, route de Ferney                         Fax: ++41-22-791.65.06
   P.O. Box 2100                             E-Mail: act@wcc-coe.org
   1211 Geneva 2                              Telex: 415 730 OIK CH
   Switzerland                                 http://www.act-intl.org


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