Afghanistan - ACT: 24-Oct-02
Action by Churches Together (ACT)
Appeal - Afghanistan
Relief & Rehabilitation - ASAF-21 Appeal (Revision 2)
Appeal Target: US$ 7,120,251
Balance Requested from ACT Network: US$ 4,976,601
Geneva, 24 October 2002
More refugees have returned to Afghanistan than expected - with the
international community playing a crucial role in this process. Returnees
are entitled to "return kits" and cash to cover travel expenses.
However, during the year funds available from IOM, UNHCR and WFP dried up
resulting in a sharp decrease in the contents of the return kits. This in
turn led to a slow and limited scale of targeted re-integration which has
led to serious shelter problems. Many returnees either live without
shelter, or are hosted by other families who themselves are poor and may
not be able to continue supporting them in the winter months.
Special attention is needed to support ongoing humanitarian and
reconstruction assistance, social sector expansion, community development
and income generation activities so that Afghans can again become self
reliant. After so many traumatic years the Afghan population's coping
mechanisms have been eroded and they have had to rely more and more on the
international community. In the north, due to the absence of assistance
the more vulnerable groups have started to sell their children - girls get
married between the ages of 9-12 and boys are sent as labour to different
workshops. As soon as INGOs start to provide some assistance these
activities stop.
For the sake of brevity this revision of the ACT Appeal ASAF-21
(originally issued 15 May 2002 first revised 6 August) includes a proposal
by ACT member Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA) only. The proposal is to
assist returning refugees and IDPs in two provinces - Balkh and Jawzjan in
northern Afghanistan. The proposal comprises: Food relief; Water;
Education - re/construction of selected schools; Health - re/construction
of health centres; Shelter; Income generation for female-headed families;
and Environmental awareness - planting of trees
For information on ACT members Norwegian Church Aid, Church World Service
(CWS) and the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) projects please refer to the
original appeal of 15 May and Revision 1 of 6 August 2002.
Project Completion Date:
NCA - 31 December 2002
CWS-P/A - 31 March 2003
ROC - 31 December 2002
HIA - 30 April 2003
Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance
Requested
Appeal Less: Pledges/ Balance Requested
Targets Contr. Recd from ACT Network
HIA 1,524,739 0 1,524,739
NCA 3,238,291 828,120 2,410,171
CWS 1,994,406 1,300,951 693,455
ROC 347,815 0 347,815
Comm 10,000 9,244 756
Unear-marked 335 +335
Co-ord 5,000 5,000 0
Total Target US$ 7,120,251 2,143,650 4,976,601
REQUESTING ACT-MEMBER
Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA)
IMPLEMENTING ACT MEMBER INFORMATION
HIA was founded by the Hungarian Protestant and Orthodox Churches in 1991.
It is one of the four biggest NGOs in Hungary. Its activities include:
Domestic social activities around Hungary
Emergency assistance in Hungary and abroad
Refugee affairs
ACT/HIA established its field office and activities in March 2002 in
Mazar-e-Sharif in the frame of ACT Appeal ASAF11 where it implemented the
following activities focusing on the northern region:
Distribution of food and non-food items,
(Re)construction of schools
Reconstruction of a health centre
In July ACT/HIA registered with the Interim Administration of Afghanistan,
Ministry of Planning (Registration No. 159).
DESCRIPTION OF EMERGENCY
Background
According to the international assistance community Afghanistan is
currently in the relief, recovery and reconstruction phase. The challenges
still are however numerous. The biggest one is that this peace is still
very fragile.
Afghanistan is a country with one of the highest child and maternal
mortality rates; one of the lowest literacy and life expectancy rates and
one of the highest proportions of disabled people in the world. Asian
Development Bank (ADB) estimates the current per capita GDP to be only USD
200.
53% of national production comes from agriculture and forestry products,
28% from mining and light industry, 8% from trade, 6% from construction,
5% from transportation, communication and services.
In the seven provinces in the north and north east there are about 5
million people living on about 100.826 km2. Agriculture is the backbone of
the Afghan economy occupying about 85% of the population.
Current situation
For the fiscal year ending next March, Afghanistan needs a recurrent
budget of USD 465 million. Of this, the country estimates that it can
finance, from internal revenue, about USD 80 million, while the remaining
USD 385 million needs to be covered by the international community.
On 5 September President Karzai announced the introduction of new currency
notes to help combat massive inflation and to stabilise the economy. The
Central Bank (Da Afghanistan Bank) has been unable to fulfil its role
since the fall of Najibullah's government in 1992. The new currency
(launched on 7 October 2002) is also called Afghani, its value is 1.000
times that of its predecessor. It is printed in Germany and has all the
security features of the Euro.
Special attention has to be paid to ongoing humanitarian and
reconstruction assistance, social sector expansion, community development
and income generation activities so that Afghans can again become self
reliant. After so many traumatic years the Afghan population's coping
mechanisms have been eroded and they have had to rely more and more on the
international community. In the north, due to the absence of assistance
the more vulnerable groups have started to force their female children,
between the ages of 9-12, into marriage in exchange for food and boys are
sent as labour to different workshops. As soon as INGOs start to provide
some assistance these activities stop.
Returnees:
According to the data provided by UNHCR till 17 August 64,902 families
(290,580 people) returned in the frame of the assisted return program to
the North of Afghanistan:
Province
Families
Persons
Male
Female
Badakhshan
2,701
4,140
3,335
805
Takhar
5,959
23,204
13,035
10,169
Baghlan
16,017
84,519
44,376
40,143
Kunduz
12,121
64,229
33,423
30,796
Samangan
1,076
5,181
2,741
2,440
Balkh
5,555
23,677
12,904
10,772
Jawzjan
10,392
50,339
26,354
23,981
Faryab
9,114
28,450
16,992
11,458
Saripul
1,967
6,841
3,963
2,878
TOTAL
64,902
290,580
157,123
133,442
Pashtoons represent about 52% of returnees, followed by Tajiks (33%),
Hazaras (7%), Uzbeks (4%) and Turkmens (3%). Pashtoons account for 95 % of
Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
As of 26 June the top ten return provinces in the whole of Afghanistan
were: Kabul (463,813), Nangarhar (247,710), Parwaan (62,517), Baghlan
(33,346), Kunduz (31,619), Jawzjan (30,062), Kandahar (26,667), Laghman
(25,956), Faryab (24,720) and Kapisa (23,754).
In addition to the returning refugees, between January and end of August
approximately 249,551 internally displaced people (IDPs) returned to the
region.
One of the most urgent needs of the returnees is shelter. The UNHCR
estimates that about 50% of them will find their homes destroyed or
damaged. In some areas of Shomali and Bamyan the reconstruction needs are
almost 100%. The UNHCR assists the returning refugees with shelter kits
containing beams, doors, window frames, windows, hammers and nails. In
addition to shelter, food, water and protection are of crucial importance
for returnees.
More refugees have returned to Afghanistan than expected - the push of the
international community played a crucial role in this process. Returnees
are entitled to "return kits" and cash to cover travel expenses provided
at payment centres set up in different parts of the country. However,
during the year funds available from IOM, UNHCR and WFP dried up. This
resulted in a sharp decrease in the contents of the return kits. This in
turn led to a slow and limited scale of targeted re-integration which has
led to serious shelter problems. Many returnees either live without
shelter, or are hosted by other families who themselves are poor and may
not be able to continue supporting them in the winter months.
Furthermore, since July WFP has been facing a severe breakdown in its
pipeline. Priority is now given to assist returnees while other programmes
such as FOODAC, FFW have had to be cancelled or postponed. Once the
returnees reach their places of origin they now face a shortage in
available food, household assets, shelter, access to water, education and
health services. Often they have to buy water from those who have access
to wells, so they are running into debt and sinking further into poverty.
There are still an estimated 700-800,000 IDPs in Afghanistan, of which
over 330,000 are in the south. Over 180,000 IDPs have been assisted to
return to their villages since December 2001. The majority returning to
the western region (69,922), the north (59,044) and centre (42,763).
Additionally some 400,000 IDPs have returned spontaneously1 Source was
provided on 11 July by UNHCR/IOM.
1.
When IDPs return they are transported back to their place of residence
while refugee returnees receive cash to cover their travel expenses. Both
groups receive return kits at their final destination. However, only
returning refugees are entitled to receive shelter kits from UNHCR.
Challenges returnees have to face are:
Ongoing drought,
Household food insecurity,
Debt, asset depletion, isolation,
Limited access to decent health centres,
Funding crises at IOM, UNHCR and breakdown in pipeline at WFP
Food security
In the south and south-west the drought has persisted. The 2002 cereal
production is forecasted at 3,59 million tons, 82% up on last year, but 4%
below the 1998 crop. It comprises 2.69 million tons of wheat, 345,000 tons
of barley, 298,000 tons of maize and 260,000 tons of rice. Cereal import
requirements in 2002/03 (July/June) year are estimated at 1.38 million
tons, about 38% below the previous two years'.
Locusts have caused severe damage - in villages close to the desert 100%
of the harvest was destroyed (Baghlan, Samangan, Kunduz and a part of
Balkh provinces), while the country average is 30%.
The previous three years of drought has led to a widespread decimation of
livestock. Recent estimates indicate that the total livestock population
in Afghanistan may have declined by about 60% since 1998, particularly
after the massive deaths and selling of animals last summer and autumn.
Domestic sale of livestock is estimated to have dropped by 50% while
animal prices increased by at least 30% in all areas.
In 2002 there was sufficient rainfall in the north but due to the lack of
seeds and livestock farmers could not cultivate sufficient land. The yield
is considered to be good; more than 20 seer/jerib on irrigated areas and
more than 10 seer/jerib on rainfed areas. On rainfed areas 10-30% of land
was planted2 In normal cases the maximum cultivated land is 50% in the
case of rainfed areas.
2, while on irrigated areas more than 50%. To assist the further increase
in food production, the replacement of lost tools and livestock as well as
the provision of quality seeds becomes a very import and urgent challenge.
Furthermore, the existing irrigation canals will need to be cleaned.
The irrigated sector traditionally provides 85% of all crops. However
since 1978, the irrigated area has declined by some 50-60%.
There is an overall shortage in WFP's food pipeline causing interruption
in WFP funded programs such as FOODAC. Food will be an urgent need as
winter is approaching and shipments should reach the remote mountainous
villages by October. At the end of August it seemed that WFP would not
have any wheat till December. From the available stocks IDPs/returnees and
then governmental officers have priority.
Predominantly wheat and rice are the staple food and account for an
average of 80 per cent of daily energy intake. Calcium and iron intake in
all households was much below the recommended levels. Chronic malnutrition
is over 50%. According to UNICEF over 50% of adult women and children
under-two have anaemia and up to 50% of adults and children suffer from
goitre. Cretinism and outbreaks of scurvy are prevalent in the north and
in the west.
A potential food crisis, water availability and usage rights are of
increasing concern. In some communities the returning IDPs and refugees
have to buy water from families owning it. This payment is further
exacerbating the household economy. Due to the worsening economic
situation of vulnerable and indebted families they have started to sell
their young sons as labour to rich carpet weaving/trading families in some
villages.
WFP/FAO uses the following priorities for Geographic Targeting in
Afghanistan3 WFP/FAO recommendation
3:
High altitude mountainous areas (Bamyian province)
Population groups that have lost their agricultural income due to the
destruction of irrigation systems and those that need transitional support
until their destroyed perennial crops can bear fruits again (Kabul,
Kandahar)
Remote mountainous areas (Badakhshan, Bamyian, Ghor, North Uruzgan)
areas of the sedentary nomadic (Kuchi) population
Particularly vulnerable social groups are seen as:
IDPs/former refugees at the outset and following their return to their
places of origin or to new settlements
Populations displaced by the ongoing ethnic tensions
Families who have lost one or more essential wage earner
Nomadic Kuchi
Health
In the hot summer months ARI, pneumonia, diarrhoea related diseases and
cholera outbreaks are typical in the north due to the poor water quality,
lack of health facilities and canalisation. Diarrhoea kills an estimated
85,000 children a year in Afghanistan and is considered to be one of the
country's major health risks4 WHO
4. WHO reported at the end of July and beginning of August a cholera
outbreak in Jawzjan and in Samangan provinces. In Khoja Du Kho district,
Jawzjan province, which is the main project area for HIA, from May till 17
August 70 people died of cholera. The affects of this disease were
exacerbated by a serious nutritional problem faced by lactating mothers.
During the implementation of ASAF11 ACT/HIA carried out assessments in
three districts (Khoja Du Kho, Khamyab and Qarqin) in Jawzjan province. It
was reported that all three districts had only one health centre which was
not fully operational. The health centre in Khoja Du Kho was not even in
use - only its walls were standing. It should be noted that in this
district there are 17 villages and a district centre with 4 settlements.
It means that 7,510 families (45,060 people)5 Figures are based on
ACT/HIA's district wide assessment in May 2002.
5 did not have access to any health facility. The health centre was
reconstructed by ACT/HIA in ASAF11.
Education
30% of pupils are girls. Teachers report that more children are seeking
enrolment every day creating a continuous need for more books, stationery
and investment in teachers' training and support. Physical infrastructure
remains of concern as schools do not have adequate sanitation and a lot of
children are being taught in school tents.
In the north there is an increasing demand for school (re)construction.
During its assessments in Balkh province HIA ascertained the disquieting
information that Chimtal district comprises 65 villages and no formal
primary school exists. Dawlatabad has 43 villages with 80,000 families
(480,000 people) with only one operational primary school.
HIA was approached by different village leaders asking for assistance in
building the school infrastructure. Many of the leaders have not gone to
school themselves, but think that it could be useful. Others point out
that they have missed this opportunity, but that their children should
have a better chance for the future.
Security situation in the North
The security situation in the north continues to be unsettled with
fighting between the two main factions (Jumbish and Jamiat) in various
provinces: Sar-e-Pul, Faryab (Maimana), Balkh (Sholgara, Kishendeh),
Samangan (Hairaton).
In Mazar there is the ongoing effort to demilitarise parts of the city by
relocating armed groups to barracks outside the city and removing military
check-points. Weak security management of the city continues to be a
concern. Unresolved inter-factional conflicts6 In Mazar-e-Sharif there are
three main factions represented: Jamiat, Jumbish and the Hazara Harakat
along with three smaller ones.
6 in many areas of the region threaten to further destabilise the fragile
security of the city. At the beginning of August three different military
reinforcements were going on in Mazar by the three factions - Jumbish,
Jamiat and the Hazara-led Harakat. Furthermore, reinforcements are said to
include foreign military experts and the infiltration of Taliban and
al-Qaida returnees.
In July the first disarmament (voluntary) in Afghanistan was carried out
in Sholgara, Balkh province. The collected arms will be transported to
military depots outside Mazar-e-Sharif. There the weapons will be
registered and kept under guard by Jamiat and Jumbish. UNAMA is monitoring
the process, however, there are concerns that the weapons will be
redistributed or sold.
In August - beginning of September the security situation in the north
remained fragile, especially after Mohammad Atta dismissed his brother,
the police chief of Mazar-e-Sharif, and on 2 and 3 September there was
shooting inside in the city.
At the end of August fighting broke out between the Wahdat and Harakat
parties in the north - both of them are Hazara factions.
Impact on Human Lives
With its new project ACT/HIA wishes to improve the Afghan population's
access to education, basic health facilities and shelter while providing
food assistance to the most vulnerable social groups in targeted
locations.
Locations for Proposed Response
ACT/HIA will continue to focus on the northern provinces in Afghanistan
with a special view of Balkh and Jawzjan provinces.
Proposed project locations are:
Jawzjan province:
Qarqin district
Khamyab district
Khoja Du Kho district
Aqcha district
Shebarghan district
Balkh province:
Balkh district: Samarkandyan, Derazi, Rabat villages
Chimtal district: Chimtal village
Charbulak district:
Mazar-e-Sharif
In ASAF11 HIA was active in both Jawzjan and Balkh and in other provinces
through co-operation agreements. HIA now wishes to concentrate on these
two provinces, which are close to HIA FO in Mazar, and implement the
activities itself. Based on UN information related to presence of INGOs in
the north, gaps were noticed in the educational sector in particular.
GOALS & OBJECTIVES
The overall goal is to provide access to basic public services in two
provinces in northern Afghanistan.
To provide 3-month food rations (flour, beans, sugar and ghee) for the
most vulnerable groups to help them through the winter.
To provide access to primary/secondary education in the project locations
for boys and girls by constructing/reconstructing schools and providing
equipment
To encourage pupils to go to schools by distributing school kits
To provide access to health services by (re)constructing health centres
and providing basic equipment for them
To provide shelter for returnees in Khoja Du Kho district, Jawzjan
province by building houses
To provide access to clean water by drilling wells
To address environmental concerns by planting trees at each project site
(schools and health centres).
To support female-headed families to earn income by providing them with
raw materials for carpet weaving courses.
TARGETED BENEFICIARIES
Through its activities ACT/HIA wishes to support the most vulnerable
groups of Afghan society paying special attention to children.
Children between 6 - 12 years (other organisation are focussing on 0-6
year olds)
Returnees (IDPs and refugees)
Female-headed families
Criteria in Beneficiary Selection
During its activities in ACT Appeal ASAF11 ACT/HIA identified the
districts and settlements which most lack educational and health
facilities. ACT/HIA wishes to pay special attention to these needs as well
as contributing to shelter for returnees. In selecting the sites of
(re)construction activities ACT/HIA prioritised settlements where the
local community was keen to contribute to the process with free labour and
some construction materials.
The shelter assistance will focus on returning refugees. In selecting the
returnee families for shelter assistance ACT/HIA will take care to ensure
that only families that can prove they are real returnees (by having
documents issued by UNHCR) receive the assistance. The beneficiary will
need to provide evidence of ownership of the house site but not have
property elsewhere. Priority will be given to female-headed households,
and the elderly or disabled. Cross checking will be carried out with the
assistance of the local shura and local authorities.
In selecting the most vulnerable groups of the community ACT/HIA will
co-operate with the local councils (shura) comprising the village leader,
the judge (wakil), mullah and other community members.
Number of Targeted Beneficiaries
Distribution of food: 4,203 families (25,098 people)
Distribution of school kits: 15,100 children
(Re)construction of schools:
In Qarqin: 600 children
In Khamyab: 400 children
In Shebarghan: (2) 2,600 children
In Samarkandyan (Balkh district) 900 children
In Rabat: 600 children
In Derazi: 700 children
In Chimtal village (Chimtal district): 1800 children
Abu Shukur (Charbolak district) 1,050 children
Badai Balkh: 1,500 children
Abu Yusuf: 600 children
Mazar-e-Sharif: 1,200 children
Subtotal: 11,950 children
(Re)construction of health centres:
In Qarqin: 4,300 families (25,800 people)
In Khamyab: 3,400 families (20,400 people)
In Samarkandiyan (Balkh province) n.a
Subtotal: 7,700 families (46,200 people)+
Shelter construction: 400 families
Medical assistance:
In Khoja Du Kho: 7,510 families (45,060 people)
In Qarqin: 4,300 families (25,800 people)
In Khamyab: 3,400 families (20,400 people)
In Samarkandiyan (Balkh province): na.a
Subtotal: 15,210 families (91,260 people)+
Carpet weaving for female-headed families: 100 women
Well drilling and Tree Planting - entire villages will benefit
PROPOSED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE & IMPLEMENTATION
Distribution of food and non-food items (NFIs)
Food: Due to the severe breakdown in WFP's pipeline ACT/HIA wishes to
assist the most vulnerable groups (returnees, female and child-headed
families, families with disabled members and those without a breadwinner).
They will receive a 3-month ration of flour and complementary food items
(ghee, beans and sugar). Each family will receive 50 kg flour, 18 ltr
ghee, 10 kg sugar and 25 kg beans.
With this action ACT/HIA wishes to cover 25% of the population in Khoja Du
Kho (1,878 families), Qarqin (1,075 families) and Khamyab (850 families)
districts (Jawzjan province) in addition to those returnees whose shelter
will be reconstructed (400 families). The beneficiaries will be selected
in close co-operation with the local shuras.
The scheduled start of this project component is November.
Non Food Items: There is still a high demand for certain NFIs: e.g.
hygienic kits, layettes and soap. Therefore HIA approached LWR to provide
these items for its new project. The content of LWR's in kind contribution
is still under discussion and has therefore not been added in the budget.
When received the hygiene kits will be distributed to both pupils and
clinics supported by ACT/HIA. Layettes and soap will be donated to MoPH
and distributed among returnees as well as female-headed families.
Blankets and infant/children's clothing will benefit returnees.
(Re)construction of schools and health centres
During the implementation of ACT Appeal ASAF11, ACT/HIA identified the
areas that lack these services. ACT/HIA will inform the local authorities,
Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and Ministry
of Planning (MoP) of its intentions and will conclude a trilateral
agreement concerning the schools or health centres in question. ACT/HIA
will only go ahead with the (re)construction if the competent ministries
guarantee that after completion they will take over the running of the
building and provide the necessary staff as well.
ACT/HIA will hire a Supervisor for each construction site who will be
responsible for carrying out the work on the spot. Local skilled labour
will be hired if available or taken from the nearest town while unskilled
work will be done by the local villagers. Skilled workers will be paid in
cash after completing 10 days work. ACT/HIA will pay cash for unskilled
work only in extreme situations - if the community is abjectly poor.
Otherwise ACT/HIA strongly seeks the local communities' contribution and
involvement in these activities in the form of labour or providing wood
for beams, lintels etc. Tools for the construction like wheel barrows,
spades, pickaxes, shovels and sieves will be provided.
The buildings will entirely correspond to local traditions and designs
using local building materials. A standard Afghan building is built with a
mixture of (natural) mud and burned bricks.
When the buildings are ready, ACT/HIA will hand it over to the competent
ministry and to the village. The hand over document will be sent to MoP,
the governor of the province and the district as well.
(Re)construction of schools:
During the implementation of ASAF11 ACT/HIA was approached by several
village leaders to construct schools for their villages. In selecting the
project locations ACT/HIA gave priority to those which cover several
settlements and will accept multiethnic pupils:
Balkh district:
Name of the village
Number of villages served by the school
Target number
Ethnic
Samarkandyan
27 Samarkandyan and Charsang villages will be covered.
7
900 (boys & girls)
Tajik, Pashtoon
Rabat
58 Rabat, Mawlaway Rasul, Char Sarake, Top Rostam and Sang Chal villages
will be covered.
8
1,600 (boys & girls)
Tajik, Uzbek, Turkmen, Pashtoon
Derazi
39 Derazi, Dekazi and Timurseray villages will be covered.
9
700 (boys & girls)
Pashtoon
TOTAL
10
3,200 boys & girls
Chimtal district10 In Chimtal district there are 65 villages but no formal
primary education exists. Furthermore the district has only one health
centre.
10:
Chimtal village
611 Chimtal village, Husain Khil, Band-i-Eshan, Chatrally, Nawabad and
Arab villages will be covered (2,900 families = ~17,400 people)
11
1,800 (boys & girls)
Pasthoon, Tajik, Arab
Girls will go to school in the morning and boys in the afternoon.
In the case of school construction the village leaders have already
donated the land to the Ministry of Education for this purpose.
ACT/HIA will undertake the (re)construction of a total of 8 schools: 2 in
Shebarghan, 3 in Charbulak district 1 in Mazar-e-Sharif, 1 in Qarqin and 1
in Khamyab.
In Charbulak district the following schools will be reconstructed:
Abu Shukur: currently 1,005 boys and girls from 10 villages go to the
school in two shifts. ACT/HIA will build 4 classrooms, change the windows
and doors of the already existing ones, plaster and paint the entire
school building, build toilets and deepen the water well to obtain clean
water. The school will be provided with school furniture.
Badai Balkh: currently there are 901 boys and 531 girls from 10
surrounding villages (Pashtoon and Tajik). ACT/HIA wishes to construct 2
buildings with 6 classrooms in each, provide school furniture and dig a
well.
Abu Yusuf: the children of 4 villages attend the school (150 girls & 450
boys) which has 11 classrooms. ACT/HIA wishes to change the roof, windows,
provide doors, plaster and paint.
In Mazar-e-Sharif the following school will be reconstructed:
Ustad Jahid Secondary School: 1,200 boys attend the school which has 6
classrooms without doors, windows and any furniture - pupils sit on the
dusty floor. In the courtyard there are 6 school tents without any
furniture. ACT/HIA wishes to rehabilitate the already existing building
and extend it with 6 classrooms. A wall will be built around the school
and a well will be dug. As it is situated in Mazar, it can have electric,
water and drainage. School furniture will be donated to the school.
In Shebarghan:
Lycée Farabi: Currently 2,000 girls attend the high school in Shebarghan
which is in very bad condition. ACT/HIA wishes to reconstruct the existing
building and provide school furniture.
Lycée Aznab: 600 girls attend the school where only a wall needs to be
constructed for better protection
In the case of Qarqin and Khamyab schools, glass windows and doors need to
be installed, the buildings to be painted, roofs to be strengthened and
lavatories to be installed.
The new schools will all be built on the same design. The schools in Rabat
and Derazi will be 6-classroom schools, while those in Samarkandyan and
Chimtal will have 8.
In Charbulak district and Mazar-e-Sharif ACT/HIA will implement the
reconstruction in the frame of cash-for-work programs. Unskilled labour
will be invited to assist and the project supervisor will monitor their
work. The labourers will be paid after completing 10 days work. The daily
wage will be agreed later as it depends on seasonal effects.
In the budget a lumpsum per school is calculated based on the size and
construction materials needed.
It is expected that after the reconstruction more children will attend the
schools.
ACT/HIA signs will be used for visibility at the main roads, at the
project site and on the building.
School furniture (desks, chairs, blackboards) will be purchased locally -
made by local carpenters.
The number of items was calculated on the number of pupils, gender
breakdown and number of classrooms.
It is expected that School kits can be provided through a separate
agreement for an in kind donation with LWR to all pupils who attend
schools built or reconstructed by ACT/HIA in both ASAF11 and ASAF21. The
list of pupils will be provided by the director of the school. ACT/HIA
Mazar FO staff will carry out the distribution of these items.
Health Centres:
Three health centres will be (re)constructed in the same as the schools.
The health clinic in Qarqin will have a protecting wall built around to
prevent animals also accessing the area. In both Qarqin and Khamyab the
roof must be strengthened, windows and doors changed, walls painted and a
water supply installed. A brand new health centre will be constructed in
Samarkandyan.
A lumpsum per building has been calculated on the basis of earlier
experience (one centre in ASAF11).
Medical assistance
Based upon the list provided by MoPH, ACT/HIA will donate basic medical
equipment and supplies such as bandages, gauze, stethoscopes and
sphygmomanometers etc for the health centres it has re/constructed. A
Letter of Donation will be signed with the MoPH and the leader of the
health centre.
Shelter construction
ACT/HIA will provide shelter for returned refugees in Khoja Du Kho
district, Jawzjan province where there is a desperate need of shelter.
According to UNHCR as of 17 August there were 476 assisted returnee
families (2,300 people; 1,167 men and 1,133 women) in the district.
According to the District Governor by the beginning of September 1,200
families had returned.
A standard house is two rooms with a corridor, kitchen, bathroom and an
outside latrine. The house will conform to traditional regional
architecture. Requested constructing materials are: natural (mud) brick,
cement, limestone, quicklime, wood, bamboo, nails, stone, sand, plastic
and glass.
ACT/HIA will select the beneficiaries in co-operation with the village
shura and local authority. The beneficiary will need to provide evidence
of ownership of house site but not have property elsewhere. In the
selection priority will be given to female-headed households, elderly or
disabled. In the absence of any documents ACT/HIA will involve the
Ministry of Return and Repatriation (MRR). HIA will expect the beneficiary
to work on the reconstruction of his shelter but other unskilled labour
will be hired from the community if sufficient manpower is not available
from the beneficiary.
In some cases the returnees do not have any real estate property. For them
the district leadership has already identified governmental land for
shelter construction in the district centre.
ACT/HIA will hire a Supervisor to monitor the reconstruction of 20
shelters.
Drilling Wells
During its assessment trips and reconstruction activities, it became
obvious that there was a desperate need for clean water for the village
population to ensure a better life quality for them and avoid the spread
of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea etc. ACT/HIA will provide 31 wells
with hand pumps for the schools, shelters and health centres it has
(re)constructed. These wells will be dug using manpower.
ACT/HIA will approach UNICEF for the hand pumps. The cost per well,
included in the budget, is based on the quotations collected.
Three water pumps will be purchased for use at the construction sites
where no pumps or water sources exist.
Planting trees
As there is hardly any greenery, trees will be planted in the spring at
each school and clinic reconstruction side under ASAF11 and ASAF21. This
will also help develop environmental awareness. Water for the trees will
be taken from wells drilled by ACT/HIA. Altogether 1,050 trees will be
planted in 21 locations with each site receiving 50 trees of various
types. A gardener will be hired to plant the trees, while the communities
itself, in particular staff at the schools and the health centres will be
responsible for their care.
Carpet weaving for female-headed families
ACT/HIA wishes to support the women's program of a local NGO, Association
for Social Development (ASD) in Aqcha, Jawzjan province. Earlier ASD
implemented projects for female-headed families, disabled and child-headed
families. These projects focused on training activities from which they
could earn an income. Unfortunately due to lack in funding these
initiatives had to be stopped.
ACT/HIA will contribute to the revitalisation of the carpet-weaving
courses through a one-time financial injection and three-months food
support for the participants. From the funds provided necessary raw
materials (scissors, combs, patterns, wool etc) will be purchased for
weaving. When the carpets are ready, they will be sold in the local market
and from the income received ASD will be able to continue the project.
Twenty five courses will be organised for 100 women. For their work the
beneficiaries will receive 150 kg flour and 18 l ghee on a monthly basis
for a three-month period.
Implementation
The ACT/HIA Afghanistan program has its main office in Mazar-e-Sharif
which serves for project staff housing as well. From here the different
project sites can be easily reached with the exception of Qarqin and
Khamyab districts where accessibility is difficult due to the very poor
physical infrastructure. To travel the 190 km-distance it takes 7-9 hours
by 4x4 car.
Needed equipment for the office will be purchased. The office will
continue to rent cars as done under ASAF11 until it is possible to
purchase two 4-wheel drive cars (second hand).
ACT/HIA will contribute to the capacity building of its local staff by
covering the costs of their computer and English courses. Computer courses
will be in Windows, WinWord, Excel and Access. ACT/HIA will send all its
local staff to English courses for the entire duration of the program.
ACT/HIA will rent a warehouse in Shebarghan which is close to the Khoja Du
Kho project sites.
Procurement
ACT/HIA strictly follows the ACT Procurement guidelines. Procurements are
carried out locally to give an input to the Afghan economy. If the items
are not available in Afghanistan, the regional market will be searched.
Before any purchase ACT/HIA collects 5 different quotations and after
reviewing the prices, the FO makes its decision. An order is placed to the
most competitive bidder in terms of price, cost, capacity, reliability and
reputation. Payments are usually settled after meeting the order.
ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE, MONITORING & REPORTING
Administration
ACT/HIA Afghanistan program will be directed by a Hungarian expatriate
based in Mazar-e-Sharif for the project duration. A second expatriate
(Uzbek citizen) will be responsible for logistics. ACT/HIA Mazar FO local
staff consists of 1 Administrator, 1 Site Engineer, 2 Project Assistants,
1 Field Officer, 2 Transport monitors, 2 Drivers and 3 Guards. Depending
on the staff needs in the field, ACT/HIA will hire field staff for the
different project components.
Finance
Finance and reporting is the responsibility of ACT/HIA HQ. An allocation
to cover the costs involved has been included in the budget. Payments are
made in instalments based on the HoM's proposal and approved by HIA's
Director and Finance Director. The project will be audited by KPMG
Hungary. According to the contract between HIA and KPMG an audit can be
carried out twice a year - in May/June and in November/December. If the
project finishes on time, HIA will make all efforts to ensure that
documentation is ready for audit in spring 2003.
Monitoring
HIA has a two-level monitoring system. The first focuses on the different
implemented activities and their progress, paying special attention to
logistics and qualitative aspects. In the case of re/construction work
and drilling of wells, the site engineer will be responsible for providing
weekly progress reports.
The second-level is the screening by HIA's Director and Financial
Director. An allocation to cover the all costs involved has been included
in the budget.
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
1 November 2002 - 30 April 2003
CO-ORDINATION
ACT/HIA Mazar FO co-ordinates on a provincial level with local authorities
(different ministries, governors), NGOs and INGOs. On a regional level in
the north with UN and INGOs. ACT/HIA has also joined the revived ACT
Regional Forum, which includes other ACT-members active in Afghanistan:
CAID, CWS NCA and UMCOR.
BUDGET
ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE
Description Type of No of Unit Cost Budget
Unit Units US$ US$
I. DIRECT ASSISTANCE
Post Crisis Assistance
Distribution of food
Flour (50 kg) Sack 4,203 8.20 34,465
Beans (25kg) Sack 4,203 10.25 43,081
Ghee (18 ltr tin) Tin 4,203 11.20 47,074
Sugar (10 kg bag) Bag 4,203 3.44 14,458
Sub Total 139,077
Construction of schools
Samarkandyan Lumpsum 27,479
Rabat Lumpsum 13,389
Derazi Lumpsum 13,389
Chimtal Lumpsum 27,479
Sub Total 81,736
Reconstruction of schools
Qarqin high school Lumpsum 14,793
Khamyab high school Lumpsum 16,355
Lycée Aznab Lumpsum 3,451
Lycée Farabi Lumpsum 18,250
Abu Shukur school Lumpsum 15,309
Badai Balkh High School Lumpsum 27,479
Abu Yusuf High School Lumpsum 11,937
Ustad Jahid High School Lumpsum 15,309
Sub Total 122,883
Tools site 12 150.00 1,800
Supervisor (12) month 3 880.00 2,640
Guard (12) month 3 440.00 1,320
SubTotal 5,760
School furniture
Chairs & Desks (double) piece 1,530 16.00 24,480
Blackboard piece 147 9.00 1,323
Desk for teacher piece 155 22.00 3,410
Chair for teacher piece 180 8.00 1,440
Signboards piece 36 15.00 540
Sub Total 31,193
Construction of a health center
Samarkandyan Lumpsum 27,479
Sub Total 27,479
Description Type of No of Unit Cost Budget
Unit Units US$ US$
Reconstruction of health centers
Qarqin health center 12,630
Khamyab health center 10,442
Tools site 3 150.00 450
Medical assistance Lumpsum 50,000
Sub Total 73,522
Supervisor (3) month 3 240.00 720
Guard (3) month 3 120.00 360
Signboards piece 9 15.00 135
Sub Total 1,215
Shelter construction
Shelter unit 400 1,710.64 684,256
Supervisor labour 20 80.00 1,600
Signboards piece 400 5.00 2,000
Sub Total 687,856
Water & Sanitation
Waterpump pump 3 440.00 1,320
Drilling wells well 31 4,166.67 129,167
Sub Total 130,487
Planting trees
Tree piece 1,050 2.00 2,100
Labour month 1 150.00 150
Sub Total 2,250
Women's program
Raw material assistance Lumpsum 950
Flour (50Kg sack) Sack 900 8.20 7,380
Ghee (18 ltr tin) Tin 300 11.20 3,360
Sub Total 11,690
TOTAL DIRECT ASSISTANCE 1,315,148
II. MATERIAL TRANSPORT, STORAGE, WAREHOUSING AND HANDLING
Material Transport
Truck Rental & Related Costs month 6 3,000.00 18,000
Storage, Warehouse and Handling
Warehouse rental month 6 500.00 3,000
Warehouse guarding month 6 200.00 1,200
Labour for Loading & Unloading month 6 300.00 1,800
Other (customs' clearance) lump 500
TOTAL 24,500
III. CAPITAL EQUIPMENT
Office Equipment
Electric heater piece 5 75.00 375
Copy machine piece 1 1,000
Walkie-talkie piece 2 550.00 1,100
Vehicle
Second hand 4 x 4 vehicle 2 20,000.00 40,000
Total 42,475
Description Type of No of Unit Cost Budget
Unit Units US$ US$
IV. PERSONNEL, ADMINISTRATION, OPERATION AND SUPPORT
Capacity building
Computer course course 16 16.00 256
English course course 66 10.00 660
Staff Salaries and Benefits
Project Director (expatriate) month 6 5,000.00 30,000
Logistic Officer (expatriate) month 6 600.00 3,600
Finance staff month 6 2,800.00 16,800
Administrator month 6 230.00 1,380
Field Officer month 6 200.00 1,200
Transport monitor (2) month 6 360.00 2,160
Site Engineer month 6 270.00 1,620
Project Assistant (2) month 6 380.00 2,280
Guard (3) month 6 510.00 3,060
Driver (2) month 6 200.00 1,200
Staff Travel
International travel month 6 1,500.00 9,000
Local & Regional travel month 6 600.00 3,600
Office Operation
Office rental month 6 1,000.00 6,000
Office Utilities month 6 150.00 900
Stationery & supplies month 6 500.00 3,000
Communication
Telephone & Fax month 6 2,000.00 12,000
Vehicle Operations
Fuel month 6 400.00 2,400
Maintenance month 6 500.00 3,000
Car Rental (3) month 6 1,700.00 10,200
Total 114,316
AUDIT lump 3,000
OTHER COSTS
Bank fees (1%) lump 15,300
Monitoring lump 10,000
Total 25,300
TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE 1,524,739
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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
distributed by
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Center for International Disaster Information
Volunteers in Technical Assistance
web: www.cidi.org
listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
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comments/suggestions/requests to incident@cidi.org