Emergency Relief Cell, SESWA, Swabi, Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa

(Initiatives in the flood affected areas (Charsadda, Nowshera and Swabi)

(Do visit, www.seswapk.org for the latest updates)

 Background;

  SESWA has launched an emergency campaign to aid the victims of the floods that have affected more than 1 million people and claimed over 1500 lives thus far. Hundreds of homes and thousands of acres of farmland were destroyed in the Khyber Pukhtoon Khwa, uprooting entire communities and isolating victims. Many of them have nowhere to go.

The areas are cut off due to the severity of the floods. The government has declared a state of emergency and further heavy rain is expected in the next few days.

 At least half a million people remain marooned on islands of high ground, while others have taken refuge in mosques and schools.

 The floods began after unprecedented monsoon-like rainfall battered the region, sweeping away homes and forcing people to make the dangerous march into the highlands. Landslides are burying entire villages and making it dangerous for people to move.

 In the situation, SESWA, Swabi has decided to initiate relief activities for the affected people in the areas, Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa, and provide medicines and clean drinking water on emergency basis. SESWA has allocated Rs. 2,00,000.00 from its own resources and recruited volunteers to assist the organization in its activities.

 SESWA in Action

   SESWA has been fortunate enough to have 180 volunteers who have expertise in wide range of fields covering health, agriculture, environment, education and human rights. Mr. Farhad Zaman, Chairman of the organization took the initiative and invited the health experts to think over the situation after the gigantic flooding in the districts Charsada and Nowshera.

Round about 25 health experts contacted the organization and showed interest in the relief activities. From amongst the volunteers the following persons were selected; Dr. Zubair, Dr. Muhammad Faiq, 

                                                                                                                                                                                               Mr. Farhad Zaman, chairman SESWA, Mr. Raz Muhammad, Chairman General Welfare, Mr. Fazal Sher, Mr. Muhammad Taib and Mr. Javed Akhtar. The committee in its first meeting decided to visit the area and know the situation and then plan according.

 The committee members visited the affected area and also met with the affectees and CBOs’ partners working in the area. The team also visited the remote areas and observed the health issues. It was noticed that skin diseases, dysentery and depression were common that mostly affected children, women and elderly.

Initially the organization allocated Rs. 2,00,000.00 for the purchase of necessary medicines and also appealed publicly to the affluent in the area to donate so that the relief activities be ensured. On our call, the people not only praised our move but also contributed thousands in relief funds of the organization.

 Medicines were purchased, vehicles hired and work plan worked out for the action.

It is also important to note that Chairman SESWA and Islahi Jirga Shewa donated their vehicles to overcome the transportation constraints.

About the area;

  Both the districts (Charsadda & Nowshera) are situated in the province Khyber Pukhtoon Khwa, which were badly affected by the recent surging flash flood.

• The floods washed away crops, vegetables, gardens, and bridges in both the districts.
• Infrstructure in both the districts has been destroyed completely.
• Livestock and grain storages have been driven during flooding.
• 80% people have lost their properties, assets and basic livelihood.
• Thousands of people are facing health risks from minor to major infections.

The affected villages/UCs in the districts;

Damages caused by flood disaster:

·        Grain and food storages

·        Agricultural and residential properties

·        Infrastructre

·        Standing crops

·        Livelihoods

  Recommendation;

• During our visits, no proper mechanism for the relief activities was observed. Except the concerned government officials, local NGOs were engaged in the relief activities. It is recommended that a centralized mechanism for monitoring be set up in the Charsadda City .
• Stress be given to provide life saving medicines, food, clothing and clean drinking water.
• On emergency basis, free-medical camps at the Union Council’s level be organized to cope with the deadly epidemics like, cholera and skin diseases.
• Rehabilitation in such like calamities is a time long process; emphasis be given to ensure well-integrated and coordinated Rehabilitation mechanism so that to avoid irregularities in the process.
• The government must establish an information resource center to ensure accurate and timely information dissemination.
• Donors working in the relief sector must forthwith initiate their activities as the government has not yet able to reach the remote areas.
• Shelters, medicines and NFIs are intensively needed in the affected areas.

 Lesson learnt;

1. Working on emergency basis requires high morale, top volunteerism and the necessary skills
2. motivation and mobilization in the affected areas could do miracles in coping with the situation
3. Necessary data regarding the area be collected and analyzed so that to ensure effective relief activities.
4. Involvement of the local communities in the relief activities could produce far reaching results.
5. Majority of the infectious diseases can be controlled if necessary precautions are practiced.
6. Tension and depression are common during the emergency situation. Efforts be taken to console the affectees through various means.
7. In emergency situation, special measures be taken to protect the children and pregnant women from infectious diseases.

 The hurdles faced;

• Damaged roads in the affected area
• Lack of resources
• Lack of information regarding the affected areas
• Harsh weather

List of Donors

                    *Amount Received in Foreign currency converted to PKRS.

 Logistical support provided

 Volunteers involved in the relief activities

1. Dr. Zubair
2. Dr. Muhammad Faiq
3. Mr. Latif, medical technician/laboratory incharge
4. Mr. Farhad Zaman
5. Mr. Nisar Muhammad
6. Mr. Fazal Sher
7. Mr. Javed Akhtar
8. Mr. Muhammad Taib
9. Mr. Rasheed Ahmed
10. Mr. Raz Muhammad
11. Mr. Raza Muhammad
12. Mr. Israr Muhammad Swalay  

Emergency Relief Cell Swat visit

In order to extend its relief activities, the Emergency relief cell SESWA visited the district Swat and the suburb to provide medical facilities to the flood affectees. The team was consisting of Mr. Farhad Zaman, Chairman SESWA, Mr. Raz Muhammad, Dr. Zubair, Dr. Faiq, Mr. Nisar Muhammad (Medical technician) and Mr. Fazal Sher. Medical camps were set up at various locations; details of which have mentioned below.

Medical camp 1

Village name:   Marguzar

Camp point:     GPS Marguzar

Focal person: Muhammad Anwar

Name of the host organization: Rorwali Jirga

Population of the Marguzar: 4200

Households: 600

Patients checked up: 170

Medical camp 2

Camp point: GPS Marguzar

Patients checked up: 190

Medical camp 3  

Name of the village:  Ali Garma

Population: 25000

Focal person: Ibrahim Shah

Camp point: Hujra Koz Cham

Patients checked up: 240

Medical camp 4

Camp set up: village Damghar – Shahibagh

Camp point: Shah Doran Khan

UC: Kanjo

Name of the host organization: Gulistan CCB

Focal person: Muhammad Anwar, Shahi Durran Khan

Population: 5000

Number of patients checked up: 290

Medical camp 5

Village: Khan Tangai  

UC: Koza Banda

Households: 150

Population: 1050

Patients: 210

Medical camp 6

Village: Marguzar Town

Total patients check up: 280

Page updated by: 01/07/2012 01:49:14 AM