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Emergency WASH intervention for Earthquake Affected Community A project completion report of SSFA Grant of UNICEF

Janahit Gramin Sewa Samittee 12/30/15 SSFA-Grant/UNICEF

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The devastating earthquake of 25th April 2015 and the successive aftershocks severely affected 14

districts of Nepal. Sindhupalchok was one among the badly battered districts of Nepal where more

than 4000 people lost their lives. The earthquake ended up claiming the lives of people and their

livestock, along with private and public building crumbled into rubble.

In a bid to support those affected communities of Sindhupalchok, Janahit Gramin Sewa Samittee

was awarded with Small Scale Funding Agreement (SSFA) from UNICEF. Under this agreement

JGSS implemented emergency WASH program in Kubinde, Phulpingkot and Phulpingdada VDCs of

the district.

JGSS, under this intervention, revived WASH facilities in those VDCs. Firstly, the organization

conducted a detail assessment of the working villages by collecting detail information about

damage caused, and the resources needed. Secondly, there was repeated consultation with the

people of the VDCs, their representatives and the government line agencies. The consultation and

the assessment gave the program a clear picture of what and how to do; as well as where to do. After

the assessment and the consultation, JGSS started reviving water supply schemes and toilets.

The project outputs includes construction and renovation of 23 water supply schemes and 750 toilets

were revived till the date. Further, 1500 hygiene kits were distributed. Likewise, 1050 hand washing

corners were established at revived toilet sites. The corner includes a bucket, mug, soap, brush,

Harpic and a towel.

Peoples’ participation was assured at every steps of the project. Participation started with consulting

V-WASH-CC members of the corresponding VDCs for selection of intervention sites. Likewise, Users’

Committees were formed to facilitate the renovation process. Next, people were invited in every

meetings and their feedback and opinions were taken onboard. Most importantly, peoples’

representatives, journalists and bureaucrats were frequently called for monitoring of the progress.

The organization also made a rigorous coordination among stakeholders in the district during

project implementation. The update of the project was being updated in the WASH cluster meetings.

Also, 4W reporting templates were also duly filled regularly so as to make this intervention visible to

district, regional and national WASH clusters.

Nevertheless, this emergency WASH intervention helped almost 18000 people access to improved

WASH facilities and prevented them from falling under serious consequences of any epidemics. The

incessant effort of project staffs, regular monitoring UNICEF staffs made this project successful. So

far, the project has reduced sufferings and restored human dignity of the earthquake affected

people.

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CONTENTS Executive Summary

Acronyms

1. Background ............................................................................................................................. 1

2. Objectives ................................................................................................................................ 1

3. Project locations ...................................................................................................................... 2

4. Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 3

4.1 Consultation meetings ........................................................................................................... 3

4.2 Formation of users’ committees ............................................................................................ 4

4.3 Detail assessment .................................................................................................................. 4

4.4 Beneficiary selection .............................................................................................................. 5

4.5 Procurement .......................................................................................................................... 5

4.6 Construction .......................................................................................................................... 5

4.7 Monitoring and follow up ....................................................................................................... 6

4.7.1 Monitoring by project staffs ............................................................................................. 6

4.7.2 Monitoring by V-WASH-CC ............................................................................................. 7

4.8 Hand over .............................................................................................................................. 7

5. Achievements .......................................................................................................................... 8

5.1 Revival of toilets ..................................................................................................................... 8

5.2 Revival of water supply schemes ............................................................................................ 9

Water supply schemes in Phulpingkot ..................................................................................... 9

Water supply schemes in Phulpingdada ................................................................................... 9

Water supply schemes in Kubinde ......................................................................................... 10

5.3 Hygiene kit distribution ........................................................................................................ 10

5.4 Establishment of Hand washing corners .............................................................................. 11

5.5 Hygiene promotion TRAINING ............................................................................................. 11

6. Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 12

7. Recommendations ..................................................................................................................... 12

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ACRONYMS CGI: Corrugated Galvanized Iron

DWASHCC: District Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Coordinating Committee

DWSSO: District Water Supply and Sanitation Office

HH: Household

JGSS: Janahit Gramin Sewa Samittee

ODF: Open Defecation Free

VDC: Village Development Committee

VWASHCC: Village Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Coordinating Committee

WASH: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

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1. BACKGROUND

After the devastating earthquake of 25th April 2015 there was a need to immediately support the

people in need who were ravaged by the disaster. With the loss of thousands of lives and damage of

properties an immediate need of rescue for the affected people. Several organizations, local and

international including development partners launched rescue missions in Sindhupalchok which is

one among the badly affected 14 districts of Nepal.

Janahit Gramin Sewa Samittee (JGSS), one of the local NGO of the district pioneering in WASH,

health and social mobilization harnessed its effort with the support of UNICEF. This project, under

the Small Scale Funding Agreement (SSFA) of UNICEF, is aimed at rehabilitating WASH facilities to

the earthquake affected people of Sindhupalchok.

This program, as Initial Response Plan in Sindhupalchok, was intended to execute for three months,

and JGSS implemented rehabilitation of WASH facilities in 3 VDCs, namely Kubinde, Phulpingkot

and Phulpingdada of the district.

The program was implemented in close coordination with government line agencies, and other

stakeholders in the district. In fact, the program made frequent sharing and learning with District

WASH cluster as well as District Water Supply and Sanitation Office (DWSS) of Sindhupalchok.

2. OBJECTIVES

The main aim of this project was to restore WASH facilities in the earthquake affected areas and

help people to access to clean drinking water and use toilet.

However, other specific objectives are listed below.

Result 1:

Facilities of safe water at HH and community level- 17830 affected people (3566 HH) in

targeted VDCs have access to safe water through small repair and maintenance 21 water

supply schemes.

Result 2:

Sanitation Campaign in the HH level - 3300 affected people (600 HH) in households gained

access to safe toilets.

Result 3:

Hygiene Promotion and behavior change- 17,830 affected people (3566 HH) in targeted

VDCs received appropriate Hygiene messages.

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3. PROJECT LOCATIONS

The project was implemented in three VDCs of Sindhupalchok district, namely Kubinde,

Phulpingkot and Phulpingdada. Kubinde is the adjoining village of district headquarter, Chautara,

of the district. Phulpingkot is adjacent to Kubinde neighboring Phulpingdada.

Picture 1. Map of Sindhupalchok district.

Since the program was implemented in cooperation with local bodies, they suggested the program

to be implemented in some selected locations of the aforementioned VDCs as below.

TABLE 1: PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION WARDS

VDC Wards

Phulpingdada 1,2,3

Phulpingkot 1,2,3

Kubinde 6,7,8,9

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All the three VDCs are badly battered by the earthquake. Among all those program locations, wards

of Phulpingdada contain more population while Kubinde and Phulpingkot have slightly fewer

population.

CHART 1: HOUSEHOLDS AND POPULATION OF WORKING VDCS

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1 CONSULTATION MEETINGS

In order to kick start the process, the JGSS project team and the UNICEF field office

representative started consultation with the local stakeholders. In cooperation with the V-

WASH-CCs of the corresponding VDCs the working wards were finalized.

The meetings were called on by the respective secretary of the VDC where everyone related

were invited for discussion. Usually, everyone participated in the discussion where they

talked about the project, its methods, procedure of beneficiary selection, the contribution

they've to make, and how the program will be monitored.

103

130

141

93

79

103

81

73

85

98

567

715

776

511

435

567

447

416

468

539

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

PHULPINGDADA

1

2

3

PHULPINGKOT

1

2

3

KUBINDE

6

7

8

9

Total Population No. of households

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Picture 1: Discussion of working areas of UNICEF in Kubinde VDC

4.2 FORMATION OF USERS’ COMMITTEES

Next, some users’ committees were formed in the areas of proposed construction of water

supply schemes. The users' committees were formed by involving all the people of the water

supply catchment areas. Especially, the people representing the vulnerable group--women,

Janajati, Dalits, disables--were taken care of by assuring their involvement.

4.3 DETAIL ASSESSMENT

In between those consultations, JGSS team conducted a detail assessment of each working

VDCs including wards. The survey collected detail data of the damage, the resources needed

and the possible methodology of construction. Also, technical team including engineer and

local people conducted survey of the water supply schemes.

The assessment was

conducted at the HHs by

using semi structured

questionnaire that

included all the questions

needing information

about type of toilet, type

of damage, scale of

damage, resources

needed, level of

awareness of toilet etc.

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Picture 2: Status of fully damaged toilets in Kubinde and Phulpingkot.

4.4 BENEFICIARY SELECTION

Likewise, the beneficiaries of toilets were also selected through rigorous consultation with

V-WASH-CC members including Ward Citizen Forum, FCHVs, teachers, political party

members, mothers’ groups and VDC secretary.

4.5 PROCUREMENT

Subsequently, procurement was made based on the aforementioned assessment. By

issuing Request for Quotation (RFQ), vendors were selected based on the merit. Upon

agreement based on the RFQ, the vendors started supplying the goods needed for

construction works.

4.6 CONSTRUCTION

After supply of those procured items, construction work started. Every households (HHs)

worked to finish their toilet construction on their own. They were provided with cement, CGI

sheets, and sand. Those

materials were provided as per

the need basis.

Also, the water supply

schemes were provided with

pipes, cements, plastic water

tanks, and labor costs. The

hired labor then completed the

water supply schemes.

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Picture 3: Toilets under construction in Phulpingkot and Phulpingdada

4.7 MONITORING AND FOLLOW UP

The work in progress were regularly monitored by project staffs, UNICEF field staff and the

people benefitting from the project.

4.7.1 MONITORING BY PROJECT STAFFS

The project staffs from JGSS made regular visits to the project locations to track the

progress of the work being conducted. The project staffs were accompanied by local

volunteers who were also hired for that purpose.

In addition, UNICEF field office representative also made regular tours to the selected

locations in the field. The UNICEF staffs were often attended by the JGSS project staffs,

volunteers and the local representatives in the field.

Picture 4: JGSS team monitoring toilet construction at Phulpingdada.

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4.7.2 MONITORING BY V-WASH-CC

The group of village level stakeholders, V-WASH-CC, also made regular visits in the project

locations. All the political party representatives, Ward Citizen Forum members, FCHVs, and

teachers accompanied by the VDC secretary went to each HHs and water supply schemes

construction sites.

Picture 5: V-WASH-CC team and JGSS board members in a monitoring visit at Kubinde

The visits of V-WASH-CC motivated some difficult beneficiaries to complete construction of

their toilets who were, otherwise, very reluctant to do so. Also, the convoy of respected

people in their village made the project deemed highly important. As a result, everyone

involved in the project completed the task assigned to them.

4.8 HAND OVER

Each toilets in the HHs were handed over to them immediately after completion. However,

those completed water supply schemes were handed over to the users’ committees. Those

committees,

comprising the

local people who

actually use the

water, then

owned the water

supply schemes,

and also assured

to use them

properly in a

sustainable way.

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5. ACHIEVEMENTS

The project so far re-established WASH facilities in the earthquake affected villages of

Sindhupalchok district, especially in Kubinde, Phulpingkot and Phulpingdada VDCs. Those WASH

facilities—water supply schemes, and toilets—that were badly damaged were fully revived by the

end of the project period. Likewise, the project also conducted social mobilization for behavior

change in the affected communities.

Picture 6: Sites of revived toilets ready for use.

Following were the remarkable accomplishment of the project.

5.1 REVIVAL OF TOILETS

Altogether 708 toilets were revived in the three VDCs. The revival include application of CGI sheets,

revival of wall, construction of plinth including pan and pipes. In total, 253 toilets in Phulpingdada,

227 toilets in Phulpingkot and 226 toilets in Kubinde were revived.

CHART 2: WARD WISE NUMBER OF TOILETS REVIVED

83 85

69

51

4049

88

7379

101

1 2 3 6 7 8 9 1 2 3

Phulpingkot Kubinde

Phulpingdada

Phulpingdada

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5.2 REVIVAL OF WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES

The project revived a total of 23 Water Supply Schemes in the three VDCs—Phulpingkot,

Phulpingdada and Kubinde, including two in schools.

WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES IN PHULPINGKOT

Wards Schemes HHs covered No. of beneficiaries Status

1 Mul Padhera School 45 275 Restored

2 Jhulunge Tar DWS 36 198 Restored

Dhande Khola DWS 10 75 Restored

3 Kalidada Neupane

Gaun DWS

71 391 Restored

Sunar Dhara DWs 13 72 Restored

Tallo Neupane tol 35 193 Restored

Tallo Kalleri DWS 20 110 Restored

WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES IN PHULPINGDADA

Wards Schemes HHs covered No. of beneficiaries Remarks

1 Karkale Khola DWS 26 143 Restored

Karang gaira Secondary School

150 Restored

Lama Gaun DWS

16 88 Restored

2 Jamunekhola DWS 50 275 Restored

Gati tallo makhlo DWS 29 160 Restored

Gahate School DWS 180 Restored

3 Tuni Bhote DWS 23 127 Restored

Padhero Chaur DWS 50 275 Restored

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WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES IN KUBINDE

Wards Schemes HHs covered No. of beneficiaries Status

6 Karkale DWS 19 105 Restored

7 Bhasme Tallo Neapl Tol

DWS

15 83 Restored

Dushmure DWS 42 231 Restored

Dada Tol DWS 25 138 Restored

8 Seti Devi Higher

Secondary School

400 Restored

9 Padhera DWS 16 88 Restored

Bhalukhop DWS 17 94 Restored

5.3 HYGIENE KIT DISTRIBUTION

In order to support the people of earthquake affected VDCs for maintaining cleanliness around the

WASH facilities at home, JGSS team together with Red Cross staffs in cooperation with UNICEF

distributed 1500 hygiene kits in Phulpingdada VDC of Sindhupalchok.

Picture 7: Hygiene Kits distribution in Phulpingkot.

The hygiene kit contained towel, soap, nail cutter, rope, panties, sanitary pads, combs, tooth brush

and user manual. During the distribution, the beneficiaries of the kits were also oriented on how to

use those sanitary pads. JGSS staffs also told them how to use soap and wash their hands effectively.

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5.4 ESTABLISHMENT OF HAND WASHING CORNERS

Establishment of hand washing corner is of great importance for, especially for changing behavior.

Therefore, the project team assured hand washing corners at the beneficiaries by providing them

with bucket, mug, soap, and other sanitary items.

Picture 8: Establishment of hand washing corner at every toilet sites.

5.5 HYGIENE PROMOTION TRAINING

Hygiene Promotion trainings were conducted at some selected locations so as to change the

behavior of the earthquake victims. The trainings were participated by FCHVs, local people as well

as representatives of the political parties.

Picture 9: Participants of the Hygiene Promotion Training at Kubinde

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6. CONCLUSIONS

The emergency WASH project implemented at Kubinde, Phulpingkot and Phulpingdada VDCs of

the earthquake affected Sindhupalchok district of Nepal is successfully concluded. The project was

of emergency nature, therefore, it addressed the immediate need of the people. Due to the project

all the people of the project implementation VDCs got access to the WASH facilities. Also, no

epidemic outbreak were witnessed during the project period.

People's participation was vital for successful completion of the project. Taking the confidence of V-

WASH-CC, the local institution, which has deep root among people, played very vital role in project

implementation. The body not only helped to allocate the working wards but also supported project

team by selecting beneficiaries, convincing the difficult beneficiaries, and involved in frequent

monitoring.

7. RECOMMENDATIONS

By the end of the project implementation, the team has come up with the following

recommendations based on the experiences gathered from the field.

V-WASH-CC should be taken in confidence so as to implement any WASH activities in the

villages.

Members of all the political parties should be called on during any meetings that involve

making of decision for the village. It reduces any forthcoming possible conflicts.

Project should not select project beneficiaries by themselves. Instead, local bodies and

institutions should be given that responsibility of selecting beneficiaries. Usually, ward

citizen forum in cooperation with VDC secretary is better idea for selecting them.

The project should not plan any of the activities during festival seasons. In addition, the local

calendar of festival should be known in advance as the people will be busy in celebrating the

festival.

While selecting members of the users' committees of the water supply schemes, the voices

of all those involved should be carefully heard. Otherwise, some weaker section of the

society will never be able to get the benefit despite the construction of the water supply

schemes.