Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is bordering with Afghanistan wherein for the last two decades war is continued. The provincial government has to face many incidents of terrorism which has slowed the social and economic development activities in the province. In June 2011 under the 18th constitutional amendment some of the ministries (including water and sanitation) were transferred to provinces, which is seen as a major shift in the governance of the country and the province.

The issue of local governance and its political implications remained mired as there was no consensus on conducting elections at the provincial level and the LG system is being run through bureaucracy. The LG system is almost dysfunctional at district and TMAs levels. With all these realities, during the last eleven months project progress against the objectives remained on track and most of the targets were achieved. The district government has notified the District Wash Forum and nominated EDO Finance as focal point for coordination. 14 CSOs network is now functional which have developed their five years organisation development plans. Two CSOs have obtained independent funds and have started WASH specific projects. At the community level, about 11,019 users have got access to safe drinking water after construction of 10 new boreholes, rehabilitation of two dysfunctional schemes and disinfection of contaminated water sources.

Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) has been triggered in all target communities to stop the open defecation practices. Construction of 40 demo latrines and 3 communal and 10 school latrines has been completed. To ensure the sustainability of the interventions 20 WATSAN and 10 Women committees have been formed in the targeted communities. 110 Hygiene volunteers have been trained, 10 school clubs have been established and various IEC materials have been developed to promote hygiene education in the targeted communities. Project newsletters have been published on quarterly basis During the reported period three research studies were also completed. IRSP is also an active member of the committee which is drafting the provincial water and sanitation strategies.

Project Achievements

Establishment of a CSOs Network: A network of 14 CSOs at district level has been established. All the CSOs have signed MOUs with IRSP and developed their five years organizational plans for striving efforts regarding improvement of WASH conditions in district Mardan. Two network CSOs have obtained independent projects on WASH. The CSOs role has been acknowledged by district government as they have been nominated as members of the District WASH Forum.

Formation of District WASH Forum: The establishment of District WASH Forum will provide opportunity to all stakeholders for regular discussions on WASH specific issues and solutions at the district level. Commissioner Mardan has notified the District WASH Forum comprising members from government departments, CSOs and communities. clip_image003

Service Delivery: On the basis of social and technical assessment 10 new boreholes, rehabilitated of 2 dysfunctional water schemes, 40 demo latrines, 3 communal latrines and 10 school latrines have been constructed. CLTS has also been triggered in all 10 communities to stop the open defecation in the area.

Policy Advocacy: IRSP has performed active role as member of provincial Policy Working Group as well as the co-opted member in drafting the provincial drinking water and sanitation strategies. IRSP has also been selected to host FAN-SA secretariat in Pakistan, which will further help in promoting the CSOs role as a watch dog.

Activities Carried Out:

1.1: Project Start up Workshop

The project start up workshop was held in Bangladesh Dhaka on 22-24 January 2011. The participants of the workshop included officials from WaterAid in UK, WaterAid in Pakistan and its implementing partner Integrated Regional Support Programme (IRSP). Project launching ceremony was held in Mardan on 4th February 2011. The event was attended by more than 200 participants from CSOs, government, media, community representatives, religious leaders, elected representatives and general public.

1.2 & 1.3 Assessment and capacity building plan for CSO using Demand Responsive Approach (DRA) and Right Based Approach (RBA) and CSOs capacity building events / visits

clip_image01264 CSOs’ profiles were reviewed and 14 CSOs were selected for the formation of CSOs forum. All 14 CSOs have now developed 5 years organisational development plans. Selected CSOs staff has received trainings on topics such as participatory planning, M&E, financial management, advocacy, budget tracking and analysis, community scorecards (CSC) exercise and conducting Town Hall Meetings. . IRSP staff has also received trainings on CSC and visited MUAWIN and LPP to study the component sharing model.

1.4 Support CSO coordination by using RBA approachclip_image010

The District WASH forum has been notified by Commissioner Mardan and was launched on 20th September 2011. The EDO finance has been nominated as the focal point for the forum and Executive Engineer Public Health Engineering Department (XEN PHED), TMO Mardan, Officials from Social Welfare, Education and Health departments and CSOs have been nominated as members of the forum.

1.5 Capacity building of 10 communities and implement Citizen Action through DRA and RBA approaches
20 WATSAN committees, 10 women groups and 110 hygiene volunteers’ have been selected and trained on project monitoring, book keeping, rooted advocacy and budget tracking and hygiene practices. However, work on community score card exercise is on-going which will be completed in December 2011.
2.1, 2.2: Capacity assessment of Local Governments (2 TMAs) on WASH service and training, capacity building of LGsclip_image011

Formal collaboration with TMAs and PHED Mardan has been established through singing of MoUs. Capacity need assessment of these government authorities have also been conducted on topics such as project planning, financial management and technical WASH solutions. Local government has been capacitated on water quality testing. LG staff also visited MUWAIN (Lahore) and LPP (Lodhran) to learn the social infrastructure mapping and component sharing.

2.3 Organise 1 enlightenment programme/ workshop for government agencies and policy makers / influencers on meeting the needs of excluded groups including refugees in relation to WASH

Two days training on mainstreaming gender, equity and inclusion was arranged for government, CSOs and minorities. The process has been initiated with target stakeholders for enlightenment workshop for stakeholders and it will be done in 2nd week of December 2011.

2.4 Component Sharing in TMAs

TMAs currently have no budget allocation during the current financial year for construction of external sewerage lanes. Lobbying for the allocation of budget for the next year is continuing with district departments. Mardan district also does not have external sewerage lanes which make it difficult to implement the component sharing approach. Keeping this context in view, a revision on piloting the component sharing approach in Mardan is suggested.

 

2.5 Social infrastructure mapping for effective planning and resource allocation

Local Government officials’ orientation about social infrastructure mapping was conducted through field visits of model projects of MUAWIN and LPP (Lodhran Piolet Project).

2.6 Annual Community Town Meeting

CSO have been trained on town hall meetings, however coordination with government officials is underway. Annual town hall meeting will be conducted in the second week of December.

3.1 Awareness creation, community selection and baseline survey through using DRA and RBA approaches

clip_image01630 rural communities were selected through formal selection criteria, analysis of secondary WASH related data and consultation with local government authorities and communities. The identification process for 10 targets communities for year one has been completed. 100% household baseline survey and 10% KAP surveys were completed in the 10 target communities. The results of findings were shared with communities and stakeholders The WASTAN committee members and hygiene’s promoters have imparted 53 sessions in the communities and schools.

3.2 Conduct a participatory feasibility study of appropriate water and sanitation technologies

The feasibility study on appropriate water and sanitation technologies was completed and shared with local communities and other stakeholders for use of low cost technologies. On the basis of findings demo latrines and hand pumps have been constructed in the target communities.

3.3 Promotion of safe hygiene practice including Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)

43 hygiene sessions held with 1309 individuals including 520 male, 655 female and 134 children. IEC material has been developed and distributed among people on hygiene practices, safe water usage and sanitation.

3.4 Construction of 10 new Boreholes with Hand Pumps clip_image004

10 new boreholes have been constructed in the target communities. These hand pumps will provide benefits to approximately 1065 male, 1062 female and 22 special persons. The schemes have been handed over to local WATSAN committees. Two water supply schemes in UC Toru were dysfunctional since 90s and have been rehabilitated. 800 households will get safe water through this scheme. PHED will be responsible for sustainable functioning of the scheme.

3.5 Building of 50 household latrines and 3 communal latrines for demonstration

clip_image015Wealth ranking survey was conducted in selected areas to identify the poorest of the poor for construction of HH latrines. The construction of 40 latrines has been completed while the 10 latrines will be completed till end December. 3 Communal Latrines have also been completed to minimise the open defecations practices in the target communities. It is being observed that communities in Mardan have less habit of using the communal latrines. Therefore, it is suggested that budget of communal latrines should be shifted to build more household latrines in poorest areas.

3.6 Building of 10 school latrines with separate blocks for girls and boys

After signing MOUs with schools and coordination with education department 10 latrines have been constructed in the selected schools of boys and girls.

3.7 Identification and training of 110 community based hygiene promoters (55 male, 55 female)

110 hygiene promoters have been trained on hygiene practices and promotion which include 10 promoters (male 5, female 5) from minorities. Separate booklets and posters were designed on water, sanitation and hygiene. Booklet on menstrual hygiene management was also developed and shared with targeted audiences.

3.8 Establishment and training of 10 school hygiene clubsclip_image002

10 school hygiene clubs have been established and members have been trained on hygiene promotion. Various activities have been arranged in schools by the clubs like debates and quiz competitions, sports event and hand washing day celebrations. IEC material, T-Shirts and Caps were also distributed among the club members.

3.9 Formation and training of 10 women groups in refugee camps and rural communities

10 Women groups were formed in the 10 targeted communities wherein 76 women were educated on hygiene, management of household sanitation, clean water and disposal of solid wastes. However, work in refugee camps is not progressing because non issuance of NOC despite many meetings with concerned authorities.

3.10 Establishment and training of 10 water and sanitation management committeesclip_image008

20 Water and Sanitation Management Committees were formed in targeted communities. Please refer activity 1.5 for more details.

 

3.11 Carryout water quality testing of water points in 10 communities (all new and sampling from existing points)

In the target communities water quality testing of 82 water sources was carried out. 27 water sources out of 82 tested were found bacteriological contaminated which were later disinfected through chlorination. The results were shared with communities, media and CSOs.

 

3.12 Implement Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach in 10 communities using PRA techniquesclip_image005

CLTS approach was triggered in 10 communities. 41 BBCMS (20 male and 21 female) were carried out. Follow-ups with communities is going on. Households have now started constructing pit and pour flush latrines. Bill boards will be displayed in ODF village in the last 2 weeks of December after verifications.

3.13 Monitoring and evaluation

WaterAid programme and financial teams have been visiting the project on monthlyclip_image007 and quarterly basis. In July 2011 six month review meeting was held between IRSP and WaterAid. At community level WATSAN committees have been trained for regular monitoring the constructed WASH infrastructure. WATSAN committees’ members and women groups’ regularly report their activities. Six monthly meeting with 14 CSOs was also conducted. A steering committee comprised of TMA Mardan, TMA Takht Bhai and IRSP officials are also visiting the the project areas to monitor the project activities.

3.14 Visibility

clip_image020A visibility plan of the project has been drafted. Project newsletter is being published and disseminated on quarterly basis. Press conference on baseline survey findings, budget analysis study was arranged in Mardan press club. Special banners, IEC material, notebooks, file folders, T-Shirts (650) and Caps (675) containing EU visibility was used in events and workshops. Name boards have also been fixed with hand pumps.

4.1 Research, learning and documentation

The study on “State of Drinking Water Research in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” was completed. Its dissemination will be done in December 2011. WASH profiling of 10 target communities have also been completed

4.2 Implement budget advocacy at district and provincial level

Annual WASH budget analysis study of district Mardan and provincial WASH budget has been completed. Findings will be shared with WASH stakeholders and a press conference will be held on the issue.

 

4.3 Engage in policy development and influencing

After the 18th Constitutional Amendment WASH is now a provincial subject and hence nationalclip_image009 WASH policies were not rolled out at the provincial level. IRSP being a member of the Policy Working Group as well as co-opted member has given its input in drafting the provincial drinking water and sanitation strategies. The drafted WASH strategies have been forwarded to the Chief Minister for final approval. IRSP will facilitate the provincial government to roll out the approved provincial WASH strategies.

To sensitise and orient the provincial stakeholders on international WASH commitments (MDGs and SACOSAN) a provincial level workshop was organized in Peshawar. The workshop was chaired by Sectary LG Mr. Yousaf Zaman.

 

4.4 Organise 2 days workshop for all relevant stakeholders on mainstreaming gender, equity and inclusion in WASH policies and procedures

Two day workshop on mainstreaming gender, equity and inclusion was arranged for CSOs, minorities, women groups and government departments to orient how specific issues of discrimination, reasons of exclusions of disadvantage people can be addressed while delivering the WASH services.

 

4.5 Raise Awareness of and build the capacity of socially excluded groups including refugees to participate in WASH policy development and decision making

10 hygiene promoters from Hindu and Christian communities have been selected and trained on hygiene promotion; women from these communities have representations in WATSAN committee and Women groups. However, work in Afghan Refugees Camps could not be initiated due to delays in issuance of NOC from Afghan Commissionarte office.

4.6 Support media engagement and campaigns on relevant sector issues

clip_image014Five journalists from local and leading newspapers have been engaged in the Young Media Fellowship Programme to increase the WASH profile in the print media. More than 130 WASH related stories have been published by these five journalists..

4.7: Develop clear approaches for pro poor targeting:

A “Pro Poor Targeting Strategy” has been developed and applied to make pro poor targeting (including vulnerable and excluded groups, minorities and gender specific discriminations).

Impact and evaluation

clip_image021Change in government attitude: Government has recognised that involvement of key stakeholders in the WASH projects is most important for the success implementation of WASH. The local government has demonstrated this notifying the District WASH Forum and nominate EDO Finance as coordinator. TMAs and PHED staff are also participating in the joint monitoring of project interventions.

CSOs Alliance: Formation of CSOs Network has created platform at the district level for CSOs to synergise on their efforts on WASH issues. The project interventions have influenced CSOs positively as two CSOs has successfully started projects on WASH.

Involvement of Women and Communities: In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa mostly people are conservative in terms of participation of women in community solutions. The project has successfully involved females in various project interventions such as formation of WATSAN committees, women groups and hygiene promotion.