In January 2011 IRSP started its 3 years project funded by EU named as “Promoting Civil Society Participation in Water & Sanitation Governance in Pakistan” where its 3^rd expected results desired improved access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. The women staff of IRSP conducted hygiene sessions in its areas of intervention where menstrual hygiene has been taken into consideration at a very first time. Hygiene promoters and school hygiene club members have also been trained on hygiene promotion.

Sana, student of class 9, is one of the school hygiene club members. After getting training on Menstrual Hygiene Management She conveyed the message in her neighbourhood and friends. Kulsoom was one of her audience who is 17 years old girl belongs to far flung area of Bhakkar and married in village Bagho Banda Mardan. Belonging to the most under-developed area Being she never know the best practices of Menstrual Hygiene. In interview Kulsoom said that she used to throw the used sanitary cloths and pads in open but when Sana shared IRSP’s booklet then she came to about proper practices of Menstrual Hygiene. She requested the staff to conduct a detailed session on menstrual hygiene management at her home where she will inform other of her neighbours to attend.

In Session at Kulsoom’s house hygiene promoter focused Menstrual hygiene management and advised the girls in light of the messages written in booklet and her knowledge that how they can improve their practices. More booklets were distributed among the girls on request of hygiene club member. Sana the hygiene club member said that in start she was shy while discussing the MH this with her friends but now their welcoming attitude has enhanced my confidence.

After few months, in follow up visit, schools’ principal shared that she had observed two changes in the students; one they discuses their feminine hygiene related issues with teachers while they couldn’t in previous and second they are able to take better care of themselves during menstruation than before.

This experience shows that school is the best place in Pakistan context from where you can start efforts for the most neglected part of hygiene i.e. Menstrual Hygiene Management. When the newly adult girls are trained on menstrual hygiene management then they are not only able to maintain their menstrual hygiene but also spreading this knowledge to their pair groups. The intervention in menstrual hygiene promotion is helpful in our targeted areas to:

· Reduce Dropout/Absenteeism of student

· Improve performance of students

· Reduce environmental degradation

· Reducing physical problems like Urinary tract infection, Uterine infection, Irritation, Lechorea, Discharge and Pelvic inflammatory diseases includes pains

· Reducing Psychological problems like tension and anxiety

· Reducing domestic problems like Medical expenses, lack of proper health facilities and less access to medication that results in restlessness as well as in economic and financial crisis in a family

· Reducing conflict between husband and wife

1. Sealed tenders should reach IRSP Office on or before 12:00 hours on Feb 15^th, 2012 and should be clearly marked “TENDER – Not to be opened before “1200 hrs 12:00 hours on Feb 15^th.

17 million acres of farm land have been inundated. Some 100,000 cattle and more than one million tons of privately stored wheat have been lost, while 3,000 fish farms, 2,000 poultry farms and 1,000 tractors had been destroyed. Losses have amounted to three per cent of GDP, according a report in the daily Telegraph.

According to estimates of the Relief International, an international agency, 98% of water and sanitation facilities in the affected areas of Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshehra, and Swat districts were severely damaged or have been rendered unusable due to heavy silting and heavy water flow.  Throughout the province fields are flooded with expected production damage to rice, sugarcane and corn by an estimated 10 to 15 percent.

The United Nations warned on August 17, 2010 that 3.5m Pakistani children were at risk from cholera and other diseases because of the slow and inadequate delivery of flood relief, as raging waters from the bloated Indus River marooned dozens more villages. Hundreds of thousands of survivors are still cut off from rescue more than two weeks after Pakistan’s worst-ever flooding hit the country, killing at least 1,600 people. Many survivors are forced to drink contaminated drinking water. The death toll could rise from disease and hunger if the aid effort is not stepped up.

In the affected areas availability of drinking water was one of the biggest concerns as all the water sources were severely contaminated due to flood. In the post flood scenario the diseases epidemics started due to inadequate sanitation, poor hygiene and contaminated water initiated by the flood.The disease outbreaks pose grave risks to victims of Pakistan’s worst floods in decades causing fresh concern about already complicated relief efforts. An epidemic could create another disaster for Pakistan. Cases have cholera have been reported. A health crisis would tax aid agencies which are facing vast logistical challenges because of the damage and illness caused by the widespread flooding. The United Nations is worried about water-borne diseases. There have been 36,000 suspected cases of potentially fatal acute watery diarrhea reported after flood. The government and aid agencies said they are unable to reach or help many of the millions uprooted so far.

The Wells Cleaning and Disinfection by IRSP

Integrated Regional Support Program is a multi-sector development organization working on integrated development approach to bring a sustainable development in the region. IRSP was evolved from Pak-German IRDP and went through many phases of its development.

During the mid of August 2010; the SDC official visited IRSP who was briefed about the overall situation of floods affected districts of Nowshehra and Charsadda. Then the visits were made to the district authorities dealing in water, sanitation and public health.

The assessment found that all water sources are contaminated by flood and the ground water is not safe for drinking as tested by IRSP in its laboratory. The flood water contaminated the entire drinking water sources in the affected areas and the population is totally become dependent on alternate source of drinking water.  It was recommended during the assessment that all shallow wells to be cleaned and disinfected in order to provide clean drinking water to the flood affected population and to minimize the threats of water borne diseases.

To provide clean drinking water to the affected population on their door step, IRSP and SDC started the project of “Well Cleaning and Disinfection in the Flood Affected 2 districts of Pakistan”

The project was designed for 6 months during which 2,000 shallow wells of the communities were cleaned and disinfected by using WHO manual of “Well Cleaning in Emergencies”.

The wells were cleaned and the pre and post-tests of the water were carried out as per WHO standards of water quality. The cleaned and disinfected wells were handed over to the owners with proper knowledge and capacity building on how to operate their wells with safety and protect it from different biological and physical contaminations.

During the project total 2,037 wells were cleaned and handed over to the community, 693 wells from Nowshera and 1,344 wells were cleaned and disinfected in district of Charsadda. Total of 30,111 beneficiaries were facilitated directly in the two districts of KPK. 

Sanitary survey was carried out for 2,733 wells in two districts. While Pre and post bacteriological analysis was carried out for 1,869 targeted wells after cleaning & for 1,571 wells before cleaning.

The Hygiene Promoters carried out 180 sessions on hygiene promotion involved 40,000 beneficiaries in the targeted areas by involving the local people especially the household women. The local people were sensitized on different key messages of hygiene promotion to adopt best healthy practices and to prevent them from different water and sanitation related diseases.

During the project period a small manual/leaflet regarding wells cleaning and disinfection was designed in local language for the common people and agencies working on Water and Sanitation in the flood affected areas.

4,000 leaflets were distributed among the community and agencies working on WASH in order to promote awareness regarding water borne diseases, importance of clean drinking water and well cleaning in the flood affected areas.

In the target areas liaison was developed with other organizations working on water and sanitation in order to improve the effectiveness of the project.

134 PHED technical staff members were trained on well cleaning and disinfection from district Nowhsera and Charsadda.

2,000 buckets and ropes were distributed among the well owners of cleaned & handed over wells.

Following are the figures of well cleaning in different villages of the above districts;

Source: IRSP baseline Survey

Water Quality Analysis of Wells Cleaning Project

Hygiene promoters training 9, june 2011

In start she was not permitted by her brothers to work with a non governmental organization but later on she convinced her family. She told that attitude of social organizers mobilzed me and my family gradually,

“The social mobilizers observe parda as we do in community , their friendly behaviour, the way they talk and discuss hygiene and sanitation in sessions and training not just increased our knowledge but transform our misperceptions about NGOs .”

Its true that before intervention we had improper knowledge about cleanliness, toilets doesn’t exist in our neighbourhood, human and animal excreta, solid waste, stagnate water along with observance of unhygienic practices.

After attending training on hygiene promotion, she started conducting sessions in her village and in adjacent village as well where her maternal grandmother and married sister live, she also participated in CLTS, PRA and later on spread the message in her neighbourhood where there were no toilets before but now pit latrines have been constructed in all households, she not just mobilized people verbally but helped other females in construction who were unable to do so.

Women in the neighbourhood is sharing her experience of pit latrine construction

The under construction pit toilet in which empty plastic bottles have been used as ventilation pipe in order to minimize the cost

According to Azra,

“It is forward thinking approach to spread the hygiene and sanitation messages in women as in rural life girls and women have significant role in solid waste, animal and human excreta management and also they handle water related activities.”

Women can bring more sustainable change through improving their children’s hygiene behaviors as Azra’s 2 years old niece knows how to wash hands properly

Use of IEC material, she has pasted poster about hand washing method in their washroom and outside the house

The experiences with IRSP team enhanced her confidence and enabled her to work for different human friendly causes; she is now member of another social development organization also, “Thanks for the knowledge and experience, I gained with you as it is helpful in my other community development activities”

She is showing her certificate of other organization’s training where her experience as a volunteer in IRSP-Water aid and EU project was appreciated.

IRSP staff member with Azra[1]

Though solid waste dumps exist but contains just organic/animal excreta waste, which is not much harmful, in rural life such dumps are used for agricultural purposes. Harmful material is buried now.

Hygiene and sanitation condition is better than the previous one though the drain is not well constructed but better than presence of stagnate water. We can view this as the first step towards healthier society.

[1] In black

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.

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

64 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 approach

The District WASH forum has been notified by Commissioner Mardan and was launched on 20^th 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 LGs

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 2^nd 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

30 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

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

Wealth 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 clubs

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 committees

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 techniques

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 monthly 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

A 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 national 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

Five 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

Change 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.

Fresh water network (FAN) and End Water Poverty (EWP) Global Advocacy Meeting for the development of advocacy action plan linking local and global processes that impact on people’s access to water and sanitation

Efficient and effective suppliers are critical to our achieving much of what we do as an organisation. Our supply policy is to obtain best overall value for money in procuring the goods, works and services that IRSP needs; to recognise the safety, health, environmental and ethical impact of all supply decisions and involve suppliers in minimising negative effects; to develop relationships with the supply market that support mutual understanding of our needs and our suppliers’ capabilities, and to ensure consistency of quality, reliability, availability and performance at affordable cost.

The Pre-Qualification Supplier Information Form can be downloaded from here: Pre-Qualification Supplier Information Form