July-2012 to Sept-2012
Highlights of Current Response
Since HANDS was being involved in early recovery and rehabilitation work with 2011 flood survivors of lower sindh, so this helps HANDS to remain active in the calamity during flood, this year with collaboration of volunteers initially and later achieves support of DFID for combating emergency response.
Heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan have submerged houses, destroyed crops and displaced thousands of families in Sindh.
HANDS rescued and evacuated peoples in Thull district Jacobabad by utilizing boats and small trucks.
HANDS-DFID team also provided one month dry food family package to 600 families under TAMEER project with support of DFID.
Safe drinking water provided to 7000 families in Rajhan pur and Jacobabad.
Disaster Response
Advocacy activities for preparedness were remain on top priority before starting monsoon, by conducting training of 20 CBOs of 20 villages on Disaster risk reduction thorough HANDS staff who were trained initially on the subject.
Establishment of two Disaster Risk Management Centers in Sukkur and Thatta are signposts on the track of mitigating disaster loses “Medico International” is providing financial support to this project.
HANDS Chairman inaugurated HANDS Disaster Risk Management Center Thatta on 14th August 2012, where ambulance and mini truck handed over.
A mega project was implemented with the support of DFID in early recovery and rehabilitation of flood 2011, 50,000 one room shelters in 8 district of lower Sindh were built moreover roofing kits, solar lights, girder, bamboos, ropes, plastic sheets have been given in these areas. Session on CNIC importance as social protection component also provided. Other mega project of HANDS TAMEER was with the support of Medico International in Jacobabd and Jamshoro in which 1000 one room shelters, 1000 kitchens and latrines, 1000 person livelihood support have been given where as 300 hand pumps have been also installed. Culverts and street pavements were also constructed in these model villages with other interventions of livelihood support. Health services to 20 villages were provided by giving training to 20 MARVI’s (Community Health Workers) along with provision of commodities supplies and medicines. Early childhood education centers have been developed and community teachers capacity were build in these villages.
Villagers sharing happy moments of shelter completion in Sanghar with HANDS and DFID Team.
Roofing kits provided to the beneficiaries
Construction of pavements and one room shelter
Hand pump at model village.
Urban WASH for Karachi
Water-Aid has approved a project of HANDS on Urban WASH for Karachi District (Urban). This is a four years project with the funding limit of Rs. 85 million. The project aims to the rehabilitation and lining of safe drinking water sources for 134900 residents of Surjani Town, rehabilitation and installation of 10 communal water filters, advocacy seminar and research activities and school WASH activities in 500 schools and colleges have been planned.
Acknowledgement of Services
Best performance annual award distribution ceremony for HANDS employees was held on 3rd September 2012 at Baharia Auditorium. Shields were presented in various categories of employees. Journalist from print and electronic media acknowledged of for their support for HANDS mission.
Provincial Minister Haleem Adil Shaikh presenting best performance award to HANDS employee.
HANDS Executive Board Member Ghulam Hussain Baloch presenting award to Nasir Khattak of Anjam Newspaper.
Advocacy
Under the Advocacy program HANDS has started project with rurtgers WPF a project of safe motherhood advocacy in which early marriages were focused. In this regard MoU was signed between HANDS, Rutgers WPF and Women Development Department of Government of Sindh. Key messages on Early Marriage issue are developed and have finalized through consultations with expert panel, religious leaders, civil society organizations, media, government officials and legislatures. This Advocacy project meant to advocate policy makers that the legal marriage age of a girl should be 18 years instead of 16 years. As in Pakistan most marriages are taken place before the age of 18 and many are taken place even before 15. These marriages often lead to early conceptions, as adolescent girls rarely have information on family planning or enough authority to exercise their decision-making rights. While it affects their health and deprived them from right to education.
Memorandum of Understanding Signing Between Women Development Department Govt (Sindh) HANDS and Rutgers WPF Pakistan on 5th July 2012
Religious Scholars at Consultative Meeting.
Senator Haseeb A Khan presenting his views during consultative meeting.
Third People’s Health Assembly in Cape Town , South Africa
8 members of PHM Sindh participated in Third People’s Health Assembly in Cape Town , South Africa 6th July to 11th July 2012. Dr Shaikh Tanveer Ahmed led the PHM Sindh chapter Pakistan’s delegates. A Session chaired by Dr Shaikh Tanveer Ahmed during the PHA 3 on privatization and its regulation. The case studies on different public sector health models of South Africa, USA, Germany, India and Colombia were presented with critical analysis during the session. Nearly, about 1000 participants from more than 70 countries participated in the event.
International Public Health University Course “Struggle for Health” was held prior to People’s Health Assembly which was attended by 55 people from all over the Globe and almost 50 country’s representatives were there. Ms. Bilquis GM Information and Communication and Advocacy- HANDS was selected for the course from Pakistan. This course is basically a comprehensive course for public health professionals and health activist to strengthen the People’s Health Movement and build capacities of professionals in lobbying and advocating for Health for All.
Bilquis Rehman GM Information and Communication Resource and Advocacy has participated in International Public Health University Course “Struggle for Health”
Representing Pakistan Experiences and Health Challenges.
Health
Community Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) projects are running with the help of UNICEF and WFP in six districts of Sindh. 116790 children were de-wormed and 137910 children and 123311 lactating women provided with micro-nutrients and 302 community midwives were trained through this project.
Certificate distribution and deployment ceremony for community midwives of MNCH Public Health School
Model Village
A model village Rotary Jo Goth” initiative is been implemented through HANDS – TAMEER Project in district Thatta within the period of 18 months with a financial assistance of Rs. 22.18 million from Rotary Humanitarian Trust.
MoU signing ceremony between HANDS and Rotary Humanitarian Trust for Rotary jo goth a model village project at Thatta on 4th September 2012.
HANDS BULLETIN 