Rehabilitation of Earthquake survivors
Rahnuma-FPAP provided emergency services for victims of earthquake that hit the AJK in 2005. Service provision continued up to March 31, 2006. Two mobile Units, one static clinic, one medical camp in village tent and one collaborating hospital provided emergency services through this project in AJK and KP. Mobile Units in AJK and KP covered more than 56 locations and provided comprehensive services for general treatment, RH and lifespan services to 10288 victims of earthquake. Static clinic at Muzaffarabad offered services of FP, RH and general health to 1165 clients. Medical camps established in collaboration with Turkish Red Crescent Society at tent village of H-11 in Islamabad offered comprehensive services of general treatment. FP and RH services were deliver to 7848 clients. Project also established the linkages with UNFPA for provision of safe delivery kits to TBAs. Mobile teams distributed 135 kits to trained TBAs already conducting the safe deliveries at grassroots level and oriented them regarding infection prevention during deliveries. In collaboration with UNICEF 293 women and 267 children were vaccinated for DPT, TT, Polio and measles etc. through medical camp in Tent Village. Project also entered in collaboration with AMAR International NGO and provided one LHV, one female attendant and one RH Counselor for its static clinic. Rahnuma-FPAP also deputed a male and female doctor for Advocating for Improved MNH and SRH policy and practice for adolescents girls and young mothers (AIMS) who provided RH and lifespan services to 3595 clients. They also helped in 202 safe deliveries and 109 pregnancy tests. Project also focused on provision of contraceptives and enrolled 763 new contraceptive clients during the reporting period.
Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP) funded project was implemented in AJ&K and KP from April 2006 to October 31, 2006 to provide emergency maternal and child health services for victims of earthquake. Its duration was six months. Two FHCs established in AJ&K provided MCH services to women and infants in collaboration with other NGOs. These FHCs were assisted by one mobile unit for outreach services. This mobile unit covered KP as well and made 64 visits at 42 locations in Manshera and Batgram. The MSU provided emergency mother and child health treatment services to 5990 women and children. Project also focused on provision of FP services, enrolled 2407 new clients to FP and achieved 2046 CYP during the project life. Motivational meetings with community members were held regularly, as a result 5780 people were provided information about importance of FP, breast cancer, hazards of unsafe abortion, infertility, reproductive health and human rights. Motivational meetings with community proved helpful for integration of FP & SRH services with emergency child and mother health activities of the project. The project was extended for another year in which the KATO Center AJ&K was supported to provide health and skill development services to earthquake affectees in Muzaffarabad.
There is an FHC in KATO Women Centre AJ&K, which provides FP/SRH including provision of safe deliveries and other MCH services to earthquake affected population.
Rehabilitation of Flood Victims
In the beginning of July 2007, cyclone/floods/torrential rains caused damage to lives of poor people living in Sindh (costal areas of Badin, Shahdad Kot and Wara) and in Balochistan (in Turbat and Ketch). People in these areas become homeless and there was an outbreak of water born disease due to prevailing unhygienic conditions caused by flood/rains. In Sindh particularly in costal areas of Badin flood caused the death of more than 110 people while 50,000 became homeless in Balochistan more than 800,000 people were either rendered homeless or severely affected by the cyclone. Most affected districts in Balochistan were Turbat and Jafferabad.
Responding to immediate needs of victims of flood/rains in Sindh and Balochistan, Rahnuma-FPAP implemented a short project with technical and financial assistance from Care International Pakistan.
Project provided 293 poor and homeless families with tents as shelter to save them from harsh weather. Non food items like hygiene kits, mosquito kits, soaps, aqua tablets and kitchen sets were distributed among 967 deserving poor families to save them from further suffering. Health and hygiene sessions were conducted with women, men and adolescents girls. Adopting the participatory approaches, to address the immediate and dire need of health services at identified locations 510 free medical camps were organized, through proper assessment and in consultation with Department of Health, local NGOs, community representatives and local volunteers, and 49742 people were provided with emergency primary health and RH Services.
During the project life 87 mobile medical camps were conducted at locations identified in consultation with Department of Population Welfare Department. LHWs, TBAs, school teachers, religious leader and volunteers were involved in publicity of mobile camps at identified locations. Counseling services regarding FP, SRH and nutrition were provided to 4430 women. 846 women received safe motherhood services while 702 men and 1923 children (1088 girls and 835 boys) received general health services and treatment for water borne diseases.
With support from Care International Pakistan. Rahnuma-FPAP implemented another project (2007 to 2008) in selected flood affected districts (Turbat, Badin Shahdadkot and Waraha. Under this project, comprehensive relief and health services to the affected population were provided.
90 poor and homeless families were provided with tents as shelter to save them from unfavorable weather. Non-food items like hygiene kits, mosquito kits, soaps, aqua tablets and kitchen sets were distributed among 315 poor deserving families. 20 sessions on Health and hygiene were conducted with (1500) women, men and adolescents girls. The sessions focused on awareness creation among affected population on cleanliness, hygienic food, water, use of aqua tablets for purification of water and personal hygiene. 100 free medical camps were organized with the help of local NGOs and 7500 people were provided with emergency primary health and RH services.
Project was implemented in 2008 at selected Union Councils of district Badin. During the implementation of Flood relief project Rahnuma-FPAP team found that a large number of families were badly affected in 3 UCs namely Ahmed Rajo, Khadan and Bugra Memon of district Badin. These families were unable to build their houses due to resource constraint. The women, children and elder persons were exposed to harsh weather of winter and did not have proper winter materials to save themselves from cold. 850 of deserving households were identified through assessment, which was carried out in the first two weeks of the project by using the prescribed assessment format provided by the Care International. To ensure proper and timely implementation of the project a warehouse was hired nearest to the affected area and three distribution points were also established one in each UC. The winter package comprising 2 Jerry cans, 2 plastic buckets of 20ltrs capacity, 1 family hygiene kit, 1 disposable delivery kit, 2 mosquito nets, 4 pairs of children socks, 3 children woolen caps, 1 shawl for woman, 1 shawl for man and 1 plastic sheet, were distributed to 850 households. Rahnuma-FPAP ensured the involvement of local volunteers and community leaders during the assessment and distribution of package.