ActionAid's work recently came to a halt in Shamlai area of Battagram as a result of the pressure and intimidation by local influential and district administration. Action Aid is following an approach where the poor, needy, widows, orphans and disabled are the main focus of the various interventions. As a consequence some hair is ruffled when they see the disempowered and poor segments of society receiving benefits and speaking up about their issues. Nevertheless in a show of solidarity the community came together with AA staff and presented a resolution to the district administration in connection with their demands. For ERP this is also a window of opportunity as it seeks to highlight the main issues that the community faces in the earthquake affected areas.
Further to the routine activities of ERP, the project is engaged in rehabilitation and reconstruction work. To improve the existing temporary shelters and prefabricated shelters cash grants have been provided to the community in all four project areas. This activity is still ongoing and has been very beneficial since it allows the vulnerable community to prepare for the upcoming winter as they have very limited resources to undertake the same. Similarly "most immediate needs" of the community continue to be met through a variety of interventions. For instance in Bagh, this month, 27 prefabricated shelters were provided to sanitary workers. In Muzzafarabad 35 stoves were distributed in the village Khilla Banj. In Mansehera pedestal fans are also being provided to the community.
In terms of restoration of water supply schemes work is on going on three water supply schemes in Mansehra. The reason for the delay in completion of this activity is because of a shortage of trained masons and also the incessant rains which have made the lives of the people miserable. In Muzzafarabad and Bagh five water supply schemes have been repaired and restored and people in these areas now have access to drinking water. In Battagram an irrigation scheme was repaired and restored however the subsequent rains and land sliding has destroyed the channel once again. In certain areas community in coordination with ERP staff have determined that there is a need for restoration and construction of water supply schemes particularly for women. Staff will therefore be initiating such activities in the next phase of the DEC support to the project.
The success and demand of health related interventions have proved that this is a dire need of the community particularly for women, the elderly and children as they cannot travel extensive distances to access services. As such even though there have been issues with regards to recruiting medical staff in all the earthquake affected areas however the health services are being availed by the community and there is a demand for increased facilities. Linked to this activity, all five community centres are up and running in Bagh. In Battgram three centres have been built, while in Muzzafarabad and Mansehra all five centres have been built and are operational respectively. These centres are used for community meetings, medical staff meetings and trainings.
The Muzaffarabad field office has been proactive in determining and undertaking livelihoods related activities. They have organised a variety of trainings for the community including vocational and fruit and vegetable preservation training. They have distributed maize and fertiliser among the community. The Battagram field office has distributed honey bees in the area of Shamlai and will be distributing CGI sheets in connection with shops in this month.
One of the project objectives is related to capacity building of staff and community. At the community level another psycho social training was imparted to women community in Allai, Battagram. Similarly PRA techniques that were learnt in the PRA training are being used in the community particularly by the Bagh staff that are also introducing and imparting it to the community. A follow up of the PRA training was also arranged for the staff of the AJK region in the month of July 2006.
Most importantly a one week meeting of all ERP staff was held in the scenic hill station of Nathiagali. This event centred on "retreating, reviewing, reflection, rest and relaxation" for all the staff. This event served to strengthen team building, provide a platform for raising critical issues related to field and organisation. It also gave space for self and programme assessments and provided the opportunity for planning for the next phase based on the lessons learnt.
