Summer has arrived but there is no visible progress towards reconstruction by ERRA and the affected communities are still suffering under hot Sun. 238 fans have been provided  to families who are living in the prefabricated shelters in Bagh. 300 kitchens were constructed with community participation in Muzafarabad adjacent to the prefabs to facilitate the women in the communities. In Mansehra 90 shelters have been completed, whereas in Battagram 300 shelters have been planned to be given to the vulnerable families.

Structural improvements such as insulation, floors and extension are being made in the already constructed community centers of Mansehra, Bagh, Battagram and Muzafarabad. In Muzafarabad a technical person from local government has been engaged to undertake technical assessment for improvement of the community centers. Construction of new community center in Shumlai has been initiated after a series of meetings with CBOs. Improvement activities were hampered by the ongoing wheat cutting season as most of the community members were not available in the planned period of the project.    
                                                                                                                  

The health centers in all field areas are functional and in the reporting month more than 8000 patients were treated in these centers. The common diseases reported during the month are respiratory tract infection, infectious diseases, anemia, gastroenteritis, gastritis/peptic ulcer, diabetes, hypertension and scabies etc.

In terms of restoration of water supply schemes (WSS) work is going on in Sudan Gala, Bagh, where as due to some religious people resentment, the field activities in Bagh have been restricted temporarily. Shortage of skilled labor is also a hindrance in completion of projects. To overcome these problems COs have formed Project Management Committees (PMCs) for proper and timely implementation of schemes. In Muzafarabad, the pace of work has pick up high gear due to suitable weather. The distribution pipes have been installed whereas survey of new five water supply schemes is also under process in Muzafarabad. These WSS will be constructed with the 20% community participation. Similarly in Mansehra, Water Tank construction has been completed in Shahdore-Mansehra. Furthermore pipes for installation have been provided to the concerned CBO and two hand pumps have been installed while other two are under progress. In Battagram installation of 26 hand pumps have been completed which will benefit the women to get water at their nearest point and thus will reduce their tiring routine to get water for their families.           
                                                                                                    

Education sector has been deliberately placed in cold storage by the government in the post earthquake scenario. Most of the schools have been resumed in temporary shelters or tents. Moreover the quality of education remains a big question mark for the communities. Stationary materials have been provided to six schools for starting fare-price shops in different parts of Battagram. In Muzafarabad locations for construction of 5 child-friendly schools have been finalized with community participation.

Muzafarabad has been proactive in determining and undertaking livelihoods related activities. Three trainings (plumbing, stitching and designing) were organized in coordination with NRSP; these trainings have been undertaken in the CC Pothi, Khilla and Marvania in which 40 community members participated. In continuation of the organic farming awareness campaign, demonstration plots for various vegetables have been made to provide practical example of the best practices in kitchen gardening. In Bagh training for Masons/Carpenters was arranged in which 20 people participated, they constructed a shelter for girl’s primary school Sudan Gala. In addition 130 women in Bagh are being training in five vocational centers.

Mobile Saw and crush machines were provided to CBOs which are not only creating a livelihood opportunities for the persons operating these machines but also providing basic constructional material at comparatively low prices to the people who are constructing their houses. In Battagram, the communities were busy in preparing their fields for the upcoming rice sowing which has delayed finalizing the MOU with CBO regarding the construction of irrigation channel.

Furthermore proposal for 3-Vocational centers have been approved which will provide opportunities for women to learn new skills and contribute actively in their income. In Mansehra, Khabal issue has been resolved after a long time and a third party will be constructing shed for the flour machine after wheat cutting season and will install the flour machine in village Lundi of cluster Khabal. Moreover identification process of disable has been completed. These disabled members of the community will be provided vocational training so that they can independently earn their livelihood. Similarly assessment for kitchen gardening has completed while seeds will be distributed in the coming month. This will benefit the women who have small plots near their houses in Mansehra.

One day Refresher for DRR was held in Islamabad on 19^th May, in which all field staff participated. In Mansehra, coordination meetings were arranged with other organizations working towards Disaster Preparedness to gather more information on hazards. In Bagh a seminar on "Impacts of disasters on working class" was organized in which 250 people participated. The speakers raised issues pertaining to the working class and women in the aftermath of disaster. In Muzafarabad all the health staff and community health committee participated in the orientation regarding record keeping and OPD account operating. Regular community meetings have been conducted to facilitate the communities in finding solutions to their policy related issues with proper coordination and linkages with the government department .Another meeting was arranged with the staff regarding the grievances and further improvements of programs.

During this month 250 Child messages have been collected from Mattie, Mattie Wasti, Pothi and Nulla Ranjata villages and all the necessary material was provided to the children as part of the DA activities. In Battagram MOU has been signed with Area Coordination Council (ACC) and Action Aid in which it was jointly decided that ACC will host this event and Action Aid will support and pay Rs 30,000/ for necessary arrangement and refreshment for participants. All the NGOs, INGOs, Line Departments and Local Govt representatives will be invited along with community members for this event.

Emerging Issues:

• In Mansehra and Battagram, wheat cutting season, hampered the project activities.
• Heavy storm has highly affected the temporary shelters in Mansehra and Muzafarabad.
• Due to delay in finalizing the master plans for Bagh, people are facing problems in construction of their houses where as ERRA is not permitting any construction in these areas.
  
  In Bagh this month was most challenging for humanitarian aid workers because some influential and religious groups attacked NGOs/UN staff. Vehicles were burnt and also house of one UN representative was burnt. District administration was highly non cooperative in thee circumstances. UN/NGOs collectively decided to stop operation for two weeks as a protest and district government arrested the leadership of the different pressure groups but now the situation is getting back to normal