None of the planned activities for August were implemented in Battgram as most of the NGOs and INGOs decided to temporarily suspend field activities until the situation returns to normal. After two weeks' break, Battgram office was able to start field activities again. However female staff was restricted to office for a temporary period and extra security measures are taken for female staff involved in field activities.

In terms of the immediate and strategic needs of the affected communities, ActionAid ERP is supporting the conversion of prefabricated shelters into permanent shelters to support the ravaged communities against sizzling summer and monsoon rains. In Bagh material for improvement of 200 shelters was distributed. Besides, seventy women headed families, families of minorities and disabled were identified for provision of new shelters. These families will also be provided technical support to construct earth quake resistant shelters. In other areas, planned activities could not be carried out this month as there was a delay in purchase of materials, and these will be distributed next month.

Community centers were constructed as meeting hubs and training centers for women. Construction of two new centers in Bagh has been completed with the active participation of women's community organizations.

The 2005 earthquake destroyed or diverted water supply schemes, and recent monsoons added to the threat of waterborne diseases. In this regard, safe water supply has been the key focus area during the last couple of months. In all four field offices, work on water supply schemes has been started with the active support of community organizations. Testing of water quality was carried out through local government departments.

As household sanitation remains a huge problem in the earthquake affected areas, ERP is also assessing the need of the community and providing latrines where required. Generally in the earthquake affected areas men use communal latrines whereas in most cases women do not have access to latrines, and construction of latrines will fulfill one of their basic needs. Over 400 families completed the wooden structure of latrines in Bagh, and an assessment of 925 families has been completed in all four field offices.

All the 21 Health Centers are operating effectively and field staff has started their efforts to integrate these centers within the government system. The health departments in Battagram, Muzaffarabad and Bagh have shown interest to take over the Centers, and they will be handed over after completion of the official processes with proper involvement of community organizations of the respective areas. Over 5,000 patients have been treated during the month; respiratory tract infection, anemia, gastroenteritis, gastritis /peptic-ulcer, diabetes, UTI, hypertension and scabies were the most common diseases observed.

In order to promote psycho-social recovery of earthquake affected children and students, Muzaffarabad and Mansehra field offices celebrated Independence Day in government boys and girls primary schools. In most girls schools, the students celebrated the event for the first time.

Nearly two years after the devastating earthquake, few schools have been rebuilt in the earthquake areas. The ERP has started rebuilding community model schools in Mansehra, Battgram and Muzaffarabad. In addition the field team in Muzaffarabad distributed furniture and stationery in schools.

In view of the high ratio of female in the quake hit zone, training and capacity building in the livelihood sector has continued, with a priority given to women. The trainings are necessary in order to improve household income of the communities. In Muzaffarabad a total of 33 women participated in fruit and vegetable preservation training. However activity levels were modest in this area during the reporting month, and all four field teams will review planned activities in this sector and improve output over the coming months.

In Bagh EVRM organized an All Parties Conference against ERRA reconstruction and compensation policies. All political parties including trade unions, religious parties, social and political activists and journalists participated in the conference. They all strongly criticized the role of Army in relief and rehabilitation work, and ERRA policies. Moreover they all promised to strongly support sanitary workers and landless families.

Emerging Issues:

• During the reporting month, the Health Center in Battgram was burnt due to internal community conflicts that affected field activities in the area.
• Religious groups are a regular threat to INGO, not only in earthquake hit areas but all over Pakistan, particularly after the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) incident. In this regard NGOs are regularly in touch with the district and local governments and the local communities to handle the situation.
• The ongoing monsoon has affected the progress of various activities at the field level.
• Delay in the revision of the Master Plan of Bagh has left the populace in trouble as ERRA is not allowing them to begin reconstruction.