Background: In July 2022, Pakistan experienced a worst monsoon of its history which caused widespread flooding and extensive human and infrastructure damage. At least 72 districts across the country were declared calamity hit by the government. The monsoon rains triggered the most severe flooding, washing away villages, leaving almost 10 million children in need of lifesaving support and at increased risk of waterborne diseases, drowning and malnutrition. Thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed, while many public health facilities, water systems and schools have been destroyed or damaged. As the flood water has receded, the crisis has become an acute child survival crisis. These children are fighting a losing battle against severe acute malnutrition, diarrhea, malaria, dengue fever, typhoid, acute respiratory infections. Open defecation also became a serious concern and water sources became contaminated leading to water borne diseases among the affected population.
To strengthen coping mechanism, Shifa Foundation is implementing a Flood Emergency and Restoration project in District Umerkot and Sanghar, Sindh province in collaboration of UNICEF. The project aims to ensure equal access to water, improved sanitation, and hygiene services for communities and institutions affected by floods in 2022.
Key activities to be performed:
• Installation of water tanks, climate resilient communal handpumps in communities.
• Provision of safe drinking water through water trucking (14000 people @ 7litre per person per day for drinking and cooking only) for 20 days for Umerkot informal settlements.
• Installation/decommissioning of emergency pit latrines in camps/ settlements/villages.
• Orientation of local volunteers / masons/ entrepreneurs for restoration and construction of sanitation facilities.
• Provision/ Rehabilitation of Emergency WASH services (drinking water, emergency latrines, hand washing stations.
• Restoration of WASH facilities in Government school and safe places.
• Installation of 6 stage ultra facilities unit in 30 schools and 30 HCF
• Conduct 8,800 WASH/IPC sessions with affected population in 200 communities, school and HCFs on hygiene promotion including household water treatment option, MHH,DRR climate change, climate resilient WASH facilities, WASH related diseases, Gender/GBV, PSEA and screening 200,000 people including WASH stakeholders.
• Communication/IEC material, wall chalking, painting for hygiene awareness sessions including MHH, DRR, climate change, climate resilient WASH facilities, WASH related diseases, Gender/GBV, PSEA & SBC in communities and schools.
• Hygiene awareness sessions with children and teachers for adoption of safe and healthy hygiene practices.
Deliverables:
• Affected population have safe and equitable access to and use a sufficient quantity and quality of water to meet drinking and domestic needs.
• Affected population have access to and use appropriate sanitation facilities.
• Affected population have access to and use appropriate WASH services health care and learning facilities for children.
• All-risk and affected populations have timely access to culturally appropriate, gender and age sensitive information, services and interventions to promote safe hygiene practices.
