This update is about the progress made under AAN-DIPECHO V project in its ten months of operation from July 2009 to April 2010. The project implementation started in July 2009 and will continue for 17 months.

Surakshit Samudaya II

Building Disaster Resilient Communities, Nepal

May 2010, Kathmandu

AAN-DIPECHO PROJECT

PERIODIC UPDATE JULY ‘09– APRIL ‘10

PROJECT AT A GLANCE

Project Area: Banke

Sunsari Udayapur

Partner NGOs:

BEE Group UPCA Nepal

NP Nepal Co-Action Nepal

Beneficiaries: 13,854 people

Budget:

Euro 441,330

Start Date: 01 July 2009

Duration: 17 months

For more details, contact:

ActionAid Nepal Ph: 01-4436477 Fax: 01-4419718

ActionAid Nepal DIPECHO Project Publication

To strengthen capacities of community and local institutions for reducing impact of disas-

ters and ensuring rights of disaster vulnerable people

Specific Objective

Intended Results

Result 1. Capacity of communities is enhanced to reduce impact of disasters through collective actions

Result 2. Enabling environment created through appropriate DRR policies and plans Result 3. Target stakeholders demonstrate increased awareness on disaster

preparedness methods at family and community level Result 4. Small scale mitigation measures with government and local support contribute

to vulnerability reduction

Project Approach to achieve results

What to achieve to address issues

Informed community with enhanced coping means and methods and resilience, networking with other stakeholders for collective action

Informed government officers and other stakeholders on DRR

Informed parliamentarians ready to provide a policy framework on DRR

Replicable mitigation models on risk reduction

Targeting local people towards

enhancing local coping

mechanisms through education,

mobilization and linkages

Targeting district government

officials & NGO leaders in

ensuring increased awareness &

involvement in DRR

Targeting parliamentarians to

complement national initiatives

towards adopting DRR policy

Demonstrate replicable models

of mitigation at local levels,

through local and community

involvement

How we are

achieving?

Surakshit Samudaya II, the ActionAid DIPECHO project in Nepal is funded by European

Commission Humanitarian Aid department and co-financed by Australian Government-AusAid.

Surakshit Samudaya II: Building Disaster Resilient Communities, Nepal

The project is moving steadily as per the proposed plans with most of the actions being implemented on time and as per original targets. Given below is the schedule of activities and achievements.

Achievement vs. target — an update from the field

Activity Achievement & Coverage Outcome Result 1: Capacity of communities is enhanced to reduce impact of disasters through collective actions

Project orientation (26-28 July 09: Hotel Global Chitwan)

A 3-days project orientation workshop was organized to the team members-REFLECT facilitators, social mobilize, project coordinator and board members of PNGOs Number of participants: 32

Project team members, PNGOs are informed about project approach, activities, budget and implementation modality. Detailed work plan finalized.

Reflect Training of Trainers (8-15 Aug 09: VDRC Gaidakot)

A 8-days REFLECT TOT was organized aiming to develop capacity of REFLECT facilitators. Number of participants: 22

Reflect facilitators are regularly conducting the reflect sessions. They have become social change agents and resource persons for the community action and mobilization

Reflect Refresher Training (11-13 Dec 09: Hotel Wildlife Resort Bardiya)

A 3-days refresher course of REFLECT emphasizing on facilitation methods, PVA data use and CCA integration was organized. Number of participants: 15

REFLECT facilitators capacity to organize, mobilize and aware communities have been enhanced. Improved community work

Participatory Vulnerability Analysis (PVA) Training (17-21 Aug 09: Hotel Manashanta Ithari)

A 5-days PVA training was organized aiming to prepare pool of local resource persons on it. Number of participants: 24

PVA field application was carried out successfully in Sunsari and Banke. PVA resource persons developed locally

PVA training to Practical Action Team and provide technical support (Training: 25-29 Aug 09: Banke; Technical support in Sept 09)

A 5-days PVA training was organized to Practical Action PNGO team. Technical support was given during PVA field application during September 2009 by appointing PVA expert Number of participants: 24

As per MOU with PA, PVA training was provided and a expert was provided to guide PVA exercises in the PA field area.

Formation and functioning of REFLECT circle (Sept 2009 onwards)

17 new REFLECT Centers were formed in Sunsari and Banke. 15 old REFLECT centers are strengthened. Average No of Reflect Participants: 762

Reflect centers are active, and have been acting in DRR/DP and social issues

Formation and functioning of DMC (Sept 2009 onwards)

11 new DMCs formed in Sunsari and Banke. with 113 members . 9 old DMCs are strengthened having 95 members. No. of DMC members: 208

DMCs are regularly involved in DRR awareness activities, implementing mitigation and other DRR/DP activities

CBDRR training to DMC members (Oct-Nov 09: Banke & Sunsari)

Four CBDRR training for DMC members were organized in Sunsari and Banke for all DMC members Number of Participants: 137

Trained and informed community members in CBDRR activities taking leadership to community based DRR activities

CBDRR training to School volunteer (28-30 Nov 09: Inaruwa, 19-20 Feb 10: Banke)

Two events two days CBDRR training to school volunteers-students and teacher organized in Sunsari and Banke. Number of participants: 71

Trained and informed school students and teachers for disaster safety. Disaster preparedness culture introduced in schools

Emergency Relief Fund (Jan 10: Banke & Sunsari)

Emergency relief fund is established in new project areas, and strengthened in old areas. Total Emergency Relief Fund: Rs. 555,775 Grain in Kg: 675

People express their confidence in coping the future disasters.

Surakshit Samudaya II: Building Disaster Resilient Communities, Nepal

Achievement vs. target — an update from the field… continued

Activity Achievement & Coverage Outcome Basic First Aid Training to Volunteers (25-28 Dec 09: Inaruwa and 27-30 Jan 10: NGO Fed Banke)

Two first aid training are organized in one each in Sunsari (4 days) and Banke (5 days) Participants: 47 (25 women)

Volunteers are ready to provide first aid service during disasters or anytime required

Establishment of DP materials DP materials like life jacket, stretchers, rope, shovel, hand mikes, bucket, jerry cane etc are managed to each DMCs.

DMCs are well equipped and prepared to cope with disasters

Result 2: Enabling environment created through appropriate DRR policies and plans

Project Launching - National & District Level (August 19: National, July 19: Banke, Aug 9, 2009: Sunsari)

A National level joint DIPECHO launching organized. Two district level launching workshops were organized in Sunsari and Banke. Launching Program’s Participants: 280

Project received attention in national level and respective districts level, sought stakeholder support and opened the project framework to district stakeholders

ISDR Day Celebration (October 10-14, 2009)

A joint ISDR day was organized naming People’s Caravan followed by national level convention of DMCs. 3 PNGOs also celebrated ISDR day in respective districts. No of participants of joint program: > 1000

Advocacy initiatives begun with for building enabling DRR policy environment. The event achieved the objective of triggering nationwide movement to seek DRR policy

DIPECHO Partner Coordination (August 2009 onwards)

Over 16 DIPECHO partners coordination meeting organized regularly. The MOU signed for joint radio program and documentary

Periodic bulletin, joint ISDR and EQ day celebration created national attention on DRR issue and visibility of DIPECHO works in Nepal

DRR Tool Kit Preparation and Launching (Launching: Feb 24, 2010)

DRR Advocacy Toolkit prepared jointly with 16 other DRR actors/institutions/networks and launched in a grand ceremony Tool kits: 1000 Launching Participants: 110

Able to inform constituent assembly members on DRR, sensitize the policy makers on disaster issues and solicit their informed involvement for enabling DRR policy framework

CA Member Orientation (Feb 24, 2010 and April 7, 9 & 29, 2010)

Four events of CA member sensitization workshop were conducted No. of CA members participated: 96

CA members committed to review the purposed DM act and follow up from the respective authority for tabling it from the parliament for CA approval

HFA/DRR Orientation to GO, NGOs and Journalist (Nov 22/23, 2009: Sunsari & Nov 30/31, 2009: Banke, and Feb 14, 2010: Journalist)

Five events of HFA/DRR orientations were carried out in Sunsari & Banke, for government and non-government officers. Participants: 202 (GO: 83, NGO: 88, and Journalist: 31)

Government officials, NGO leaders and Journalists are more familiarized with the HFA and DRR issues; and express commitment towards DRR initiatives. Journalist orientation made media informed to cover DRR issues

DRR/DIPECHO Asia Mangers meet (Sept 28-30, 2009: Dhulikhel)

A 3 days managers meet was organized by AAN represented by 10 country SA, SEA, Africa and Europe Participants:20

Good practices were shared, Regional approach for DRR developed, AAI DRR strategy refined

First Review Meeting of the Project Team (December 9-10, 2009)

The first review meeting of the DIPECHO project was held. All the team members participated. Participants: 36

Activities reviews, forward planning fine tuned, approaches streamlined and reiterated commitment to excellence

EQ day Celebration (Jan 2010)

A four days EQ exhibition was set up in Lalitpur along with 8 other DIPECHO partners, AIN and DPNet EQ days celebrated in all project districts

Supported in mass awareness raising on earthquake preparedness and getting reach of national attention

Result 3 Target stakeholders demonstrate increased awareness on disaster preparedness methods at family and community level

PVA field application and Update (Sept 2009)

Vulnerability and capacity of the communities identified, and assessed. The update on the PVA findings were done in Udaypur PVA conducted in 17 locations PVA update in 4 locations

PVA field application and update reports are produced and available in the community for planning

Technical support to PA in PVA application (Sept 2009)

The technical support for PVA field application was done resulting preparation of PVA report 27 toles of Banke and Bardiya district

Vulnerability and capacity of the communities identified, & assessed. The plan of action is prepared.

KAP data collection and analysis (Sept 2009)

Baseline KAP survey completed with 1200 interviewees as per structured questionnaire. Data collated and analyzed. 1200 surveys conducted

The community's baseline knowledge, attitude and practice is captured which is project baseline

Local Radio program (March-April 2010)

Local radio programs are produced and broadcasted in Banke and Sunsari district Total Local Radio: 14episodes

Wider mass are aware on the disaster risk reduction issues. Few peoples were directly involved in program production and interaction

Street theatre shows Local street theatre groups formed and performed the theatres about EQ safety, fire preparedness, disaster preparedness No of shows: 36, Viewers:5300

30 local youths are organized in 2 street theatre groups. Community’s knowledge and skill on the disaster preparedness enhanced.

IEC materials preparation and distribution (Nov 2009 onwards)

Eight types of IEC materials produced, and distributed for DRR awareness raising Posters 2 types (1000), Flipcharts (100), calendar (4000), Brochure 2 types (1000), Diary (1000), & Disaster knowledge Series (100)

Reflect and DMC discussion process is enhanced through visual IEC matters. The households have been preparing to control or cope disaster according to seasons

Short Film on DRR awareness (March-April 2010)

2 Short films on flood preparedness and earthquake safety are prepared to sensitize the wider project community

The films were broadcasted in national television NTV 2

Result 4 Small scale mitigation measures with government and local support contribute to vulnerability reduction

Construction of raised tube-wells

Tube-wells platforms are raised to ensuring safe drinking water during disaster situation Raised tube-wells: 21, Serving population (estimated): 5000

Local people express confidence for getting safe water during the flood inundation that usually happens for few weeks each year during rainy season.

Construction of bio-dyke A Bio-dyke in Banke district is constructed. The bio-dyke is made in an arch shape, semi circular to circumvent the settlement. The height is calculated based on the average height of flood waters and is over 6 ft in height Length of the bio-dyke: 163 meters

The bio-dyke is expected to protect the settlement of 24 families, their livestock and their land from flood waters that rush from nearby Rapti river through the Dondra canal.

Agreement for additional mitigation support from UNDP

AAN managed to secure additional support from UNDP for small scale mitigation work in DIPECHO project locations, ensuring no duplication of work or resources Biodyke-800 meters, Tube-wells 14, & Shelter 4

People will get safe shelter, safe water and protection from the flood ultimately contributes to reduce loss of lives and properties during disasters

QU

OTE

“The project has been successful in terms of creating huge awareness about disaster risk reduction in the project areas. I have also involved in couple of the project activities like CBDRR training, & Early warning system visit. There was quite difficulty in relief distribu-tion in 2008 flood in Narsingh VDC. We are now confident that this time there will be no problem for distributing any of the support in the DIPECHO project VDCs because of the presence of local disaster management committees, formed & strengthened under project. -Shared by Mr. Bhesh Raj Ghimire, Disaster Focal Person, DDC, March 2010

Surakshit Samudaya II: Building Disaster Resilient Communities, Nepal

SNAPSHOTS

Vulnerability of the project area-Inundation in Sunsari (Aug, 2009)

Performing a Street theatre show for DRR awareness (March 9, 2010: Gangapur, Banke)

Participants of Reflect Refresher Training in Bardiya (Dec, 2009)

Raised platform of a Model Tube-well for safe water (March 2010): Narshingh, Sunsari)

Participants practicing on rescue technique during Search and Rescue Training (April 11-15, 2010: Rapti River, Banke District)

AAN’s facilitation in DRR Tool Kit Launching program (February 24, 2010, CCD Hall Baneswore)