Civil Society demanded Government to formulate strategy for the implementation of Child marriage Act in Sindh

After passing of the Bill child marriages restraint Act  2013 ,in Provincial Assembly of Sind, there is still increase in the Child marriages which is leading to high rate of Maternal mortality in the Region. It is also becomes a question mark on the efforts of Present government to combat this issue.

In order to overcome this problem HANDS in Collaboration with Rutgers WPF launch an awareness campaign, through this project “Awareness to Action” and trained 300 young peoples to create awareness among masses in various areas of Sind Province which aims health of girls & to ensure safe motherhood.  On this occasion HANDS officials said that we are putting our efforts to curb early marriage issues which cause early pregnancies and resulted in several complicated health problems for young mothers and new born child.

A consultative meeting of stake holders including Civil Society, Media and Government dignitaries has been arranged to address the Health & Rights of young girls especially to highlight teen age pregnancies due to early marriages and how to stop these practices. In this occasion apart from media representative and civil society high officials from Health department was also presented. Health department Dr.Abdul Shakoor  said that the condition of maternal health is not upto the mark in Pakistan especially our rural women are still dependent on unskilled birth attendants.

The Civil society experts stress to  improve the access to free medical services and urge for the serious measures by authorities to stop marriages before eighteen and formulate appropriate strategy to implement the law of Child Marriage.

Advertisements

HANDS Emergency Response for IDPs of North Waziristan update till 04 August 2014

Introduction of HANDS Pakistan:                                                                                        

HANDS was founded by Prof.A.G.Billoo (Sitara-e-Imtiaz) in 1979. HANDS has evolved in 34 years as one of the largest Non-Profit Organization of the country with integrated development model. HANDS has a network of 30 offices across the country and has access to more than 16.2 million population nearly 20,274 villages/ settlement in 34 districts of Pakistan. HANDS strength is 18 volunteers Board Members, more than 1502 full time staff and nearly one million community based volunteers of 5205 medium and small size organizations.

 HANDS Pakistan is registered under Societies Act, is certified by Pakistan Center of Philanthropy (PCP) and Tax exempted by Income Tax Department Government of Pakistan. HANDS has qualified the Institutional Management Program (IMCP) of USAID of management standards. HANDS is accredited with European Union. HANDS also possess membership with Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP).

HANDS International recently established its office in London, United Kingdom. HANDS international –UK is registered as Non-Profit Organization in Companies Act 2006 of England and Wales.

HANDS Disaster Management Program:  

HANDS Disaster Management Program aims to reduce, or avoid the potential losses from the hazards, assure prompt and appropriate assistance to victims or survivors of disaster, and achieve rapid and effective recovery.

HANDS has established Eight Disaster Risk Management Centers in Two Provinces i.e. Sindh and Punjab, inlcuding districts are Thatta, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Umerkot,  Sanghar, Matiari and Rajanpur. HANDS has its base office with well-equipped warehouse in Karachi.

HANDS Disaster Management Program responded to major disasters in Pakistan – the Badin Cyclone in 2002, the Northern areas and Kashmir Earthquake 2005, the flood emergencies of 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013  in Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan; Earthquake in three districts of Balochistan in 2013, and recently in drought Emergency at Tharparkar (March 2014). HANDS Pakistan worked with integrated approach with Public sector stakeholders and communities to minimize losses, manage the vulnerabilities, provide relief, supports in recovery and then rehabilitation through contructions and provision of livelihoods. HANDS has vast experience to deal with emergency responses during the recent disaster in Pakistan.

1. Drought in Tharparkar in March 2014:  Emergency Response was initiated within 5 hours and Relief package was provided to 6,000 families in 2 months.   
2. Earthquake in Awaran Balochistan in October 2013: Emergency response was initiated within 8 hours & comprehensive relief package was provided in hard conditions and conflicted areas within two months to 10,000 families.
3. Rain Emergency 2012 in Northern Sindh, South Punjab & Balochistan: Emergency response was initiated within 6 hours. Distribution of emergency relief package was provided to 27000 families within 2 months
4. Rain Emergency 2011 in Southern Districts of Sindh: Emergency response was initiated within 8 hours in 8 districts. 29000 families were reached within 2 moths
5. Flood Emergency 2010: Emergency response was initiated within 4 hours in northern Sindh & 36,000 families were reached within 1 month.

 Updated situation of Internally Displacement Persons from North Waziristan:  

According to the FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) more than 993,116 Individuals / peoples  (90,836) families have been registered those are displaced since the start of the operation  While the verification process is ongoing; Over 49736 registered households were verified as of 21 July by NADRA , the record of which was sent to Fata Disaster Management Authority  (FDMA). Of the verified families, record of 49,736 families had been sent to Zong while payment drawn by displaced families as reported by Zong was 15,031.

IDPs Status:

Mostly IDPs are coming to District Bannu, while some  goes towards District Lukki Marwat, Tank, Karak, Kohat , Hangu  and Dera Ismail Khan. Grievance desks have been established to facilitate families with documentation issues. The priority needs remain food, health, protection and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) activities. Urgent funding resources are needed to continue to scale up the humanitarian response

HANDS Emergency Response for Internally Displaced Families of NWA:

HANDS Pakistan has started its Emergency Response for affected famili
es of North Waziristan initially its own resources and now with the partnership of STEUN Pakistan. HANDS has got letter of collaboration from Ministry of SAFRON as well as got facilitation letter from Provincial Disaster Management Authority KP. HANDS initiated health services through conduction of Mobile Medical Camps with support of District Government Bannu, KPK Government, Health department, FDMA, SAFRON secretariat. HANDS teams has planned health education sessions on Health & Hygiene in the IDP camps at and different places  in different UCs of  District Bannu and at fixed Government BHU Chandni  Chowk.

Mobile Medical Camps update:

 Gender wise Ratio of Patients:

Total 1,279 patients were treated by HANDS Medical team in 14 days and most of them were children which are 42%, 32% female and 26% male were also given medical facilities by HANDS team.

Diseases wise Ratio of Patients:

Diarrhea is most common disease and reported 16.3%, follow by 13.1 ARI, 12.6 Dysentery and 13.0 Skin diseases

 

Coordination Meetings with Government and
Non Government Organization

Coordination Meeting with Different Government officials at Peshawar & Bannu, KP:

Coordination Meeting with PDMA KP:

HANDS Peshawar teams Conducted meeting with Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) KP  and briefed  them regarding HANDS Pakistan Emergency Response  for IDPs in Bannu KP and also shared about the HANDS future planning for continuation of HANDS  Response for IDPs.

Coordination Meetings with Government and Non Government Organization

Coordination Meeting with Different Government officials at Peshawar & Bannu, KP:

HANDS Peshawar and Bannu teams conducted a meeting with different Government and Non Governmental organization including PDMA KP,  DG Health, Director Health, DHO and Focal persons Health at Bannu.

Coordination Meeting with NGOs , INGOs and representatives of UN Agencies at KP:

HANDS Peshawar & Bannu teams Conducted meeting with NGOs / NHN , representatives of INGOs and representatives of UN agencies, OCHA, WFP, WHO and UNHCR working in the Province and briefed  them regarding HANDS Pakistan Emergency Response  for IDPs in KP

HANDS Emergency Response Plan for IDPs of NWA:

Considering the previous track record and reputation of HANDS in emergency response; HANDS was called by Ministry of SAFRON and PDMA to extend the services. Considering the current situation in the area HANDS has shown the willingness with Government of Pakistan to start relief operations in affected areas through HANDS Peshawar office. HANDS has plan to provide emergency relief assistance to 25,000 families.

This program supports the provision of food, water, shelter, health care, nutrition and protection assistance to people affected by natural disasters and complex emergencies. In the current  situation in the North Waziristan, one of the FATA region, the displacement is towards the KP districts including the Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan. The following plan is proposed includes immediate emergency relief and then extended short term plan.

HANDS is seeking for financial assistance to provide the following packages to 25,000 affected population.

(1)    Mobile Medical Camps:

HANDS Pakistan will provide medical services through it trained health care providers. Rs. 112 (£0.7) is required to provide the quality healthcare to one IDP.

(2)    WASH

HANDS has the two Water Treatment Units- WTU ready to mobilize and provide the safe drinking water to affected population. Rs. 23. Per month are required to provide the safe drinking water to one displaced person.

(3)    NFI & Hygiene kit:

Considering the hygiene and protection issues and previous experiences of HANDS; Rs. 3,265 (£20.4) are required to provide the NFIs & Hygiene kit. One solar light and one jerry can will be provided under NFI package and hygiene kit package will be comprised of towel, nail cutter, comb, sanitary cloths& dental powder.

(4)    Cash for work to produce the relief goods

Most vulnerable households will be engaged for cash for work- CfW. Beneficiaries will be engaged for production of relief goods; i.e production of Neem soap, hand wash liquid, matts, cleaning of areas &  other interventions. Affected population will be engaged for 12 working days and wages @ PKR. 300 per day will be paid. PKR 3,600 is required to engage one beneficiary to provide the temporary employment opportunities.

Cumulative Requirement =+ (Unit cost is calculated for per family):

 

 

 

 

 

HANDS Pakistan contacts information:

Dr. Shaikh Tanveer Ahmed, Chief Executive ‐ HANDS Pakistan

140‐C, Block‐2, PECHS, Karachi, Ph: 021‐34527698, Cell# 03008200507

Email: tanveer.ahmed@hands.org.pk , Website: www.hands.org.pk

 Dr. Muhammad Sarwat Mirza – Chief Research & Development Executive, HANDS Pakistan

HANDS Islamabad Office, Office 1, Block-5, Saidpur Market, Sector G-7/1, Islamabad

Ph: 051-2606482; Fax: 051-2606483, Cell# 0300-8297503

Email: sarwat.mirza@hands.org.pk, Website: www.hands.org.pk

 Muhammad Raheem Marri, General Manager ‐ Disaster Management Program HANDS

140‐C, Block‐2, PECHS, Karachi, Ph: 021‐34527698, Cell# 0346‐8209561

Email: raheem.marri@hands.org.pk , Website: www.hands.org.pk

Donations: HANDS Account No.003800613865-03 (Habib Bank Limited)

HANDS Zakat Account No. 003800705395-03 (Habib Bank Limited)

---

 

Download PDF

We and Water; A GADAP Town’s case study

Water is the basic living Component for Human life but unfortunately not only Karachi’s suburban’s  has the scarcity  of water but the  other town’s water requirement are not fulfilled. Water is the basic component for good Health and is sign of Health and Hygiene. Many of the areas of Karachi are not getting the proper water supply and have facing several associated problems due to lacking of water. People are helpless to buy the water from water Tankers which is hazardous for human Health. For highlighting this important issue and also to divert  attention of higher authorities, a Press briefing is arranged on Monday 7^th July by HANDS with collaboration of Karachi Press Club and Health Journalist Association of Pakistan at Karachi Press Club, in which  awareness to media has given to play their role in addressing these challenges. On this occasion resident of Gadap Town representing thier community and highlighted their issues which they are facing in their town, while the solution they recive were also presented.

On this occasion,General Manager HANDS, Ms. Bilquis Rehman, address to the Media to take this sensitive issue seriously and highlight in masses as 70% of disease burden of Pakistan is due to water borne diseases. On this occassion, the leader of the residents of Gadap Town Yousuf Goth Mr.Ghos Baksh and Mr. Mohammad Ali inform the Media that the total Population of UC 7 is around 80,000 and Portable Water scarcity  is at peak, apart from electricity, education and povery. There is no  pipeline in many areas even, hygiene and sanitation problems are dismal. They also inform the journalists that there is only one pumping station in this UC, which were installed 15 years back to provide water to 18,000   population of that time and now  the population is around  80,000. They further added that residents of Yousuf Goth raise this problem with Water Board many times but Water Board did not have the resources to increase the water volume in the locality.

 HANDS, General Manager,Ghulam Mustafa Zaor sahred that HANDS conduct the survey in 2012 to find out  the water problems of  Yousuf Goth’s residents and we succeed to mobilized funds from Water Aid and a project has been launched. In 2012 we initiate work in Gadap town to solve the water problem of the area and with joint collaborative efforts of  the residents and Water Board we succeed to provide water to this area.

 Chief Superintendent Engineer, Water Board, Mr.Mohammad Ali Shaikh added, that in 2012, the Filter Plant is repaired  from the cooperation of HANDS and Water-Aid in Yousuf Goth from which people are now getting the facility of filtered water, he further added that from 2013 we also tried to enhance the capablity of filter plant. With the cost around 4,400 thousand, we increase the  the capability of pumping station to fulfill the demand of area but earlier we were only addressing 20% Population need. Due to increase in capacity  of pumping station the Yousuf Goth resident Mohammad Baksh says that our 60% population is now facilitated through the efforts of residents and Water Board through support of NGO HANDS and Water-Aid funding. We have been provided five supply lines so far, one Filter Plant and a Pumping Station has repaired.

This UC is creating the best example for all Karachits and even for the  country for mutual efforts of the people and City Government Department. By concluding the briefing Mr.Zainulabideen from Karachi Press Club representative and also from Health Journalist Association assured their solidarity with this cause and committed to highlight this into media to get relief to people.

 

HANDS Pakistan Emergency Response for affected families of North Waziristan

HANDS Pakistan has started its Emergency Response for affected families of North Waziristan from its own resources. HANDS has got letter of collaboration from Ministry of SAFRON. HANDS initiated health services through conduction of Mobile Medical Camps with support of District Government Bannu, KPK Government, Health department, FDMA, SAFRON secretariat and its local partner NGO Organization for Social and Economical Development (OSED). HANDS teams has planned health education sessions on Health & Hygiene in the IDP camps at Government College (Landhi Jahlandar) in District Bannu.

HANDS Pakistan contacts information:
Dr. Shaikh Tanveer Ahmed, Chief Executive ‐ HANDS Pakistan 140‐C, Block‐2, PECHS, Karachi, Ph: 021‐34527698, Cell# 03008200507
Email: tanveer.ahmed@hands.org.pk , Website: http://www.hands.org.pk

Dr. Muhammad Sarwat Mirza – Chief Research & Development Executive, HANDS Pakistan HANDS Islamabad Office, Office 1, Block-5, Saidpur Market, Sector G-7/1, Islamabad Ph: 051-2606482; Fax: 051-2606483, Cell# 0300-8297503
Email: sarwat.mirza@hands.org.pk, Website: http://www.hands.org.pk

Muhammad Raheem Marri, General Manager ‐ Disaster Management Program HANDS 140‐C, Block‐2, PECHS, Karachi, Ph: 021‐34527698, Cell# 0346‐8209561
Email: raheem.marri@hands.org.pk , Website: http://www.hands.org.pk

Donations: HANDS Account No.003800613865-03 (Habib Bank Limited) HANDS Zakat Account No. 003800705395-03 (Habib Bank Limited)

Click here to download report: