HANDS Emergency Response for flood affected people of Punjab


HANDS initiated health services through conduction of Mobile Medical Camps in support of District Government Chiniot, Sialkot, Jhang and Rajanpur. HANDS Medical teams have started the medical services from 12th September in Tehsil Bhawana and Lallian of Chiniot district and Tehsil Sambrial of Sialkot district with the facilitation of Ujala Welfare Trust and Young Blood Foundation. HANDS started Medical Camps in district Jhang from September 21, 2014 in four different Union Councils of Tehsil Athara Hazari and Jhang. HANDS teams have planned health education sessions on Health & Hygiene in the IDP camps at and different places in different UCs of District Chiniot, Sialkot, Jhang and Rajanpur.

Gender wise detail of Medical Camp Patients:
Total 5,020 Patients were treated by HANDS Medical team and as graph shows that most of them were female which is 41% (n=2,066), male 39% (n=1,945) and 20% (n=1,009) children were also given medical facilities by HANDS team. HANDS Medical teams are providing health


facilities in Sialkot, Jhang, Rajanpur and Chiniot districts.
Patients
Chiniot
Sialkot
Rajanpur
Jhang
Total
%
Male
785
128
138
894
1945
38.75
Female
918
171
153
824
2066
41.16
Children
394
65
253
297
1009
20.10
Total
2097
364
544
2015
5020

Diseases wise ratio of Patients:
ARI and Skin Diseases are most common diseases in these medical camps. 22.7% cases were reported of Skin Diseases and 13.3% of ARI and Diarrhea.




HANDS Future planning to continue its Emergency Response (Integrated Relief Package) with Support of DFID (Department For International Development) in four flood affected districts of Punjab:
HANDS has a plan to launch an integrated emergency relief program for the period of 3 months in  worst affected union councils of  district Chiniot, Jhang, (central Punjab), Multan & Muzaffargarh (southern Punjab). The integrated relief package for 2,000 families will be comprised of;

1.    Provision of Roofing Kits
2.    Provision of Solar Lights
3.    Distribution of Ceramic Filters
4.    Distribution of Hygiene Kits
5.    Distribution of Winterization Kits
6.    Provision of Medical Services 


 

Relief and Recovery Project for Earthquake Affected areas of Baluchistan – One Year On

A Powerful earthquake struck Baluchistan on 24th September 2013, the quake’s epicentre was in the Awaran District, but other districts of Baluchistan – Kech (Turbat) and Panjgur were also affected. According to reports, the tremors registered were of 7.8 on the Richter scale. After the initial incident, another earthquake of 7.2 magnitude hit same area of Baluchistan on September 28, 2013.

The initial results of rapid assessment by HANDS (Health And Nutrition Development Society) International and the data presented by PDMA (Provincial Disaster Management Authority) Baluchistan showed that 42000 families and nearly 300,000 people were affected. Around 90% of the buildings including shops and houses in 8 union councils of District Awaran collapsed. According to PDMA Baluchistan 399 people died and 599 were injured. Dozens of health & Education facilities, water wells were also damaged.

Based on desperate state of affairs, HANDS was among the first few NGOs to reach Awaran.


Situation Update on Super Flood in Punjab by HANDS International

 Heavy Rains in upper Punjab, Kashmir and Indian Occupied Kashmir has triggered floods in the rivers Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi and Sutlej. The affected districts so far are Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Chiniot and Jhang. Moreover, India has reportedly released 818,000 cusec of water in Chenab which generated exceptionally high flood in River Chenab that had passed through Head Marala and Head Khanki and expected to reach south Punjab at Head Trimmu and Head Punjnad in coming days, and enter Sindh later in the week. Flood warnings have been issued by Multan, Muzaffargarh, Lodhran, Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalpur district administrations and various camps have been established by district administrations at various high risk points in these districts along the rivers Chenab and Sutlej banks. Population living in low lying and river belts have been evacuated to avoid losses.

Chairman HANDS International on recent floods in Punjab Pakistan

Prof A G Billoo, Chairman HANDS International, talks to Samina Khan of DM Global TV about the floods in Pakistan, the lack of desire by politicians to take any precautionary measures and what local and International NGOs including HANDS International are doing to provide relief to the people affected and displaced by the recent floods in Punjab Pakistan.

HANDS Emergency Response Plan for Internally Displaced Persons / Families of North Waziristan

Internal Displacement in northern areas

On June 15, Pakistan launched the military operation Zarb-e-Azb against militants in the troubled North Waziristan agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) that resulted in a temporary migration and relocation of displaced persons from the area of operation to safer locations.

Over 400,000 people have been displaced since the start of the military offensive against militants in North Waziristan, according to the FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA).  During the meeting with Ministry of SAFRON by HANDS team, officials told that number will increase in coming day.
·         Origin of IDPs:
o   Mir Ali
o   Miran Shah
o   Razmak
o   Data Khel

·         IDPs Movement:
Mostly IDPs are coming to District Bannu, while some 30 % goes towards District Lucky Marwat and Karak due to non-availability of shelters and personal contact with the community. We observed, that why IDPs are not staying in Camp. The reason is high temperature & heat of Tents IDPs is not want to go there. Otherwise, FDMA have arranged electricity and Water forBakka Khel Camp.

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 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):
S#
Description
Unit Cost
Total Units
Cost PKR
Cost GBP
1
Mobile Medical Camps
220
25,000
5,500,000
34,375
2
Water Supply & Hygiene promotion (per family)
322
25,000
8,050,000
50,313
3
NFI & Hygiene kit
3,265
25,000
81,625,000
510,156
4
Cash for work to produce the relief goods including material cost
4,000
10,000
40,000,000
250,000

 Grand Total[i]
135,175,000
844,844




[i] Implementation & organizational overhead costs are included

Case of Emergency Disaster Management for Karachi

by: Bilquis Rehman
General Manager, ICR & Advocacy Department


“Staff of the emergency medical team should be technically equipped and trained to save the lives, to do the most for the most”, said Dr. Samad Billoo, at a seminar on ‘Management of Medical Emergencies in Karachi - An Expert Opinion’, organized by HANDS Pakistan and HANDS International, on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, at Movenpick Hotel. Mr. Roshan Shaikh, Secretary Relief and Rehabilitation, Government of Sindh, was the chief guest at the event.

The seminar was organized to focus on the expert opinion from Dr. Samad Billoo, on existing practices and challenges involved in medical emergencies as part of daily occurrences across the country, Karachi being prone to natural and manmade calamities, is badly suffering due to lack of learning, sharing, regulations and systems. He highlighted the importance of understanding “Structured Response Methodologies” for disaster and emergencies. Dr. Shaikh Tanveer Ahmed, Chief Executive, HANDS, gave the welcome address and presented HANDS approach on emergency relief to the audience.

In this regard, the key stakeholders of Karachi medical emergencies were invited to present their medical emergencies approaches. Mr. Salman Shah, DG Provincial Disaster Management Auhtority, Sindh, Ms. Joan Dodman, USAID Health Specialist, Prof. Saeed Qureshi from Civil Hospital, Dr. Junaid Razaque from Aman Foundation, Mr. Ubaid Hashmi from Al-Mustafa Trust, Mr. M. Ramzan Chhipa from Chhipa Welfare Association, Dr. M. Shahid from Indus Hospital, Dr. Seemi from Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation and Mr. Abdul Aziz from Al-Khidmat Welfare Society shared their strengths, weaknesses, posed challenges, and gave recommendations.

Dr. Billoo briefed the audience on technically equipped and trained appointed staff to work in emergencies. According to him the inability to mitigate the disaster on the day one occurs is failure of planning. “‘It will never happen to us’ is not an acceptable excuse for the absence of adequate planning”, he remarked.

 Dr. Billoo pointed out that during an emergency there should be a major incident plan in place for every EMS provider (ambulance service), each hospital that accepts emergencies, high risk venues, such as sports stadiums and concert halls and a regional, provincial and national plan for the coordination of resources on a wider scale.

Dr. Ghaffar Billoo, Chairman HANDS, thanked the audience and urged to gather up for the needs of Karachi and overall humanity.

Dr. Billoo has over 23 years’ experience in the Emergency Medical Services field and currently working for ‘The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)’ in London, a consecutive award winning organization by the UK government.

Donations to Homeless Action in Barnet

HANDS International have recently donated hundreds of  good quality clothes to Homeless Action in Barnet (HAB).

They provide:
  • Day Centre Services
    The Day Centre provides a wide range of services to meet our clients needs. These cover practical needs as well as advice and advocacy on a number of issues.
  • Tenancy Support Services
    HAB has two Tenancy Support Services. One is a Floating Support Service provided by Outreach Barnet and the other is a partnership with the Foundation Project to provide temporary accommodation while trying to secure a tenancy in the private sector.
  • Health Services
    A range of services provided by Barnet Primary Care Trust to meet the needs of our clients who are not able to access community based services