multi§oral-rapid-needassessment ... - muslim aid
TRANSCRIPT
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Multi-‐Sectoral Rapid Need Assessment District Tharparkar
April-‐2015
Muslim Aid UK –Pakistan Field Office
Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL)
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Foreword In pursuit to the ongoing drought in district Tharparkar due to low rainfall for the last three consecutive years which stirred a wave of attention and created resonance across the country and worldwide; a need was therefore emerged to assess the needs of people. Frequent deaths of pre-‐mature births, neonates and babies reportedly occurred due to malnutrition of mothers. The famine affected the animals too; small and large ruminants became weak and feeble due to serious deficit of fodder, lost immunity and became susceptible to various contagious diseases resulting in thousands of goats and sheeps dead. People started migrating to adjacent districts near barrages and water sources along with herds of animals. Water table inside ground went down and problems regarding availability of water increased. The team of Muslim Aid undertook a multi-‐sectoral rapid need assessment to have an account of pains, sufferings and challenges of the people of Tharparkar, the causes and reasons associated to and the remedial measures which can be opted as effective tools for sustainable solutions. The methodology adopted for the subject endeavor was to collect secondary data from concerned departments at district level and to extract meaningful data from official website of Govt of Sindh as well. Thorough and detailed discussions in form of Key informant interviews (KIIs) with the government officials of different departments including health, nutrition, education and livestock were exercised in order to elicit the time long experience and expert opinion. Similarly arrangements of Key informant interviews (KIIs) with other stakeholders entailing NCHD, HANDS, Al khidmat, incharge of Zam Zam project and some community elites were also ascertained for finding facts and ground situation. This was extended to 20 FGDs with communities of tehsil Mithi and Nangarparkar in 10 UCs (5UCs each). 10 observational visits of government health facilities and educational institutions were also conducted for more insightful data, facts and findings. It is worth mentioning that the effort is not the one with all the perfect representation of the whole district because of the slim nature of activity and its stringent timelines in which all tehsils could not be covered. It is evenly suggested for further detail research for more precise and exact findings which might effectively represent all areas, sectors and circles. Nonetheless, it is assumed a wonderful and a value added endeavor in the current quest of existing data and information for exploring substantial evidences which may signify the core prevailing issues, challenges, causes and solutions. Muslim Aid has profound feelings of reverence and vehement venerations for the utmost support of public sector (health, education, nutrition and livestock departments) and private sectors (NCHD, HANDS and Al Khidmat) as discussed above. Earnest gratitude is extended to Country Director of Muslim Aid (Khobaib Ahmad Vahedy) for his vision, inspirational leadership and superior guidance. We feel overwhelmed to the senior management of Muslim Aid for their insightful and technical inputs at all stages of assessment including Head of SPLQ, Head of Humanitarian (HOH) and Head of Programs (HOP). My professional colleagues Br. Bilal Ahmad Siddique (PC Sindh) and Br. Kamran Khan Salarzai (MER-‐KP) are those whose commitments and meticulous support is loudly appreciated. I am affirmative that this document will be helpful in contributing a distinctive value addition as a piece of knowledge in the current horizons of knowledge and information about Tharparkar. Abdul Hadi Khattak MEAL Coordinator Muslim Aid
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Table of contents
Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................. 2
1. Overview .................................................................................................................................................... 4
2. Tehsil and UC wise population split of district Tharparkar : ......................................................................... 6
3. Methodology .............................................................................................................................................. 7
3.1 Secondary data collection: .............................................................................................................. 7
3.2 Primary data collection: .................................................................................................................. 7
3.3 Study limitations ............................................................................................................................. 7
4. Education: ................................................................................................................................................... 8
4.1 Findings: ........................................................................................................................................ 10
5. Livelihood: ................................................................................................................................................ 12
5.1 Livestock: ...................................................................................................................................... 12
5.1.1 Findings: ........................................................................................................................................ 14
5.2 Agriculture: ................................................................................................................................... 15
6. Health and nutrition: ................................................................................................................................. 16
6.1 Briefs of findings of Health and Nutrition: ..................................................................................... 18
7. Recommendations: ................................................................................................................................... 19
7.1 Education: ..................................................................................................................................... 19
7.2 Livelihood: .................................................................................................................................... 19
7.3 Health and nutrition: ..................................................................................................................... 20
8. Annex-‐1 Taluka-‐wise List of Union with population district Tharparkar .................................................. 22
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1. Overview In view of the ongoing drought situation, persisting for the last three years, a multi-‐sectoral assessment of district Tharparkar is carried out. Tharparkar is located at the extreme south-‐east of Sindh bordering India on the east through the deserts of Rann of Kuch. District Tharparkar is consisting of six Tehsil including Mitti, Islamkot, Diplo, Chachro, Dahli and tehsil Nangarparkar. The chart depicts the respective population of each tehsil including tehsil Mithi (201850), Islamkot (190664), Diplo (230890), Chachro (232210), Dahli (201850) and tehsil Nangarparkar (218411)1. Mitti is the district-‐headquarter of Tharparkar. District Tharparkar having 48 UCs in total where Tehsil Mitti consists of 9 UCs, tehsil Islamkot too comprises of 9 UCs, tehsil Diplo of 8UCs, tehsil Chachro of 8UCs, tehsil Dahli and Nangaparkar containing 7UCs each. The UC wise population is appended as Annex 1. Whereas the urban vs rural split of population portrays that except Mithi Union council, all the rest of 47 UCs are rural dominated. In this regard, an overwhelming majority (95%) of population belongs to rural areas. Tharparkar constitutes a vast range of deserts, with arid zone and scarce water. Only trees surviving in arid zone are found. Population of Tharparkar is split into Muslim and Hindus where Muslims are 64% of total population and Hindus are 36%. 2 Both Muslims and Hindus are Rajput predominantly. The elite class of Hindus is called Thakur, has been migrated to India at different times after independence. Water, water and water is the core issue of the people of Tharparkar. People have to fetch water from distant places and chiefly women have the responsibility to manage water for their families. In tehsil Chachro, water level is lower till 600-‐800 ft in some places whereas in other UCs water level varies from 150 to 300 ft. The quality of water is poor and unsafe for drinking. Its taste is too salt to drink and colour is not transparent. People are concerned to find water through either sources irrespective of bad taste and being hard even. In some areas where water has normal taste and relatively transparent but the overall water-‐tests portray that water is not safe for drinking. In some tehsils like Mithi, Diplo and Nanagarparkar, the water level lies between 130-‐250 ft where water is found abundant but mostly water is so hard that it cant be even used for agriculture. Agri-‐research center has recently started a venture to introduce such variety of seeds which can be grown in existing scenarios but such varieties are not so far familiarized publicly. Malnutrition has emerged a major issue due to the drought and famine. The deaths of mothers, babies and neonates have been largely reported. Media too has extensively highlighted malnutrition causing deaths of mothers and children. Mothers are supposed to undertake extensive domestic work including fetching water from distant parts, manage fodder for livestock besides the routine food management for family. Today, when drought and starvation brought enormous miseries, mothers and women have
1 Data available -‐ DC office Tharparkar 2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tharparkar_District
MITHI, 201850
ISLAM KOT,
190664
DIPLO, 230890
CHACHRO,
232210
DAHLI, 225710
NANGARPARKAR,
218411
Tehsil wise-‐Population of
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to chiefly rely on food left after feeding male and children. Nutritious food including vegetables and meat are not available for them because of living in remote areas, from where accessibility to city or urban areas is tiring and expensive job to purchase fresh food. The increased vulnerability due to lack of cereal stocks etc compelled them to sell some livestock and purchase food for them. Traditionally, the people having too much dependency on livestock and never tend to sell it. This is because of being the cream source of livelihood for them. Rather mostly they are emotionally attached to their animals e.g. a family is not eager to sell 5 out of hundred animals to purchase fodder for the rest and to meet their food requirements. Similarly in case of malnutrition of babies and even in case of serious diseases too, animals are avoided to be sold for managing nutrition for babies, children and neonates. This illustrates that besides so many outcomes of associated natural catastrophe, awareness of community is also a major issue. The population of deserted Tharparkar mainly depends on livestock and agriculture; so completely dependent on monsoon rains during July and August. The very low rainfall in the last three years has adversely affected the agri-‐produce and fodder for livestock. This brought about extensive hazards in terms of famine and malnutrition to the marginalized society with low income. Small ruminants fell victim to contagious diseases due to lack of fodder resulting in reduced immunity, weakness and infectious/transmissible diseases. Sheep-‐pox outbreak (Sheep disease) caused losses of more than 10,000 sheeps’ last year. Goats too expired largely and became easy prey to many seasonal diseases. This forced on migration of many communities in areas adjacent to barrages and flowing water with herds of their cows in particular where cows can be fed adequately. Camels though found on large scale but they can easily feed on the leaves of trees existing thereby. Besides the malnutrition of women (pregnant and lactating), the coverage of MNCH services/facilitation is also insignificant. One of the reasons is that the average birth rate per family is more than 7 because of the general concept of having many children with more hands to earn for them. This not only deteriorates the health of mothers but paves way to innumerable problems where food and nutrition situation is already very poor. Familiarity to ante-‐natal and post-‐natal care is not found, nor do the Community-‐mid-‐wives (CMW) have the resources to access each family. It is predominately found and highlighted earlier here that the overall condition of mothers’ health is pitiable. Surely a weak mother will give birth to a feeble child so will become an easy victim of malnutrition, poor immunity and diseases too. Local unskilled women and Dais’ administer perennial practices of delivery which worsen the situation. Further, the widespread deserts of Tharparkar where transport facilities are not found, in case of complicated deliveries, it is impossible to have access to DHQ. So mothers in case of such complication do encounter the usual unfortunate deaths. General vaccination too is a very big issue because the vaccinator has no 4/4 wheel vehicle facility to access remote villages. So it is difficult for vaccinator to have adequate coverage of vaccination.
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2. Tehsil and UC wise population split of district Tharparkar 3:
3 Official data from DC office Tharparkar
25000 25000
17210 14257
18905
27430 29395 23195 21458
Mithi-‐ UCs wise popula]on
23000 24642
17999 17222
25703 20342
25519
16003 20234
Islamkot-‐UC wise popula]on
26302 30753 30892 29856 31463 28908
25412 27304
Diplo-‐UC wise popula]on
27828 26252 31493 28129
31974 33582 28376 24576
Chachro-‐UC wise popula]on
34099 35542 35566 29694 28828 30461 31520
Dahli-‐UCs popula]on 32392 32143
31138 31764
28194
30326
32454
Nangarparkar-‐UCs popula]n
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3. Methodology The study was conducted by implying several tools of both primary and secondary data collection. 3.1 Secondary data collection: Secondary data was collected through different data sources involving departments of government including health, education, nutrition and livestock. Secondary data collection was also carried out with departments of National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), HANDS and Sindh Education Management Information System (SEMIS). Some official websites of Sindh government were also consulted for purposeful data. 3.2 Primary data collection: Whereas Primary data collection was carried out through Key informant interviews (KIIs). Exhaustive KIIs were conducted with 1) EDO education 2) EDO health 3) pediatrician 4) Head of Livestock 5) Program manager Al Khidmat 6) Coordinator HANDS Nutrition project 7) Area manager NCHD 8) Manager Zam Zam project 9) 5 Community elites as key informants. Both close and open ended techniques were used for KIIs in order to extract anticipated and missed aspects prevailing in area. Focus group discussion (FGDs) were conducted 20 in number in 10 UCs of tehsil Mitthi and Nangarparkar, 2 FGDs each UC. Observational visits to 07 Primary schools, 02 middle schools and one high school was conducted and similarly 6 UCs based health facilities including RHCs and dispensaries were also visited. 3.3 Study limitations
• The exercise of KIIs and FGDs remained emphatically helpful but FGDs could not be extended to all tehsils and 20% UCs of each tehsil which may provide very energetic and robust information and evidences. Primary data collection was not extensively made which could have covered as the representative sampling of the whole district. However, secondary data is found profoundly significant in extracting overall situation with the triangulation and comparison of primary data.
• Stringent deadlines, slim sampling and time limitations • Observations visits of schools and health facilities in remote areas could not be ascertained due
to time limitations. • Inspite of endeavors some of secondary data could not be availed from government
departments. • An overall analysis of water sources and quality of water based on different tehsil and UCs could
not be ensured which was certainly missing though it was much desirable. • Meetings with PHED and agriculture research departments could not be ensured whose inputs
may prove more valuable and rich. • Detail risk analysis activity was also missed and brainstorming could not occur.
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4. Education: Having an account of secondary data of education 4 department district Tharparkar and Sindh Education Management Information System (SEMIS), the line chart in the figure portrays the total number of schools in Tharparkar are 4018 where the GBPS are 3182 and GGPS are 605 which constitutes a major part 93% i.e. 3787 of educational institutions. However it is worth mentioning that out of 4018 schools, the functional schools are 3108 (76%) and rest of Non-‐functional schools are 973 (24%). The possible reasons elicited in FGDs with Key informant interviews (KIIs) revealed that the schools are distant apart to the access of school teachers, low enrollment, less catchment population, continuous absenteeism of teachers or the schools being without shelter and water. The report of Sindh Education Profile (2014)5 also provides the % of schools without shelters in Tharparkar is 24% which is one of the core reasons of closed schools in Tharparkar because the children can’t be able to continue education exposed to severe weathers. Sindh Education Management Information System (SEMIS) too is primarily engaged to revitalize the closed schools and to make sure children enrollment in it. UNICEF in last years endeavored and conditioned the provision of domestic food goods to school going children only, in order to maximize children enrollment. However the effort could not be sustained owing to the persistent drought situation with food demand extended for years. The prevailing drought is also being reflected in schools even where 81% (3316) schools are doing without source of drinking water inside and water is fetched from remote locations on self-‐ help basis. Contrarily only 19% schools are having drinking water facility. It could not be confirmed the nature of such sources of drinking water; however in majority the key source is Hand pumps. On one hand where the parents are preliminary concerned to child labour in the form of cattle chirping and management; only limited consideration is devoted to education and on other hand the facilities in schools are quite inadequate which aggravates the situation further. This is because the literacy rate of Tharparkar is 18-‐20% in males and 6-‐5 % in females.67
4 EDO Education district Tharparkar and SEMIS 5 http://www.sindheducation.gov.pk/Contents/Menu/Sindh%20Education%20Profile%202013-‐14.pdf 6 http://grants.cvpa-‐tdea.org/grants/tables/iceMaterial/2nd_Oversight_Report.pdf 7 http://grants.cvpa-‐tdea.org/grants/tables/iceMaterial/1st_Oversight_Report.pdf
34 7 231
3182
7 15 605
GBHS GBHSS GBLSS GBPS GGHS GGLSS GGPS
Schools in Tharparkar (2014)
Func]onal 76%
Closed 24%
Func]onal vs Closed schools 3108/973
Drinking water
Without Drinking water
765
3316
19%
81%
Schools with/without Drinking water
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Schools infrastructure too is not much encouraging because 28% schools (1134) are without Govt buildings. Obviously these schools become reasonably closed with passage of time. Likewise as mentioned earlier, 81% schools are without facility of water. 60% (2433) schools are without government buildings. Tharparkar is vastly contained with deserts, zone is arid and climate is harsh. Unfortunately, only 5% schools are having electric supply. Apart
from other several associated problems, in this severe climate, the education without basic facilities is highly challenging. The number of High schools, middle schools and higher secondary schools is quite incompatible to the need of the area. Hygiene situation in schools where more than 90% are practising open defecation, water unavailability on school level demonstrate that neither hand washing is thoroughly practiced nor functional latrines are found which is deplorable indeed. The reported data provides that 95% population is rural based and scattered. The number of Government High Schools (GHS-‐Boys, Girls) is very limited and distantly located. It was revealed during Focus Group Discussion (FGDs) with community that their children cover almost a distance of 13-‐14 km (7 Km each side) to GBHS. It means that a very limited number of schools may continue till secondary school level education. This is but very obvious that girls are no way able for such distant schools. No housing and hostel facilities even in urban Mithi-‐1 UC, is available where parents may retain their children for SSC and HSSC graduation. The seasonal migration of communities in drought is also a major factor of drop out ratio besides the parents are more tilted towards child labour. The result is a significant drop out ratio. In this line chart, total boys enrolled in Class-‐1 are 22209, the number trickles down to 10592 (42 %) till class-‐5 and further drops to 2912 (13 %) in Class-‐10. So it means that 48% children drop out exists from Class-‐1 to Class-‐5 and similarly 87 % drop out prevailed from Class-‐1 to Class-‐10 which is not only significant but highly alarming. In case of girls, their enrollment in Class-‐1 is 14337 which drops to 8291 (57 %) till Class-‐5 and 1259 (9%) till Class-‐10. So if the out of school children are also considered then overall situation reflects worsening even.
With B/Wall Wothout B/Wall
1648 2433 40%
60%
Schools with/without B/Walls
P.Boys P.Girls
79826
56982
58% 42%
Enrollment of B/G in Primary Schools
B-‐Middle G-‐Middle
8077 5994
57% 43%
Boys/Girls Enrollment -‐Middle School
B-‐Sec/H-‐Sec G-‐Sec/H-‐Sec
12651
4947
72% 28%
B/G Sec and H.Sec Enrollment
22209
10592 (42%)
2912 (13%
14337
8291 (57%) 1259
(9%)
Boys vs Girls Enrollment 2014 in Class 1, 5, 10
Girls
Class-1(B & G)
Class-5(B&G)
Class-10(B&G)
Schools with Govt Building
Without Govt Building
2947
1134
Schools with/without Govt Buildings (72/28 %)
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Apart from the secondary data of education department like EDO education, NCHD, SEMIS and Sindh educational profile, the focus group discussions (FGDs) with communities and key information interviews (KIIs) with different public and private sectors stakeholders, it was revealed that the key reasons contributing to low literacy rate, students absenteeism and high dropout ratio ( 48% children drop out exists from Class-‐1 to Class-‐5 and similarly 87 % drop out prevailed from Class-‐1 to Class-‐10) are the following:
4.1 Findings: • Lack of community awareness regarding the importance of education as the primary focus of 67%
people lies on child labour for earning • Advocacy to resonate the public and private sectors on basis of ground facts and figures is not
much energetic. This is because of the fact that almost 24-‐26% schools are non-‐functional and drop out ratio due to unavailability of basic facilities is very high 48% in boys and 43% in girls till 1-‐5 class.
• Children engagement in domestic works especially managing the house-‐hold livestock is almost 73%.
• Consistent Teachers’ absenteeism and in remote areas it is a routine matter. It was explored in FGDs with community. Further the situation is almost prevailing.
• 24-‐26% schools are closed and non-‐functional • 81% (3316) schools are without drinking water facilities and hence dependent upon remote
sources being fetched on self-‐help basis • 28% (1134) schools are without government building • 24% (972) schools are without shelter even • 60% (2433) schools are without boundary walls • Somewhere students’ enrolment is very low due to which schools are closed. It is one of reason
explored in discussion with EDO-‐Education • Catchment population is low, causing schools non-‐functional as referred by education department • Middle, secondary and higher secondary schools are located remotely and somewhere students
have to cover 5-‐6 Km either side so accessibility is also a major reason which has increased the drop out between primary and secondary education
• No residential facility in higher schools to facilitate students of remote areas • Transportation network through roads and link road is feeble over the area and only 15-‐20 %
villages are linked through such roads and link roads. So students face the considerable problem • In case of girls, each described factor mentioned earlier is alarmingly higher. They are more likely
reserved for domestic works and traditionally discouraged for schools in early ages. • It is also worth mentioning that basic necessaries of school going children like books, note books,
pen and pencils are provided to students by either public or private sectors
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• Hygiene situation existing in schools is likewise discouraging. Children are not well dressed with hair not combed, faces unclean, not familiar to tooth brush and oral hygiene, open defecation is common, latrines are dysfunctional where exist and so is the case of hands washing even.
• Water facilities are not only largely absent in schools, rather quality of water as prevailing in area is also unsafe, unclean/ not transparent with particular hard taste
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5. Livelihood: The primary sources of livelihood of the overwhelming population of Tharparkar (85-‐95) % are livestock and agriculture. Chiefly, the land of Tharparkar consists of deserts (arid zone) mixed with slight portion of mud which is very fertile. Due to unavailability of water, the only dependence lies on monsoon rains during the months of June, July and august. Timely rains give life to barren lands, producing agri-‐produce (, grasses and some fruits especially water melons on very large scale which mainly serves a major portion of the needs of majority population. Grass production erupts succeeding to monsoon rains on such a large scale that can effectively meet the needs of all small and large size ruminants. Unfortunately, the very inconsiderable rains since July to august plagued whole Tharparkar with acute drought, starvation and famine which tremendously added to susceptibility of people but stirred numerous contagious diseases in small ruminants in particular. Last year the break out of Sheep pox disease in sheeps caused more than 10,000 sheeps dead. The reason behind the frequent outbreak of such diseases is that animals are having severe deficit of fodder, causing physical weakness with decreased immunity and thus become easy prey to such diseases.
5.1 Livestock: According to district livestock department Tharparkar, the current estimated population of a sum of both small and large ruminants is as estimated as 6.5 million with the growth rate of 4.5% per annum which gives that the current animals to human population ratio is 5:1, portraying that each human being in Tharparkar is owner of 5 animals on average. Nonetheless, the reported animals are 4593598 as per the data available with livestock department. 8 The bar charts, provide that out of the total animals, goats are 48%, sheeps (26%), Cows (16%), Donkeys (5%), camels (3%) and buffaloes are 1% whereas the %age of mules and horses are in decimals though they exist as given in second data chart.
8 Department of District livestock Tharparkar
16%
1%
26%
48%
3% 0% 0% 5%
%age of Small and large ruminants-‐ Tharparkar
752265
46328
1185122
2217876
135356 8519 1475 246657
Small and large animals -‐Tharparkar
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The very common diseases of small ruminants reported during year 2014 are ETV, CPP, Anthrax, PPR, Goat Pox and Sheep pox as displayed in data chart and the large animals are reportedly affected by H.S, black quarter and FMD-‐HS. Vaccination of total of 3332777 animals and similarly drenching of 383251 animals has been taken place in 2014. Animals’ vaccination of Mithi is almost done the first quarter of 2015 with the assistance of FAO. However carpet vaccination could not be possible due to large number of animals. So the department primarily intervenes in case of outbreak of transmittable diseases in order to control and curtail the widespread losses of animals.
Focus group discussion with communities revealed that facilitation by government department of livestock was quite insufficient to meet their urgencies /requirements. It was shared that field based/ UC based livestock departments were not much cooperative or they have not sufficient resources to meet the emergency needs they usually encounter, resulting the losses of their precious animals. Very low rainfall during July and august, consecutively for the last three years aggravated the situation on large scale. It induced severe famine and drought resulting serious deficit of fodder for animals. Herbs and shrubs withered completely. Bushes and trees are still surviving which acting as main source of fodder for animals. Camels exploit the natural use of physical heights and feed on leaves of trees. Goats and sheeps feed on bushes and plants with lesser heights, however insufficient to meet their food needs. Serious problem is posed to cows especially, whose foods requirements are higher and can’t be fed on available natural sources of fodder. In hot summer, communities start migrating their animals to nearby areas adjacent to barrages or natural water sources where they are adequately fed on. Sometimes in case of severe drought especially in summer (June, July, August), people sell few of animals to purchase fodder for rest of animals in order to protect them from losses. However this practice is rarely found because communities are usually having extra ordinary attachment with animals and in no way ready for selling animals being cash in hand always and mainly relying on this income in days of trials and tribulations or in natural hazards. This might incur the losses and victim to diseases of many animals which could be saved otherwise. It is worth mentioning that marginalized communities are suffered mainly due to prevailing drought. The discussion gives further that awareness on the part of
593256 583463
11135
391919
11782 62424
Small animal with diseases reported
H.S Black Quarter
FMD-‐HS
39067
1541
13905
Large animals with reported diseases
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community is not optimum which needs to be increased regarding cattle management in hours of drought especially. 9 Like human beings water is an equal problem for watering animals. Animals on such a large scale do have more water requirements which are inadequate in current scenario. Ponds are not formed for them which call for attention too. Provision of fodder (green and preserved) for vulnerable families, women headed and widows might contribute to vertically curtail their sufferings which are interlinked together. Besides this, introduction and dissemination of green fodder, preservation methods need to be introduced which can be effectively utilized from time to time. Similarly, preservation of dry fodder through Hay making may also do as value addition. Though lactating animals are found on very large scale but they have not adequately established Diary value chain to earn maximum profit. Likewise, capacitating the common people on skills of developing quality and value added dairy products may significantly contribute to economic prosperity or at least can curtail the grim vulnerabilities.
5.1.1 Findings: To make the discussion succinct, following challenges are identified in particular to livestock: • Low monsoon rainfall consecutively for the last three years has created drought and starvation in
Tharparkar which brought tremendous devastations in livelihood of people in quest of agriculture and livestock. The FGDs reported that 65 % families are having less than 5000 PKR as cash in hand.
• Marginalized communities, house hold women and widows are extensively being suffered. • Lacking of fodder resulted animals especially small ruminants very weak whose immunity power
trickled down and became easy prey to very contagious and fatal diseases. Sheep-‐pox contagious disease last year caused the death of almost 10000 sheep.
• Carpet vaccination, deworming and drenching of the whole district is not possible for livestock department because of large number of animals.
• Cattle management techniques are not familiar. So both awareness and adopting best practices of managing cattle are important. This is in context to drought and famine situation (DRR) especially.
• Techniques of green fodder preservation, preservation of dry fodder through Hay making and such techniques needs to be introduced and familiarized through capacity building trainings and workshops.
• Dairy value chain has not been effectively established for wrenching maximum profit. Similarly, capacities of developing value added products are direly lacking which can otherwise maximize per capita income. Enterprise development techniques may sustain the consistent growth in income.
• Community in general not found satisfied with the support and facilitation of UC wise livestock department, claiming the support is markedly scarce to their needs.
9 DRR aspects of cattle management in Tharparkar
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5.2 Agriculture: Agriculture is ranked as main source of livelihood where 80-‐95% of population depends on agriculture along with livestock and daily-‐wages. It has been rarely reported that the people of Tharparkar have ever received two consecutive crops per year. The reason is, the key reliance occurs on seasonal monsoon rains in June, July and August which if it rains optimally, crops grow up in huge quantity. The crops include maize, millet, Gawara, pulses (Dal mong) and water-‐melons in particular on large scale. Earlier, the agri-‐produce was sold as per perennial routine and in turn wheat grains or flour was purchased which is missing now. Due to low and inconsiderable rain for the last three years, the agri-‐produce which contributes to almost 45% of livelihood as per KIIs has been completely abolished. The average prices increased and the remote areas do also have accessibility problem of transporting necessary food items for themselves. Consequently, the livelihood is bitterly affected with adverse impacts on livestock too. Daily wages and labour in agri-‐fields have been altogether perished. Fodder for livestock is therefore become a challenge. Water being saline down the earth, cant be used for agriculture at most places neither such endeavors by local communities have been taken place. The concepts and practices of kitchen gardening is not found though in many places it can be easily and effectively adopted. Agriculture department with the help of experts has been trying to introduce varieties which can survive in arid zone of Tharparkar but such variety of seeds has not been familiarized publicly. It was noted during field visit, community FGDs and KIIs that in tehsils like Mitthi, Diplo and Nangarparkar in particular where water level is not much deep (120-‐130 ft)10 on average and quantity of water is also sufficient to be used for agriculture even; solar installations can be effectively made on existing open dug wells where water is almost free of salinity and purposefully be used for Kitchen gardening, agriculture, growing fodder, availability of sufficient quantity of water for livestock and for the community as rich source of drinking water. This apparently seems to be an integrated and sustainable solution to meet the needs of a small hamlet (15-‐20 houses) which is not viably practiced so far. However, it is worth mentioning that it can be introduced as a pilot project subject to its scalability on successful results. In tehsil Diplo, the practice was observed in fewer well-‐off families.
10 Al khidmat data of 1500 Open dug wells and Hand pumps (Tharparkar)
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6. Health and nutrition: Besides all the most common seasonal diseases prevailing in Pakistan in general like diarrhea, cholera, malaria, eye infections, scabies, temperature, cold, cough, throat infection etc are found in Tharparkar too, more or less common as reported by FGDs. However, particular to Tharparkar, the mortality ratio of mothers, neonates and babies under 5years is higher than the rest of Sind. The very obvious reasons are
reflected in the bar-‐chart and the data has been reported in District health facilities of different levels. However, the number of unreported deaths outside hospitals in different regions of Tharparkar needs to be considered as substantial. The root causes of frequent deaths of children less than 5 years as identified are Per-‐Term Low Birth Weight (LBW) as 85, Birth Asphyxia (long and difficult delivery paralyzing baby’s brain due to insufficient oxygen) (58), severe pneumonia (51) and Neo natal sepsis (41), followed by Sepsis and malnutrition. In 2015, from Jan to Apr, the ratio is though a bit higher but with the same root causes of child mortality. Further, the estimated
numbers of pregnant women and child bearing-‐aged women have been displayed by bar charts which are vital for overall analysis. Having a closer critique of findings with the reflections of ground scenario, it is evident that Pre-‐Term LBW occurs when mother’s health is poor. Surely a weak mother will give birth to LBW child which has been identified the gross reason of childs’ deaths. This is due to the malnutrition of pregnant women which has emerged a major issue due to the drought and famine. The deaths of mothers, babies and neonates have been largely reported. KIIs revealed that Mothers are supposed to undertake extensive domestic work including fetching water from distant parts, manage fodder for livestock besides the routine food management for family and domestic works. Today, when drought and starvation brought enormous miseries, mothers and women have to chiefly rely on food left after feeding males and children. Nutritious food including vegetables and meat etc are not available for them because of living in remote areas, from where accessibility to city or urban areas is tiring and expensive job to purchase fresh food. Moreover, the drought has reduced significantly the average
85 58 51 41
20 10 9 8
44 Under 5 yrs death-‐2014 (326)
32 24 22 24
8 3
11 0
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Under 5yrs deaths-‐Jan-‐Apr 2015 (147)
Mithi
Islamkot
Diplo
Chachro
Dahli
Nangarparkar
7267
6864
8312
8360
7267
7863
Es]mated # of pregnant women
Mithi
Islamkot
Diplo
Chachro
Dahli
Nangarpark
60555
57199
69267
69663
60555
65523
Child Bearing Aged-‐women
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earning power of families. The increased vulnerability due to lack of cereal stocks etc compelled them to sell some livestock and purchase food for them. Traditionally, the people having too much dependency on livestock and never tend to sell it. This is because of being the cream source of livelihood for them. Rather mostly they are emotionally attached to their animals e.g. a family is not eager to sell 5 out of hundred animals to purchase fodder for the rest and to meet their food requirements. Similarly in case of malnutrition of babies and even in case of serious diseases too, animals are avoided to be sold for managing nutrition for babies, children and neonates. This illustrates that besides so many outcomes of associated natural catastrophe, awareness of community is also a major issue. The FGDs confirmed that awareness regarding mother (pregnant women) health is not found and same is the case of ante-‐natal and post-‐natal care is provided on village level. Neither visit is paid to health facilities nor are women much encouraged. The situation is poorer in remote areas where transport accessibility is also a major issue. Doctors and EDO health, complained that people only tend to visit hospitals when the situation become too complicated and become out of their control which certainly posing a challenge for them. In the widespread deserts of Tharparkar where transport facilities are not found, in case of complicated deliveries, it is impossible to have access to DHQ. So mothers in case of such complications do encounter the usual unfortunate deaths. Besides awareness and malnutrition of women (pregnant and lactating), the coverage of MNCH services/facilitation is also insignificant. Familiarity to ante-‐natal and post-‐natal care is not found, nor does the Community-‐mid-‐wives (CMW) have the resources to access each family. It is predominately found and highlighted earlier here that the overall condition of mothers’ health is pitiable. Local unskilled women and Dais’ administer perennial practices of delivery which worsen the situation. Local inhabitants and communities complained of the improper services at BHU, dispensaries and RHCs level and they ought to visit to DHQ or THQ. It is noted in KIIs with doctors of DHQ that the average birth rate per family is more than 7 because of the general concept of having many children with more hands to earn. This not only deteriorates the health of mothers but paves way to innumerable problems where food and nutrition situation is already very poor. It was noticed too that drought has also affected the exclusive breast feeding because mothers are malnourished in majority and could not feed the babies. General vaccination too is a very big issue because the vaccinator has no 4/4 wheel vehicle facility to access remote villages. So it is difficult for vaccinator to have adequate coverage of vaccination.
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6.1 Briefs of findings of Health and Nutrition: • Accessibility is a major issue due to vast range of deserts and only 15% villages are having road
accessibility. Referral services through 4/4 wheel ambulance for far flung areas will be greatly helpful
• Mobile health units having mobile MNCH health centre with ante natal, post-‐natal services and having Pediatrician, vaccinator and social mobilizer can be an effective integrated solution which is missing
• Mothers are mostly working day night (16 hrs on avg/day) and the workload is very less on part of males
• Local/ village and UCs based health facilities are either dysfunctional or community is not much familiar with. It means that UCs based health facilities need to be effectively functional and community cohesion with local health facilities should be established. 65% of FGDs members expressed of visiting DHQ in case of diseases
• Awareness regarding mother’s health is rarely found rather the significance of MNCH services on part of community is not found commonly
• Nutrition of babies is not optimally preferred which can be easily managed by selling a small ruminant etc. Breast feeding needs to be advocated through the mothers
• Capacity building and training of LHVs, LHWs, CMWs, TBOs and doctors too on MNCH services and facilitation is important as suggested by DHQ medical staff
• Family planning and awareness on mother care is uncommon and birth ratio on average is high because of the fact community shared more working hands for earning
• Focused intervention is much better for impact generation • Mobility of vaccinators in remote rural areas can’t be ascertained due to accessibility issues and
almost 65% of vaccination is reportedly taken place • Functionality of EPI centres for routine immunization is suggested through joint venture with
line department • Hygiene condition of children is not good rather very poor due to insufficient water availability
and poor hygiene awareness and adopting best practices of hygiene are missing • BHUs, RHCs facilitation regarding MNCH be strengthened
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7. Recommendations: 7.1 Education:
• Social mobilization to realize the community the importance of education because the primary focus of 65% of community responses prefer child labour and livestock management
• Advocacy to resonate the public and private sectors to emphatically highlight the challenges encountered to children education in Tharparkar like teacher’s absenteeism, closed or non-‐functional schools, the particular needs of basic facilities in schools (28% (1134) schools are without government building, 24% (972) schools are without shelter even, 60% (2433) schools are without boundary walls)
• 24-‐26% schools are closed and non-‐functional, their functionality be ensured to minimize the accessibility issues for school going children
• Drinking water facility should be ensured in school (81% (3316) schools are without drinking water facilities) to meet the drinking and WASH needs of children within school boundary. This will erase student vulnerability for water.
• Some food packages for school going children may extrinsically motivate out of school children to school and retain within school children. This will have longer impact on students’ retention.
• Vibrant initiatives and incentives in collaboration with education department be introduced to maximize students enrollment.
• Accessibility issue is major issue regarding Middle, secondary and higher secondary schools because these are located remotely and somewhere students have to cover 5-‐6 Km either side so accessibility is also a major reason. Hostel or residential facility can help remote students to continue education after primary education. This will reduce accessibility issues because only 15% villages are linked through such roads and link roads.
• Special focus should be given to girls’ education because traditionally they are more likely reserved for domestic works and usually discouraged for school in early ages.
• It is also worth mentioning that basic necessaries of school going children like books, note books, pen and pencils are provided to students by either public or private sectors. Where missing or the facility is unavailable, then provision of such basics must be ensured.
• Hygiene situation existing in schools is poor. Children, teachers and parents mobilization is intended for hygiene promotion besides a call for WASH facilities in schools.
7.2 Livelihood: • Water resources should be mobilized on larger scale where water is safer, can be used for
agriculture and kitchen gardening. • Marginalized communities, house hold women and widows who lost livestock due to diseases
and have been extensively suffered should be provided with livestock support like small livestock, green fodder, processed or preserved fodder.
• Skill development centres should be introduced for women to utilize time, profitably in developing different local and non-‐local varieties.
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• Carpet vaccination, immunization, drenching and deworming in selected UCs will significantly reduce contagious diseases of animals
• Capacity building regarding Cattle management techniques should be developed. So both awareness and adopting best practices of managing cattle are important. This is in context to drought and famine situation (DRR) especially
• Techniques of green fodder preservation, preservation of dry fodder through Hay making and such techniques needs to be introduced and to familiarize community through capacity building trainings and workshops.
• Dairy value chain has not been effectively established for wrenching maximum profit. Similarly, capacities of developing value added products are direly lacking which can otherwise maximize per capita income. Enterprise development techniques may sustain the consistent growth in income.
• Community in general not found satisfied with the support and facilitation of UC wise livestock department, claiming the support is markedly scarce to their needs. So lobbying should be done for nurturing better relationships and improved interaction.
7.3 Health and nutrition:
• Accessibility is a major issue due to vast range of deserts and only 15% villages are having road accessibility. Referral service through 4/4 wheel ambulance for far flung areas will be greatly helpful to reduce unfortunate deaths in complicated or unskilled hands’ delivery.
• Mobile health units having mobile MNCH health centre with ante natal, post-‐natal services and having Pediatrician, vaccinator and social mobilizer can be an effective integrated solution.
• Mothers are mostly working day night and the workload is very less on part of males. So mobilization might highlight care for mother’s health.
• Local/ village and UCs based health facilities are either dysfunctional or community is not much familiar with. It means that UCs based health facilities need to be effectively functional or support is to be devoted through joint collaboration of health department.
• Awareness regarding mother’s health is rarely found rather the significance of MNCH services on part of community is not found commonly which will be ensured through mobilization.
• Nutrition of babies is not optimally preferred which can be easily managed by selling a small ruminant etc. Breast feeding needs to be advocated through the mothers. Social mobilization may cope better with these issues.
• Capacity building and training of LHVs, LHWs, CMWs, TBOs and doctors too on MNCH services and facilitation is important as suggested by DHQ medical staff.
• Family planning and awareness on mother care is uncommon and birth ratio on average is high which should be addressed in mobilization and awareness can be furthered at respective medical officer at particular health facility.
• Focused intervention is much better for impact generation than covering vast area with lesser overall impact
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• Functionality of EPI centres for routine immunization through 4/4 ambulance service which is highly recommended. As referred earlier, integrated approach might work more effectively.
• Hygiene condition of children is not good and parents and children need to be mobilized regarding health and WASH
• BHUs, RHCs facilitation regarding MNCH need to be strengthened and community should be primarily engaged with these facilities.
Approach of intervention: Integrated approach for sustainable solution in focused areas is better to generate substantial and visible impact and enable the communities to have permanent solution to recurred problems of drought and starvation. So it is better to identify and select most vulnerable UCs where water availability is ensured not for drinking only but for agricultural production as well. The land of Tharparkar is considered tremendously fertile where kitchen gardening can also be introduced on large scale. This will optimally meet the fodder needs of small animals. Similarly, by availing 4/4 wheel ambulance referral services, routine vaccination, immunization, MNCH services and nutritional checkup etc can be ascertained within selected UCs and villages. Bifurcating each thematic area, following recommendations are being made.
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8. Annex-‐1 Taluka-‐wise List of Union with population district Tharparkar Sr #. Taluka Name Population Ser# MITHI
1 1 UC-‐ Mithi-‐1 25000 2 2 UC-‐ Mithi-‐2 25000 3 3 UC-‐Malanhore Vena 17210 4 4 UC-‐Bhakou 14257 5 5 Union CounMithrio Bhatti 18905 6 6 UC-‐Jorou 27430 7 7 UC-‐Mohrano 29395 8 8 UC-‐Chelhr 23195 9 9 UC-‐Vijhiar 21458
Total 201850 TALUKA ISLAM KOT
10 1 UC-‐Islamkot 23000 11 2 UC-‐Majathi 24642 12 3 UC-‐Khario Ghulam Sha 17999 13 4 UC-‐Seengaro 17222 14 5 UC-‐Sonal Beh 25703 15 6 UC-‐Kehri 20342 16 7 UC-‐Bapuhar 25519 17 8 UC-‐Jaindo Dars 16003 18 9 UC-‐Giryancho 20234
Total 190664 DIPLO
19 1 UC-‐Diplo 26302 20 2 UC-‐Sobhiar 30753 21 3 UC-‐Khetlari 30892 22 4 UC-‐Bhetaro 29856 23 5 UC-‐Bolhari 31463 24 6 UC-‐Dabhoro 28908 25 7 UC-‐Jhirario 25412 26 8 UC-‐Kaloi 27304
Total 230890 CHACHRO
27 1 UC-‐Chachro 27828 28 2 UC-‐Kantio 26252 29 3 UC-‐Rajoro 31493 30 4 UC-‐Hirar 28129 31 5 UC-‐Saranghiar 31974 32 6 UC-‐Tardos 33582 33 7 UC-‐Mithrio Charan 28376 34 8 UC-‐Tar Ahmad 24576
Total 232210 DAHLI
35 1 UC-‐Dahali 34099 36 2 UC-‐Khensar 35542 37 3 UC-‐Parno 35566 38 4 UC-‐Gadhro 29694 39 5 UC-‐Perne-‐Jo-‐Par 28828 40 6 UC-‐Jesse-‐Jo-‐Par 30461 41 7 UC-‐Laplo 31520
Total 225710 NANGARPARKAR
42 1 UC-‐Nangarparkar 32392
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43 2 UC-‐Pithapur 32143 44 3 UC-‐Harho 31138 45 4 UC-‐Virawah 31764 46 5 UC-‐Satidera 28194 47 6 UC-‐Tigusar 30326 48 7 UC-‐Piloo 32454
Total 218411 48 Grand Total of District 1299735