Social Infrastructure
• Primary School
• Health Centre
• Household Latrines
• Housing for Vulnerable Groups
It seems that the Kodar villages, UC Sachan Kalan, District Mansehra, have always had a deficit of social infrastructure. Prior to the earthquake in October 2005, there were very few schools which is the reason for an extremely high illiteracy rate. The women and children suffer from several ailments due to a lack of proper health cover.
The social infrastructure program consists of provision of buildings for primary schools, health facility and houses for vulnerable groups. The program has been developed to provide expert advice and guidance to the communities in order to build seismic-resistant structures based on vernacular technologies and local materials. The use of improved local knowledge, enhanced existing skills and involvement of community in construction has resulted in ownership and pride when buildings are completed. Considering the fact that the rebuilding process needs to be handled carefully via restoring pride in vernacular construction and in the importance to continue using traditional techniques and materials and most significant through a consultative process with the community.
The use of local materials and local workforce has the advantage of reduced cost of construction. Compared to engineered or pre-engineered structures using cement, reinforcing seel bars or steel elements , construction through local materials cosumes less energy in their production and reduced fuel consumption in transportation over long distances. Additionally, the involvement of local workforce makes more funds available to the affected communities, thus helping in rehabilitation and regeneration.
Primary School
Construction of primary schools was taken up in the villages of Jabbar and Kodar in 2006. The school building design had been prepared from the point of relying as much as possible on local material and local workforce. The main objective of the program was always kept paramount, i.e. to use construction of buildings for developing linkages within the community and to foster their sense of ownership through community participation and involvement.
The Primary Schools at both Jabbar and Kodar were taken up to replace the school structures in the villages that collapsed during the earthquake. Unfortunately, the school at Jabbar had to be abandoned due to the problem of the site owners with the Education Department. The school at Kodar was completed in June 2007 however, the formal handing over to the department and community was carried out in November 2007.
Dirt road to the school. Roof under construction.
View from the hill. View of school from courtyard.
View of school veranda. Internal view of classroom.
Health Facility
Report Mid-September 2008
According to the latest information in September 2008, the health facility could not be started because of various hurdles. The Nazim was not able to procure land and we were forced to look for another package. Negotiations took a long time and finally we were able to finalize and agree on a package of land which was owned by 4 family members. Even after the details had been sorted out, we were told that one of the members has backed out. We have been forced to look for another package of land and we hope that this time we are able to secure possession of it. It is also clear that a much simpler health facility than the one intended earlier has to be built since the government does not seem to have staff to maintain it. The UNICEF teams that visited the area on our request in April 2008 have advised that a couple of local educated women should be trained as primary health care workers and only a modest facility should be built. If we are able to finalize the purchase of land, a 2-room structure is envisaged for this purpose.
Report June 2008
During the two visits of UNICEF teams in April 2008, it became clear that a large-scale health facility could not be staffed by the government. After discussions, it was decided that a much scaled-down version of the health facility should be designed which could be staffed by locally trained primary health workers. Since health issues of women and children appeared to be most critical, further discussions are being held with UNICEF to work out ways to achieve the target.
In the meantime, unfortunatley, the piece of land promised by the local Nazim also did not materialize. Since land is in short supply, most land being owned by Khans and not by the locals, the hope of a large piece of land has been given up. After great difficulty a local family has made available a piece of land measuring approximately 2 kanals (just over 1,000 sq. yds.), which has been acquired through allocating a sum of Rs. 40,000.
A small building has now been designed, which will be started once the possession of the land has been taken. The land is adjacent to the main road to Kodar; however, it is at a considerably lower level and will require earthworks to make it accessible.
Report January 2008
Due to the collapse of the small dispensary, for the last two years even the most rudimentary health issues have remained unattended. There have been several deaths, particularly of small children since the closest health facility is at least one hour drive away in this remote, mountainous region.
The biggest hurdle in the reconstruction of a health unit has been the non-availability of land. A few months ago, the community, led by the local Nazim Mr. Shah Khan, approached us with the offer of a piece of land measuring 4 kanals. Since we felt that such a facility was extremely important for the area, we agreed to build the necessary building. However, it seemed that because of disagreement with the owners, the requisite package was land could not be made available. Since we had given a commitment to the community, it has been decided to procure a piece of land for the health facility and after the necessary permissions from the health department the construction of the health unit will be taken in hand.
Designs have been prepared and discussed with ERRA and on their recommendation a labour room has been added. The accommodation caters for examination rooms for both men and women, along with 2-bed wards for treatment of patients. On ERRA recommendation it has also been agreed to provide 2 nos. 2 room KaravanGhar for male and female doctors and a third one to be shared by an attendant and chowkidar.
A 20’x20’ room is included in the design which will be used to conduct workshops for women on health and hygiene issues.
Household Latrines
Report Mid-September 2008
During the visits of the UNICEF teams it became clear that a large number of children and women were suffering from scabies, which was a direct consequence of open defecation. Although the programme for latrines had been designed, however, it after the UNICEF findings, it was decided to expedite the programme. As soon as the weather conditions became favourable, work on household latrines was undertaken. The process of finalizing the names for the first batches always poses a challenge since it is very difficult to determine who is the most needy. For the latrines, the criteria was:
- how many closely related families (brothers) were prepared to share the latrine
- How many families were prepared to show their initiative in carrying out excavation and provide labour for stone walls.
70 families came forward and the latrines were awarded in the names of the womenfolk. It was decided that the emphasis on the structure should be minimized and greater emphasis would be placed on provision of sanitary fittings, water supply and construction of double pits for effluent discharge. Accordingly, the structures are fairly simple in the form of two chambers - one houses an asiatic W.C., the other is a bathing chamber while the wash basin is placed on an external wall to encourage hand washing. The use of improved vernacular construction has enabled the local community to utilize its own skills along with provision to make the structures seismic resistant by using bolts in the wooden framing and proper bonding of stones etc.
To date 70 latrines are now functional, while another 60 are under construction. A total of 130 latrines will be built under the programme. However, there is a waiting list of 200 families and we may have to arrange for more funds to continue with the programme, which is likely to make an enormous difference in the life of the community particularly women and children.
KaravanGhar for Vulnerable Group
Karavan Ghar Program is based on improved traditional construction technology through guided technical help and supply of key materials. It is also known as KAPIT i.e. Karavan Pakistan Program for Indigenous Technology. After the emergency phase, the policy adopted by ERRA (Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority) did not require non-government agencies to help construct any further housing units, since ERRA was distributing funds for construction to all households that had been affected. However, the vulnerable group e.g. widows, orphans, elderly and the disabled are not covered under the ERRA policy. Thus, although the KaravanGhar had been discontinued, it was decided to provide assistance to the vulnerable group and help them construct their own KarvanGhar.
In Kodar 11 individuals were identified in December 2007. However, due to first the cold weather and later on receiving instalments from ERRA by the families, no appreciable progress could be made on the houses.