Rebuilding lives and livelihoods in Buner
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Oct 2009: ActionAid Pakistan has restarted its work in Buner in partnership with Research and Awareness for Human Development, Benefits and Rights (RAHBAR) after the return of the people from IDP camps of Swabi and Mardan. We are working with around 63227 people in three Union Councils namely Kowga, Makhranai and Nawagai.
Following is an update of our work so far:
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A) DA activities
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2600 farmers have received seed to grow vegetable, pulses and potato, while 30 farmers have received livestock support (cows).
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150 school children have received educational kits which include school bags, uniform, drinking water bottles etc. School children are also receiving sports kits.
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10 women belonging to village Sura in Union Council Nowagia have received sewing machines and 30 girls from 10 villages get admitted in Allama Iqbal Open University in professional teaching trainings and advanced education.
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For facilitating community’s access to clean drinking water, 9 water reservoirs are being constructed which will benefit 5 villages of Union Council Makrani. Water from these sources will also be used for irrigating 18 acres of agricultural land.
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Psycho social support is also being provided to the conflict affected people and Media is being engaged to highlight community’s issues, and those specific to Marble and Mine workers
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B) TPRF Project
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The TPRF funded project (signed between AA USA and The Prem Rawat Foundation ( TPRF) worth US$ 31280 has become operational from 26th September 2009. During a month-long planning phase, we have completed identification and site selection of water ponds, identification of farmers for potato seed distribution and 30 families for livestock (cow) distribution.
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So far, 306 farmers have received potato seeds, 3 water ponds have been constructed which are benefiting 15 households in three union councils -Kowga, Makhranai and Nawagai.
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80 families from the three union councils have received beans for agricultural support while 30 households have been supported in terms of livestock (cows) distribution.
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In the plantation season (December) Fruit plants will distribute among the poorest households to help them rebuild their livelihoods.
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C) Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene promotion project
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The UNICEF-funded Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene promotion project will benefit 136,428 people residing in 7 Union Councils of district Buner in terms of provision of clean drinking water through hand pumps, rehabilitation of water supply scheme, knowledge Attitude Practice (KAP) survey, health and hygiene sessions, water testing, staff training, formation of water source committees etc.
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After meeting with the line departments and carrying out a need assessment, we have planned to install 83 hand pumps which will meet the water needs of 3 schools and 1245 households in 23 villages.
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We have started Health and hygiene sessions with the community in seven union councils. In addition, Water user committees are also being formed at the community level.