Emergency Relief Activities in Pakistan Flood Affected Areas - Essay Example

?Emergency Relief Activities in Flood Affected Areas of Pakistan Pakistan is struck with massive floods in the rainy season of August – September this year (2010). The floods have claimed more than 1500 lives and have rendered 20 million people homeless. The scale of this calamity is larger than the 2004 Tsunami and 2005 Kashmir Earthquake combined. Pakistan’s economy is already suffering from the ‘War on Terror’ waged by its Security Forces against Taliban militants in the areas around Pak – Afghan border. The government is hence financially weak and ill – equipped to cope with a disaster on such a large scale. Hence, Pakistani government and United Nations have called for aid to the international community. Considering their appeal, we have planned to send a team of volunteers along with necessary supplies to Pakistan to assist in disaster relief activities there. The team will have doctors and paramedics with them and will carry medicine and relief goods. The team will carry more than 500 make – shift tents and houses to establish a small camp for 10,000 flood victims. Each tent will also have a water filtration plant designed by UNDP experts specifically for the flood hit areas of Pakistan. A basic health unit will be established there which will provide treatment to more than 300 patients per day. A school for elementary education of children will also be established with the help of local volunteers. The relief mission will provide the encampment of 10,000 people with food supplies bought from local market throughout the winter season (October 2010 to February 2011). The mission will end its work in the flood hit areas by February 2011 and will hand over the charge of the encampment to the Pakistan Security Forces which is already operating in the region for the relief work. Scope of the Project: The project is aimed at providing emergency relief to the homeless flood – affected people so that they can survive through the approaching winter season. This will involve delivering on following main objectives, Provide emergency medical care to the disaster – affected people Provide and properly distribute food supplies Provide portable shelters/tents to those who have lost their homes Distribute small water filtration plants in the areas where fresh water supply has been cut off The impact of this disaster is very wide spread and covers a huge area around the largest river, the river Indus, in Pakistan. Hence a small area is selected for our relief activities. The city of Muzaffargarh and its adjoining areas in the southern part of the state of Punjab is one of the worst hit areas with more than 25 villages and towns being destroyed by flood waters. More than two million individuals are rendered homeless due to this devastation. Hence, we have decided to focus on this area. As mentioned earlier, Pakistan Security Forces are already operating in the region for the flood relief activities. They have assured security and logistics support to all the local and foreign volunteer teams involved there in relief activities. Relief camps have already been established by Security Forces. We have planned to join one of these camps and provide our services there. Coordination with the Red Cross society is underway for the volunteers for the team. The volunteers’ team will include the following persons/resources, Two doctors and three lady doctors Male and female paramedical staff, five each Helping staff both male and female, three each Small scale medical equipment Tents and food supplies for the volunteers team Cash for purchasing food from local market Packing material for the food supplies Portable tents and housing Medicine Small water filtration plants The deliverables for this disaster relief mission will be as follows, Establishment of a basic health unit Establishment of temporary shelter for 10000 individuals (500 camps approx.) Distribution of rations for the same individuals for a period of four months (winter season). Installation of 500 water filtration units in the same temporary shelter (one per camp) Establishment of at least one small school for elementary education of children of the shelter residents with the help of local volunteers Progress reports for the project every month A project report at the end of project Following milestones will be considered in the performance evaluation of the project, Forming a team of trained volunteers to perform necessary jobs within first three days of the project Establishment of the basic health unit within seven days as we reach the affected area Installation of temporary shelter and water filtration plants with the help of Pakistani Security Forces and local volunteer labor force Establishment of the school for local children Helping the camp of 10000 individuals to sustain the winter season The successful completion of the project will ensure survival for the flood affected people and will give enough time for the water level to go down and the government can then rehabilitate the people who have been deprived of their lands and homes. The volunteer mission will not be able to support the locals in their rehabilitation process. The rehabilitation will involve rebuilding of houses and farmlands which require a lot of human and material resources. Hence the project is limited to aiding the Pakistani government in taking care of the local people through the winter season as long as alternative arrangements are not made. Work Breakdown Structure: The following tasks have to be performed for the successful completion of the project Arrangement of Manpower (Volunteers): this will include the following personnel arranged through Red Cross and our own organization Doctors Paramedics Workers (For establishing camps, school and general organization) Training: the volunteers have to be given a brief training about the following Details about erecting the tents from given material Procedure for installation of water filtration plants Safety procedures and precautions The training will be provided by Red Cross through literature and practical demonstrations. Acquiring Resources: the following resources have to be acquired for the execution of project Funds Medical Supplies will be bought from our own country Portable houses for volunteer team which are easily available in market Food supplies for volunteer team Tents for the flood affectees as recommended by UNDP Small water filtration plants provided by UNDP on payment Supplies for school from local market Logistics: Following arrangements have to be made in this regard Travel arrangements volunteers’ team and supplies to reach Pakistan. Government has arranged chartered airplanes for the relief workers so we can seek government’s help in this regard. Travel arrangements within Pakistan will be made by Pakistan Army The volunteers’ team will return from the Pakistan through many of the international airlines operating between the two countries Security: Details of the security arrangements made by Pakistan Security Forces will be obtained before leaving. Operations: The project operations will be divided into following main categories with one member of the volunteers’ team being designated as in-charge of the operations in that category. Medical aid team: the team that will run the basic health unit Temporary shelter team: this team will establish the camps and install the water filtration plants with the help of local volunteers School team: responsible for running the school Safety and support team: this team will be responsible for the day-to-day needs of the volunteers and will look after the safety and security arrangements of the whole relief mission The task of the team leader will be to coordinate among his team members and ensure that the goals are achieved. He will also be responsible for the communications between his team and other teams and with the project manager. These tasks will be briefed to them during the first three days of the project. Project Cost: The project cost includes the cost of supplies, logistics and operations etc. The estimated costs are shown as under: Sr. No. Description Cost (US $) 1. Travelling and logistics 25,000 2. Operations (Living expenses of volunteers etc.) 48,000 2. Medical Supplies 100,000 4. Food Supplies 1,500,000 5. Water Pumps 30,000 6. Tents 50,000 7. Miscellaneous 10,000 TOTAL 1,763,000 Risk Management: A step-by-step approach is followed for the risk management of the project. The different steps involved are stated as under. Identification: The following situations are identified as potential risk to the execution of project. Delay in flights to Pakistan due to the floods Shortage of volunteers Unavailability of food supplies from local market Lack of tooling for installation of pumps Spread of epidemics Terrorists / robbers threat Security issues from the frustrated flood victims Analysis: The above mentioned situations may cause following problems to the project execution. A delay in flights will result in late establishment of all the relief facilities. It implies more suffering for the flood victims which is essentially against the project objective. Shortage of volunteers will prevent the team to serve all the estimated 10,000 individuals effectively If a food shortage occurs in Pakistani markets than the relief mission will not be able to provide the targeted population of victims with food their basic food requirements Tools for the installation of pumps cannot be carried with us and must be obtained from the local market. If the tools are unavailable then the pumps cannot be installed. Due to the stagnant flood water, there is a possibility of outbreak of various epidemics. This situation can pose a threat to the health of the volunteers and can also make the job of doctors very difficult. Terrorists and robbers pose serious threat to the volunteers’ lives and hence can cause a disaster for the relief mission itself Frustrated flood victims may try to plunder the supplies which can create a difficult situation for the relief workers Evaluation and Treatment: The estimated risks are now prioritized keeping in view their consequences and likelihood. The planned action is also stated which will be taken when ever required to mitigate the risk. 1. The war on terror is being waged in some parts of Pakistan. Although those parts are away from the flood hit areas, but the likelihood of terrorist activities in the areas cannot be ruled out and it becomes the most serious risk for a team of foreigners working in the area. In case of such an emergency the team will reconsider the security provided to it by Pakistan Security Forces. If considered insufficient, the team will hand over the operations of camp to Security Forces and will end the mission. 2. Despite assurances from Pakistani government, food shortage may occur in the Pakistani market as the floods have affected the areas regarded as ‘bread basket’ of the country. An appropriate supply of high nutritious value food will be taken along with other supplies so that the relief mission can be continued with health care becoming top priority. 3. Dangerous epidemics can spread due to stagnant flood waters. If protective measures are not planned before hand then health of the volunteers will also be threatened. Hence, protective measures will be taken according to the directions of UNDP before leaving. 4. Incidents have been reported that the flood victims, frustrated from thirst and hunger have tried to plunder the aid supplies. Such a situation can also threaten the safety of volunteers. The distribution of food supplies will hence be carried out through the Pakistani Security Forces whenever possible. 5. Although the air traffic is not yet interrupted by the floods but the possibility cannot be ruled out completely. Project tasks will be rescheduled if such a situation occurs. 6. Pakistan Security Forces can arrange the required tools for the pumps but we are not very sure about the availability as yet. If tools are not available then pumps will be handed over to local NGOs etc. 7. Shortage of volunteers can occur who are willing to join from our country keeping in mind the distance of the target location and the conditions of law and order. In such a situation, the Pakistani Red Crescent Society will be contacted for the required volunteers. Performance Evaluation and Closure: At the end of winter season in February 2011, the relief mission will wind up its work. All the provisions such as tents, water pumps etc. (except the expensive medical equipment brought by the doctors) will be handed over to the local NGOs (preferably Red Crescent Society) so that it can be utilized for future relief work. The volunteers’ team will pack up and will spend three days of vacation in the beautiful northern hill stations in Pakistan which are not affected by the floods and then it will leave for home. The team leaders will submit their performance report within a week of project closure. The performance of the relief mission will be measured quantitatively on the basis of following parameters, Total number of male / female patients and children treated at the basic health unit Total number of individuals accommodated in the temporary shelter Total number of children enrolled at the school Apart from this, each individual joining the camp will be registered. It will be ensured that at the end of the mission, maximum individuals survive the severe weather conditions prevailing in the area. Project Network Diagram and Gantt chart: References Cooper, Dale F., et al. Project Risk Management Guidelines. West Sussex: John Wiley and Sons., 2005. Print. Lewis, James P. Fundamentals of Project Management. Third. New York: American Management Association, 2007. Print. Project Approval Form General Description: Project Title: Emergency Relief Activities in Flood – hit areas of Paksitan Project Manager: Project Director: Duration: Four months approx. (09/20/2010 to 02/21/2011) Location: Muzaffargarh, Pakistan Total Cost: $1,763,000 Project Summary: Background Details: Pakistan is struck with massive floods in the rainy season of August – September this year (2010). The floods have claimed more than 1500 lives and have rendered 20 million people homeless. The scale of this calamity is larger than the 2004 Tsunami and 2005 Kashmir Earthquake combined. Pakistani government and UN have called for aid to the international community. The Proposal: We have planned to send a team of volunteers along with necessary supplies to Pakistan to assist in disaster relief activities there. The team will have doctors and paramedics with them and will carry medicine and relief goods. The team will carry more than 500 make – shift tents and houses to establish a small camp for 10,000 flood victims. Results Sought: The project will help Pakistani government in the relief activities for the flood and will enable the Flood Victims to survive through the approaching winter season. Benefits to the Organization: Apart from supporting a humanitarian cause, the project will improve the CSR record of the organization. Deliverables: Establishment of a basic health unit Establishment of temporary shelter for 10000 individuals (500 camps approx.) Distribution of rations for the same individuals for a period of four months Installation of 500 water filtration units in the same temporary shelter Establishment of at least one small school for elementary education of children of the shelter residents with the help of local volunteers Progress reports for the project every month A project report at the end of project Stakeholders: Our organization, Our government, United Nations Organization, Pakistani Government Resources Required: Human Resources: Two doctors and three lady doctors Male and female paramedical staff, five each Helping staff both male and female, three each Material Resources: Small scale medical equipment Tents and food supplies for the volunteers team Cash for purchasing food from local market Packing material for the food supplies Portable tents and housing Medicine Small water filtration plants Risk Assessment: Hazards Anticipated: Terrorist Attacks Robbers Epidemics Monetary Risk: None Cost Breakdown: Sr. No. Description Cost (US $) 1. Travelling and logistics 25,000 2. Operations (Living expenses of volunteers etc.) 48,000 2. Medical Supplies 100,000 4. Food Supplies 1,500,000 5. Water Pumps 30,000 6. Tents 50,000 7. Miscellaneous 10,000 TOTAL 1,763,000 Funding Sources: Source Amount (US$) Approval CSR Fund 1,000,000 Government aid 250,000 United Nations 250,000 Red Cross 263,000 Project Manager Project Director Dated: Dated: Read More