Response to Devastating Floods and Landslides in Northern Afghanistan (Jawzjan and Badakhshan Provinces) 2014 Annual Project Progress Report

Response to Devastating Floods and Landslides in Northern Afghanistan (Jawzjan and Badakhshan Provinces) 2014 Annual Project Progress Report UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

DONOR PROJECT INFORMATION Project ID: 00080949 Duration: 12 months (1st August 2014 31 July 2015) Strategic Plan Component: Outcome 6 ANDS Component: Environment Total Project Budget: 200,000 US$ Annual Budget 2014: 55,400 US$ Implementing Partner: UNDP Responsible Agency: UNDP Sustainable Development Unit and FOCUS International Project Manager: Mohammad Salim Chief Technical Advisor: Not Applicable Responsible Assistant Country Director: Mamunul Haq Khan Cover Page Photo: Early Recovery consultation workshop on November 26, 2014 Kabul Afghanistan

ACRONYMS ANDMA CDCs DRF DRR DRR WG ERNA ERP FGD FOCUS GIS IOM KII M&E MRRD NA NFI NGO PDNA RC RCO ToR UN UNAMA UNDP UNFPA UNHCR UNOCHA Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority Community Development Councils Disaster Recovery Framework Disaster Risk Reduction Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group Early Recovery Needs Assessment Early Recovery Plan Focus Group Discussion FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance Geographical Information System International Organization for Migration Key Informant Interview Monitoring and Evaluation Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development Not Available Non-Food Item Non-Government Organization Post-Disaster Needs Assessment Resident Coordinator Resident Coordinator s Office Terms of Reference United Nations United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan United Nations Development Program United Nations Population Fund United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees United Nations Office for Coordination of the Humanitarian Assistance

TABLE OF CONTENTS I. RESULTS:... 2 II. GENDER SPECIFIC RESULTS... 5 III. PARTNERSHIPS... 5 IV. ISSUES... 5 V. RISKS... 6 VI. LESSONS LEARNED... 7 VII. FUTURE PLANS... 7 VIII. ANNEXES... 8 A. Annex 1: FINANCIAL TABLE... 8 B. ANNEX 2: EXPENSES BY OUTPUT... 9 C. ANNEX 4: RISK LOG... 10 D. ANNEX 5: ISSUE LOG... 11

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Flash floods of 24-25 April and a subsequent devastating landslide occurred on 2 May 2014 impacted 35 districts across 10 provinces of northern Afghanistan caused human casualty and severe damage of assets and infrastructure affecting thousands of people. While humanitarian agencies are actively collaborating with the government in providing support to the affected people to meet the urgent and immediate needs, recurring flooding events in Northern Afghanistan are aggravating the vulnerability of the people. This project would carry out a comprehensive needs assessment to identify early recovery and rehabilitation needs as well as identify appropriate options for enhancing long term resilience of the affected population in Badakhshan and Jawzjan provinces. On the basis of the needs assessment, a comprehensive plan would be prepared for recovery, rehabilitation and resilience building. The Sustainable Development Unit (SDU) of UNDP has started the Early Recover Project in response to devastating floods and landslides in northern Afghanistan (Jawzjan and Badakhshan provinces) from 1 st August 2014 with the recruitment of two qualified and experienced national staff as National Officers for Early Recovery and Rehabilitation. One ERR officer for SDU Unit and another for Resident Coordinator s Office (RCO) to ensure the successful and proper implementation of the project activities. Meanwhile, SDU has assigned an International Organization (FOCUS International) based on competitive procurement procedure to conduct the Early Recovery Need Assessment (ERNA), prepare a detailed report of ERNA and develop a comprehensive Development Action Plan for Jawzjan and Badakhshan provinces. The project activities were coordinated with government ministries (ANDMA and MRRD), UN agencies such as UNOCHA, WFP, UNICEIF, FAO, UNEF, IOM, DRR working group and with other DRR stakeholders. The project information was also shared with all 14 humanitarian clusters in the country. FOCUS International, the implementing partner has developed and submitted the comprehensive Inception Report indicating the planning and implementing methodology for conducting ERNA in targeted provinces. A one day consultation workshop was conducted on 26 th November 2014 at Inter-Continental Hotel, all Humanitarian Cluster members, UN Agencies, 13 line ministry representatives and other stakeholders participated in the workshop. Project and ERNA information was shared with the participants to receive their inputs, feedback and support in effective implementation of the project. The Report of the workshop was prepared by FOCUS and shared with UNDP. The ERNA questionnaire and survey tools were development by FOCUS International and translated into local languages as well as the field level data collectors were trained on the questionnaire and data collection methodology by UNDP, RCO and FOCUS International. FOCUS International started field level activities in Badakhshan and Jawzjan provinces in Early December 2014 and identified key areas of improvement as well as requested for the no cost extension for extending the period of data collection and report submission due to security and accessibility reasons in targeted areas; The no cost extension request has not been submitted to UNDP procurement yet. 1 P a g e

II. RESULTS Output: Appropriate plan is developed for early recovery, rehabilitation and resilience building for the community in the disaster affected areas of Northern Afghanistan. A.1 Indicator 1: Number of RC Office staff trained on early recovery principles: Five staff members of RC Office were trained in early recovery principles. One Early Recovery and Rehabilitation Officer was recruited and placed in Resident Coordinator s Office to ensure Early Recovery activities are reflected in development response to disasters and to ensure coordination of ERNA with Government, UN agencies and all Clusters. A.2 Indicator 2: Number of Early Recovery meetings held: Twenty Early Recovery meetings were held and Project team shared information and delivered presentations on early recovery in 14 different humanitarian clusters and DRR working groups such as Disaster Risk Reduction, Nutrition, Health, Food Security and Agriculture, Water Sanitation and Hygiene, GBV Sub Cluster, Emergency Shelter and Non Food Items, Emergency Preparedness Sub working group, Afghanistan Humanitarian Forum, Inter Cluster coordination, Protection, Child Protection in Emergencies Sub Cluster, Program Management Team and National IDP task force. The Early Recovery Project team also conducted monthly meetings with ANDMA and Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) as well as with Implementing partner FOCUS International to share and provide sufficient information about Early Recovery Data collection, assessment and information. A.3 Indicator 3: NGO to conduct Early Recovery Needs Assessments (ERNA) mobilized: UNDP recruited qualified and experienced Implementing Partner (FOCUS Humanitarian International) through open biding competition for conducting Early Recovery Needs Assessment (ERNA) in Badakhshan and Jawzjan provinces and developing Early Recovery Action Plan. FOCUS International collected secondary data for cross checking and verification from ANDMA, MRRD, IOM, UNOCHA and other stakeholders for targeted districts of Badakhshan and Jawzjan provinces through their coordination meeting. The team in the field level were mobilized and the format for the collecting data were drafted to start the need assessment process. In Badakhshan the need assessment in a few villages were mobilized but in Jowzjan Province it was not started due to security and community conflict. Data collection in Badakhshan province 2 P a g e

A.4 Indicator 4: Processes of ERNA properly monitored: The Implementing Partner, FOCUS International conducted field visits to Badakhshan and Jawzjan provinces for collecting primary data and receiving confirmation on the damages and losses occurred due to landslides and flush floods. Monitoring visits took place by the FOCUS International to ensure the quality of primary data collection but UNDP did not conduct any field monitoring visits due to worse security condition in Jawazjan and Badakhshan provinces. A.5 Indicator 5: UNDP capacity strengthening in Early Recover: UNDP recruited one National Officer for Early Recovery and Rehabilitation trained the GIRoA official s staff in early recovery and rehabilitation and provided the information regarding the assessment take place in Badakhsan and Jawzjan provinces. UNDP and FOCUS International in close coordination with ANDMA and MRRD conducted one day consultation workshop on 26 th November 2014 at Inter-Continental Hotel to share information regarding early recovery project on larger scale that support the implementation and coordination methodology in the field. All relevant stakeholders (UN agencies, Line ministries, donor organizations, National and International NGOs and provincial Early Recovery Workshop conducted in November 2014 representatives of ANDMA and MRRD) participated in the workshop that supported to strengthening Early Recovery process. FOCUS international developed field implementation plan based on the findings and recommendations of the mentioned workshop. A.6 Indicator 6: One NGO recruited to develop Early Recovery Plan: Focus international was emplaced to carry out the development of Early Recovery plan for the two provinces of the northern region of Afghanistan. On the basis of the result of ERNA, Focus International will draft two Early Recovery Plans specific to the two affected areas will be developed. Special focus has to be on building consensus among all the actors that the plan would be the basis for all to act and it would be implemented in a coherent, concerted and coordinated manner. EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR: USD 40,850. 3 P a g e

Table 1 (Results) 2014 BASELINE 2014 ANNUAL TARGETS Inadequate RC office coordination 5 RCO staff oriented on on early recovery issues early recovery Q3 Q4 2014 ACTUAL COMMENTS x Five staff members of RCO was oriented on early recovery. This it is on-target Existence of DRR working group and DRR task force 10 Early recovery monthly meeting held x x Twenty meetings of Early Recovery were held. This is on-target No comprehensive early recovery assessment done One NGO recruited to undertake ER assessment x FOCUS Humanitarian International was recruited to undertake early recovery assessment This it is on-target No monitoring mechanism in place 3 monitoring visits to oversee the process of ERA undertaken x x FOCUS international consultants had to monitor the process UNDP staff could not have any monitoring visits due to the security both in Badakhshan and Jowjzan No dedicated staff for early recovery at UNDP No early recovery plan exist One UNDP national staff recruited and trained on early recovery One NGO recruited to develop comprehensive ER plan x x 2 early recovery officers were recruited (one for UNDP and another for RC office) FOCUS humanitarian was recruited to developed early recovery action plan This it is on-target This is on-target Some important things to keep in mind: Adjust graph to specific needs of projects. When targets are not split into quarters, remove the Q1-Q4 columns or put N/A The comments section should note progress and provide a brief explanation if behind planned target 4 P a g e

III. GENDER SPECIFIC RESULTS The project activities and methodology is shared with the department of Women Affairs at provincial level by FOCUS International. Based on field visits of the implementing partner all humanitarian organizations distributed NFIs packages to women and children to consider gender equality in responses to emergencies and natural disasters in Badakhshan and Jawzjan provinces. The questionnaire and survey forms consists special analytical methods to understand the gender dimension in a comprehensive manner which will be reflected in both the Early Recovery Need Assessment report and Development Action Plan. A mixed-gender assessment team will address vulnerabilities related to gender, and the capacity of women and girls to engage in implementation of early recovery action plan. IV. PARTNERSHIPS The project is implemented in close coordination and partnership among UNDP, UNOCHA and Resident Coordinator s Office where UNOCHA is taking lead on coordinating Early Recovery activities in all relevant clusters and the RC office providing effective coordination on the project while UNDP is responsible for the quality assurance and effective implementation of the project activities in targeted provinces. On the other hand ANDMA and MRRD are the Government counterparts ensuring that the secondary and primary data is collected and verified at both national and sub national levels. Both ANDMA and MRRD are providing necessary support at the field level for the data collection in Badakhshan and Jawzjan provinces. V. ISSUES FOCUS International has started the Early Recovery Need Assessment in both provinces. Field data collection process is going very smoothly in coordination with local government and relevant agencies. Consultation sessions took place with community leaders, district governors and police heads of the Jawzjan and Badakhshan provinces. The overall progress of the project activities are on right track. However, due to security and political challenges in the targeted provinces, the project may be delayed till end of 2015 due to the following reasons. The recruitment of NGO and staff took more than three months due to lengthy HR and procurement processes of UNDP. NGO was not able to deploy field team for data collection on time due to security concerns in Jawzjan province and a few flood affected areas of Badakhshan province. 5 P a g e

Due to discrepancy in primary and secondary data received from the government line ministries and clusters, FOCUS International requested for additional time through no cost extension to collect, verify and compile all the data. Considering the above mentioned facts the project activities delayed to a certain extent and FOCUS International has not submitted the No-cost extension memo to UNDP procurement unit to extend the implementation period in order to complete all deliverables till to the end of December, 2015. The RCO will be required to continue its support the project through vital coordination with clusters, UN agencies and other stakeholders. VI. RISKS Security and Instability: The instability in Jawzjan and Badakhshan provinces created challenges in terms of access and primary data collection from reliable ground sources regarding the damages and losses caused by flash floods and landslides. The Implementing partner hired local staff members who have good local knowledge and are familiar with local sensitivities to remain low profile and collect accurate primary data required for analysis and reporting purposes. Data collection: The secondary data from relevant authorities was not filtered in an appropriate manner in order to ensure receiving accurate data, FOCUS International conducted field level need assessment to collect accurate primary data on the losses and damages due to landslides and flash floods in targeted areas. FOCUS International suggested conducting more consultation and discussion sessions with influential and key leaders of communities in both provinces to ensure the accuracy of the collected data. Ownership and Coordination: Going forward, there is medium risk that the project will have ownership and coordination issues from the government side. There is no short-term solution to this risk. However, increased support from the Project Board can mitigate some of the risk. Given the current security situation, further delays are also expected where interaction is required with provincial Government offices for the preparation of the Action Plan. 6 P a g e

VII. LESSONS LEARNED One of the lessons learnt from the project is to conduct preliminary assessment of community conflict and security situation prior to deploying data collection team to make sure the data can be collected on timely basis and without any security threats directed to the project staff in both targeted provinces. The Implementing Partner FOCUS International should have reflected the security situations and analysis in the inception report for proper planning and implementing purposes. The field level coordination and cooperation among ANDMA, MRRD and FOCUS International should have been established in the earlier stages of the project for avoiding time extending of project deliverables. A strong coordination among all stakeholders such as RC Office, UNOCHA, ANDMA, MRRD, UNDP and FOCUS international is required to ensure all project activities are implemented according the designed scheduled and to mainstream Early Recovery in all development plans and activities in Afghanistan. Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) is a new concept in Afghanistan. Internationally, mainly the governments leads the process. However, security situation in Afghanistan keeps the Government on its toes in terms of provision of relief, which takes away attention and resources from longer term development initiatives at all levels. This situation is beyond the control of the project. This situation implies higher costs for the implementation of the current project and greater risks of failure. Success of the project requires persistence and willingness to educate others on part of sponsoring UN agencies and FOCUS. VIII. FUTURE PLANS UNDP will approve the No Cost Extension for FOCUS International to allow all deliverables to be completed and submitted according to the Annual Work Plan (AWP). FOCUS International will complete the Early Recovery Needs Assessment (ERNA) in targeted provinces and will prepare a comprehensive report of the ERNA to be submitted to UNDP and other stakeholders such as ANDMA, MRRD, UNOCHA and RC Office. UNDP and FOCUS will convene a one day workshop in Badakhshan province to bring all relevant stakeholders, share with them the achievements so far and get their ideas and advise in the process. Security situation in Afghanistan has resulted in serious delays affecting the timeline of the project. Draft Needs Assessment report, which was expected to be ready by the end of December 2014, is now expected to be completed by the mid to end of February 2105. 7 P a g e

IX. ANNEXES A. Annex 1: FINANCIAL TABLE 8 P a g e

B. ANNEX 2: EXPENSES BY OUTPUT 9 P a g e

C. ANNEX 4: RISK LOG # Description 1 The instability in Jawzjan and Badakhshan provinces created challenges in terms of access and primary data collection from reliable ground sources regarding the damages and losses caused by flush floods and landslides. Date Identified 10 December 2014 Type Security Impact & Probability The risk has prevented access to the targeted districts and villages to conduct field visits and data collect Countermeasures / Management response The Implementing partner hired local staff members who have good local knowledge and are familiar with local sensitivities to remain low profile and collect as much as accurate primary data required for analysis and reporting purposes. FOCUS International suggested conducting more consultation and discussion sessions with influential and key leaders of communities in both provinces to ensure the accuracy of the data collected. Owner FOCUS International Submitted by FOCUS International Status Resolved 10 P a g e

D. ANNEX 5: ISSUE LOG ID Type Date Identified 001 HR/Procurement 31 October 2014 002 Security 10 December 2014 003 Procurement 15 December 2015 Description The recruitment of NGO and staff took more than three months due to lengthy HR and procurement processes of UNDP. NGO was not able to deploy field team for data collection on time due to security concerns in Jawzjan province and a few flood affected areas of Badakhshan province. Due to discrepancy in primary and secondary data received from the government line ministries and clusters, FOCUS International requested for additional time through no cost extension to collect, verify and compile all the data. Status/Priority Resolved/Low Ongoing/High Ongoing/High Status Change Date 10 December 2014 15 January 2015 31 January 2015 Author Eng. Saleem FOCUS International FOCUS International 11 P a g e