Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) Progress Update: 12 July 2010 Introduction The implementation of the ZRBI activities started in the last quarter of 2009, after receiving funding support from the USAID, Norwegian and Swedish Red Cross. The seven implementing Red Cross National Societies (NS) share the following ZRBI objectives: Reduce the risk and the impact of disasters among the communities living along the Zambezi River basin through community preparedness. Increase the access of vulnerable communities to adequate and nutritious food commodities. Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and the spread of diseases. Advance the capacity of the NS to implement disaster preparedness, response and recovery operations. The initial phase of the programme focused on improving the capacity of the seven implementing NS and targeted communities to carry out disaster preparedness, response, and recovery operations. As a preparatory phase, the capacity of the local Red Cross branches and communities was enhanced to ensure effective implementation and monitoring in order to foster, programme ownership, sustainability and integration with other local community activities. During this phase the seven NS also focussed on building partnerships with key stakeholders at local, national and international levels. Funding: Funding support for the IFRC coordination role and NS implementation was provided by USAID USD one million, RC Climate Centre USD 60,940; Swedish Red Cross USD 135,844; Norwegian Red Cross USD 217,450.31; Finnish Red Cross USD 382, 63 and German Red Cross USD 163,201. 1 Key Achievements: The key achievements during the first phase and disbursements of funds in 2009 and 2010 are highlighted in the matrix below: Country Funding Support Activities Results Partnerships Angola Botswana 2009 USD 42,000 (USAID) 2010 USD 80,380 (USAID) 2010 USD 14,021 (IFRC Climate Centre) Total USD 136,410 2009 USD 155.337 (Norwegian Red Cross) 2010 USD 32,950 (Norwegian Red Cross) 2009 - USD 70,608 (USAID) Official launch of ZRBI in Angola ZRBI officially launched in Luanda and the municipalities of Moxico and Cazombo in February 2010. Established provincial and municipal offices to coordinate and implement ZRBI activities in Moxico and Cazombo. Recruitment and training of volunteers in community-based disaster management (CBDM) and Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (VCA). Trained 48 volunteers on CBDM and VCA in 12 of 13 target villages in the Northern Division of Botswana. Recruited 585 volunteers to conduct community sensitisation on ZRBI. Vulnerability Capacity Assessments (VCA) and Hazard Mapping (HM). VCA and hazard mapping was conducted with 1,600 participants in 12 of 13 target villages in the Northern Division. Produced hazard maps for target communities. Improved branch capacity to respond to the needs of the vulnerable people in the Enhanced the visibility of the Red Cross and provided a Enhanced branch capacities Enhanced skills and capacities of volunteers to assist vulnerable communities in preventing the impact of disasters. Produced hazard maps to guide vulnerable communities to respond to disasters. In addition designed ZRBI work plans based on the results of VCA and HM. Angola Red Cross partnered with the Civil Protection Unit at the launch. Establishment of disaster action teams deferred as consultations are ongoing. 1 Bilateral support was provided by Finnish and German Red Cross to Zimbabwe and Mozambique respectively.
Branches are at a better position to manage their Branch development and volunteer management activities. Training on branch development and volunteer management was Enhanced skills and conducted for three branches in Kasane, Nate and Gweta. capacities of volunteers to assist vulnerable communities Botswana in preventing the impact of disasters. Malawi Mozambique Total USD 258,895 2009 - USD 10,880 (USAID) 2010 - USD 94,144 (USAID) Total USD 105,024 2009 - USD 163,201 (German Red Cross) 2009 - USD 54,089 (DIPECHO) 2010 - USD 94,144 (USAID) Total USD 311,434 Community Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA), Health Promotion and community sensitisation. Trained 47 participants from 13 branches on CBHFA, health promotion and community sensitisation in 13 branches in targeted areas in the Northern Division. Community Sensitisation on ZRBI Convened two meetings at district assembly and community levels to sensitise communities in Nsanje District on ZRBI. Established a new office to coordinate ZRBI activities in Nsanje District. Recruited a District Project Officer to oversee ZRBI activities. Branch development and volunteer management. Fifteen division committee members were trained on branch development and management in Nsanje District of Southern Region. Official launch of ZRBI in Mozambique. ZRBI was officially launched in Mozambique in June 2010. Capacity Building on Disaster Management Disaster management meetings were conducted for provincial staff in the targeted provinces of Tete, Gaza, Manica, Sofala, Nampula, Cabo Delgado and Zambezia. A total of 14 Disaster Management Officers, 14 volunteers, six provincial programme officers and two provincial secretaries from Tete, Gaza, Manica, Sofala, Nampula, Cabo Delgado and Zambezia province were trained in basic Disaster Management. Planning sessions on early warning systems were conducted in Maganja da Costa, Namacurre, Marromeu, Dondo, Nhamatanda and Machanga in Zambezia Province. A total of 2,293 community members were trained on basic hygiene promotions in Maganja da Costa, Namacurre, Marromeu, Dondo, Nhamatanda and Machanga in Zambezia Province. 2 Communities are in a better position to identify their needs and priorities. Communities sensitised on ZRB planned activities. Improved branch capacities disasters. The division is in a better position manage planned ZRBI activities. Enhanced the visibility of Red Cross and provided a Enhanced branch capacities Enhanced community knowledge on appropriate methods of promoting household and community hygiene. Local partnerships created with Kgosi District Commissioner, District DM Committee and village extension teams.. Mozambique Red Cross partnered with the National Institute of Disaster Management, UNDP, Private Sector and Movement partners. at the launch.
Enhanced community awareness of planned ZRBI activities. Official launch of ZRBI in Namibia. Regional structures are in a ZRBI was officially launched in Namibia. (Windhoek in September better position to assume full 2009 - USD 15,600 (USAID) 2009 and Regions in March 2010). ownership of the ZRBI. Enhanced visibility of the Red Cross and provided a Namibia 2010 - USD 80,123 (USAID) 2010 -USD 16,710 (IFRC- Climate Centre) Total USD 112,433 Branch development and volunteer management. (BDVM) Established branches in the six constituencies of Caprivi Region. Carried out BDVM training for 26 board members and staff in the six constituencies of Caprivi Region. Five staff and 10 volunteers were trained on information dissemination and resource mobilisation. Community Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA) and Contingency Planning for HIV and AIDS. Twenty-one volunteers were trained on CBHFA. A total of 37 staff and volunteers were trained on HIV and AIDS contingency planning in Caprivi, Kavango, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Oshana and Omusati Regions. Enhanced branch capacities Enhanced management and governance skills of NS board members. Developed response action checklist for inclusion in regional contingency planning. Enhanced capacities of staff and volunteers to assist vulnerable communities to respond to disasters. Namibia Red Cross partnered with the Prime Minister s Office for the launch. Partnerships with MoHSS, people living with HIV support groups, the Namibian Police and National Defence Force, UNAIDS and UNFPA. Zambia 2010 - USD 9,342 (USAID) Total USD 9,342 Official launch of ZRBI in Zambia The launch of the ZRBI is scheduled for 23 rd July 2010. 3
Enhanced community Community Preparedness to respond to disasters including disease capacities to respond to outbreaks training conducted using CBHFA approach to develop community based disaster preparedness systems. ZRCS conducted three community-based disaster preparedness Communities are in a better 2009 - USD 382,639 (Finnish training sessions in each of the 15 wards in Mbire and Muzarabani position to identify coping Red Cross) Districts of Mashonaland Central Province reaching 24,220 mechanisms and to conduct households and 57,000 community members. vulnerability assessments. Zimbabwe 2009-40,000 (USAID) 2010-94,144 (USAID) Total USD 516,783 Distribution of mosquito nets to pregnant women, children under the age of five and the elderly and monitoring correct usage of mosquito nets. Distributed 5,600 mosquito nets to pregnant women, children under five and the elderly in 14 wards in Muzarabani District. Monitoring visits were conducted to assess correct usage of mosquito nets. Community health awareness mobilisation sessions. Developed and distributed IEC materials on malaria and cholera prevention and control in Mbire and Muzarabani Districts of Mashonaland Central Province. Carried out community mobilisation through health education sessions in Mbire and Muzarabani Districts of Mashonaland Central Province. ZRCS empowered health facilities to reach out to the various communities, to disseminate key health messages using the ZRCS volunteers as agents of change in their communities. Community health needs assessment. Conducted community health needs assessment for communities along the Zambezi River focussing on health, food, shelter, water and sanitation, livelihoods, safety and security in Mzarabani District. Correct usage of mosquito nets observed through monitoring visits. Improved personal and household hygiene has been observed in the communities as evidenced by increased usage of temporary pit latrines, rubbish pits, dish racks, hand washing facilities etc. Clinics in the two districts reported reduced incidence of diarrhoeal diseases. Communities have prioritised their health needs which are feeding into the design of ZRBI work plans. Malaria and cholera prevention and control identified as priority health needs along the Zambezi River. 4
Strengthening institutional and technical capacities of seven NS and communities in the region to implement the ZRBI project. Region 2009 - USD 26,847 (USAID) 2009 USD 29,161 (Norwegian Red Cross) 2010 USD 30,208 (IFRC Climate Change Centre) Total USD 86,216 A ZRBI planning meeting to guide the development of the ZRBI implementation plan was conducted in Johannesburg in January 2010 attended by 30 technicians from Disaster Management, Health and Care, Organisational Development, PMER and Finance. The IFRC southern Africa region continues to provide technical support to all seven National Societies and strengthening partnerships with PNS s, UN OCHA, IOM, GTZ, World Metrological Department, SADC and Government Disaster Management departments etc. ZRBI was presented to SADC during a SADC DM planning meeting held in Johannesburg in October 2009 and a SADC parliamentary forum held in Pretoria in the same month. A meeting was held with the World Metrological Office (WMO) in October 2009 to discuss the establishment of early warning systems along the With support from the Performance and Accountability Unit of the IFRC southern Africa regional office, an assessment of the capacities of the targeted NS branches to implement the ZRBI was conducted following VCAs conducted in the same areas. Official launch of ZRBI by the IFRC southern Africa region The ZRBI was officially launched by the IFRC southern Africa region on 25 July 2009 at a function attended by members of the diplomatic corps, UN representatives, corporate partners, academics and members of the media. Development of integrated plan for ZRBI implementation. Adoption of uniform and coordinated approach to ZRBI using standard methodologies and tools. Decision to involve NS communication departments at all stages of implementation. Promotion of a culture of continuous learning, performance measurement and accountability. SADC member states declared full support to ZRBI. Developed a plan of action for establishment of early warning systems along the Development of proposal for ZRBI. Wide media coverage for Red Cross. Establishment of new partnerships with UN OCHA, IOM, WMO, SADC, PNS etc. Technical and financial support at community, national and regional levels. Enhanced the visibility of the Red Cross and provided a Partnerships strengthened with USAID, PNS, UN OCHA, IOM, GTZ, World Metrological Office, SADC, Finnish Red Cross, German Red Cross UNFPA, WFP, FAO, DFID, DRR Global Alliance, Climatic Change Centre, EU and the DM units of governments targeted in the region. 5
For further information specifically related to Zambezi River Basin Initiative please contact: In IFRC Southern Africa Region: Ken Odur, Regional Representative, Email: ken.odur@ifrc.org, Tel: +27.11.303.9700, Fax: + 27.11.884.3809; +27.11.884.0230 Farid Aiywar, Disaster Management Coordinator, Email: farid.aiywar@ifrc.org: Tel: +27.11.303.9700, Fax: + 27.11.884.3809; + 27.11.884.0230. For pledges towards the ZRBI: Laurean Rugambwa; Resource Mobilisation Coordinator, Email: zonerm.southafrica@ifrc.org; Tel: +27.11.303.9700; Fax: +27.11.884.3809; +27.11.884.0230 For performance and accountability enquiries: Theresa Takavarasha; Performance and Accountability Manager, Email: terrie.takavarasha@ifrc.org; Tel: +27.11.303.9700; Fax: +27.11.884.3809; +27.11.884.0230 6