A year after devastation.

CHITRAL

A YEAR AFTER DEVASTATION DATED: JULY 24, 2016

Syed Harir Shah

President

Justice, Aid, and Development (JAD) Foundation

Shahi Masjid Road, Opposite Tarich Mir Hotel Chitral, KP

+92-943-412461, harir@jadfoundation.org.pk WhatsApp: +923349534503

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TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Chitral and Disasters 2. Causes of Disasters 3. The Impact of Disasters 4. In The Outlook of Devastation 5. Objective of research/assessment 6. Research methodologies and tools 7. Situation Analysis 8. The issues and challenges in post disaster reconstruction(PDR) 9. Causes and Effect 10. Geo-Physical Exposure of Chitral 11. Damage and Need Assessment 12. Role and contribution of multi-stakeholders in disaster response/recovery in Chitral. 13. Accountability, Transparency and Human Rights In Disaster 14. Chitral Devastation – An Ongoing Challenge 15. What Went Wrong With Chitral Devastation? 16. Reaction of Kalash Community to Flood Devastation 17. Recommendation and suggestions. 18. Reference

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CHITRAL AND DISASTERS Introduction At the hub of Hindukush Mountain under the shadow of Tarich Mir, the highest peak of Hindukush range, district Chitral is highly exposed to multi-hazards, including hydro-meteorological and geological disasters, including flash flood, GLOF, river erosion, unprecedented heavy snow- fall, extreme weather, avalanches, earthquake, land sliding, rock fall and land movement. Disaster threat and increasing vulnerabilities of the people has always been a concern for the people of this isolated, remote, landlocked and fragile district of Pakistan. The increased tendency of disasters, their ongoing adverse effects and emerging threats of climate change are many-folds. Besides losing the lives, livelihood and properties at personal level, the mountain and climate related disasters are pushing back the entire economy of the district. The landscape of Chitral, the shape of roads and bridge changed, once a beautiful and peaceful district is presenting the outlook of darkness without electricity, thirst without drinking water, broken roads, and dilapidated bridges. The people who were once friendly, trust-worthy and good listeners are in trauma/shocks and hardly seem to interact with others. Bridge of trust and confidence on institutions, organizations and the overall system is another serious phenomenon observed during our study/research across the district. The district once presented beautiful, rich culture and peaceful image of Chitral – is now presenting it a long ruined city with lost value of culture, tradition, and it has a long lasting impact on social and culture outlook of the region.

CAUSES OF DISASTERS There are many causes and drivers of increased tendency of disasters, including extreme hot and cold weather, changed pattern of weather and its impact on chemical, biological and physical weathering of mountain region, Geophysical and ecological conditions of the district are exposing the people and ecosystem to disasters, over or miss-use of natural resources, population pressure, deforestation, desertification, environmental unfriendly development activities, changed pattern of agriculture and over use of fertilizer/chemical are some of the cause of increased trends of disasters. In addition to above, poverty, scared

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natural resources, loss of indigenous knowledge and lack of scientific knowledge, skills, technology and understanding of disaster/climate phenomenon. Monetary, professional and social Corruption in decision/policy making and development/ project management is major cause of disasters. Lack of behaviour changes in risk integrating DRR/CCA into development planning, lack of comprehensive and integrated response mechanism, project based development approach without consideration of project risk and their long terms impact on sustainable development are creating new hazards and accelerating the intensity of the existing hazards. Lack of funding and political commitment to integrate and mainstream DRR and CCA into preparedness, response and reconstruction planning are some of the challenges towards increased trends of disaster. The complexities, anomalies, ambiguity in legal and institutional framework, lack of technical knowledge and skills of duty bearers in disaster risk/climate change and inability to plan holistic disaster management at local level are some of the constraints in effective risk reduction The reactive culture of disaster and pre-conceived mind-set of policy/decision makers towards disaster management planning is the major hurdle in poor disaster risk governance.

THE IMPACT OF DISASTERS Disasters have a greater impact on the built environment of the mountain community because the property damage caused by disaster impact causes direct economic losses that can be thought of as a loss in asset value. This can be measured by the cost of repair or replacement. Post-natural disaster reconstruction is not only a good opportunity to transform the destructive area into a sustainable community, but also a right moment to prepare for the next disaster, decrease their vulnerability from disaster impacts and encourage recovery when disaster strike. The affected population that require reconstruction after the impact of disaster should see the development as a dynamic process, and disasters offer the opportunity to vitalize or revitalize this process, especially in the generation of local economies and the upgrading of livelihoods and living conditions. This is relevant especially in the context of the unplanned built environment. However, in case of Chitral, the negative impact of disasters on existing infrastructure and planned socio-economic

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activities derailed as funds were to be re-appropriated and readjusted for rebuilding new infrastructure. One dollar spend on preventive measure and preparedness will save 10 dollar in response. The economic and social cost of disasters is huge and take generation to overcome. Adverse impacts of disaster on the people and ecology is of utmost importance to the safety of people and community. It is important to understand that even isolated incidents such as a loss of single life or any property would tantamount to disaster for a family. A small community and duty bearers have to care and concern for the people in such difficult times epitomizing through legal instruments to extend all assistance in rebuilding the lives of people. Besides, the vision and mission of a safer Pakistan needs to be transformed into full functioning institution and policies, which are reaping full benefits in times of disaster or any other emergencies. Over 10 years a small district with population of half million people are bearing economic cost of an average 2 billion PKR per annum – more than double to annual development budget. From over a decade, government and development organizations have failed to understand the ongoing phenomenon of poor governance and poor development planning that contently increasing the tendency of disaster and their magnitude. An urgently review and revisit of all development plans at multi-level required consolidations for comprehensive, integrated and sustainable development plan in line with the Sustainable Development Goals( SDGs) IN THE OUTLOOK OF DEVASTATION Sadly, the devastation’s rumbling seem so fresh here. Roads and bridges are dilapidated; rabbles of the building’s debris lies stacked like grim boulders to shattered lives. The ruined structure has completely changed the structure of Chitral. A year before, the erratic rains hit Chitral in the north west of Pakistan on July 15, 2015, and torrential rain continued over three weeks. Over 40 lives were lost and 25 got seriously injured. Tender storm, cloud outburst, and lightning triggered 86 times during three weeks and completely paralyzed ecosystem of the district.

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Communication network, including roads, bridges and essential supply chain absolutely destroyed. Half million people in over 500 villages and 32 valleys completely disconnected over three months with district headquarter Chitral, and the district cut off with rest of the country for a month. The entire population of Chitral got stranded within their villages and home towns. Access to hospital, medicines, supply chain network, survival foods, fuel and energy, schooling, and opportunity marketing remained blocked over three months, till the people restored the access on self-help and emergency basis. It turned out to be the worse flash flood in the history of Chitral. The slow pace of relief and recovery program undertaken by government and NGOs failed to address the needs of the people. However, based on their resiliency and coping mechanism, the survivor are doing their best to overcome the flood devastation shocks and stress. What added to their vulnerabilities? Another devastation surged Chitral on November 26, 2015, a major earthquake of 8.1magnitudes hit the unfortunate district killing 40 more people and injuring 2000. The remaining infrastructure and community assets got completely destroyed. The stress and shocks of the major earthquake and aftershocks seriously traumatized the people emotionally, psychologically, physically and mentally. They lost their resilience, coping capacity and strength to fight back.

THE OBJECTIVE OF RESEARCH/ASSESSMENT In line with reviewing the post disaster situation in Chitral, this research was undertaken by JAD Foundation to provide an update on the flood and earthquake devastation in Chitral:

To analyse the ongoing post disaster situation

To understand the outlook of devastation

To analysis situation, causes and effects

To review the process of disaster and needs assessment and role of stakeholders

To review accountability and transparency in relief and recovery program

To know the challenges and miseries of the community and recovery plan of the organizations

To shed light on the progress of relief, recovery and reconstruction in Chitral. This review is also linked to two additional and supportive reviews conducted by this organization on the situation. RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES/TOOLS The methodology for this review centred on social networking methodology and data collection tools:

a. Desk review of the updated press clipping, reports from different organizations, freelancers, individual reports, and review of updated reports of CDRC/JAD over a year.

b. Review of all publications at national and international network and media and assessment report by different Civil Society Organizations.

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c. Semi-structured interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with stakeholders in fourteen villages- seven each in sub division Mastuj and seven in sub division Chitral

d. 160 people engaged in individual interviews and collective focus group discussion where people voluntary express their experiences and ongoing situation of devastation a year after.

e. A questioner format prepared to document views and opinion of the people, analyse and incorporate in documents. Over 45 questioners were duly completed and analysed.

f. An informal discussion held with political leadership, law enforcement officials, district administration, civil society organizations, community religious leadership, human rights activists, drivers, medical doctors, legal practitioners, hospitality industry official, tourists, students, young children under 15 years, male and female members of the community, Kalash community members to obtain their experiences and learning.

g. Telephone interviews and e-discussions were conducted with informants who could not be met personally.

h. Review the assessment report shared with officials of AKDN, UNDP and PDMA, NDMA and feedback from some of them.

i. Review of the Presentations made to members of National Disaster Risk Reduction forum Pakistan, NHA and Global Network of Civil Society organization (GNDR) and their feedback.

j. A total of 75 people were interviewed covering representatives of Local government representative, press and media officials, political leaders, NDMA

k. Field visit and physical observations of the devastation The extensive study and background knowledge of the assessment team about geophysical, geological, ecological and political situation of Chitral and empirical knowledge/learning of DRR/CCA practices of over 20 years+ on the mountain region and urban cities added additional value to this research document.

SITUATION ANALYSIS

The entire population of the district got directly and indirectly affected. Although the people of Chitral are well equipped with the indigenous disaster risk mechanism – the best in this part of the world according to the study undertaken by ICIMOD1, even after, more than 100 people died and over 2000 injured in the two events. Over 40% houses collapsed and damaged, another 20% houses damaged in a way that could crumble at any moment, in case of any major disaster.80% critical infrastructure and community assets, including roads, bridges, water supply schemes, irrigation channels, school, health facilities, hydel powerhouse units, electricity distribution units, community centres got damaged.

More than 800 micro businesses got destroyed, hundreds of vehicles swept away or damaged under the debris of the structure. Another major loss was of over one million fruit and non-fruit bearing trees getting uprooted. 40% standing crops, including cash crops of potatoes worth of over 2 billion PKR exportable quantity got damaged and spoiled.

1http://www.unisdr.org/files/2734_icimod450b36357889b1256d1881b6fcb2abfd.pdf

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20% agriculture land physically, and 80% fertile agriculture soil eroded. The very important aspect of livelihood and nutrition – thousands of livestock – swept away in flooding, and perished under the debris of earthquake. 80% economy and livelihood of the people based on agriculture, and 20% alternative livelihood options, including medicinal plants, forest tree, and fruit bearing trees, micro-business damaged and jobs lost

THE ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN POST-DISASTER RECONSTRUCTION (PDR) Unlike normal construction, post-disaster reconstruction is complex, dynamic and chaotic in nature and represents many challenges. In case of Chitral, rehabilitation and reconstruction of critical infrastructure required ten (10) Critical Success Factors (CSFs) to be taken into consideration through the project life cycle phases: (i) effective institutional arrangement (ii) coordination and collaboration (iii) supportive laws and regulations (iv) effective information management system (v) competencies of managers and team members (vi) effective consultation with key stakeholders and target beneficiaries (vii) effective communication mechanism (viii) clearly defined goals and commitments by key stakeholders (ix) effective logistics management (x) sufficient mobilization and disbursement of resources. A comprehensive strategy and post disaster reconstruction framework to initiate rebuilding of Chitral is vital. The disempowered DDM unit is Chitral is just an addition to the organizational structuring rather contributing to the wellbeing of the communities. The powers hold by PDMA needs to be decentralized at local level with provision of required budget allocation under the NDM Act 2010.

CAUSES AND EFFECT The socioeconomic and health effects Over 350,000 people got directly affected. The economic cost of the flood and earthquake was estimated to be around 12 billion PKR according to the disaster assessment reports2. About 300 people lost their lives during and post disasters and about 2000 injured. 20,000+ houses got completed destroyed and more than this figure were partially damaged. Critical infrastructure destroyed, water and sanitation issues created serious health challenges, trauma, shocks and panic ultimately creating negative impact on people health. Loss of livelihood and business increased poverty trends from 42% to 60%+, as estimated. The causes of devastation are multiple, but some of them are unequivocal:

Physical, economic, political, cultural exposure of the people of district to multiple hazards

Weather warming is a major issue in the mountain region that is chemically, biologically, and physically changing the natural phenomenon of the mountain, soil, and landscape

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file:///C:/Users/Haroon/Desktop/CHITRAL%20DESTRUCTION/Chitral%20Floods%20-%20Recovery%20Needs%20Assessment_3%20(1).pdf

file:///C:/Users/Haroon/Desktop/CHITRAL%20DESTRUCTION/Earthquake%20Recovery%20Plan%202015_0.pdf

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DRR and climate unfriendly ad-hoc development activities by NGOs and government organizations have also increased the probability of more disasters and climate impact

Lack of DRR and CCA integration into development planning and integrated Incident and Command system for rapid response with define ToRs and SOPs

Population pressure and over use of existing and scare natural resources has seriously exposed the people and the elements to geo-physical vulnerabilities

Injustice in opportunity markets, poverty, and the culture of wealth accumulation is compromising on control, quality/standards in construction/habitation and service delivery, exposing critical infrastructure and structure to serious destruction.

Non availability of localized building code, town planning, watershed management planning, multi-hazard zonation, multi-hazard risk plans, multi-hazards contingency planning, and technical limitation of concerned agencies to implement in the absences of coordination and collaboration of multi-stakeholder are some the major cause of, and exposure to anticipated devastation.

Lack of scientific and technical knowledge and competency about complex interconnected, interlinked and interdependent ecosystem and development practices and DRR/CCA/M

The gap and lost knowledge between indigenous practices and scientific knowledge accelerating people’s vulnerabilities and exposing them to hazards and emerging challenges of climate change risk.

Lack of multi-hazard early warning system and dissemination mechanism.

Socio-economic and political disparities, discrimination, physical context of remoteness, isolation, oppression, political and ethic marginalization and the following increasing trends of vulnerabilities of Chitral does not, in general, provide resilience and safe environment to live.

Barely 3.5% of the Chitral area is suitable for farming. About 3% forestry is highly exposed to deforestation due to high demand of woods for construction, fuel for cooking and heating. Timber mafia is the major driver of deforestation.

The mountain slopes often consist of steep, barren land unsuitable for settlement and highly expose to earthquake, landslide, avalanche and rock fall.

The river plains exposed to recurrent floods make them equally unsuitable for settlement.

People are often in a situation in which they have to find the least vulnerable spot within the alluvial fans. In general, such places are at the sides or at the very edges of the fan. Those fans are transformed into oases when people construct irrigation channels.

These rain-fed irrigated lands are very fertile because of the constant deposition of eroded sediment. Farmers grow cereals, fruit trees, and some vegetables mainly for subsistence.

GEO-PHYSICAL EXPOSURE OF CHITRAL The people of Chitral are highly exposed to 36 out of 3,044 glacial lakes most dangerous in Karakoram, Himalayan and Hindukush ranges in the northern part of the country. Chitral is situated at the highest risk zone of earthquake and average 286 earthquakes are recorded annually in this region. Other major threats are flash flood, avalanches, land sliding, lightning, rock fall, river erosion, and road blockage in winter. It is a landlocked district cut off from rest of the country over 4-5 months in the winter.

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It was observed with the lens of disaster risk reduction that disasters are manifestations of unresolved problems of development, created by extreme events, but the development and disaster management practitioner are still following the conventional disaster practices in Chitral and view disaster as one-off event to be responded to by the governments and relief agencies without taking into account the socioeconomic and wellbeing implication and causes of these events and human rights aspect to it. Over the past one decade, there is an exponential increase in human and material losses from disaster events, though there is no clear evidence that the frequency of extreme hazard events had increased. This indicates that the rise in disasters and their consequences is related to a rise in people’s vulnerability, exposure, induced by human-determined paths of development. However, government and development organizations have failed to understand the causes and are considering the consequences as an event, rather as a challenge of future development.

DAMAGE AND NEED ASSESSMENT It is difficult to assess wellbeing cost of the damages in term of communication, miseries, suffering of the communities travelling over the lofty mountain peaks to reach hospital, schools, and for purchase of daily essential commodities. The conventional disaster needs and damage assessments considering the economic aspect of disasters that was carried out through revenue staff. The revenue staff are neither trained nor understand the cause and consequence of the disaster and its impact on lives, livelihood and wellbeing of the people. Without benefit of doubt, engagement of the same staff in assessment and payment of compensation and relief distribution without any cross verification mechanism for ensuring authenticity of assessment and accuracy of data- is challenging to the present system of accountability and transparency in relief and recovery process in disasters. PDMA developed two comprehensive documents on “Damage Neds Assessment” on flood and “Earthquake Damage Assessment” through independent consultants and also a

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Recovery needs assessment and Action framework. Both the documents are comprehensive and inclusive most of the aspect of the contemporary disaster needs and damage assessment requirement. The following aspect are missing and, if considered to include in the assessment report that would present really a true picture of the disasters and its impact for future planning and ensuring accountability and transparency.

1) The cost of relief goods (by all stakeholders (Govt, NGOs and private sector) including procured, transported and distribution cost among the affected people.

2) Community centred beneficiary assessment report, verified by assessment team and approved by competent authority for relief distribution

3) The cost of damages to community and private assets, including agriculture land eroded, pasture destroyed, fruit bearing and non-fruit bearing trees uprooted, employment, community local road, water supply, streets, micro-hydel power units, pathways, bridges, water mills, schools, microbusiness, hotel, restaurants, religious and community centres, etc be included in the assessment.

4) Evaluation of community assets on market value i.e. cost of houses and structure to know the actual cost of devastation. Compensation based evolution of houses is not justifying the real damages of the assets.

5) The framework is not clear about the operational modalities of agriculture and livelihood cost, how to compensate the affected communities. Does the assessment cover the operational cost by concerned department? An appropriate provision for operation cost and beneficiary cost need to be workout to ensure transparency in operation.

6) The cost of forestry, medicinal plants, biodiversity need to be workout according to the present market valued and also its long term social and economic impacts to new generation with possible framework of action.

7) Environmental and climate change costing of plants and tree over a generation need to be workout and included in the assessment for generating possible global support to overcome the devastation of climate risk.

8) Another important aspect is the wellbeing cost of disaster to humanity in terms of social, financial, ecological impact. For example, cost of disaster to a family due to casualty or injury of a family member, emotional, psychological, physical, mental and material impact on collective and individual health( for example over 200 people lost their live unable to reach hospital due to road blockage and number of casualties occurred on way to hospital due to poor road condition. Over 30 people lost their lives in post disaster due to collapse of bridges, eroded roads, etc. Malnutrition among children led to poor health, poor intellect and food insecurity, one of the major impact of disaster we are observing in Chiral).

9) A comprehensive and integrated damage and need assessment followed by framework for action will transform disaster damage into opportunity for development

ROLE AND CONTRIBUTION OF STAKEHOLDERS IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RECOVERY IN CHITRAL DEVASTATION The frontline stakeholders in disasters and emergencies: In all emergencies three major stakeholders play due role in emergency response, recovery and reconstruction:

1) Governments 2) Pakistan Army 3) IOs, INGOs/NGOs and civil society organizations Other than these, minor stakeholders such

as follows also play their role: 4) Corporate/private sector

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5) Political leadership 6) Local community

Government: For the purpose of this assessment, government means federal, provincial and district government and frontline agencies, includes National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), and District Disaster Management Unit (DDMU) respectively. Concerned ministries, departments, line departments, police department, and all other agencies are extended arms of the government who involve, engage and participate in emergency response, recovery and rehabilitation on the instruction of govt. Another important frontline organ of the government is local government organization at provincial, city and district level/Union Council level. Pakistan Army: The three units – Air Force, Navy, and Artillery invariably are called upon for aid of civil power in order to undertake relief rescue operations for protection of life and property during an emergency which is beyond the capacity of civil government. IOs, INGOs/NGOs and CSOs: In the contemporary world these IOs, INGOs/NGOs and CSOs are playing vital role to meet sustainable development goals, climate change adaptation, SFDRR implementation and are providing humanitarian and well as development services to overcome the challenges of 21st century. Their role in advocacy, mobilization, emergency and disaster response, engaging communities in community based DRR, and development practices have been acknowledged globally. IOs and INGOs activate on declaration of emergency/disaster by the government and special request of the concerned government to extend their support to the suffering communities. While NGOs/CSOs, normally react to all emergencies, the recent restriction of NOC for intervention is restricting the automatic mobilization of NGOs for emergency response and recovery program. Corporate/private sector: Corporate and private sector has played and is playing a crucial role in emergency response and recovery/reconstruction program across the country and global level. However, their engagement and involvement is purely voluntary sense in line with the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligation. Political Leadership: Member National Assembly, Senator, and Provincial Assembly play a vital role in emergency response and reconstruction of the disaster. They lead the public in taking up challenges and miseries to the proper forum and arranging funding for relief and reconstruction, advocacy, mobilization, ensuring constitutional rights of citizen, and adherence of international humanitarian protocol/ instruments in all spectrums of emergency/disasters. Political Leadership facilitates and collaborates with all stakeholders for collective and integrated action. Their role is very crucial as they are the bridge between the people and the government/NGOs and corporate sector. The community: Community is the centre of disaster and their role is crucial as a 1st hand responder, provision of information, evacuation, security and safety to life and property, coordination, support and cooperation with internal and external actors for effective and efficient support to disaster victims. In the recent past crises 80% recovery and restoration work was carried out by the community on self-help basis. The strong volunteers network of DEH system( neighbourhood system) across the mountain region is making the community resilient to disasters and strengthening them to stand against the strong challengers- the disasters.

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ROLE PLAYED BY STAKEHOLDER DURING FLOOD AND EARTHQUAKE DEVASTATION Government Relief Operation activated: The disempowered DDMU Chitral was neither prepared nor ready to cope with the massive flash flooding and earthquake. PMD failed to issue early warning about the monsoon shifting and unprecedented erratic rains that continued over three week till August 4, 2015 and completely paralyzed the ecosystem of Chitral. Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chief of Army Staff, Chief Minister of KPK, Imran Khan Chairman of PTI visited Chitral. The emergency response was handed over to Pakistan Army, accepting the failure of the entire civil disaster management system in Pakistan. Detailed discussion with organizations and community revealed that the role of frontline agencies in disasters- NDMA and PDMA remained invisible, but at the back up support to provide relief goods and sharing support with the Army for distribution. No proper pre-relief needs assessment was carried out nor was beneficiaries list prepared and approved by competent authorities for ensuring transparency and accountability in distribution. Due to lack of coordination and collaboration among multi-stakeholders, duplication, overlapping in relief distribution was reported and noted. Relief goods were airlifted and dropped at different points, distributed/handed over among who got the opportunity to be on the spot. Army Engineering Unit got engaged with road restoration and building temporary bridges to relink Upper Chitral, Lotkoh and Kalash valleys as well as Chitral road with rest of Pakistan. DDMU and PDMA restricted their activities with preparing beneficiaries list of fatalities and destroyed houses. Compensation of 300,000 PKR and 100,000 for fatalities and fully damaged houses respectively was announced and provided by Provincial government. After three months a major Earthquake triggered Chitral and again PM and other high-ups rushed to Chitral. PM directed to distribute relief and compensation on priority basis with deadlines. An ad-hoc and conventional damage assessment by revenue staff created havoc among the people. To meet the deadline and directives of PM, damaged and deceased compensation was distributed. People complained and are still complaining about the corruption in payment of compensation. Community at no stage was involved in need identification and relief/compensation distribution. Over 8,000 claims application on court stamp papers regarding damaged properties are still pending with district administration for possible provision of compensation. Another ambiguity and anomaly in payment of compensation to damages and deceased confused the people when earthquake deceased and damaged houses were compensated with 600,000 PKR and 300,000 respectively, compared to 300,000 and 100,000 for flash flood deceased and damaged houses. Pakistan Army: As a practice, community/victims were neither engaged nor involved in needs identification and distribution. International Human Rights and international humanitarian law is hardly considered in relief distribution, but we understand with our discussion with the communities and authorities that Pakistan Army has done relief distribution with good intention, although procedures and protocols were not followed to ensure accountability and transparency due to pressing emergency situation. Army unit restored roads and bridges with participation of the community within four months. Without benefit of doubt, no project specific BOQs were provided and no formal agreement was signed between executing agency and contract awarding organization for restoration of bridges and

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roads, and over 350 million were paid on presenting the claims to concerned authorities. How the awarding organization will justify the upward, horizontal and downward accountability in payment of huge amount without proper documentation and verification of the work done by the executing agency. It may be concerns for the office of Auditor General of Pakistan, but it is also serious concern for the tax payers, how the government justify the expenses without following proper procedure, and who guaranteed the quantity and quality of work done, and who is responsible for the poor quality the bridge and road that caused to lives and property of the public at the result of collapsed bridge and roads. International organization, INGOs/NGOs and Civil Society Organization The contribution of INGO/NGOs in development and emergencies have been acknowledged across the country in general and the most isolated, marginalized and remote mountain region in particular. However, the development practices of 80s are still inspiring the organization without innovation in their programs and approaches. The global community is seriously concerned about the present humanitarian and development challenges and emphasising the need to build resilience, address the underlying causes of crisis and meet the long-term needs of people affected by crisis. For this to happen, a shared responsibility between humanitarian, development, climate change and other actors is critical as is the mobilisation of other resources beyond humanitarian assistance. Many international protocols, treaty, legal instruments and agreements signed and new frameworks, like SFDRR, Paris agreement on Climate change, Sustainable developments goals and global humanitarian submit are providing guidelines for sustainable development practices at national and local level. Resiliency building and sustainable development will reduce poverty and it will address the emerging threats of global warming and climate change and also will reduce negative trends of disasters. A paradigm shifting from conventional approach to contemporary approaches and programing will contribute in resilience building of the community. One-off or isolated approach in development may generate more hazards and risk to sustainable development. The recent intervention of national and international non-governmental organization brought huge resources to Chitral relief and provided good support to communities to cope with, and overcome the devastation challenges. However, after the end of relief phase and exit of the relief agencies people are again exposed to serious food insecurity, livelihood challenges, traumatic health issues, the challenges of damaged infrastructure, life is in dark with no electricity, thirty without drinking water and in drought with no irrigation water. The relief phase was not properly planned to address the ongoing socioeconomic programs and health challenges. There was no coordination and collaboration framework for emergency relief and recovery program at government level, so every organization decide their own way to work and most of the organization were new in the area, who preferred to work with inexperienced CBOs for implementation of their program. Violation of accountability, transparency humanitarian stranded and human rights were observed throughout the relief and recovery phase. Some new organization highly humiliated the people for their projection and media exposure. Most of the organization failed to follow HIP and IHL and IHRs protocol in the overall process of intervention. People also complained about organizations that manipulated the receipts and about long tiring waiting time for VIPs before relief distribution only to be able to capturing photos for their reports and documentation. Some organizations were really productive, effective and efficient in providing shelter, water supply, and provision of relief on sustainable basis, however, downwards and internal accountability remains a challenged to be answered. A detailed review of the role and contribution the organizations will be shed in the next report. Corporate and private Sector: The contribution of corporate sector in Chitral devastation remained absent, because of its accessibility, remoteness and may be poor coverage of media. The people are still expecting a positive

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and more productive contribution from corporate Sector against their CSR funding in rebuilding one of the most beautiful part of the country. It will decipher the contribution of corporate sector to the global village, when thousands of tourists are visiting Chitral in summer Political Leadership: Unfortunately or fortunately Chitrali people are true patriot, democrats and educated. The political diversity and voting right is free from all restriction. Only one MNA form Chitral is from All Pakistan Muslim Leagues (General Musharaf party) two MPAs from Upper and Lower Chitral are belong to Pakistan people party, and the district Nazim is from Jamat-e-Islami. The political leadership are incapacitated and deprived to present the issue at Provincial and National Assembly. They also unable to mobilize alternative strategy to take up the devastation issue with INGOs/NGOs and International organization. Their failure to mobilize the provincial government to officially declare disaster in Chitral closed window of support by international organization. Instead of supporting and strengthening civil government organizations, they invited Pakistan Army to take over the relief and recovery program. Still it is not too late, but collective vision to support Chitral devastation is urgently required. Instead of fighting for the meagre disaster funding available with district administration, a more realistic and comprehensive strategy will required to cope with the present and future challenges at political level. Community: Chitrali community remained positive, peaceful and cooperative. They always welcomed the supporter, government, NGOs and outsiders, provided protection and offered what they had in their devastated villages. They fully participated and implemented all projects according to the mandate of different organizations. The people of Chitral are now more aware about their rights and responsibilities and remained part of the activities of the development organizations.

ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN DISASTER

Non adherence to the operational guidelines under UN-Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) on international human rights standards to ensure that the basis needs of the victims or beneficiaries are met by government, NGOs and international organizations in natural disaster was a major gap found in overall disaster response and recovery in Chitral. Humanitarian and development organizations adhering upward accountability process, ignored the horizontal, downward and internal accounting process. The community started questioning about the violation of constitutional and international human rights and International Humanitarian Law in relief, recovery and rehabilitation programs. They raised their concerns through individual application, press and media, public meetings and demonstration regarding lack of accountability and transparency in overall handling of disasters in Chitral3. The community people explicitly expressed that the humanitarian response on good intention by the district government is not enough, rather people affected by disaster need to be assisted with material means, knowledge and skill and the disaster affected communities have right to receive assistance with dignity. However, their right to raise their concerns went unheard, unconsidered, and they instead faced with humiliation, exploitation, and injustices in relief distribution, compensation, and recovery program. During our study and research hundreds of people showed their concern with practical cases and evidences of humiliation by NGOs, discrimination on political and ethnic ground etc. Public discussion and practical case study show that there is no monitoring and evaluation mechanism in relief distribution and payment of compensation to displaced families.

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https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/73171-chitralis-block-road-to-protest-scant-relief

http://nation.com.pk/national/26-May-2016/hundreds-of-flood-and-earthquake-victims-protest-in-chitral http://brooshaaltimes.com/category/chitral/

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In case of restoration of bridges and roads no BoQs called from executor and nor any formal agreement was signed with the executor to ensure accountability, transparency in making the payment. Auditor General of Pakistan guideline in line with International organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) issued auditing checklist and standards for implementation on inclusive human rights during relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction activities. However, none of the instruction and directives was followed.

CHITRAL DEVASTATION – AN ONGOING CHALLENGE Year 2015 ended but 2016 added more worries – early stage flooding, road accidents, collapsed bridges, avalanches, recent torrential rains and flash flooding that killed more than 71 people in Chitral (9 among of them were buried under avalanches in Karimabad when the road was blocked and students were allowed to pass on foot, were recovered after two months of search and rescue). Three female students in Rich upper Chitral fell into the river, and one female student died along with her father while crossing the dilapidated bridge in Urzno Mulkoh. Four people fell into river at Mulkoh along with their vehicle, the bridge completely collapsed into the river at Kosht upper Chitral. 15 people died in three damaged road accidents at no mechanical and human arrear. July 2, 2016 brought another big shock and sadness in the history of Chitral, when Ursoon valley was hit with flash flood. 31 people, including 8 army soldiers, died. Critical infrastructure along with the Army Check post swept away in the flooding. The temporary link bridges, roads, water supply line, and existing power units are continuously being destroyed with the increased warming of weather and climate change and it has traumatised the situation in Chitral. False early warning disseminated on 13th July, 2016 by organizations created panic and insecurity in Chitral regarding glacier lake outburst flood (GLOP). The disaster management authorities without assessing the technical and scientific limitation and authenticity of the situation disseminated the warning throughout Chitral and spread serious panic and stress. The warning traumatized the entire population of Chitral to fight or flight. Neither contingency & preparedness plans were developed, nor mock drills conducted. In addition, there was no incident command system in placed to evacuate people to safer places. The flash flood at the Mega Project at Lawari Tunnel washed away large number of tunnel machinery and vehicles. The tunnel entry point also got damaged. This shows the apathy and non-adherence of Project Risk management process throughout the project. The same area was damaged in flash flooding few years back and washed out the equipment and the Head Engineer also killed. Road leading to Peshawar was closed for four days 16-19 July 2016 and average 5000 – 7000 travellers, including children, women, students, and old people got struck on roads without food, drinking water and basic health facilities and sanitation. This briefly summarized the miseries of the people of Chitral.

WHAT WENT WRONG WITH CHITRAL DEVASTATION? Frustrated with the harsh winter and disappointment with the relief and compensation process, the public started protesting against the failure of provincial government to fund for recovery of the devastated region. Through increased public pressure, street agitation, media and advocacy at national and international organization, provincial government provided 500 million for the restoration of damaged infrastructure

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Imran Khan during his 2ndvisit to Chitral- a year after the devastation in July 2016, informed the public that the provincial government alone will not able to fund district for the recovery and reconstruction. However, he said that provincial government will organize donor conference in Islamabad for generating funding for the devastated district. Donor conference and their commitment are subject to formal declaration of disaster by provincial government and official request to donors for partnership. Donors were concerned about the contribution of provincial Govt to recovery programs. Provincial government as usual was unable to request UNDP and other UN agencies and international donors for the possible conference. The people were still in

shock and the panic, waiting for Mercy to come to their rescue. The problems and challenges were taken up at all level of federal and provincial governments, but everyone kept waiting for the higher authority for possible action. The disaster victims were planning to approach the Court for justification, but lack of financial resource to pay off the court charges and proceeding is beyond their capacity.

People are still in dark over a year without electricity, students are suffering, and micro-business entrepreneurs are shocked. Accelerated prices of essential commodities are getting out of the reach of their purchasing power. Public transportation cost due to dilapidated road is increasing. The fragile condition of bridges and roads are continually exposing the people to high risk of road accidents and drowning into river. Over 5,000 children are now out of school, the damaged schools have not been reconstructed, and socio-economic condition of the devastated district is compelling them to withdraw their children from schools.

Deprivation, stress, discrimination, corruption and injustice in relief and recovery program and extreme poverty had compelled more than 400 families to migrate to Afghanistan. However, Pakistan Army stopped the migrants at the border and negotiated with the civil Govt to provide relief.

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In north people are protesting on main Chitral Gilgit road at Reshun against the failure of concerned authorities to initiate restoration and reconstruction of 4.4MV hydel power Unit that provides electricity to over 200,000 people in North of Chitral. Students, health facilities and educational institution are in seriously suffering being without light over a year . In Yarkhun valley at Brep over 50 families got displaced with the recent GLOF and the previous disaster victims agitating for restoration of irrigation channels, provision of compensation to damaged houses, and rehabilitation of displaced families. In protest the people have cultivated poppy-crops to pay off the debts of devastation. Brogol valley, strategically important location at the Afghan and Central Asia border, was ignored in the last year’s relief and compensation program. The recent flood due to severe melting of glaciers even washed away their self-helped constructed bridges and road. The people completely lost their resilience and were unable to reconstruct the road and bridges are now completely cut off from rest of the district.

In North West of Chitral Karimabad, 10 students lost their lives under the debris of avalanche on way back to home from schools. Their dead bodies were recovered after two months long search and rescue. Urban Search and Rescue Team from Islamabad equipped with sophisticated detectors and K-9 dogs deployed to rescue the avalanche victims. For more detail you can visit us at Indigenous Search method well-heeled, while the scientific technology to rescue students bodies exhausted. No one is held responsible for the death of these innocent students. The spring is the moth of joy and happiness, but even then the spoiled infrastructure and damaged houses remained serious concerned for the people.

Their joy was tempered by memories of suffering. It has been a hard 12 months. It has been especially hard for those who have no alternative sources of livelihood, and have completely lost their agricultural lands, micro businesses, and tourism related revenue. Those who physically and materially survived in the flood and earthquake are still continually traumatized with emotional, psychological and mental shock and stress of everyday disasters of food security, health problem, education and other social issues “My people are seriously traumatized and this slow onset disasters is adding slow poising to their survival “said Qi mat Aziz, Chairman Village council Shogor. He said that he is very unhappy with the miseries of the people suffering over a year. One can imagine, how hundred thousand people of Lotkah are walking over the dangerous edge of river without safety measures. Hazratuddin Awi said that he not only his house of worth of seven million, but also his agriculture land, cattle houses, water mills, garden with over 200 fruit bearing trees and forest over 1000 trees for construction purpose, and over 5000 tree for fire and energy. He got only 1,000,000 PKR compensation against over 15 million losses, the family had generated throughout their lives. He said that “an

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average cost of living of 5,000 per person for 15 members of my family could hardly be supported for two months and rest of the time our dependency is based on debts”. Mr. Sirajuddin of Shoghor said that he lost his hotel business his family was fully depend on for over 30 years, but he did not receive any single penny on account of compensation, because compensation is only for home, not for commercial losses. Hotel was the only source of livelihood for 11 family members and he lost the life time investment and saving of 4 million. Now the entire family members are at the mercy of God without any source of income. I am not educated and my age is not permitting me to work in hotels out of Chitral, so life is miserable for me and my family. My four school going children have been withdrawn from school, I am not in a position to bear

school expenses”, Mr. Siraj, with full of tears in his eyes and face, told his story of suffering. People have lost their livelihood and have no money to purchase wheat and other needs of lives. The people are demanding the govt to provide employment or other alternative earning option to the

public to bear the bare minimum survival cost of the living. “Government and humanitarian organizations have failed to understand our grievances and suffering and now we decided to cultivate poppy, we will sell and pay off the living cost” said, Bibi Maryem village councillor Breap, Mastuj Chitral. “The influential got compensation and large number of relief goods both from Government and NGOs, while the most affected and most vulnerable are left behind without any support” said Zahida, widow of Murtaza in Yarkhun valley.

REACTION OF KALASH COMMUNITY TO FLOOD DEVASTATION Women and girls, the decedents of Alexzander the great, in the south of Chitral launched a unique protest against their demands to memorize the year back sad event of flash flood that completely damaged the livelihood and ecology of the beautiful Kalash valley. Neither did they turn to roads, or burnt public property, nor held people hostage. They gathered in their place of worship/danced and displayed banners that read, "Save Kalash

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village from flood devastations", "give Kalash people proper citizen rights", "reconstruct our roads, bridges, and power houses".

Millat Gul Kalash, a local government representative on minority seat said that “Roads and bridges of the Kalash valley are totally destroyed but government is not serious in reconstruction”.

Shahi Gul Kalash, a social activist, says that "the roads were destroyed in the flood of July 2015 but even after a year no one has started any reconstruction work.

In July 2015, floods changed the whole landscape of Kalash valley. Many roads, bridges, and power houses got destroyed. We, several times, brought this into the notice of the government but no administrative attention was provided." The houses of Kalash who are still using the indigenous knowledge for construction and habitation survived the flooding and earthquake, but lost their agricultural land, walnut trees (the major nutritional part of their regular debits), grapes, and mulberry (the main ingredients for making wine and off course the largest part of their livelihood). Tourism, the major sources of livelihood, terribly affected due to poor or no roads, bridges and critical

infrastructure. According to the information provided by Nasruddin, a young Kalash guide, over one billion PKR revenue was lost during the current year. On average one hundred thousand tourists – domestic and international – were unable to visit Kalash due to damaged infrastructure. Normally, every kalash family earns an average 50,000 PKR annually on account of guide charges, cultural show, and sale of handicraft, hotel/guest houses business, transportation, food services and sale of local products to tourists. Flood is not just an event for Kalash people, it has completely changed the shape of ecosystem. It destroyed the crops, agriculture land, and fruit bearing trees, livestock, biodiversity, and irrigation channels. With the tourist business of an average 50,000PKR per

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family, revenue on sale of local products was lost. The standing crops got destroyed, trees and forests already under pressure by timber mafia got seriously damaged, and further deforestation continued at the pretext of flood devastation. That worry has been aggravated by months of acute shortages of food supply, medicine, and daily needs from the main supply market as a result of the destruction of roads and bridges. Most of the time the responders became quite emotional and said that the “traditional and media-hungry humanitarian organizations rushed to affected area, distributed relief without detailed assessment, captured a lot of pictures and runaway”. Said, Murtaza- Charun Over. During discussion with the people in different places, many people said that “this is an opportunity for the opportunists, other said that the most vulnerable are the less beneficiary and the powerful and influential are the highest beneficiary of the relief and recovery program. When asked how satisfy you are with the inclusion of humanitarian rights, accountability and transparency in relief, compensation and reconstruction, 75% shown their dis-satisfaction. 20% people said that they have been humiliated in pretext of relief distribution waiting the elite and VIPs to grace the distribution ceremonies and capturing hundreds of pixies and video clips of distributing ceremony of relief goods to brag about their role in mitigating the miseries of the people”. “We are being told time and again that relief and rehabilitation will be restarted soon, but we don’t know when the promise will be translated into a reality” said Mohammad Khalid Khan, a teacher at a tarich valley upper Chitral. “Most of the children have come out of trauma but now the question is how to survive against the odds, especially when the livelihood is gone and the relief phase is closed” he said. “There is no electricity. People manage with battery-operated emergency lights. They live in constant fear of the upcoming monsoons. The government didn’t help us.” Yesterday’s stories of heroism, activism and humanity, now a year later, seem to be filled with stories of neglect, unfulfilled promises and despair. The sentiments of the people seems to be logical, because a meagre diet is the very life of the victim, to deprive them of it is count murder, to take away a fellowman’s livelihood is to kill him, and deprive someone from microbusiness/employment is to shed blood. A year after people are still without basic dry/winterized shelters, food, medical facilities, and livelihood and business/employment opportunities. An estimated 10, 000 people are still displaced and not yet permanently rehabilitated. The harsh winter seriously challenged the survivors of flood and earthquake. While the traumatized survived aftershocks, flu, pneumonia and worse, the monsoons wreaked even more havoc. Massive landslides and torrential floods swept away whole sides of mountains – those villages or homes which may have survived the destruction from the earthquake now were permanently gone after the monsoons – thanks to the timber mafia which have systematically deforested much of the spectacular Kalash and lower Chitral Valley mountains. The ruined city of Chitral is still presenting the outlook of devastation, as the district has been virtually left untouched by any reconstruction efforts, as it is felt that the people of Chitral are innocent, and they will not create any law and order situation, possibly the present provincial government have no votes bank in Chitral, and the Government is not interested to support, or the district is more influence towards federal government. However, the disaster victims, by and large, are deeply frustrated at the slow pace of work by government departments and by their indifference towards the plight of the common man.

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Malnutrition is a serious health issue in the present circumstance and the emerging threats of starvation and famine is hanging sword around the community. This may be a serious threat to the national security. Sooner or later the available roads, bridges and water supply schemes once again will be vanished with the increased roaring river water, expected torrential rains and GLOF, and extinction of Chitral from the outlook of Pakistan may be possible. The last resort (but probably impossible) choice for the survivors is to possibly engage in terrorist activities for survival of their families. Some of the reshaped terrorist organizations are already busy with humanitarian work and taking the innocent people into confidence, may be alternatively they will recruit and them for their ulterior purpose. A persistently negative response to challenges the people who are continually encountering with the devastation over a year, will eventually have a negative effect on their health and happiness and this may led to fight or flight. Extreme poverty ratio has increased to 60% and continuous disasters are making the life and livelihood impossible for the people in Chitral. A comprehensive and integrated disaster risk planning on war footing basis and re-visiting of the priorities of the development programs by Govt and the NGOs is urgent. Paradigm shifting in everyday governance, accountability, transparency in everyday business and availability of required funding will save the district from further devastation.

RECOMMENDATION/SUGGESTIONS Trust building between the Federal/Provincial Governments, local Government is vital and NDMA and PDMA have to play a more vibrant role to bring all stakeholder on a single platform to implement the comprehensive recommendation on urgent basis to save Chitral from the present and emerging devastation. INGOs/NGOs and the community should be engaged in the overall process.

A comprehensive research on monsoon shifting and climate variation in Chitral is required on urgent basis for planning purpose.

A detailed study on devastation, its causes, impact, action, and strength, role of NGOs and challenges / lesson learnt will complement long term planning.

Detailed study, resource mapping of state organization and NGOs for future planning.

To develop fundraising strategy for effective recovery program

To develop effective advocacy program for fund raising at national and global level

Formation of steering committee under the Chairmanship of Dy. Commissioner to oversee the recovery and reconstruction process and functioning of organizations at district level

To review and to change the nomenclature of DDMU with DDMA empowering it to functional.

To establish collaboration and coordination with research institution for developing flood management, multi-hazard risk mapping, localized building code, Chitral specific land use management planning and town planning by integrating DRR and CCA.

To review of the development plan of all NGOs and consolidation of their contribution and future program to avoid duplication, overlapping for sustainable development of Chitral.

To integrate NGOs development plans or provide development plan to NGOs for mainstreaming of multi-stakeholder plan into regular development planning of district government.

To correct wrong doings in development practices for better and sustainable development outcomes and poverty reduction

For multi-sectoral recovery setting we have to continue learning, adjusting and collaborating with national and international partnerships

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To develop long and midterm disaster recovery framework to articulate the recovery vision; defining the recovery strategy; prioritizing actions; fine-tuning planning; and providing guidance on financing, implementing, and monitoring the recovery.

The framework needs to be used as a tool that helps in learning and self-evaluation, leading to continuous improvements over the course of the recovery implementation.

It is crucial for the government to have a consolidated communications system that conveys the progress of the recovery and addresses the expectations of the affected communities. A coherent communications platform also is useful in communicating with donors and beneficiaries.

Local organizations likes JAD Foundation and Centre for Disaster Risk and Climate (CDRC) are highlighting the issue at network of Civil Society organizations at National and international forum as well as the National Humanitarian Network for possible support to the devastated district. Updated assessment, field study and research about the ongoing situation were undertaken and shared with concerned authorities, NGOs INGOs and UN agencies at national and internal level. For more details about the ongoing situation and efforts, please visit our side at https://cdrcblog.wordpress.com or www.facebook.com/jadfoundation. Further details could be obtained by writing to us at harir@jadfoundation.org.pk or harirchitral@hotmail.com

REFERENCE http://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/responding-flood-devastation-chitral https://www.thethirdpole.net/2015/07/21/glacier-floods-cause-humanitarian-crisis-in-chitral/ http://www.chitraltoday.net/36-glaciers-in-gb-chitral-declared-dangerous/ http://www.dawn.com/news/1240276 http://epaper.dawn.com/DetailImage.php?StoryImage=03_09_2015_007_003 http://dissidentvoice.org/2013/08/glacier-lake-outburst-floods-in-reshun-valley-of-pakistan/ http://www.dawn.com/news/1199350