Annual Report 2021

Annual Report 2021

Annual Report 2021 Prepared By Md Shahidul Islam Program Director

Edited By Shahabuddin Panna Executive Director

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LIST OF ABBREVIATION ACF ANC ARROW ATSEC BDS BNWLA CAP CBO CC CCA CCCP CCMC CLTS CM CPP CRA CSDI CSG CSO CSR CT DHTW DLAC DPHE DRR DV EC EPI GAA GPSA GBV GO FGD FSL FWC ICT IPHN LGI LGSP MJF NGF NGO NPA NRM PCVA PKSF PNC PHR PTA RMG RTI SAM SEBA SMC

Action Contre la Faim Antenatal Care Asia-Pacific Resource and Research Center for Women Action against Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children Bangladesh Development Society Bangladesh Women Lawyers Association Community Action Plan Community Based Organization Community Clinic Climate Change Adaptation Community Climate Change Project Community Clinic Management Committee Community Led Total Sanitation Child Marriage Cyclone Preparedness Program Community Risk Assessment Community Service Delivery Institutions Community Support Group Civil Society Organization Corporate Social Responsibility Child Trafficking Deep Hand Tube Well District Legal Aid Committee Directorate of Public Health Engineering Disaster Risk Reduction Domestic Violence Executive Committee Expanded Program for Immunization Girls Advocacy Alliance Global Partnership for Social Accountability Gender Base Violence Government’s Organization Focus Group Discussion Food Security Livelihood Family Welfare Center Information Communication Technology Institute of Public Health and Nutrition Local Government Institutions Local Governance Support Project Manusher Jonno Foundation National Girls Forum Non-Government Organization National Plan of Action Natural Resource Management Participatory Community Vulnerability Assessment Palli Karma Shahayak Foundation Post Antenatal Care Protecting Human Rights Parents Teachers Association Ready Made Garment Right to Information Severely Acute Malnutrition Social Engagement for Budgetary Accountability School Management Committee

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SPG SPSRG TOC UNICEF UNO UP USAID UWC VAW VDC VGD VGF VSLA WASH WB WHO WHRAP WWP PKSF PNC PHR PTA REE-CALL RMG RTI SAM SEBA SMC SPG SPSRG TOC UNICEF UNO UP USAID VAW VDC VGD VGF VSLA WASH WB WHO WHRAP WWP

Social Protection Group Sensitizing Pro-poor Service Promotion Securing Rights and Governance Theory of Change United Nations International Children Emergency Fund Upazila Nirbahi Officer Union Parishad United States Assistance for International Development Union Women Committee Violence Against Women Village Development Committee Vulnerable Group Development Vulnerable Group Feeding Village Savings and Loans Association Water Sanitation and Hygiene World Bank World Health Organization Women Health Rights Advocacy Partnership Women Wash Platform Palli Karma Shahayak Foundation Post Antenatal Care Protecting Human Rights Parents Teachers Association Resilience through Economic Empowerment, Climate Adaptation, Leadership and Learning Ready Made Garment Right to Information Severely Acute Malnutrition Social Engagement for Budgetary Accountability School Management Committee Social Protection Group Sensitizing Pro-poor Service Promotion Securing Rights and Governance Theory of Change United Nations International Children Emergency Fund Upazila Nirbahi Officer Union Parishad United States Assistance for International Development Violence Against Women Village Development Committee Vulnerable Group Development Vulnerable Group Feeding Village Savings and Loans Association Water Sanitation and Hygiene World Bank World Health Organization Women Health Rights Advocacy Partnership Women Wash Platform

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PREFACE We have passed another year of our development intervention. Last year was as important as challenging. The year was significant because, the organization got privilege to work with a new project of World Vision Bangladesh, Swiss Contact International, Right Here, Right Now Cyclone Fani Response Project, Collective initiatives to improve Menstrual Health (MH) situation in Bangladesh by engaging NGO’s, civil society and private sector, Fisher folk food and livelihood security support project, Cyclone BulBul Response Project-CBRP and on the other hand, it was challenging because, climate change and disaster is a big threat to development of coastal areas. Every year natural disaster like cyclone, flash flood, high tide and river erosion bring a great havoc in the coastal areas. After disaster, the organization extends its helpful hand to the helpless people by trying to mitigate their destruction with its limited resource. Moreover NSS conducting DRR and climate change related projects as a part of development interventions. But mitigating the destruction and rehabilitating of people’s livelihood was challenging. Considering global fund flow and national economic growth, a new window has opened NSS During this period NSS successfully completed a numbers of projects like Cyclone Fani Response Project and These project activities have created a good reputation and best practices in the community, local administration, civil society and donors.

Our sincere gratitude to the Member of Parliament,Divisional Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, Police Supers, Upazila Chairmen, all the members of NSS, concerned Government Officials, Upazila Chairmen, Mayors, Upazila Nirbahi Officers and other public representatives, concerned Government Officials.We would like to show our heartfelt gratitude to the development partners, like minded organizations, and community people who gave their helpful hands to successful completion of the missions of these projects.

Specially we would like to thanks media and social media for fostering our best practices and success and our colleagues fellow who have been working relentlessly to bring a change in the development sector.

The annual report 2021 has focused not only on what NSS has done during the year but also on crucial issues like constraints and lessons learnt with a view to provide better understanding of NSS's operation and challenges.

NSS is committed to establish a poverty free society and from this commitment, we would like to go ahead and to overcome all obstacles and challenges. We firmly believe that, although the night is as long as dark, the morning sun will rise and it will remove all the darkness and misery of the night. Finally we would like to say every cloud has a silver lining .

Shahabuddin Panna Executive Director-NSS

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Executive Summary Introduction We have passed another year of our development intervention. In the past year NSS has focused on addressing the needs of disadvantaged rural and urban poor people including vulnerable and ethnic groups. NSS believes that only through working together honestly, transparently, efficiently with maximum social commitment providing with necessary humanitarian and right based support with these back warded community will their hopes and dreams be achieved.

NSS has confined the deep rooted and far reaching women and children issues among them and or within the targeted folder. We believe that these issue needs to be unfolded immediately and responsibility should be delegated to the community so that human rights including child rights and women rights are addressed properly and adequately with the participation of all levels of stakeholders.

Our approach and commitment have allowed us to understand the changing needs of our distressed people. Hence, the impact of our work is really positive and receives much recognition. However, our hunger is not satisfied–NSS can and will be developed much further

Projects Implemented in 2021     

Community Engagement Project ASTHA Project Cyclone Fani Response Project Cyclone BulBul Response Project Collective initiatives to improve Menstrual Health (MH) situation in Bangladesh by engaging NGO’s, civil society and private sector  Fisher folk food and livelihood security support project  Improve Cook Stoves 

Strengthening Excluded People's Access to Services -SEPAS

 Family Planning Clinic  Strengthening Civil Society and Public Institutions to Build Community Resilience to Adapt Climate Change  Rights Here, Rights Now  Family Planning and Reproductive Health  Solid Waste Management Program  Operating Vision Center and Screening Camp  Strengthening Vital Registration System (Maternal Death)  Vulnerable Group Development-VGD  Towards Nutritional Security and Disaster Resilient Community-NSDR  Climate Resilient Housing Program  Best School for Boys and Girls  Empowering Local and National Humanitarian Actors (ELNHA-II)

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Program Innovative Significant Events carried out in 2021 Village Savings and Loan Association -VSLA Food Bank Five Capacity Approach Citizen's Forum Social Media based Advocacy

Core Competencies Child Centered Development In developing and under developed countries, especially in Bangladesh increasing economic inequalities, deterioration of the environment, climatic changes, global rising of warm, high child and maternal mortality rates, gender inequality, low levels of education and social disintegration are the core threats to sustainable development. These Problems cannot be solved unless we invest in and protect our distressed people especially women and children.

In fact, children and women must remain at the centre of any development strategy. Children really are the future hope and leader as well as rudder of any country.

Institutional Development and Capacity Building Basic training for staffs and volunteers have been successfully completed which was organized by different development partners and government and our staffs showed excellent performance in the training course.

Besides the organization has the capacity of a strong orientation to client services. It has the capacity of developing a sound management system that provides rich flow of information. It also possesses the capacity to have better arrangement to document its activities for potential replication. The organization uses bottom-up planning approach. Through its management system and ability to absorb funds the organization earns credibility with the donors. The Organization has proved its capacity to provide an efficient and effective alternative to public and other development agencies. It also shows its capacity to help the public services to improve their quality and enlarge their scope.

In addition to the above strengths, the Organization has a number of other advantages. It can, also prove its capacity where government is not interested or unable to work in a particular area, where government lacks the technical or other skills required to support the developmental process. The organization can use its capacity by providing required technical and other skills, where government wishes to support participatory development but lacks the knowledge or capacity to be effective, the organization can provide support in this respect.

Major Achievements 

Thematic Area: NSS widened its approach by seeking the participation of the community in promotion and protecting Human rights, Child Rights and Women Rights. It has been a busy year because new programs have been acquired and existing ones have been developed to address the increasing needs of the children and women.

These added responsibilities have been taken on with sincerity and commitment.

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

Program Expansion: NSS has expanded considerably and looks to expand even more so in the future. Two new projects have been started and one (Resilience through Economic Empowerment and community Adaptation, Leadership and LivelihoodREE-CALL. Promoting governance, accountability, transparency and Integrity (PROGATI) Project.  Human Resources: NSS considers its employees are its “human capital’’ as it allows us to consider them as assets rather than as resources that are consumed. Assets are those things that bring long term value to an organization. We do not equate people with classic assets such as facilities, property or financial capital. But this concept makes it easier to see the need to invest in and develop people as an asset. It is therefore important to invest resources to obtain and keep the right people in the right jobs and to develop them through appropriate training and recognition. Human capital is not a cost to be minimized but a strategic asset to be enhanced.  Management and Approach: The principle of NSS’s management is to work through a bottom up approach. We believe in working in teams with commitment and transparency. Our approach is to respect and work with the sense of ownership, handling review and NSS change with tact, caution and consultation. The establishment of congenial and trusting working relationships has done much to ease our programs during difficult situation.  Policy Practice : Policy and procedures are the guiding principles of NSS. We have tried to strictly follow our policies.  Advocacy and Social Media: Social media is playing a vital role to disseminate message, information and knowledge sharing .As a vibrant media NSS disseminate local problems and governance related information through facebook group to attract attention of the concern authority and policy makers.

Major Challenges - Natural Disaster and climate change - Relief mentality - Political Interference

Future Direction -

Climate Museum Alternative Power Generation Business Model Cultural institute

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1. About the Organization Nazrul Smriti Sangsad-NSS, a social development organization established in 1977 after the name of Nazrul Islam, a progressive student leader of Barisal B.M College and a journalist of the Daily Ittefaq who was fighting against poverty and for a society where equal rights will be practiced. To make his dream happen a young, sincere and committed group with full of dedication has started interventions in 2000 to serve the drawback and vulnerable rural people with special attention to women and children.

2.1 Vision of the Organization A dynamic society influencing policies and actions at all levels where people can practice their equal rights and opportunities.

2.2 Mission of the Organization The mission of NSS is to strengthen civil society partnership by enhancing, contributing to policy and stimulating action. Empowerment and capacity building of poor marginalized, ethnic minority and underprivileged people for ensuring participation in policy making process as well as in power structure by improving their socio-economic state. It also emphasizes the gender equity, access and ownership over public resources, transparency and accountability in LGI and CSDI with special attention to basic human rights and rule of law.

It promotes indigenous knowledge, best practices, innovative technology for livelihood, democratic values and mobilization of local resources. Organizing social mobilization and policy advocacy at different level to ensure peoples interest in national and global issues and enactment of pro-poor laws and policies.

3.3 Core Values of the Organization NSS believes and upholds the principles of justice, gender equality and equity tolerance, respect and authority in all aspect of people’s life. We put emphasis on right-based approach to fulfill practical needs towards the people we are working for. We do believe and practice transparency, accountability in the governing process and democratic practices at all level. We welcome and respect people opinions through equal participation for the betterment of the society, which we dream in a holistic development approach.

2.4 Governance of the Organization The organization has a General Committee comprising of 31 members and an Executive Committee comprising of 9 members. General Committee sits twice in a year and Executive Committee sits bi monthly. The Executive Director is responsible to ensure organizational accomplishment of the provisions of committee policies on “Results and Priorities” within the boundaries of prudence and ethics.

2.5 Transparency and Accountability NSS is always transparent in financial transactions as well as any breach related to management and program. The members of General and Executive Committee, Central and Program Management Team discuss and take decisions through regular meetings, which circulated to the concerned members to execute the decisions accordingly. There is a structured system exists to ensure accountability of every individuals in the organization following the organ gram.

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2. PROGRAM HIGLIGHTS During the year 2021 NSS implemented the projects were focused on the following fields of actions-

2.1 Poverty Reduction and Alternative Livelihood 2.1.1 Micro Finance Program NSS primarily started income generating activities since 2000 and with the financial support of Proshika the project has been expanded as micro finance in 2007 just after SIDR . This program is being implemented at different unions of Amtali and Taltoli upazila of Barguna district .with the financial support of Bangladesh Development Society-BDS as well as NSS’s own fund. A credit coordinator, an accountant and 6 program organizers are working, under this program. Besides, monitoring coordinator and audit coordinator also monitor and audit the daily accounts and program.

With the passage of time NSS has been accepted by community to contribute to develop livelihoods of the poor people through developing micro entrepreneurship.

Status as of December 2021 Total Groups

Total Members

Total Borrowers

Total Savings

Loan Distribution

Total Outstanding

80

1015

786

Tk. 53,47,576

Tk. 47,93,000

Tk. 1,17,46,554

2.1 .2. Village Savings Loan Association –VSLA Its a self help group started at 4 villages under Taltoli upazial of Barguna districts with the financial support of ACF international .Firstly two groups have been formed with 60 members and it has created a great opportunity for the rural poor women .Then a huge number of interested women have formed three more groups with 80 women .They deposit their savings and take loan for DRR and climate resilient livelihood options .As of December 2019 ,the group members are 70 Savings are 8,33,980 and they provided loan to 7,92,000 women for alternative livelihood .

DRR and Climate Change Adaptation

To build Community Resilience to adapt Climate ChangeCRCC Project Period

: 01 August,17- 30 Sep,21

d) Working Location: Name of the Division

Name of the District

Barguna

Name of City corporation/ Municipality

Name of the Upazila 1

No. of the Union/Municipal Ward

No. of the Village

Pathorghata

4

20

1

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e) Total budget (in BDT): 1,95,88593 1. Beneficiary Number: Category

Women

Men

Boys

Girls

Direct

1080

960

80

42

Indirect

5400

4800

400

210

Total

6480

5760

480

252

Transgender

2. Reporting Period (month and year) : January ,2021 December,2021 3. Date of report submission : 30/12/2021 2. Progress & Achievements of the Project 2.1 Project Progress & Achievements Status (i.e. progress made towards sustainable improvements in shaping livelihoods & well-being of targeted groups) SL

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12

Activities

Village Group Meeting (monthly) Farmer’s group meeting Periodic meeting with community volunteer Training on emergency response & rescue for community volunteer UDMCs training on CCA,DRR and GBV IGA support for community group IGA support for LSP Day Observation (International Disaster Risk Reduction Day, Environment Day, National Disaster Preparedness Day) Issue base campaign OR School student campaign on CC & Gender in disaster Coordination Meeting between NGOs/CSOs Network Replication of climate adaptive agricultural technologies Community score card

Target December 18 to November 2019

Achievement Up to November 2019

720

595

48

37

56

55

1

1

2

0

100

99

28

28

6

6

48

48

8

3

37

37

6

6

13

Evidence based data collection for identifying common advocacy issue

6

6

14

Promote indigenous rain water harvesting technology

43

43

Remarks

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2.1.1 Access to the Services & Resources Agriculture

Name of the Services/Resources

No. of. Beneficiaries Claimed Services Male

No. of. Beneficiaries Received Services

Female

Male

Female

Agricultural Inputs 174 6 120 3 Fisheries Training related to agriculture 50 130 50 100 Livestock 300 160 150 60 Technical Advice relation to agriculture Subsidy related to agriculture Others (please specify) Changes in agriculture improvement (increase production, reduce crop loss, cost saving etc.): One of the Deller at pathorghata hanged the govt. price list of fertilizers after being pressured by DAE through discussion in public hearing. On the other hand, SAAO of Katalthali union started sitting two time weekly after raised the matter in farmers’ dialogue. Cultivation practices of BRRI dhan-52 and BINA dhan-10 is increased in no. both in two upazila after demonstration and field day.

Farmers can now grow vegetables all the year round through adoting and practising Sorjan technology. Most of our bnfs are now practicing climate adaptive raised bed technology at household level.

IGA (Income Generation Activities)

Name of the Services/Resources

No. of. Beneficiaries Claimed Services Male

Female

No. of. Beneficiaries Received Services Male

Female

Narrative progress and indicator wise achievement

1) Village Group Meeting (Monthly): Last year we discussed a series of subject matter like climate change adaptation, disaster and our responsibility, alternate IGA activities, Food banking and it’s financial management, services receiving from Govt. service providers, gender based violence and our doing, women participation in different standing committee of Union parisad etc. in monthly group meeting with 60 village groups.

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Pic.1.

Fulbunia village group meeting

2) Farmer’s group quarterly meeting: We conducted quarterly meeting with 12 farmer group which are formed at union based. Those meetings are usually facilitated by the respective SAAO from DAE which produced a result of strong linkage and good relation between farmers and department of Agriculture extension. In the session learning by sharing on different climate smart agricultural practices and seasonal and local context based farming systems was done through participation from both sides.

3) Periodic meeting with community volunteer We have 14 trained volunteer team as well who have skills and knowledge on climate change adaptation, disaster, emergency response and rescue, first aid, GBV and our doing etc. We conducted quarterly volunteer meeting with 14 team where climate change issues, disaster FANI and BULBUL, coordination with UDMCs, AIGAs, local service provider creation, response in emergency, day celebration, different gender violence issues and its remedies etc. are discussed in a brief.

4) Training on climate change, DDR and GBV with UDMCs We conducted 12 training with 12 UDMCs on CCA, DRR and GBV issues where 280 male and 76 female participants were present.

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5) Issue base campaign OR School student campaign on CC & Gender in disaster In this regard, we conducted quarterly school session with 12 high school where 1770 no. of school learner received massage on climate change and adaptation and gender in disaster. School teacher are also participated in this program.

6) Coordination Meeting between NGOs/CSOs Network Quarterly coordination meeting with NGO/CSOs was conducted where some decisions were made like below – a.

Meeting will sit bi-monthly b. A face book page will create for the network c. to work together to protect GBV, climate change and DRR issue, d. to share their own practices to other partners, e. to work together in terms of advocacy issue.

7) Piloting climate resilient and composite agriculture technologies Climate Resilient livelihood and different agricultural technologies like Sorjan method of vegetable and fish cultivation, BINA-10 as saline tolerant rice, BRRI dhan-52 as foold tolerant rice, raised bed, mulching, BARI- mung 6, sunflower, maize and ground nut cultivation on raised bed were demonstrated in the field to promote those technologies and to adopt by the beneficiaries as well. We have huge no. of success stories against those technologies.

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8)Market oriented early summer & winter climate resilient vegetable cultivation IGA support for community group and support for LSP: We provided alternate IGA support to 99 no. of BNFs @ 2000 taka among which 94 are female and 5 are male bnfs. All of them took different IGA and livelihood options like duck rearing and goat rearing for economic resilience of their own. We also provided training on vaccination and gave vaccination tools to 17 of our beneficiaries and one for climate resilient seed seller and 10 for other types LSP.

9) Facilitation of CSC We conducted 6 no. of CSC-community score card with community people where they came to know the services of DAE and community clinic and provide scores on them as an evaluation.

10) Facilitation of Open budget We facilitated 6 no. of open budget program with 6 no. of union parisad in both upazila where we tried to motivate UP to take a budget on climate change issues where 345 male and 72 female were participated. It was the 1st time to budget an amount for climate change issues by 4 of the motivated union parisad through our project facilitation.

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Pic.9. Facilitation of Open budget

11) Organize Public hearing Union level.

We facilitated 6 no. of public hearing with union parisad, DAE, forest department, community clinic, livestock, DPHE, primary school, agricultural input dealer etc. which were arranged by the community people and about 485 male and 366 female were present in the 6 public hearing to expose their opinion.

12) Promote indigenous rain water harvesting technology at household level We provided a package of (one pics. Of 200 lit. dram, 1 pic. PVC pipe, a funnel, 1 pic plastic pipe, a water tape) to 40 households and a package of (3 pics. Of 200 lit. dram, 1 pic. PVC pipe, a funnel, 1 pic. plastic pipe, a water tape) to three primary schools for rain water harvesting and usage. The objective of this event is to promote the local system of rain water harvesting and to reduce water deficiency of climate vulnerable community of Pathorghata.

pic.11. Rain water harvesting materials distribution

a. Poor People’s (men, women, and children) representation in public and social institutions (in this reporting year)

Major Supports (At least five) has MJF given (in the last one year) to improve the capacity of your organization.

1. Training on anti-sexual harassment policy 2. Training on Financial management 3. Training on basic counselling 4. Training on context based climate adaptive technologies Limitation & Challenges2 Faced by the Project (during reporting Period) Limitation: Staff turnover due to remoteness and huge workload with marginal compensation.

Challenge: Political situation hampers cooperation from stakeholders in terms of governance and SAT issues.

2

Limitations/Weakness (more internal related to the project design, project implementation, project management, ensuring organizational supports to the project, M&E context etc). Challenges (More external and can influence the project significantly)

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Rate and describe MJF’s programmatic (non-financial) support to your organization in the past year.

Variable

Rating*

Quality (of support, written & Oral guidance, training, etc.)

Quantity (frequency of field visits, training activities, etc.)

Responsiveness (to ad hoc requests for assistance, etc)

4

Narrative Explanation

3 4

Finance Variable

Rating*

Narrative Explanation

Quality (of support, written & 4 Oral guidance, training, etc.)

Quantity (frequency of field 3 visits, training activities, etc.)

Responsiveness (to ad hoc 3 requests for assistance, etc) Give a score of 1-4, with 4 being ‘excellent’, 3 being ‘good’, 2 being ‘average’ and 1 being ‘poor’.

Lessons learned: a. People interest and services from local Govt. can comply through SA tools especially public hearing b. Demonstration of new climate smart technology was more effective than oral training. c. Exposure visit can be an effective tool of adoption of technology. d. Creation of local service provider and provide support to them is working well

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Piloting of new model and approaches for strengthening resilience of the most vulnerable people in south-west Bangladesh” Project name

“Piloting of new model and approaches for strengthening resilience of the most vulnerable people in south-west Bangladesh”

Lead organisation

Action Against Hunger (ACF)

Partner organisations

NSS

Donor

Action Against Hunger (ACF)

Geographic areas

Bangladesh – districts of Barguna in the south-west coastal areas (03 Unions (Nishanbaria,Borobogi and Sunakata) under Taltoli Upazila of Barguna District.

Duration

April to December 2021

Total direct reach

Total 94 beneficiary households (395 individuals)

TITLE OF PROJECT TO BE FINANCED: Piloting of new model and innovative approaches for strengthening resilience of the most vulnerable people in South –West in Bangladesh TOTAL REQUESTED :BDT 414.00 Type of funds: TYPE OF ACF FUNDING:     

Allocated funds generated by private donations Allocated funds generated by fundraising events Allocated funds from corporate donations

CODE

COMMENTS / EXPLANATIONS

H0 H1 H2

Allocated funds from foundations

H7

Allocation against collection of forecast funds

Z6

Name of Project: Piloting of new model and innovative approaches for strengthening resilience of the most vulnerable people in South –West in Bangladesh

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

PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REQUEST: MR NIPIN GANGADHARAN (COUNTRY DIRECTOR),

Dates of Project:   

PROJECT LAUNCH DATE: APRIL 2021 PROJECT END DATE: DECEMBER 2021 DATE OF SUBMISSION OF THE FINAL REPORT:

1. Project Basic Information Introduction Barguna is one of the most waterlogged affected districts in Bangladesh. Barguna is one of the coastal district in Bangladesh. Barguna region struggles with different problems as well as challenges.

Obviously, it is recurrent natural disaster followed by the climate change that outpaces its development. Some of the major challenges that the region is grappling with are the natural calamities (cyclone, tidal bore and river erosion), increased salinity, scarcity of safe water etc. The district is hazard-prone and has been directly threatened numerous times by cyclone and tropical storms. Since 1887, approximately 35 such storms along with depression hit this district. The most recent events include Severe Cyclone SIDR during 2007 and Severe Cyclone 1970. In every year, most of the areas of Barguna are affected by the flooding, water logging & other natural disasters. Nevertheless, the coastal districts of Bangladesh like Barguna are mainly susceptible to cyclones and storm surge. For example, the extent of damage caused by the last super cyclone SlDR that swept through Bangladesh coast on 15November 2007 was about $450 million and the entire Barguna districts were hit hard by the storm surge of over 5 meters (16 ft). In Barguna district, 1335 people were died (44.5 percent of total casualties), 1119.89 sq. km. area was annihilated (61.15 percent of total area) and 60-70percent of crop was lost and 95,412 houses were fully and partially damaged (36.89 percent of total). Like this. Barguna was also affected by cyclones during 1935 and 1965.

According to BUET-BIDS study on 1993, around 70 percent of total area in Barguna district falls under the high-risk area.The prolonged water logging has caused significant effect on poor people in safe water supply, sanitation, nutrition, shelter, food security and employment opportunity. Action Against Hunger (ACF) and NSS are working for support the most vulnerable water logging affected community for achieving resilient livelihoods and improved food & nutrition security and to improve community capacity to reduce water logging risks and to adopt resilient livelihoods strategies for improved nutrition security through different activities. Action against Hunger has implemented “Towards nutritional security through building disaster resilient communities in Taltali Upazila in Bangladesh” with local implementing partner NSS. The project completed in December 2016 and successfully piloted some innovative approaches such as Multiple Livelihoods Strategies (MLS), Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), Micro-entrepreneurship development in order to strengthen livelihood resilience of the targeted community.

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In April of 2018, Action Against Hunger Bangladesh have started piloting research project called “Piloting of new model and approaches for strengthening resilience of the most vulnerable people in south-west Bangladesh”in Taltoli upazila of Barguna districts.

The purpose of the proposed action is to carry out trail on 'Land and water based adaptive farming practices in variedly elevated homesteads to cope with water-logging for next water logging/rainy season and to continue the follow-up and supervision of the three VSLA and three Microentrepreneurs.

Objectives of the Project 

Facilitate selected water logging affected beneficiaries' to adopt alternative livelihoods and techniques for increase production.



Strengthening disaster resilience of the affected community through new production model and innovative approaches.



To develop applied research trial on land and water based alternative farming practices through variedly elevated homestead approach to cope with water logging in Barguna with the selected research project beneficiaries.

To know the effectiveness to the rural disaster affected communities to reduce their poverty and financial problem and increasing employment opportunities by creating different livelihood options.

Technical support, follow up and monitoring 3 VSLA formed under developed under previous CCF funded project.

Technical support, Follow up and monitoring three micro-entrepreneurs developed under previous CCF funded project



 

Result and Discussion Activities of Applied Research Applied research farmers were identified and selected based on willing to take part in the applied research activities and similar number of households like research farmers were selected as control farmers. Three control farmers were selected based on homestead pond and other three control farmers had no pond. Selected research farmers households were organized for research trial and setting up the research trial &technical designing of the research households (convert research homestead according to the outline of variedly elevated homestead). Recommended suitable farming practices/alternative techniques were implemented to enhance homestead-based production through optimum use of resource by developing integrated homestead agro-based production technology that was feasible to reduce water logging vulnerability risk. Different types of training were arranged and provided to research beneficiary. In addition, exposure visit were conducted by them.

Achievement This is a research-based project. The main objective of this project is that in the rainy season water logging period, homestead land of the research beneficiaries are productive and they can live in their homesteads without facing any problems. Different types of research trial and technical designing were set up in research households to know the admissibility of this new research based model to cope with water logging condition. Six research farmers selected from water logging areas and supported for raising one part of their homesteads for living as well as keeping and continuing agricultural farming, while the other part was excavated to store rainwater and use for integrated aquaculture. After

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receiving technical assistances, research farmers implemented the recommended suitable farming practices in their homestead to produce homestead vegetables, dyke crops, fish, livestock, poultry, trees and fruits. The research farmers were provided financial support to trial different types of farming practices in their homestead.

During this study, each year was divided into three cropping seasons such as summer, rain and winter.

At the end of study, the research farmers, who followed the adaptive farming practices, produced significantly high amount of homestead vegetables, dyke crops, fish, livestock and poultry in every season of the project intervention period than the control farmers. Research farmers monthly income and source of income were increased significantly after participate this research program. All research households fulfills their dietary needs and get necessary nutrition by consuming their own homemade nutritious food. They were also sold surplus production in market and earn money. The findings also revealed that research farmers learned to use their homestead lands maximally than both control farmer groups. This research project largely increased the women earning members. This project model found women member was involved in different IGA activity as well as men. Women members were established themselves as a female earner in their living area. Only male member were the earning member in the control farms. This research project was gained huge popularity by the local community and appreciated by local administration. This research model is very much sustainable and all research farmers have learnt how to adapt and face various types of natural disaster specially water logging situation during rainy season. They have also learnt how to run their family and fulfill their needs by alternative livelihood approaches during water logging rainy season .Overall, the local communities received this research program as a very successful model study that showed how the water logging affected marginally very poor people could cope with this severe problem by adopting various farming practices.

All necessary project related information, documents and reports have sent to Khulna University researchers who are the technical partner of this research project.

VSLA All three VSLA groups are running well and very much functional.

Present status of three VSLA is given below: Total cash status 31 December ,2021 District

Barguna

VSLA name

Starting

Total member

Monthly minimum Total share to Savings Loan in bank in box buy (BDT) disbursed

Total members Investment (IGA) type received loan (presently)

Sawdagorpara

May 2015

35

60

15000 31350

303500

349850

23

Vegetable production - 15, Tailoring -2, Goat rearing -3, cow rearing - 3

Moranidra

May 2015

25

60

17000

2000

138000

157000

17

Vegetable production - 4, Duck rearing - 6, Goat rearing - 4, Cow rearing - 3

BoroAmkh ola

May 2015

25

60

6000

5030

94000

105030

19

Vegetable production - 4, Duck rearing - 8, Goat rearing - 4, Cow rearing - 3

Achievement The project have achieved 100% target. The achievement of all VSLA groups were quite remarkable.

85 marginal farmers in earlier CCF funded project formed three VSLA in May 2015. These three VSLA groups were successfully run and continued their program and activity very smoothly until

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December 2018. All members of three VSLA groups were very much unit because they were followed all VSLA related rules and regulations. Their togetherness and pure efforts made their association to reach its highest points. VSLA members were received loan easily in any time to minimize their financial needs with a very soft condition. All loan receiver deposited his or her loan amount with interest timely. All members deposited savings amount on time. All VSLA groups were gained its admissible by local people and local authority. All VSLA groups are known as a model association in their local community.

This VSLA association were showed alternative livelihood options to its member. VSLA members were gradually overcoming their long financial problem. One of the important achèvement of these VSLA groups were to increase female earner after disbursing loan to them. Female household members also played pivotal role to run their family by adopting different types on farm and off farm practices. At the end of the project three VSLA managed to save a total of BDT 611,880, where BDT 535,500 disbursed as loan to invest income-generating activities, BDT 38,000 was in bank account and BDT 38,380 was in Box. In December 2018, out of the 85 VSLA members 59 members were taken loan from respective VSLA. Major invest was in vegetable production, small business, livestock and poultry rearing.

This VSLA model were worked very well to rural poor people. Poor people were turned their life and were solved their several problem by the help of VSLA. Therefore, VSLA was created lots of working scope to poor people. So, VSLA has a very bright future andshould expand its working area to elevate rural poor peoples problem.

Micro-entrepreneurs Three micro-entrepreneurs were created from previous project (CCF supported). They also received livelihoods support from the previous project. Different necessary technical supports were provided from this research project to transfer further information to them. They were very careful about their work and all were very hard worker. They were gradually growing their work coverage in their business and financially benefiting. They were adopted resilient livelihood as a microentrepreneur.Three micro-entrepreneurs were fully functional. They had developed themselves as a micro-entrepreneur after receiving support from previous project.

One micro-entrepreneur (Aklima begum) had developed herself as a tailor. She and her husband had built a tailor's shop in their village. They both had worked hard to expand their business. They had appointed two employees in their shop. Her monthly net income is around BDT 12000. She had saved some money in the bank. There is now a savings of BDT 72,000 in her bank saving account.

Another micro-entrepreneur (Machinga, she is an aboriginal) had established herself as a weaver. She has 2-disable person in her HH’s. She is a divorcee. She runs her own family. Her monthly net income is around BDT 10000. She had saved some money through the profits of her business. There is now a savings of BDT 40,000 in her bank saving account.

Another micro-entrepreneur (Amena Begum) had established herself as an earthworm fertilizer user and fertilizer business person. She was making earthworm fertilizer herself and supplies fertilizer to the market. She got very good results by applying fertilizer in her agricultural land. Other farmers, who had been using this fertilizer for their cultivable land, also found good yields. So, the huge popularity of this earthworm fertilizer was made. She is now living happily and free from the curse of poverty. Therefore, this project end report shows that every Micro-entrepreneur leads a very healthy life and this research project has a good effect on them. All three micro-entrepreneurs confess that, this research project has powerful impact on their life.

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Conclusion This project is very successfully according to the output of the result and project activity. In conclusion, we accomplished our target activities during the project period. Now, all beneficiary (research, VSLA and micro-entrepreneur) have been improved their resilient ability to cope with water logging condition through different types of homestead approach. All beneficiaries will secure their livelihood by implementing both on and off farm IGA on their homestead. They have gained necessary valuable knowledge on agriculture, fisheries, livestock and poultry rearing culture by this research project. Now they are aware about their daily life, habituated with water logging resistance resilient technology, aware on climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and have gained knowledge on homestead based multiple livelihood strategy. By implementing alternative IGA, they become self-sufficient, developed social acceptance and designated as a model farmer in their village.

Their homesteads are now rich in biodiversity. All beneficiary have increased the quality of their living through various income generating work. They have become more confident and believe that they will be able to move forward by the ACF project initiatives so, they don’t have way to drop under the poverty line.Now they can easily fulfill their wish because they have hand cash.

In addition to men, women also contributed to the living through their income generation activities in their homesteads. Now they do not have loans from anyone else. They are saving money by VSLA as well as reducing all the household expenses. Now they want to develop their children as educated people by meeting their needs. They are now happily spending their life in peace. They want to thanks to ACF and NSS for their huge life change and save them from poverty.

Interaction with other projects: NSS has a plan to replicate and scale up of all these successful approaches in other project areas and recommend to ACF plan to replicate and scale up of all these successful approaches in other operational areas with necessary modificat

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Strengthening Excluded People's Access to Services -SEPAS Background NSS with the support of Manusher Jonno have taken the collaborative initiative to implement the project under the Governance performance Monitoring (GPM) Programme, in selected Upazilas for creating access of poor and marginalized groups to public services (primary health, primary education, social safety-net and agriculture extension services) by promoting accountability of the duty bearers through using different social accountability tools i.e. Community Score Card, Citizens’ Charter, Public Hearing, Social Audit, Participatory Selection Process(VGD beneficiary), Suggestion box etc. It also encompasses, through improving responsiveness and governance in local level public institutions, monitoring their performance with the active participation of various groups, enhancing voice and capability in claiming citizen’s rights, capacity of service providing institutions and making service providing institutions more responsive.

Goal: The goal of the Project is to contribute to Strengthen Excluded People's Access to

Services Objectives The purpose of this project is to ensure that service delivery institutions are more responsive. It is expected that, through improving responsiveness and good governance in local level public institutions, monitoring their performance with the active participation of various groups, this project will enhance the facilitation of capacity of Union Parishad, duty bearers, and stakeholders and increase responsiveness in local decision-making for demand-responsive services in the areas like agriculture extension, primary education, primary health care and social safety net programmes of the Government.

Working areas District

Upazila

Barguna

Amtali

Total

1

Unions Arpangashia Amtali Atharogachia Gulishakhali Haldia Kukua Amtali Pourasgava 6

Number of Wards 09 09 09 09 09 09 09 63

Targeted Beneficiaries Direct Indirect Total

Female 1169 4676 5,845

Male 296 5084 5,380

Girls 900 0 900

Boys 1,100 0 1,100

Transgender 0 0 0

Total 3465 9760 13,225

Male 296 17,523

Girls 900 0

Boys 1,100 0

Transgender 0 0

Total 3,465 32,957

Beneficiary Coverage

Direct Indirect

Female 1,169 15,434

Total

16,603

17,819

900

1,100

0

36,422

Major Activities a. Capacity Building of Stakeholders a.1 Orientation of Service providers and local level decision makers for influencing for appropriate and Demand responsive services Local level decision makers including chairmen, Upazila agriculture extension officer, Upazila primary education officer and Upazila Health Officers were oriented through three (one day’s) orientations. All of them were oriented about the project’s goal and objectives, their support to implement the project and about their commitment towards the people. In addition they were aware about the RTI Act 2009 as well as the institutional responsiveness in these orientation sessions. The total 59 participants including 41 male and 18 female from 4 departments received the orientation and they were influenced to provide services to people according to their demand. b. Capacity Building of service recipients b.1 Capacity building of Volunteers through training Total 8 batches of trainings were provided to youth volunteers at 6 working unions of Amtali Upazila.

Participants of each batch were 20. Total 160 volunteers including 131 male and 29 female received the training. These volunteers were aware about the project’s goal and objective, RTI Act 2009, citizen charter, service providers’ duties and responsibilities of 4 departments and what will the roles and responsibilities of volunteers in the community. Being oriented the volunteers are playing supportive role to the community people for ensuring good services from the duty bearers. They are also playing diplomatic role. In case of any service related issues they are taking with the duty bearers and also aware marginalized and excluded people about the services and how those can be achieved. b.2 Awareness raising sessions on rights issues and assist in claiming services At community level two types of awareness raising sessions were conducted during the project period in order to sensitize grass root people specially marginalized men and women to raise voices and claiming demand. The sessions were – Courtyard Sessions with female participants. During the project period total 379 court yard sessions (participants of each session were 20) were conducted at different places of community level in project areas. By these sessions 7580 female are primarily aware about the services as well as their rights and entitlements with the 4 institutions – Agriculture Extension Department, Primary Health Service, Primary Education and Union Parishad’s Social Safety net. They also know about how they can seek services. b.3 Activation of Citizen’s Information Desk and RTI Desk The main objectives of the program were to aware citizen about the information of RTI Act 2009 and create people’s access to information. NSS organized RTI campaign at different levels – Union and Upazila. Total 511 people participated in the campaign program which included 355 male and 156 female. The program included orientation on RTI Act 2009 discussion meeting and RTI support desk.

Brochure on RTI and application form c. Capacity Building of pressure groups c.1 Orientation and Capacity Development of union level CSO Forum at union level In order to create pressure and to stimulate duty bearers to ensure better services we formed pressure groups at union level service providers. These groups have been named as Union Civil Society Forum (UCF). Each forum is formed with 20 members. The members of these groups are teaches, community people, religious leaders, social workers and local elite persons. Total 275 members of 6 1

union civil society forums (160 male and 115 female) were trained about the services of the 4 institutions – Primary Health Services, Primary Education, Agriculture Extension Services and Social Safety Net of Union Parishad. They were also oriented about citizen charter, open budget, participatory selection process, community score cards, social audit, social accountability of duty bearers and Right To Information (RTI) Act 2009 through 12 batches of training. These forums are working as pressure groups at union level. c.2 Orientation and Capacity Development of Upazila CSO Forum and Union Parishads With a view to pressurize Upazila level duty bearers and policy makers to support the UCF an Upazila Civil Society Forum has been formed at Amtali Upazila with comprising 20 members. These members are from different walks of life and those who have social acceptance and can raise voice to protest. We formed the forum with college teachers, lawyers, journalists, social workers, local elites and youth representatives. Total 2 batches of trainings were provided to the members to aware them about the services of 4 departments, about rights and governance and RTI Act 2009. In these trainings union Parishads’ representatives were invited. Total 50 people, including 40 male and 10 female, received the training. The members of the forum have been capacitated through this training. The Upazila CSO Forum is active to create pressure at Upazila level duty bearers.

Meeting of Union level CSO Forum In order to stimulate community people for seeking services from the duty bearers as well as to monitor the services of the targeted institutions regularly and to identify the problems at community level. The UCF members sit together after every three months and they set agenda to overcome identified gaps through communication with union Parishads and Upazila level duty bearers. During the project period these forums completed 53 meetings with 1053 times participations. The members visited different community clinics, school management committee, Upazila Agriculture Extension Department, Union Parishad for monitoring participatory selection process and support distributions. c.4 Meeting of Upazila level Pressure Groups During the project period 5 Upazila Pressure Group meetings were held with the participation of 71 male and 26 female/times. This group also made communication with hospital management committee, Upazila primary education office, Upazila agriculture extension department and Upazila administration to strengthen services. With influence of this committee a considerable changes have occurred in health, education and agriculture sectors.

AGRICULTURE EXTENSION SERVICE DEPARTMENT Forming and Orientation of Farmers Committee In order to create access to agriculture services people were organized through forming Farmers Committee. In each union one committee was formed with involving 20 members those who are involved in agriculture directly. Women farmers were also given priority to become members of this committee. During the project period 6 committees were formed with 106 male farmers and 14 female farmers at 6 unions of Amtali Upazila.

Consultation Meeting between Agriculture Extension Officials and Farmers Committee During the project period 47 consultation meetings were held where 766 male/times and 166 female/times participated in the meeting to strengthen services at community level. These sorts of meetings were done to lobby with duty bearers to expand their support to the community people. The Sub Assistant Agriculture Officers have been mobilized to sit in union Parishad to provide service to the people.

Display Citizen Charter A citizen charter has been introduced at Upazila Agriculture Extension Department in order to disclose the information of services. It has also disclosed the social accountability of this department.

People have come know about the services of Agriculture Extension Department.

2

Major Changes      

    

The Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officers are sitting at Union Parishads; Supports from the Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officers have been increased; Agriculture Officers are visiting farmers’ field before starting schemes or project; Farmers are interested to receive service on their own accord; Regular communication and consultation meetings of farmers group are being held with Agriculture Officer; Agriculture department are very much responsive to provide support to farmers groups to prepare demo plots and they are arranging to include farmers’ group members in different training sessions; Citizen charter disclosing Agriculture Extension services and people are aware and they are able to receive services; Farmers’ access have increased with different service providers; The Upazila Agriculture department has taken necessary step to display price list of the local dealers; The tendency of providing agriculture service have increased and farmers are receiving service spontaneously; Farmers are getting supports for growing salinity tolerant variety like mungbean (Bari-6), sunflower (Hisun-33), potato, paddy, vegetable seeds and fertilizer and irrigation facilities.

PRIMARY HEALTH SERVICE Orientation of Community Clinic/FWC management committee and health service user groups With a view to strengthen capacity of Community Clinic and Family Welfare Management Committee we arranged 6 orientations with 117 participants (66 male members and 51 female members) of these committees. They were aware about the project’s goal and objectives, their roles and responsibilities with the CCs and FWCs. The main objective of the orientation was to improve the service.

Consultation Meeting with the Community Clinic Management Committee and health service user groups During the project period 52 consultation meetings were held between health service users group and management committee. Total 1043 persons, including 524 male and 519 female, participated in the meetings. The main objectives of the meetings were to create demand from the users groups and to create responsiveness of the clinic management committee to strengthen service of the duty bearers.

By these meetings people in the project area have been aware about the services of the clinics and the in health service have increased.

Community Assessment Process (CAP) using Community Score Card with Interface Meeting Community Assessment (CAP) is one of the modern tools of assessing social accountability and monitoring governance of an institution. During the project period 2 rounds community assessments were done. The main objective of the CAP was to conduct interface meeting with duty bearers to formulate a plan of action to improve quality and quantity of services. Before starting community assessment we completed input tracking of the institutions. In order to conduct community assessment checklists were prepared considering nine indicators for the community assessment. The indicators were – i) opening and closing timing of health service centre, ii) meetings of health service centre, iii) overall environment of health service centre, iv) attitude of health service providers towards service recipients, v) satisfaction level of availability of medicines, vi) disclosing of medicine stocks, vii) EPI intervention, viii) orientation of health service and ix) antenatal and post antenatal/new born service.

Against each indicator 10 marks were set for each group of assessors. FGD meetings were done at ward level for assessing levels of satisfactions and those were scored by service recipients.

3

Simultaneously scorings were taken corresponding to same indicators from service the providers.

Ultimately recommendations were taken to improve the gaps of the services. Total 673 people including 209 male and 464 female at 6 unions actively participated in the process.

Performing Social Audit for Enhanced accountability of service providers Social Audit is one of the social accountability tools. Social auditing is the process whereby an organization can account for its social performance, report on and improve that performance. It assesses the social impact and ethical behavior of an organization in relation to its aims and those of its stakeholders. In order to conduct social the steps we followed were – i) seeking permission from the concerned agency, ii) constitution of the team, iii) constitution of the social audit committee, iv) collection of key information, v) verification of information, vi) analysis and consolidation of information, vii) sharing of information, viii) organizing social audit meeting and ix) getting the information approved by the community.

We prepared check list for social audit and formed a team with the people those who are interested to work voluntarily and are not involved with the service providing institute and those who have acceptance in the society and can raise voice. Each team was formed with 5 members. Handout and checklist were developed to orient the social audit team about the process. A one day’s orientation was provided at NSS Training Center to 30 social audit volunteers from 6 unions (5 members from each union). In the training session a demo social audit was done with a view to exercise it at field level.

In order to increase responsiveness of service providing organizations total 6 social audits were done (4 at Community Clinics and 2 at FWCs) in the project working area. Total 252 participants including 176 male and 76 female participated in the social audit. After the completion of social audit a sharing meeting was done with the service providers about their good services and gaps.

Organize Public Hearing for greater participation of the community members Public hearing is another important tool of social accountability. After completing the social audit we organized public hearing to make the service provider accountable to strengthen services to the people. The gaps regarding transparency and accountability which were identified by the social auditors have been shared with duty bearers and local level decision makers of health service department. In this session community people raised their voices and asked questions to the service providers and policy makers to overcome the identified gaps. In this meeting also an action plan was developed by the community people. Based on the action plan the union level CSO Forum members monitor the progress. Indeed a system of social accountability has been practiced with stimulating community people about their rights from the state. During the period 6 public hearings were conducted at 6 unions with the participation of 619 people, encompassing 322 male and 297 female participants. A good number of conscious people have appreciated the initiative as one of the effective tools for developing social accountability. Finally greater participation could be ensured through the process.

Major Changes Through time to time monitoring and visit to Community Clinic and arranging consultation meeting with Community Health Service Providers it has been possible to increase the services. In addition community score cards, community action plans and social audit were done increase social accountability of the service providers. As a result the quality of service increased than before. In this case the pressure of Union CSO Forum also played vital role to improve the services. During the project period two cycle community score cards followed by community action plans were done in six community clinics and two family welfare centers in project area and finally the following changes have been possible:  People are aware about the services of Community Clinics (CC) and Family Welfare Centre (FWC)  People have come to learn that they have the authority to monitor these institutions

4

    

Community Clinic Management Committee are organizing regular meetings and the decisions are recorded in register CCMCs have raised fund (total Tk. 65,000) with introducing minimum contribution by service recipients which is used for maintenance, cleaners remuneration and vulnerable patients’ support CCMCs are convinced to appoint cleaners for cleaning the centers Targeted Community Clinics and Family Welfare Centers have individual community action plan for development of services UP support ensured: i) Solar Panel installed in one CC, ii) Ceiling fans installed in one FWC, iii) Latrine repaired, iv) Electric line installed, v) Furniture arranged

SOCIAL SAFETYNET (UP Capacity Building) Quarterly Meeting with Union Standing Committee for improvement of service delivery In order to develop capacities of UP Standing Committee for improved service delivery NSS team set agenda in UP Standing Committee Meeting. The project facilitators of SPSRG project mobilized the members to monitor services in collaboration with Union CSO Forum members.

Orientation of UP and Community Group on Participatory Selection Process With a view to strengthen social safety net services and to ensure rights of poor and exclude people NSS provided orientation and training to UP members on Participatory Selection Process (PSP).

During the project period we could orient 90% members UP members about their duties and responsibilities towards the community people. Most of the UPs are following government rules in selecting VGD beneficiaries. Quality of VGF service has been improved. Life skill development trainings are continuing regularly. Beneficiaries are aware about their savings. Pass books are regularly updated. Savings are regularly deposited to bank account.

Orientation for selected VGD card holders With a view to aware selected VGD card holders about their rights and entitlements. During the project period total 24 orientations were held with the VGD beneficiaries of 6 working unions. The VGD members are aware about the process supports and they have been capacitated to raise their voice. Earlier they did not know about their rights and entitlements.

Open Budget Exercise in all Unions They have been aware about participatory selection process, wardshava, and open budget focusing UP operational Act and RTI. Due to our intervention in the last consecutive years (2015 and 2016) our targeted (6 UPs at Amtali Upazila) 100% UPs have followed the operational manual to conduct Wardshava and Open Budget.

Displaying citizen’s charter at union level Citizen is very much important to aware people about the services of the institutions. It is also a tool of ensuring governance of the service providing institutions. During the project period 21 citizen charters were set up at different institutions which were – 9 at community clinics, 6 at Union Parishad, 3 at Family Welfare Centers, 1 at Upazila Agriculture Extension Department, 1 at Education Department, 1 at Upazila Health Department. People are aware about the services of these intuitions and the people are seeking information and service from these departments. A good culture has been developed amongst the service providers. They are very much positive to provide information and service to people.

Activation of Citizen’s Information Desk and RTI Clinic One of the key objectives of the project was to ensure free flow of information through orienting RTI at all levels. Under this intervention we organized orientation and fair on RTI at 6 Union Parishads and at Upazila level. In addition we celebrated RTI days at Amtali Upazila through arranging rally, presentation on RTI law and services, discussion meeting, and RTI service desk. During this period 5

we pursued more than 150 people to submit application to collect information through RTI application form. UPs are disclosing their information to the public for free access. In addition the UPs are presenting standing committee lists, scheme supervision committee lists and budget in their notice boards. Other departments (primary educations, primary health service department and agriculture department) are also very much positive to open their information to public. In case of input tracking and social audit community clinic and family welfare center’s authorities have spontaneously disclosed information to the social audit team.

UDMC & UZDMC Capacity Building Training BRAC has taken an initiative for skill development training with the Union and Upazila Disaster Management Committee members under the BRAC humanitarian program through partnerships with the NSS. The project funded by the Aus AID and UKAID under prime supported by the Bangladesh Government. The training program was run from 03/11/21 to 30/11/2021 at 04 upazilla (Kalapara, Golachipa, Dashmina and Bauphal) of Patuakhali district. Before start these UDMC and UzDMC training the program team was received a ToT training from BRAC.

From: 01/11/2020 Reporting Period:

To: 15/12/2020

1. Number of UZDMC Training: 02

Date of submission

report

20/12/2020

2. Number of UDMC Training: 35 nos.

3. Locations of implementation: Kalapara, Golachipa, Dasmina and Bhaufal Upazilla. a. UZDMC Training: List of Upazillas covered in the reporting period:

Kalapara Upazilla Disaster Management Committee

Golachipa Upazilla Disaster Management Committee Dasmina Disaster Management Committee

Golacipa Disaster Management Committee

6

b. UDMC Training: SL

List of UDMCs covered in the reporting period

Latachapl Latachapli UDMC 1.

List of the corresponding Upazillas of the UDMCs K Kalapara Upazilla

2.

Baliatoli UDMC

Kalapara Upazilla

3.

Dhankhali UDMC

Kalapara Upazilla

4.

Dhulashar UDMC

Kalapara Upazilla

5.

Champapur UDMC

Kalapara Upazilla

6.

Nilgonj UDMC

Kalapara Upazilla

7.

Tiakhali UDMC

Kalapara Upazilla

8.

Mithagonj UDMC

Kalapara Upazilla

9.

Lalua UDMC

Kalapara Upazilla

10.

Chakamoiya UDMC

Kalapara Upazilla

11.

Dalblugonj UDMC

Kalapara Upazilla

12.

Mohipur UDMC

Kalapara Upazilla

13.

Golkhali UDMC

Golachipa Upazilla

14.

Golacipa SadarUDMC

Golachipa Upazilla

15.

KolagaciyaUDMC

Golachipa Upazilla

16.

Chicknekande UDMC

Golachipa Upazilla

17.

Dakuya UDMC

Golachipa Upazilla

18.

Gojaliya UDMC

Golachipa Upazilla

19.

BakulbarieaUDMC

Golachipa Upazilla

20.

Ratonde TaltoliUDMC

Golachipa Upazilla

21.

Amkhola UDMC

Golachipa Upazilla

22.

Panpotti UDMC

Golachipa Upazilla

23.

Dasmina SadarUDMC

Dasmina Upazila

24.

BohorampurUDMC

Dasmina Upazila

7

25.

Basbariea UDMC

Dasmina Upazila

26.

Betage-Sankipur UDMC

Dasmina Upazila

27.

Ronogopalde UDMC

Dasmina Upazila

28.

Alipur UDMC

Dasmina Upazila

29.

Boga UDMC

Bhaufal Upazila

30.

Adabareya UDMC

Bhaufal Upazila

31.

Daspara UDMC

Bhaufal Upazila

32.

Kacipara UDMC

Bhaufal Upazila

33.

Baufal Sadar UDMC

Bhaufal Upazila

34.

Kanakdiya UDMC

Bhaufal Upazila

35.

NawmalaUDMC

Bhaufal Upazila

4. Participants: 1. Total number of participants a.UZDMC training:45 (Male 41 & Female 41) b. UDMC training: 874 (Male 682 Female 170 Disable 22) 3. Total number of women participants a.UZDMC training:04 b. UDMC training:170

2. Total number of COVID committee representatives as participants a. UZDMC training:0 b. UDMC training:35 4. Total number of persons with disability a. UzDMC training:0 b. UDMC training:22 (Male 18 & Female 4)

8

The above table represents that, two types of training had been completed at Union (35 Nos) and Upazila (2 Nos) level under the project. The participants figure shows that total 919 attended in the training session which 723 is men and 174 are women. Although UzDMC total participants 45 attended which is 41 is male and 4 are female on the other hand UDMC training participant total 874 attended 682 are male and 170 are female participant attended in the training.

The above table represents that,expected disable participants had been attended the training session.

The disable participants figure shows that total 22 participantsattended in the training session which 18 are men and 4 are women under the union level training. No one disable person attended in the UzDMC training.

5. Media coverage of the event: a. List of articles or press releases covered in the local media  Coverage to PVA TV  Social Media  The Daily Bangladesh Protidin (Scanned copies has been sent).

6. Challenges: a. Training Organizing phase

9

UzDMC training

UDMC training 

      

Selection of 25 members from the full committee.

Ensure/fixing the date of program.

Invitation reaching to everyone Attendance the participants in time to the session Participation of local govt. representatives & Govt. officials No body interested to attended in the holy day program Hardly tried to set the event through regular coordination with the government administration

    









b. Training Implementation phase UZDMC training  

Active participation & attention Proper session operate & facilitations due to shortage of necessary space insufficient time

Selection of 25 members from the full committee Program set out on the expected date for shortage of preparatory time.

Timely attendance by the participants to the program Daylong participation Staff traveling for insufficient amount allocation.

Communications had to be over phone at arrangement stage. It was difficult to adjust date and time for training with all these union chairmen and members.

Trainers had to be accommodate at Bauphal (Boga) in a Bungalow to cover unions under Bauphal and Dashmina with bikes throughout the working month.

Every day after training had to meet with chairmen and authority to arrange the next training. Invited local leaders attended the training late which sometimes delayed training starting time.

Some venue/places are remote and training had to begin late, venue had to be changed.

Some union parishad offices are old and not big enough for social distance maintenance.

3 venues did not have provisions for social distancing.

UDMC training  

Active participation & attention.

Materials use for lack of scope and electricity

7. Learning and recommendations: a. Training organization phase UZDMC training   

Training would be better and effective if it's can be arranged in residential.

Course duration should 02 days long.

Venue should organize in relaxation place for freely movement instead of Upazilla hall room.

UDMC training   

Training would be better and effective if it's can be arranged in residential.

Course duration should be day long..

Keep enough time for organize the course and also sufficient mobile phone bill to follow up the participants.

10

b. Training Implementation phase UZDMC training  

Need to provide 02 resource persons for facilitation from the national level.

Keep only local conveyance amount in taka 1000/-instead of honorariumhead.

UDMC training 



It would be effective that we can provide necessary materials for Early warning, Rescue and Shelter management for the committee members (where to be needed).

Keep only local conveyance amount in taka 1000/- instead of honorarium head.

08. Training Experience 





Kolapara and Golachipa are more disaster vulnerable compared to Bauphal and Dashmina.

Bauphal UDMC, CPP are not that active or oriented. Few Unions do not have active CPP member and seem less informed/oriented. UDMC is less active in Bauphal and Dashmina compared to Kolapara and Golachipa.

Members do not know about D-Form and SOS form. Due to time constraints, these are usually filled out by UNO/ DRRO / PIO after a crisis. These govt officials are also facing official/ political difficulties/ pressure while filling out the content with real numbers – advocacy and discussions needed starting from the Union level.

COVID-19 discussion and kit packs were well appreciated. Some discussions included experiences of doctors and patients who faced the disease. Women participants seemed that they can take lead to protect family against COVID-19 at their household level.

09. Management and ground work for training 

After selecting the training locations, NSS collected the local chairmen, member secretary list and contact numbers through mobile or webpage. After contacted these persons to fix the training dates. Maximum case, the dates were followed without changing. Training facilitators were met up the responsible persons regarding the training arrangement.

Sometimes NSS executive director contacted the community leaders, where necessary.

Chairmen sent out invitations and member secretary followed up with participants.

10. Recommendation       

Local conveyance was sufficient – However, UP Chairmen should get BDT 1,000.

Women and PWD should have been prioritized.

Training should have been 2 days long.

UDMC training should be included into plan for next year.

Facilitator honorarium/Salary was not sufficient, should be increase Facilitator local transport was not sufficient, should be increase Daily report should have included name of trainer and venue

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Back Ground Nazrul Smriti Sangsad-NSS has been working in the different coastal upazilas and districts since its development intervention in 2000. Now NSS is implementing different development programs at 14 districts especially in the southern part of Bangladesh .NSS has a long and vast experiences on humanitarian response and rehabilitation activities. NSS has implemented humanitarian response and rehabilitation activities at Barguna and Patuakhali district after SIDR in 2007, AILA in 2009, Mohasen in 2013, Fani in 2019 and Cyclone Bulbul in 2020.

It has experienced to response anticipated alert an emergency response team and also has experienced volunteers in the targeted area. It has strong policy procedure including Contingency Plan, Emergency procurement policy, Disaster management guideline and humanitarian standard charter which will help us to response timely, cost effectively and aligned with national and international humanitarian principles and standard.

In March, 2020 NSS, citizens group and social media jointly started awareness program on COVID-19. NSS has distributed soaps for hand washing, stalling hand washing devices at different important places, sprayed bleaching powder and disseminated awareness message through micking, community radio and social media like PVA and PVA-TV with the support Oxfam, MJF-EPR and MJF-SIDA at Amtali and Pathorgata of Barguna district and Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali district. NSS is implementing COVER response at 2 unions and one pourashava of Amtali upazila with the support of World Vision Bangladesh .Later NSS has started to implement a COVID-19 Response Project –CRP at Amtali, Barguna and Pathorgata upazilas of Barguna district with consortium basis. NSS is undoubtly playing a pioneer role to respond emergency and recovery phase from the SIDR in 2007 but COVID-19 is different type of health hazard as well as global pandemic which is not familiar to NSS. Moreover NSS has no experience for responding such type of pandemic. However involvement of CIVID -19 responses has opened a new window, new horizon for NSS. But we can’t predict the situation where we are going.

Contextual Analysis COVID-19 (Corona Virus) has been started since 2nd week of December 2019 from Wuhan City of China but it’s largely spread from 20th January 2020, which we came from different media and WHO reports. Later on, it has been extending different countries in Asia Region, on 11th March, 2020.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 outbreak as “Pandemic”.

According to the report on the 30th June 2020, total 1,03,21,689 (1,05,92,134) have been affected by in 210 countries and among them 5,07,435 (5,14,298) have been died.

In Bangladesh, from the 1st week of March 2020, it has been affected in Bangladesh through the people who were coming from abroad especially from Italy and China. Though the Government of Bangladesh tried to maintain quarantine system in centrally but it’s failed for various reasons. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 virus has widely and very quickly spreading around in Bangladesh. According to the report of IEDCR on the 30 June 2020, total 1,45,483 have been affected in Bangladesh and among them 1,847 have been died. The situation is

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going very worse day by day. The situation has treated as mild local transmitting which is very alarming situation for all over the Bangladesh for near future.

In Barguna and Patukhali district, a large number of people backed from abroad those were working in middle-East, Italy and Europe for why mostly vulnerable and alarming zone for spreading Corona Virus in the districts. Because of, Amtali and Taltoli of Barguna district and Kalapara of Patukhali district is the transit point for people movement to other upazilas, district and city towns because these are the sea-belt area and business center. The frequent movement of several business groups and fishermen groups are very high.

The lockdown is continuing all over the Bangladesh including these upazilas and the people are staying at home whcih resulted in marginalized & poor farmers, fishermen, person with disability and elderly people, day laborers, small/ferry business man, and floating people will become jobless & income less specially of Slum/vulnerable communities of Amtali, Taltoli upazila of Barguna district Kalapara upazila of Patukali district are at the severe risk of livelihood and food security.

The government has a big initiative to provide food and cash support to the poor and income less people but there is a big gap between supply and demand due to irregularities and political biased beneficiary selection process. That’s why a few number of poor and ultra poor people and persons with disabilities have been missing from the government support.They are passing their days in hardship. A few non governmemt agencies are working here. Considering the local situation NSS has taken some initiative to respond COVID-19 at a very small scale .

There is a big gap between supply and demand due to irregularities and political biased in beneficiary selection process. That’s why a few numbers of poor and ultra-poor, especially community people and persons with disabilities (PWD) have been missing from the government support.

NSS and its allies citizen forum conducted a rapid need assessment at 10 villages and two pourashavas of Amtali, Taltoli upazila of Barguna district and Kalapra upazila of Patuakhali district prepared situation report on 20 - 25 April, 2020. As per need assessment the immediate needs are awareness about corona and hand washing practice, hygiene kits and devices. The members of citizen forum has also collected information from Hospital and upazila administration which mentioned that peoples backed from abroad are not maintaining home quarentaine due to lack of awareness.

The assessment also reveiled that the marginalized & poor farmers, fishermen, person with disability and elderly people, day laborers, small/ferry business man and floating people will become jobless & income less specially of Slum/vulnerable communities of Amtali, Taltoli upazilas of Barguna district and Kalapara upazilla of Patukhali district are now at high risk of livelihood, social security and vilolence against women

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COVID-19 Related Projects of NSS Name of COVID-19 Response Project

Donor’s Name

Type of interventions

Number of Beneficiary

Total Budget

Working Areas (Upazila )

COVID-19 Response under SEPAS Project COVER Response Project

Manusher Jonno Foundatio n -MJF World Vision

Hygiene kit distribution and installation of hand washing device

1,100

44,000

Amtali

Cash Support through MMT, Hygiene kit distribution, PPE and IEC materials distribution Manusher Awareness message Jonno dissemination through Foundatio festoon Community radio n -MJF and social media Oxfam Hygiene kit distribution, (HAF Awareness message consortiu dissemination through m) festoon Community radio and social media, Spray bleaching powder and hand device installation Own and Awareness message Communit dissemination through y support festoon Community radio and social media, Spray bleaching powder and hand washing device installation Start Fund Hygiene kits ,hand Bangladesh washing device distribution and Dead body management Clinic Surgical Mask, Hand Managem Sanitizer, Awareness ent message through leaflet and micking Own and Food support like rationing Communit y support

5,700

25,000 (USD)

Amtali

8,700

47,300

Amtali ,Kalpara and Pathorghata Barguna sador Amtali and Pathorghata

COVID-19 Response under CRCC Project COVID-19 Response Project

COVID -19 Response Program

Rapid Response on Amphan NSS Maries Clinics

COVID-19 Food Bank

1,19,200

42,30,000

32,000

1,98,000

Amtali

6,300

18,61,000

Galachipa and Dasmina

21,300

3,50,000

250

2,50,000

14 clinics in different part of the counties Amtali

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Major Intervention of NSS Hygiene Kit Distribution: NSS distributed 5,200 hygiene kit to the community people individual and its implementing agencies at Amtali, Kalapara, Pathorgata and Barguna sador upazilas under Barguna and Patuakhali districs. Under COVID-19 Response Project – CRP with 5 implementing agencies like Sangkalpa Trust, Sangram, Jago Nari, DOCAP and Annesha have distributed Hygiene package with ( 1,200g bathing soaps, 390g laundry soaps, 600g ditergent powder, 8 pieces of non-disposable sanitary cloths, 10 ORS and 20 surgical mask) to 2,800 poor and ultra poor households. The Oxfam provided the financial support in consortium basis and NSS as a convenor of HAF committee lead the consortium. Moreover NSS has distributed hygiene pack, IEC materials, bathing soaps, Surgical mask, PPE and hand sanitizer to the 24,000 households with the support of World Vision Bangladesh, Manusher Jonno Foundation–MJF and Community Support. In the support of Stat Fund Bangladesh NSS have distributed 1,000 hygiene kits to the Amphan affected and Corona affected peoples at 6 unions of Galachipa and Dasmina upazila under Patuakhali district.

Awareness Campaign: As a new pendamic there was no clear message to the community people how the virus spread out even a dogma regarding this virus were among them. So NSS have to postpond the regular program and we could not take any awareness related program engaging community people.Considering the COVID-19 situation we have taken some different type of activity where awareness can be dessiminated with engagemnet of community people.

Miking: NSS conducted a mass awareness campaign and disseminated awareness messegae on COVID 19 through miking at the different inportant places of the working areas Barguna and Patuakhali districts.

Festoon NSS hanged 239 festoon at different important places in the working areas of NSS containing awareness messegae on COVID 19.

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Leaflet NSS has distrtributed 45,000 leaflet to the beneficiaries in the working areas among them 9,900 leaftet has been districbuted under ELNHA –II project .

IEC and BCC Materials NSS has distrtributed 1015 set of IEC and BCC materials to the Community clinics, FWCs and filed level health workers.

Bill Board NSS has installed 3 bill boards with COVID-19 awareness message at ELNHA –II project areas of Amtali upazila.

Hand Washing Devices NSS has installed 52 hand washing devices with hand washing messages at different important places of Amtali, Barguna sador and Pathorgata upazila with the support of Oxfam and Manusher Jonno Foundation–MJF and Start Fund supported Amphan response project at Amtali upazila of Barguna distrcit and Galachipa and Dasmina upazila of Patuakhali dsitrict to ensure hand washing practices to the community people frequently.According to World Heatlh Organization and health experts, Hand washing is the very important hygine practice to keep safe from the corona infection. NSS has also distributed 50 handwashing devices at household level with the support of World Vison Bnagladesh. In the support of Stat Fund Bangladesh we have distributed 1,000 hand washing devices to the Amphan affected and Corona vulnerable peoples at 6 unions of Galachipa and Dasmina upazila under Patualhali district.

Spray Bleaching Powder: From the very begining a group of Young people, Red Crescent Youth Volunteers and Facebook group Peoples Voice of Amtali) team sprayed the bleaching powder at different roads,crowdy places, hospitals and others government and nongovernemnt institutions for disinfection.

Cash Support through MMT: World Vision Bangladesh under its COVER projcet distributed cash support through Mobile Money Transfer –MMT to 402 most vulnerable Household and every households have recieved tk 3000 for their livelihoods.

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Child Friendly Learning Materials: Under COVER project of World Vision Bangladesh NSS has distributed 1200 (6 Items) Child friendly learning Materials within 100 children of 10 Learning Roots(LR)Center for holistic development of children and their Psychosocial support at COVID-19 situation.

Physical Distance Indicator: A group of young people, Red Crescent Youth volunteer(RCY) and PVA team with the support of NSS has made indicators to maintain the social distance in front of different shoaps and market by using colour paint and brushes. It’s an innovative and time oriented idea for maintaining physical distance at market place .

Orientation on Dead body Management: Two orientation on Dead body management those have died by corona were held at Galachipa and Dasmina upazila under Patukhali district.At least 10 Imams and 10 purohit have been participated in the Orientation.The Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer at Galachipa and Dasmina upazila formally inaugurated the orientation and conducted the session. NSS has also distributed PPE,surgical mask and hand sanitizers to the participants.

COVID -19 Food Bank: A few number of poor and ultra poor people,special and disadvantaged community like gypsy (Bede) third gender (Hijra),blacksmith,Barbar, shoe makers and persons with disabilities(PWD) have been missing from the government support due to irregularities and political biased beneficiary selection process. They are passing their days in hardship. A few non government agencies are working here to address the basic need specially food support of the missing people during lockdown situation becasue they have lost their income sources. In this context, NSS and some social media group,local rich people and people from abroad jointly have taken an initiative to store food for them named COVID-19 Food Bank . NSS will manage the program like house to house survey ,drfat beneficiary selection ,final beneficiary list preparation through a participatotry and CRM process.

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Food bank is like a rationing system and under this program every card holder are getting 5 kgs of rice weekly at price tk 5 per kg.NSS has already selected 15 persons following the process and distributed food card among them. Monira Pervin UNO Amtali formally inaugurated the distribution at Dakbanlow premises .Obviously it’s a community initiatives and community will continue it as long as they wand. The important responsibilities of NSS is to maintain standard financial management system and procedure as well as support to the initiatators.

Innovative Approaches Corona Virus is very strong community transmitting virus so we have to maintain physical distance to conduct any kind of program specially awareness program. Because lack of awareness like hand washing practice and using surgical mask community people may be infected by the virus rapidly. Considering physical distance ,we have disseminated awareness message through community radio like Loko Betar, Krishi Radio and Social media specially PVA and PVA-TV from the very beginning of our intervention. Even we are continuing our awareness through mobile communication. As per our online survey it is very effective to disseminate awareness message and we have covered a large number of people through virtual awareness campaign.

COVID-19 Virtual Awareness Campaign and Output Name of Activity

Numb er of Event

Audio Content Develop ment

02

Video Content Develop ment Audio Message dissemin ation through Commu nity Radio and PVA

01

67

Number of Target Output Audience/ People 3 skilled  One final audio content on  persons COVID-19 message are developed 

5 skilled  One final video content focusing  persons with on COVID-19 awareness, camera man message are developed  Service  92,000 people are aware about Providers, Law COVID-19, Community VAW enforcing during lockdown. agencies, Civil  900 male Female/Youth are Society, Public committed to ensure lockdown representatives, and motivate to community journalists, people to end violence at family Citizen and community level during Journalists lockdown.

NGOs, women  500 Police, community police leaders, and gram police are proactive to members of address violence during

 

 

MOV

Community Rasio and Social Media

Written script Audio output

Community Radio (Loko Betar and Krishi Radio ) and PVA

Written script Video output Promo soft copy Listener counting mechanis m Audio Record Link sharing

PVA and PVA-TV

Community Radio (Loko Betar and Krishi Radio ) and PVA

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Video Message through PVA and PVATV 98

citizen’s forum lockdown social media users Youth  70,000 people are aware about COVID-19 VAW during group and lockdown.

Community people  1500 male Female/Youth and members of citizen forum are committed to ensure lockdown and motivate to community people to end violence at family and community level during lockdown.

   

Video document Promo soft copy Schedule Listeners viewers counting mechanis m

Community Radio (Loko Betar and Krishi Radio ) and PVA

 700 Police, community police and gram police are proactive to address violence during lockdown Virtual Talk show through commun ity Radio 12

Virtual Talk show through PVA TV

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Doctors, Police  45,000 community people Officers SACMO adolescents are aware about health FWV and CHCP services on SRHR and protect Civil Society themselves from violence during journalists NGOs lockdown. and Public  120 service providers are responsive representatives, to provide services female and Govt Offices, adolescents on SRHR issues during Community corona situation police Citizens  75 police, community policing and Journalists gram police are playing active role Youth. to end violence during lock down. community people Doctors, Police  55,000 adolescents are aware about health Officers services on SRHR and protect SACMO FWV themselves from violence during and CHCP lockdown.

Civil Society  350 service providers especially journalists doctors, community medical NGOs and officers, Nurses, Health Assistant, Public CHCP, WFA, FWV are responsive representatives, to provide services to the female Govt. Offices, and adolescents on SRHR issues Community during corona situation. police Gram  100 police, community policing and police, Citizens gram police are playing active role Journalists to end violence during lock down

    

  



Audio Record Link sharing Promo soft copy Schedule Listener counting mechanis m Video document Schedule Listeners viewers counting mechanis m Link sharing

Community Radio (Loko Betar and Krishi Radio ) and PVA

PVA and PVA-TV

Youth.

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Special support for Women and Adoloscent In the COVID-19 response project we have emphasised the special need for the women . NSS has distributed 8 pices of non disposable sanitary cloth to the every beneficiaries for ensuring their menustrual hygeine which is the vital part of women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights-SRHR.The village women are suffering a lots due to lockdown to purcahse sanitary napkin from the village market and shops.Also NSS has distributed 800 packets Sanitary Napkin ( Each packet-10 pices) with 200 benificiaries under COVER project.

VAW Monitoring: NSS has conducted a study to find out the real situation about VAW and Domestic Violence in the coastal areas during dockdown of Covid-19 in two coastal upazillas Amtali of Barguna distrcit and Kalapara pazila of Patuakhali District. It was very important to collect information of violence against women , Refferal system and Case management during the COVID-19 period.

Objectives of the Study Collect the information of violence against women, Refferal system and Case management in specific areas for proper counselling and to ensure health and legal support as well as stregnthen a social protection mechanism.

Sample of study and Methodology In this study we selected five unions which is Amtali Sadar, Haldia,Arpangia from Amtali upazilla and Nilganj and Lalua from Kalapara upazilla. From these Unions of Amtali upazilla we selected 12 Villages from 09 Wards at Kalapara upazilla, we selected 08 Villages from 06 Wards included 100 families at Amtali Upazilla,100 families at Kalapara Upzilla and out of this 130 families 30 families were Rakhaine families. Our observers observed these families very closely and carefully. Before that our data collector have been oriented regarding this issues and trained them to collect data,information and situation analysis.The selection process was sample basis.

Study Results       

Physical Torture at Amtali upazilla was 08 Psychological Torture at Amtali upazilla was 35 Physical Torture at Kalapara upazilla was 13 Psychological Torture at Kalapara upazilla was 41 Rakhaine families Physical torture was one Psychological-04 and Economic-2 Economic harassment at Amtali upazila was 09 Economic harassment at Kalapara upazila was 11

40 30 Physical 20

Mental Economic

10 0 VAW

Rakhain

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Violence in all its forms can have an impact on a woman's well-being throughout the rest of her life. The risks of violence that women and their children face during the lock down of COVID-19 crisis cannot be ignored. Prevention of violence and to support women survivors is as safeguard women’s human rights and promotes physical and mental health and wellbeing for women throughout their lives. NSS monitors the VAW situation regularly and report to the different stakeholders monthly.

Compliant and Response Mechanism (CRM) Compliant and Response Mechanism (CRM) is an uniqe method for ensuring transparency and accountability towards the target community which works as a van guard against possible sexual harrassment,degradation of services,selection biasness and other management loof hole.NSS follows the CRM process in every beneficiaries selection procedure through hanging draft list with complain box, dedicated phone which is very effective mechanism for ensuring accountability and transparency .

During COVID-19 situation NSS has tried to ensure CRM mainting social distance and using different modalities like draft list and dedicated phone numbers are displayed number the complain box in the different important places and distribution card.The community people can inform their complaints,suggestions to the dedicated person and based on phone call asssigned person putted the complain on register and resolved it

Conclusion COVID-19 is not only a global health pandemic, it is a serious threat to global economy as well as socio-political harmony. As we are a citizen of developing country we have to adapt the changing situation rapidly with safety and security. This Pandemic is now a serious threat not only to global health, but also to global economy, livelihood, social security and violence against women and children.

Present situation and prediction of WHO health experts and reseachers, COVID-19 pandemic will continue longterm all over the world. The NSS is searching for internal sources engaging community people rather than external sources considering sustainable adapting approaches with COVID-19 and its adverse effect, however it would be a new dynamics in the development sector.

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