Progress Report # 20: Monitoring & Evaluation Services Malakand: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Reconstruction Program

The program focuses on education, health, and water and sanitation (WatSan) sectors. In the education sector, a total of 79 schools in Swat District have been tendered, with work orders issued for 79 schools. As of April 2012, work is underway on 76 schools, with three schools still awaiting commencement of work. In Dir Lower District, 20 schools have been tendered, with work orders issued for 15 schools. Four schools in Dir Lower have been completed and handed over to the Education Department. In Dir Upper District, five schools have been tendered, with work orders issued for two schools. Three schools in Dir Upper still require tendering. In the WatSan sector, 20 proposed schemes were identified for USAID funding in Buner District. However, two schemes were included in the Annual Development Program (ADP) of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (GoKP). Topographic surveys, design, and cost estimates for the remaining schemes were completed and submitted to the concerned quarters. It was noted that sanitation schemes were not required in the area identified. In Swat District, WatSan schemes and equipment were identified in seven union councils of the TMA Mingora. A WatSan Engineer from Al-Kasib Group of Engineering Services (AGES) visited the TMA from November 23-25, 2011, to assess the ground realities and make recommendations. The Engineer documented his findings and recommendations in his visit report, which were submitted to USAID/PaRRSA for further action. In the health sector, contracts for the award of five Basic Health Units (BHUs) have been finalized, with work orders issued to the contractors. The first milestone payment has been processed for all five BHUs. Topographic surveys of the BHUs have been completed, and excavation work has been initiated on two BHUs in District Swat. The Monitoring and Evaluation Services Malakand are also providing M&E services for several sub-projects funded by other donors, including the United Nations Habitat, Qatar Charity, and IDEA. These projects include the construction of schools, colleges, and other infrastructure. As of April 2012, a total of 483 milestones in 92 schools have been completed and recommended to USAID for payment to PaRRSA. The total disbursement of milestones is US$ 4.57 million, while the total accruals are about US$ 6.83 million. An amount of US$ 0.276 million for the first milestone payment of health facilities has been paid to PaRRSA. Regular meetings were held among stakeholders to discuss issues related to slow progress, managerial issues, and approval of tenders, technical sanctions, and design of WatSan schemes. Special meetings were also held to discuss the progress of the program and address any concerns or issues that may have arisen.