Quarterly Performance Report, Mercy Corps, April-June, 2009

Orientation on rights, medical assistance, psychosocial support, and access to services was provided to 41 new survivors and follow-up assistance to an additional 86 survivors and their families in the 22 departments of the Program during this quarter. The construction, equipping, and training of 15 rehabilitation center staff in the Hospital Universitario in Pasto, Nariño, culminated with the grand opening and inauguration of the rehabilitation center on April 28th. The event represented over 8 months of close collaboration between Mercy Corps and CCCM teams, the Hospital, and Nariño department and Pasto governments. The inauguration officially opened the rehabilitation center and was accompanied by the signing of a joint agreement between Mercy Corps, CCCM, and the Hospital administration to begin providing integrated services to landmine survivors, victims of the armed conflict, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in accordance with the Program Result 1.3. In support of Result 1.2, the Mercy Corps and CCCM teams, in coordination with the Corporación Paz y Democracia, organized and completed seven comprehensive community-based first aid training workshops with 199 participants from 44 municipalities affected by landmines in Cauca, including indigenous leaders from six reserves. As part of the process, Mercy Corps and CCCM developed two field manuals outlining key concepts and best practices for emergency assistance to landmine and UXO victims. The manuals were presented and distributed at the Community First Aid trainings. The Mercy Corps and CCCM teams also provided follow-up and evaluation activities with two of the three prosthetics and orthotics specialists studying at the University of Don Bosco in El Salvador. They were evaluated in terms of their wellbeing, review of the content of their curriculum, and their academic performance. All three have achieved a 7.8-8.0/10 average score in their coursework. Another key achievement during the quarter was the evaluation of 50 socio-economic integration initiatives in the departments of Santander and Cauca. Methods and instruments for the evaluation were developed, refined, and tested with the participation and consultation of seven landmine survivors (3 from Santander and 4 from Cauca). Methodology and instruments were also reviewed with representatives of 12 key organizations and institutions involved with socio-economic integration. The CCCM department coordinators were trained in the use of the evaluation instrument, and ten landmine survivor cases were evaluated by a multi-disciplinary team including two psychologists, one economist, one sociologist, one expert in income generation with conflict-affected vulnerable populations, and one gender expert for socio-economic integration. The Antioquia Department Committee for Integral Mine Action Permanent Socio-Economic Integration Working Group was established and membership consolidated this quarter. The Socioeconomic Integration Working Group members include 10 organizations that include regional government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the Landmine Survivors' Association. Key activities included the identification of problems and challenges for socio-economic integration of landmine survivors and elaboration of common objectives using participatory methodologies that culminated in the creation of the Antioquia Department Landmine Action Plan. Landmine information management was also improved with the Land Mine Action Committees in Antioquia, Nariño, and Norte de Santander, and with PAICMA and the National Information Working group member organizations and institutions. The Program has made significant progress towards its objectives, with a total of 218 people trained, 141 people served, and 28 organizations strengthened. The Program has also made progress in increasing access to rehabilitation services, with the grand opening of the rehabilitation center in Pasto, Nariño. The evaluation of socio-economic integration initiatives has also provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of the Program's activities.