Meeting Notes

TWG: Protection

Date: 19th July 2011

Chaired by: Ms Zahida Kakepoto DDO Social Welfare, Shikarpur

Co-Chaired by: Mr. Deedar Ahmed Mirani, Protection Manager, International Rescue Committee, Shikarpur Participants: KEY ISSUES: DIST.GOVT, UNDP, SC, International Rescue Committee, UNHCR & IOM (MASS)

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Non availability of the Funds in ATM (Watan Card) 33000 beneficiaries of Sindh province are having WATAN cards in their hands but without funds in their accounts. (Raised by Int: Rescue Committee) Tracking of the applications for Watan Cards through revenue department is absent. (Raised by Int: Rescue Committee) It is said by the WATAN card authorities that WATAN cards of eligible people are ready at WATAN card counter they just come to collect them. But nobody is going to tell these specific peoples. There is absence of such list of beneficiaries which can disclose the names of such beneficiaries who may be informed by PTG members. The approximate number of such beneficiaries is round about 3500 to 4000 which cover an amount of Rs. 70000000 to 100000000 for IDPS of district. Community is worried about the WATAN-II. Criteria for the Second Watan Installment (UNHCR) Delay in Distribution of the Agri-Inputs after formation of the Cluster Committees by the most potential Humanitarian partner (Acted). (Raised by Int: Rescue Committee) Absence or not functionality of the BHUs in multiple UCs. (Raised by Int: Rescue Committee) Reports say that there are some cases of Child labor in the industrial areas of Shikarpur, mainly in pickle industry. (Raised by Int: Rescue Committee) Uncertain situation in BISP. Absence of 3 Ws Only focused UCs Zarkhai, Hamayun, Sultan Kot, Pir bus shujra and Miansahib. Multiple other UCs feels denial of interventions particularly in shelter and Livelihood. This is raining sense of deprivation and discrimination on various basis. Community is worried about it.

FEEDBACK ON ACTION POINTS FROM LAST MEETING: y y IRM would enhance capacity and advocate importance of Birth Registration at Uc level. Yet District administration to look in to the matter of a condition of height as factor which prevents

child less than height of 4 feet from taking financial aid from Baitul Maal. y Thematic working group coordination mechanism would share information regarding the CP, GBV and General Protection issues for the advocacy and sensitization purpose. 3 Ws is updated with IOM for information sharing.

HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTIONS: y Int: Rescue Committee has set up legal advice centre comprising 8 advocates, 4 for Shikarpur and 4 for Q Shadad kot which would look in to IDP related issues, purely those of criminal in substance and also hired a female lawyer to look in to the issues related to females. DEFID wishes to help with 2nd installment of Watan Cards. y Twenty CFS, CPCs and VTC have been established by Save the Children to entertain and safeguard the rights of the flood affected the child. y IOM is using the Mass Media (Electronic and Print) for the information dissemination regarding the 1st Watan Installment and besides it has requested PDMA for the list of the pending Cases of the Watan so that beneficiaries can attain Watan Cards within short of time till 31st of the July. SUGGESTIONS BY PARTICIPANTS: y The suggestion was put by UNHCR and IRC regarding information about pending cases of

Watan Cards in District Shikarpur for 1st Watan Installment is needed by the community to avail the services in short of time. IOM in this regard can give feedback.
Thematic working group coordination mechanism was suggested by UNHCR to be strengthened so that Information Can be shared on the protection issues for the advocacy and sensitization purpose. y Chair to meet DC for and request the list of the pending beneficiaries of Watan and for those who could not attain cash due the unavailability of Funds. ACTION POINTS: y UNHCR and Int: Rescue Committee to establish TWG coordination mechanism for information sharing. y UNHCR, IOM & Int: Rescue Committee will raise the issue of WATAN card at hub level. y IOM to get List of the pending cases of Watan from PDMA. y Chair to meet the DC for the advocacy relating to Watan Card Issues. y Save the Children will take initiates against child labor in the various industries in Shikarpur. Next PTWG Meeting schedule: 26th of the July HAO UNDP, Shikarpur. Cell: +92 346 8563650 y