Project Details.

CBM was involved in the implementation of accessible health and WASH services across eight union councils in Muzaffargarh district in partnership with CHEF-I and Solidar Switzerland. The project formally commenced in June 2013, and its completion was expected by the end of December 2016. The total budget allocated for this project is PKR 165,789,840. The project aimed to improve the health situation and standard living conditions of the most vulnerable flood-affected population living in eight UCs of the Muzaffargarh district. 

To achieve this objective, the project has rehabilitated primary health infrastructure, increased accessibility for persons with disabilities, built the capacity of primary health professionals, ensured the participation of the community in primary health care provision and governance, constructed and repaired water and sanitation facilities, and offered hygiene awareness trainings in schools and communities. In addition, the project also ascertains the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and women through active representation of the PWDs and women in community networks and capacity-building programs. Community mobilization and empowerment remain focal points for ensuring community participation and offer a launch pad for sustaining the benefits of the project upon its completion. 

At the village level, 40 Village Development Committees (VDC) have been formed, eight Disabled People Organizations (DPOs) were established, and eight village health committees were established to improve the participation of communities in the local health system, especially at the Basic Health Unit and Rural Health Center levels, as well as overall inclusive development activities in their communities. Mixed research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative data collection methods) were used to conduct the evaluation. 

The evaluation work started with thorough literature reviews, i.e., project proposals, progress reports, LFAs, CBM’s monitoring reports, CBM's child safeguarding policy, and CBM’s toolkit for disability inclusive development (DID) were reviewed and extracted. 

Key lessons learned revolved around making data collection more inclusive and focusing on people with disabilities. Seventeen focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with the members of VDCS, VHCs, and DPOs, children in WASH clubs, teachers and students in schools, and artisans supported through WASH facilities. All of these committees are composed of both male and female members. Another method employed for the collection of qualitative data was key informant interviews. A total of 21 KIIs were conducted with key stakeholders in the project. 

HCPL compiled four case studies, two from the beneficiaries and two from non-beneficiary persons with disabilities (PWDs). The case studies from two beneficiary PWDs provide in-depth information on how the project offerings changed the lives of the beneficiaries and what the key barriers were for not reaching benefits in the lives of non-beneficiaries. The quantitative survey was conducted with people with disabilities identified by the project. An equal number of beneficiaries and non-beneficiary PWDs were randomly selected to capture the real impact by comparing project results with those of non-beneficiaries.