Staff at Practical Action have been blogging recently about their work to improve access for remote communities in Nepal. Using Tuins and gravity ropeways their projects are changing the way people access markets and essential services.
Find out more through their video blogs below and at their website: http://practicalaction.org/blog/report/its-all-about-access/
If you are interested in these issues why not find out more about IFRTD's International Workshop on Transport in Mountains (November 2010). With a focus on the controversial issues that we face when trying to improve access and mobility in difficult terrain; the event promises to initiate some lively and critical debate. The traditional call for papers has become a 'call for controversies' - share yours with us now: www.ifrtd.org/mountains
Friday, July 30, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
What Next After World Cup Fever?
After the IFRTD Board meeting in June I urged my fellow Board members to become regular bloggers on these pages. I can hardly go on urging others to blog if I don't follow my own advice so here goes...
Last month I watched the opening game of the World Cup, South Africa vs Mexico, in a crowded Nairobi hotel bar. We cheered for Bafana Bafana ( apologies to Roberto Aguerrebere, my fellow Board member, who was at that moment heading home for Mexico!) The World Cup party atmosphere continued on my plane journey home the following day to London, with the Kenya Airways staff sporting Go Africa tee shirts. Now that the World Cup is well and truly over the focus is on the legacy of the tournament.
What lasting benefits can we expect, particularly for poor people in South Africa?
Firstly, there is enormous pride in the fact that the doubters who said that the World Cup in South Africa would be a disaster were proved totally wrong. As a British, black woman, low expectations and doubts from others about your ability to succeed is something that I am familiar with, it is always sweet when you prove your doubters wrong. But how much better it is when you feel that you don't need to prove things in order to avoid stereotypes.
Secondly, a few facts and figures about the World Cup 2010. South Africa spent an estimated £3.5bn ($5bn) and FIFA has made £2.1bn($3.3bn) from television coverage and sponsorship alone. Investment in the transport infrastructure is a key part of the legacy; 700 new buses, the upgrading of the road and rail infrastructure, the Rea Vaya (We are moving) South Africa's first Rapid Transit Bus system. This has to be the pearl in the oyster; affordable, high quality mass transport serving the needs of low income people. Check out Todd Litman's post on the Planetizen website for more on this. Next year, 2011 will see Gautrain , South Africa's first high speed train. Part of the route opened for the World Cup in June. I will be keeping my eye on the transport ball to see how well the legacy will serve poor communities in South Africa.
Asante Sana Kenya
By the way, in case you thought I spent all of my time watching football during the Board meeting. I'd like to mention here what a pleasure it was to have the chance to attend a working session organised by Peter Njenga, IFRTD Regional Co-ordinator for East & Southern Africa and Maria Arce, IFRTD Executive Director. The workshop was the start of developing the Strategic Plan for the East & Southern Africa region (see our group, pictured above). We were joined by colleagues, and IFRTD members Taye Berhanu, Executive Director of the Ethiopian National Forum for Rural Transport & Development and Kenneth Odoro, Executive Director for Climate XL Africa. It was a good opportunity to focus on the new agendas and challenges that IFRTD has to face at both regional and global level. I came away from the session feeling very positive and more convinced than ever of
the need for good collaboration and strong partnerships if we are to succeed
in bringing about major change in transport policy and attracting resources and support for our cause. During my trip I also had the pleasure of meeting Eric Makokha of Shelter Forum Kenya .
I learned more about how an organisation with very similar roots to IFRTD has grown over the years since it became independent. I'll be posting more about this in future. For now I will sign off with a thank you (asante sana) to the people I met in Nairobi. I look forward to returning to Kenya some time soon.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Community Stretchers in Nepal provide vital health link
A Pilot Project to evaluate the impact of community managed stretchers on access to healthcare
In rural areas of Nepal where there are no roads and motorised transport is not an option, simple stretchers can provide a vital means of transporting sick and injured people to health care facilities. Funds raised by the Women in Transportation Seminar London (WTS) have been used to place stretchers in the heart of rural communities in 3 districts of Nepal, where they are being managed and maintained by local groups in order to improve their own access to routine and emergency medical care.
Research carried out by Nepal’s District Roads Support Programme as part of IFRTD’s Mobility and Health Networked Research programme identified that disadvantaged groups, primarily women and discriminated castes, tend to live further from the road and from health facilities. Strategically located stretchers therefore have a huge potential to benefit these groups, who are isolated by their situation and poverty.
This WTS funded pilot has enabled the purchase of 50 stretchers to be used across 3 districts of Nepal: Dolakha, Ramechhap and Baglung. The Rural Health Development Programme (RHDP) identified disadvantaged groups in each district to receive the stretchers to ensure that the neediest communities would benefit. The recipient communities then signed agreements with the RHDP for proper use and maintenance of the stretchers and to monitor their use.
Dolakha District
20 stretchers were distributed in Dolakha District to disadvantaged communities in Bhirkot, Lapilang, Suspa, Bulung, Khare, Laduk, Lamidanda and Ghyangsukathkar villages. The stretchers are kept by the disadvantaged groups and handled by Female Community Health Volunteers and Mothers Group members. Norms and guidelines for the use of the stretchers and how they should be handled in an emergency were developed and provided.
Most local people have appreciated the provision of stretchers free of charge for the disadvantaged sections of their community. Local health workers have reported that the stretchers are predominantly used in delivery cases. With the help of a stretcher it is easy to carry pregnant women to the nearest road and then send them by public bus to hospitals based in the district headquarters.
Ramechhap District
20 stretchers were allocated for distribution to disadvantaged groups in Ramechhap . An RHDP visit to Sunarpani and Manthali monitored use in 3 locations and found the stretchers being used in emergency cases i.e accidents and maternity, to carry the patient to higher service centres.
Management of the stretchers was found to be good; they are stored in a safe place and maintained properly. The groups have established their own regulations. For example in Mathali Ward #1 the Shree Durgeswar Mother’s Group charge Rs5 from users to maintain the stretcher. Similarly Koiralbot Mother’s Group charge 50Rs from users for the purchase of new stretchers.
Users found the stretchers were easy to carry, saved time versus making dokos and dolis (traditional carrying basket and hammock), were perceived as safe by patients, were easy to access as they belong to small groups.
Baglung District
The ten stretchers donated to Baglung district are to be distributed between two different road corridors where the Decentralised Rural Infrastructure and Livelihoods Programme (DRILP) works. The stretchers ear marked for the Baglung-Bhurtibhang groups are already in use but the distribution of stretchers to the Kushmisera road is delayed until work starts on that stretch of road.
The interim report provided below gives examples of stretcher use in the various districts using the records provided by the stretcher user groups. Further evaluation will be available from January 2010.
Resources:
Interim Report (Download Word 3.5MB)
Stretcher Use Guidelines (Download Word 25 kb)
Sample Stretcher Use Agreement (Download Word 23 kb)
Links:
District Roads Support Programme http://www.drspnepal.org
Women in Transportation Seminar London http://www.wtslondon.org
A Pilot Project to evaluate the impact of community managed stretchers on access to healthcare
In rural areas of Nepal where there are no roads and motorised transport is not an option, simple stretchers can provide a vital means of transporting sick and injured people to health care facilities. Funds raised by the Women in Transportation Seminar London (WTS) have been used to place stretchers in the heart of rural communities in 3 districts of Nepal, where they are being managed and maintained by local groups in order to improve their own access to routine and emergency medical care.
Research carried out by Nepal’s District Roads Support Programme as part of IFRTD’s Mobility and Health Networked Research programme identified that disadvantaged groups, primarily women and discriminated castes, tend to live further from the road and from health facilities. Strategically located stretchers therefore have a huge potential to benefit these groups, who are isolated by their situation and poverty.
This WTS funded pilot has enabled the purchase of 50 stretchers to be used across 3 districts of Nepal: Dolakha, Ramechhap and Baglung. The Rural Health Development Programme (RHDP) identified disadvantaged groups in each district to receive the stretchers to ensure that the neediest communities would benefit. The recipient communities then signed agreements with the RHDP for proper use and maintenance of the stretchers and to monitor their use.
Dolakha District
20 stretchers were distributed in Dolakha District to disadvantaged communities in Bhirkot, Lapilang, Suspa, Bulung, Khare, Laduk, Lamidanda and Ghyangsukathkar villages. The stretchers are kept by the disadvantaged groups and handled by Female Community Health Volunteers and Mothers Group members. Norms and guidelines for the use of the stretchers and how they should be handled in an emergency were developed and provided.
Most local people have appreciated the provision of stretchers free of charge for the disadvantaged sections of their community. Local health workers have reported that the stretchers are predominantly used in delivery cases. With the help of a stretcher it is easy to carry pregnant women to the nearest road and then send them by public bus to hospitals based in the district headquarters.
Ramechhap District
20 stretchers were allocated for distribution to disadvantaged groups in Ramechhap . An RHDP visit to Sunarpani and Manthali monitored use in 3 locations and found the stretchers being used in emergency cases i.e accidents and maternity, to carry the patient to higher service centres.
Management of the stretchers was found to be good; they are stored in a safe place and maintained properly. The groups have established their own regulations. For example in Mathali Ward #1 the Shree Durgeswar Mother’s Group charge Rs5 from users to maintain the stretcher. Similarly Koiralbot Mother’s Group charge 50Rs from users for the purchase of new stretchers.
Users found the stretchers were easy to carry, saved time versus making dokos and dolis (traditional carrying basket and hammock), were perceived as safe by patients, were easy to access as they belong to small groups.
“It was comfortable during the transport and saved time to reach the hospital following my leg fracture”Mr Krishna Shresth age 65.
Baglung District
The ten stretchers donated to Baglung district are to be distributed between two different road corridors where the Decentralised Rural Infrastructure and Livelihoods Programme (DRILP) works. The stretchers ear marked for the Baglung-Bhurtibhang groups are already in use but the distribution of stretchers to the Kushmisera road is delayed until work starts on that stretch of road.
The interim report provided below gives examples of stretcher use in the various districts using the records provided by the stretcher user groups. Further evaluation will be available from January 2010.
Resources:
Interim Report (Download Word 3.5MB)
Stretcher Use Guidelines (Download Word 25 kb)
Sample Stretcher Use Agreement (Download Word 23 kb)
Links:
District Roads Support Programme http://www.drspnepal.org
Women in Transportation Seminar London http://www.wtslondon.org
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A message from IFRTD's new Executive Secretary
Dear members and friends of IFRTD,
It is often said that time flies when you are having fun. Almost two months in the post I feel that there is not a single day that has been the same. My understanding of the essence of IFRTD and its work has been increasing by the day and I have been lucky to meet many of the faithful IFRTD members and supporters.
It is a truly exciting time for IFRTD. Changing from being an informal network to an independent organisation brings on board a whole range of issues and responsibilities that we need to address in the most effective and efficient manner. In the short term, ensuring that our internal operational set up responds to our new status should allow us to function as a small but effective organisation. In this context it is important to take a good and honest look at ourselves and identify where there may be need for changes to increase our impact and outreach. While IFRTD has built up a good reputation and is respected for its good work, we cannot afford to be complacent and need to address our weaknesses and build up our strengths.
We all know that working effectively with and through networks are satisfactory experiences. A lot can be achieved through the power of the group and collaboration. However impact can be hard to measure and networking could be limited to a comfortable few. IFRTD, as any other global network, has to constantly assess its work, its impact, its added value and vis รก vis the challenging and constantly evolving development agenda ensure to maintain its relevance and its substantial contributions.
IFRTD members are our main asset and therefore I am determined to place considerable emphasis on understanding our members’ needs and capacities better to ensure our programmes and activities respond to your interests and capacities. At the same time I am committed to building our capacities and awareness on emerging issues and I hope we can play a proactive role in influencing the development agenda at all levels of our operation.
The way ahead is thrilling but I am conscious that it also brings many challenges and difficult questions. I, in close collaboration with the Secretariat team, will be willing to take each of these challenges on board but we will need the active support of our members, the Board and the Executive Committee to achieve success.
Finally let me thank you for the warm welcome I have received from members and partners alike. The human warmth present in IFRTD can only motivate me to do my best and to continue learning from your vast experience to represent and promote our issues in the most appropriate and powerful manner.
Maria Arce Moreira
Executive Secretary
IFRTD
Dear members and friends of IFRTD,
It is often said that time flies when you are having fun. Almost two months in the post I feel that there is not a single day that has been the same. My understanding of the essence of IFRTD and its work has been increasing by the day and I have been lucky to meet many of the faithful IFRTD members and supporters.
It is a truly exciting time for IFRTD. Changing from being an informal network to an independent organisation brings on board a whole range of issues and responsibilities that we need to address in the most effective and efficient manner. In the short term, ensuring that our internal operational set up responds to our new status should allow us to function as a small but effective organisation. In this context it is important to take a good and honest look at ourselves and identify where there may be need for changes to increase our impact and outreach. While IFRTD has built up a good reputation and is respected for its good work, we cannot afford to be complacent and need to address our weaknesses and build up our strengths.
We all know that working effectively with and through networks are satisfactory experiences. A lot can be achieved through the power of the group and collaboration. However impact can be hard to measure and networking could be limited to a comfortable few. IFRTD, as any other global network, has to constantly assess its work, its impact, its added value and vis รก vis the challenging and constantly evolving development agenda ensure to maintain its relevance and its substantial contributions.
IFRTD members are our main asset and therefore I am determined to place considerable emphasis on understanding our members’ needs and capacities better to ensure our programmes and activities respond to your interests and capacities. At the same time I am committed to building our capacities and awareness on emerging issues and I hope we can play a proactive role in influencing the development agenda at all levels of our operation.
The way ahead is thrilling but I am conscious that it also brings many challenges and difficult questions. I, in close collaboration with the Secretariat team, will be willing to take each of these challenges on board but we will need the active support of our members, the Board and the Executive Committee to achieve success.
Finally let me thank you for the warm welcome I have received from members and partners alike. The human warmth present in IFRTD can only motivate me to do my best and to continue learning from your vast experience to represent and promote our issues in the most appropriate and powerful manner.
Maria Arce Moreira
Executive Secretary
IFRTD
Monday, November 06, 2006
The Rural Access Index – Does it capture enough?
At a recent IFRTD meeting in Tanzania, participants reflected on the various transport performance indicators under development. Of particular interest was the Rural Access Index, one of the most established headline indicators. The view was expressed that it’s current definition: % of population within 2kms of an all weather road is not sufficiently oriented to livelihood outcomes.
Distance to an all weather road on its own does not sufficiently capture the complexities of rural access which include availability, affordability and reliability of transport services. It was questioned whether the computation of the index should incorporate time in addition to distance.
What do you think? The IFRTD would like to hear your views. Share your comments below or email the IFRTD Secretariat at ifrtd@ifrtd.org
We will share all the views we receive with the network and feed them into the ongoing World Bank Transport Results Measurement programme.
At a recent IFRTD meeting in Tanzania, participants reflected on the various transport performance indicators under development. Of particular interest was the Rural Access Index, one of the most established headline indicators. The view was expressed that it’s current definition: % of population within 2kms of an all weather road is not sufficiently oriented to livelihood outcomes.
Distance to an all weather road on its own does not sufficiently capture the complexities of rural access which include availability, affordability and reliability of transport services. It was questioned whether the computation of the index should incorporate time in addition to distance.What do you think? The IFRTD would like to hear your views. Share your comments below or email the IFRTD Secretariat at ifrtd@ifrtd.org
We will share all the views we receive with the network and feed them into the ongoing World Bank Transport Results Measurement programme.
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