KEY FINDINGS
In April 2016, the Inter-Agency Common Feedback Project collected feedback from communities (2100 respondents) across 14 earthquake affected districts on protection related issues.
A key theme across the protection related questions asked is the lack of access to water supplies. Respondents that did feel there were tensions in their community (34 percent) believed lack of water was one of the main causes of that tension for those respondents. The few respondents (6 percent) that believed violence had occurred within their community also listed water sites as an area where violence had occurred
In addition, while most respondents (79 percent) did not have concerns related to the children in their household, those that did cited access to clean water as a main concern, along with structural safety of schools and security in temporary shelters.
The perception of exclusion or discrimination from reconstruction support, while low among respondents (15 percent), is more likely among disadvantaged groups. Government and agencies should continue to consult with communities about support plans and explain policy and approaches in order to limit perceptions of unfairness. It is critical for Government and agencies to provide communities a platform that allows them to share any grievances related to exclusion or discrimination that can then be addressed in a meaningful way.
Most respondents did not believe violence had occurred within their community or believe they have been mistreated in the recovery (87 percent and 92 percent, respectively). However, it is clear that those who did believe this occurred were unaware of where to seek protective services (46 percent) or recourse (70 percent). Clearly, there is a need to ensure community engagement incorporates protection related issues to ensure that people can, confidentially, seek protective services.
A majority of respondents also have not provided any feedback to Government (77 percent) or agencies (75 percent) related to reconstruction support. The main reasons feedback was not provided were lack of awareness on where or how to provide feedback and a general feeling that providing feedback would not result in any change or would not be heard.
Recommendations
Protection related issues should underpin community engagement work to ensure communities have access to vital information on how individuals can seek protective services and where they can get recourse or support.
The issue of water scarcity has been systematically raised by communities in perception surveys and agency feedback mechanisms. Water scarcity is having protection related implications in raising tensions within communities and, in a few cases, resulting in violence. While the upcoming monsoon may relieve some of this, Government and agencies should monitor the situation and provide necessary support where needed.
A majority of communities do not know how or where to provide feedback to Government or agencies. In addition, they feel that providing feedback would not be heard or change anything. Government and agencies should strengthen efforts to empower communities to provide feedback on reconstruction work. In addition, it is important to demonstrate to communities, through regular dialogue, the importance of feedback and how it has been used to affect change.