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South Asia Earthquake Update

January 12, 2006

Note: New content has been inserted in red, italicized, bold font.

Table of Contents:

Pakistan .....................................page 2

India .....................................page 12

Overview

The confirmed death toll from the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that was centered near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK) on October 8 stands at over 73,000 in Pck and in NWFP, while the unconfirmed death toll has climbed to over 86,000. (Nov-8, AP, Dawn) Over 79,000 people injured and estimated 3 million displaced or homeless. The earthquake affected nine districts in total: Abbottabad, Batagram, Mansehra, Shangla, and Kohistan in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Muzaffarabad, Neelum, Poonch and Bagh in PcK.

Severe cold weather continued to hamper relief work in all major sectors since the arrival of subzero temperatures last week. DFID reports that sectors of most concern are shelter, camp management and water/sanitation. (Jan-12, DFID) After a lull in precipitation amid continuing subzero temperatures in the latter part of this week, heavy rain and snow is expected to begin again late Friday (January 13). (Jan-12, PMD) A cold wave that has swept through other parts of South Asia in the last two weeks has claimed the lives of at least 265 people in northern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. (Jan-12, PTI)

World Food Program (WFP) said yesterday (Tuesday, January 10) that the UN’s US$550 million emergency appeal still suffers from poor international donor response, and said that UN agencies would have to cease operations by March unless new funds arrive. (Jan-11, IRIN) Jan Vandemoortele, UN humanitarian coordinator said that the UN’s US$550 million flash appeal has so far received US$305 million in cash, with another US$10 million pledged, about 57% of the total. He added that the UN and partner agencies needed US$2 million a day to keep aid operations running.

Civilian authorities in NWFP and PcK will be responsible for food delivery by March 31. Camp management has transitioned back from civilian to military authorities in NWFP due to inclement weather. (Jan-12, DFID) Some relief transport was affected by Eid Al-Adha holiday on January 10. (Jan-4, UNJLC)

UN resumed helicopter flights to a quake-hit areas of PcK on Tuesday (January 10), after being grounded on Saturday (January 7) due to security concerns. Relief flights to Leepa and Bana Mula valleys in PcK were suspended following the storming of helicopters by about 50 survivors last Friday (January 6), who reportedly forced UN pilots to take them to Muzaffarabad and Abottabad cities. One UN worker reportedly assaulted. UN did not specify which UN agencies were involved, but said that assistance would continue in the area. Although relief flights to Leepa valley will resume, relief goods to Bana Mula, a short distance away, would be delivered by road. Pakistani civil and military authorities will investigate the incidents, and security will be increased around aid deliveries. GOP said Sunday (January 8) that the army has asked UN agencies to share flight plans 24 hours in advance for security clearance. There are also concerns that the incident was sparked by panic from survivors cut off by heavy snow, resulting high prices of food and fuel. (Jan 8-10, AFP)

Inclement weather caused numerous landslides throughout area of operation, hampering relief. (Jan-12, OCHA) UN, aid agencies and Pakistan military still attempting to deliver food to survivors, including those in areas above 5,000 feet (1,500 feet). On Sunday (January 8), temperatures reached -14C (6.8 F). “We remain very concerned,” said UN spokesperson Ben Malor. “Places are recording temperatures that are much more severe than normal.” Snow up to a meter deep reported in many places, and aid agencies are preparing for more road blockages when severe weather arrives this weekend. In the first week of January, the quake relief operation was suspended for five days due to heavy snow.

Access to areas above 5,000 feet (1,524 m) largely blocked. All foreign individuals and NGOs need to obtain proper visa before entering the country. (Jan-12, UNJLC) GOP has waived customs duty and other taxes on goods imported for relief operation for period of three months, but not for reconstruction goods. (Dec-21, UNJLC)

Heavy snows continued to damage tents – relief workers are repitching and regularly clearing off snow. Total number of collapsed tents unknown. (Jan-12, DFID) At least 70 people were injured when heavy snowfall destroyed a tent village in Hattaia Bala area in PcK. (Jan-3, Hindustan Times) In addition, UN officials said yesterday that the UN plans to distribute kerosene oil stoves among quake victims, despite the dangers of tent fires which has claimed several lives. The UN said that it would provide fire safety training and firefighting equipment in camps. However, there are reports that the Pakistani military is prohibiting the distribution of kerosene stoves in NWFP camps. (Jan-12, DFID) IOM reports some 50 tent fires have been recorded since earthquake with loss of life and destruction of property. About two-thirds of families with heating devices have constructed home-built stoves within tents for cooking and heating, while remainder use open fires. (Dec-28, IRIN) Wat/San situation in camps reportedly deteriorating with unconfirmed reports of latrines flooding. (Jan-12, DFID) About 1.9 million survivors are living independently below the snowline, 250,000 are in organized camps, and another 400,000 are in temporary shelters above the snowline. All but 10 percent of the tents have been adequately winterized.

About 100 families reported moving down of higher elevations due to decreasing weather conditions – significant number undertaking reconnaissance visits to camps before returning to high altitudes. OCHA reports planning for large scale descent remains priority. (Jan-12, OCHA) The UNHCR, which is supporting 300 camps with the government as the lead agency for camp management, is currently prepared to support 50,000 new arrivals and is setting up new tent sites. But many survivors are reluctant to move for fear of losing their land and property.

The 1,000-strong NATO force will begin winding down relief operations later this week in preparation for its withdrawal on February 1. (Jan-8, Reuters) NATO will wrap up earthquake relief operations when 90-day mandate expires on January 21. (Dec-1, TN, Reuters) US military doubled deliveries of relief supplies following three-day suspension during first of January due to inclement weather. They plan to provide 30-day food supply for people in remote mountain villages. There are about 870 US troops that will stay until March. (Jan-10, GOUSA) US Disaster Assistance Center continues to maintain 12 US Chinook helicopters, along with four S70 Australian helicopters.

Former US President George Bush, Sr., is scheduled to visit quake-hit areas from January 16 as UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s special envoy. (Jan-10, The Jang)

A moderate earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, with an epicenter about 125 miles (200 km) northeast of Peshawar, the capital of NWFP, struck on Wednesday (January 11). No damage or casualties were reported. Region has been hit by more than 1,500 aftershocks since the quake. (Jan-11, BBC)

Sector Status
Affected Population	Death toll is at 73,320; injured is at 69,392 (Nov-16, OCHA) 4 million affected; estimated 3.3 million displaced or homeless scattered across 15,000 villages. (Nov-1, OCHA) Nearly half of the four million affected people are in PcK and another 1.3 million in NWFP. Estimated 35% of schools in higher altitudes will close on December 22 for winter vacation, until end of February 2006. Rest will remain open until end of regular school year in April/May. (Dec-15, DFID) Up to 10,000 children lost at least one parent, and about 800,000 women between the age of 15 and 49 were affected. (Dec-15, CWS) About 18,095 students and 853 teachers and educational staff died in the earthquake in NWFP and PcK. (Dec-15, CWS) UNICEF estimates some 1.6 million to 2.2 million children were affected by the earthquake. (Oct-31, AFP) UNICEF estimates almost 1 million schoolchildren need support, of which some 450,000 are of primary school age. (Dec-28, Reuters) Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) registering affected population, including those residing in and outside camps. (Dec-8, UN)
Coordination	According to UNJLC, a 23^rd meeting of the Pak-Humanitarian Forum (PHF) will take place on January 17. The meeting is called “Snow Lines and Humanitarian Response” and will focus on the challenges of the relief operation. (Jan-11, UNJLC) According to OCHA, the Pakistani military has announced that all affected areas have been assessed. (Dec-30, OCHA) UNJLC says that an Emergency Coordination Center is in the process of being established by OCHA with assistance of UNJLC. According to UNJLC, it will consolidate information from the coordinating bodies and will act as a central briefing point and information center on the emergency, with the goal to set up a structure to help plan for future operations. It will be located in OCHA’s new offices and will be operational by January 4, 2006. (Dec-29, UNJLC) A Strategic Information Cell (SIC) has been comprised of HIC, FRC, UNJLC and clusters which will act as a repository of information gathered. SIC will focus on data collection for the period between December 15 to January 31. (Dec-15, Clusters) “Joint Operations Center” established to task UNHAS; Pakistan military; NATO and US Military air assets. (Dec-2, OCHA) 90-day ‘Winter Plan’ created to outline UN-led Cluster response. Priorities are: 1) Ensure continued assistance for estimated 350,000-380,000 who are expected to remain in high-elevation locations for the winter; 2) Support potential camp population of 250,000 in planned and spontaneous camps at lower elevations; 3) Ensure protection and meet needs of vulnerable population including women, children, elderly and disabled; 4) Continuous assessment of changing situation to meet emerging needs. (Dec-2, OCHA) GOP has established a “Prime Minister Relief Cell” in Islamabad for help in locating family members. Hotline Tel: (+9251) 9222666. “Earthquake Relief Cell” has been established in the Prime Minister’s House. The 24-hour hotlines will receive complaints from the earthquake-affected. (+9251) 9213891 or (+9251) 92229999. Ten sectoral coordination clusters were established to bring together the government, UN agencies, NGOs, IOs, militaries, and donors. (Oct-22, UNOCHA) These clusters cover areas such as food & nutrition, water & sanitation, health, emergency shelter, early recovery and reconstruction, IT/communication, logistics, camp management, protection and education. (Nov-1, OCHA) Detailed cluster information (meeting minutes, contact information) is posted at: www.un.org.pk. (Nov-8, OCHA) Clusters are concept of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), and is new to the UN system. It is being trialed in this disaster. (Nov-11, UN) The GOP formed a 7-member Civil Services Special Task Force. In addition to coordination, the task force will supervise foreign relief workers, NGOs, and volunteers. The task force will work under the Federal Relief Commissioner. Saeed Ahmed Khan is chief coordinator; Ishtiaq Ahmed is coordinator for NWFP; Tariq Khosa is coordinator for PCK; Qasim Niaz is coordinator for donor agencies; Arifa Sofi is coordinator for NGOs; Mohsin Rizvi is coordinator for foreign offices; and Dr. Ashfaq is coordinator for health services. (Oct-19, GOP) Federal Relief Commission coordinates rescue and relief operations. Major General Farooq Ahmed Khan, is the Federal Relief Commissioner. Humanitarian Information Centre (HIC) has been set up within the UNDAC/UN coordination centre. (Oct-14, UNOCHA) The NATO Deployed Joint Task Force (DJTF) is coordinating NATO relief activities with Pakistani officials. (Oct-27, Dawn) Pakistani army has opened three more military bases at Dhamial, Peshawar and Tarbela to assist in relief operations. Army is operating six forward bases in Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalkot, Balakot, Batgram and Mansehra. The army has also set up three main reporting and information centers at Havelian, Mansehra, and Gahri Habibullah. (Oct-27, DPA) Network of some 45 Army points in place. There are six major points, three each in NWFP at Mansehra, Balakot and Batagram, and Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Rawalkot in PcK. (Oct-19, Jang)
Logistics	UNJLC has established an emergency team in Muzaffarabad for quick response during times of inclement weather. (Jan-11, UNJLC) Under current funding, UNHAS will only be able to keep up activities at current rate until Feb. 10, OCHA says. Does not include 4 helicopters funded by DFID until May 3. (Dec-30, OCHA) UNJLC says that a new transport coordination database has been created to facilitate the overview of cargo movement. (Dec-29, UNJLC) A chart of available warehouse space is published on the UNJLC webpage. The table is designed to give all agencies and NGOs in need of storage a precise overview of existing warehouse capacity. (Dec-29, UNJLC) http://www.unjlc.org/pakistan UNJLC says that it is also in the process of updating and expanding its map catalog in order to provide readily available information to the relief community. UNJLC says that for printed copies and requests, email unjlcmapping@gmail.com. Maps can also be downloaded from the UNJLC website. (Dec-29, UNJLC) UNJLC map of revised UNHAS passenger service flight schedule now available to relief community at http://www.unjlc.org/pakistan/maps/UNHASPaxroutes/. (Dec-21, UNJLC) GOP and GOI have set up five crossing points along the LoC at Nauser-Teethwal, Chakothi-Uri, Hajipur-Uri, Rawalakot-Poonch and Tattapni-Mendhar. All the crossing points are now open. However, presently only Nauser-Teethwal and Rawalakot-Poonch crossing points are open for limited civilian crossing. (Nov-21, TN)
International Financial Assistance	Commitments for the UN Flash Appeal stand at US$305 million (56% of overall requirements). (Jan-12, DFID) UN Foundation has established South Asia Earthquake Response Fund to enable private-sector donors to support the UN’s relief and rehabilitation efforts. Initial contribution of US$ 1 million has been made. (Dec-21, Reuters)
Food	According to the WFP and GOP, some 2.3 million people remain food insecure. (Jan-12, DFID) WFP has reportedly stockpiled sufficient food to last between 7-30 days at central locations throughout the affected region. (Jan-12, DFID) The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) says that thousands of families have given up their makeshift shelters to protect their remaining animals because the majority of people depend on dairy livestock for nutrition and income. (Jan-3, WSPA) Save the Children (SC) will now distribute WFP rations to 86,290 people in Allai Tehsil (Battagram) and about 35,000 people in Tehsil Kala Khaka (Mansehra). SC is amending agreement with WFP to accommodate these changes. (Dec-27, SC)
Water and Sanitation	According to DFID, the situation in camps is deteriorating with unconfirmed reports of latrines flooding. (Jan-12, DFID) Forty percent of overall population and 90% of camp population receiving safe water. 4,000 latrines installed, 60,000 in the pipeline. (Dec-12, OCHA) UNICEF and the Ministry of Environment mark a new partnership with a memorandum of understanding and a website (www.pakquakecommunication.org) to spread awareness in affected areas about hygiene, safe drinking water, sanitation, and waste management. (Dec-5, GOP)
Public Health/Medical	At least 30 children have died of cold in early January in the northern Gultary region, local health officials have reported. Respiratory tract infections and pneumonia caused most of the deaths, officials say. The region has been cut off by heavy snow and landslides. (Jan-5, DPA) NATO Air Mobile Medical Teams have treated over 3,000 patients in Kashmir since November. (Jan-9, NATO) Major General Shaukat Sultan, Director General of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) says that records show that for the time being, normal health related deaths are lower than even previous years. Medical camps established by foreign aid groups have brought good medical supplies and he says that “health conditions are improving in quake-hit areas.” (Jan-4, GOP) Khalid Saeed, a mental health coordinator with the World Health Organization (WHO) says that some 180,000 survivors have serious mental disorders, including psychosis, severe depression and anxiety. (Jan-4, Reuters) According to the latest reports, issued jointly by the Pakistan government and World Health Organization (WHO), Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) account for 20-30% of the consultations among children under the age of five in the earthquake-affected areas. (Dec-22, UNICEF) Ministry of Health has launched special vaccination campaign in relief camps in PcK and NWFP for tetanus, diphtheria and meningitis. About 70 percent of people have been vaccinated, but campaign will cover those who recently arrived from high mountain areas. Increase in cases of pneumonia and respiratory diseases in northern Pakistan. (Dec-22, IFRC) There are 74 field hospitals, including 47 international field hospitals and 9 mental health teams, operating in the region. (Dec-9, IRIN) There are about 51 foreign medical teams, along with 233 Pakistani doctors. Pakistan military has nine forward treatment centers and 28 surgical and treatment teams of army doctors. (Dec-11, GOP) National Task Force on Psycho-social Trauma has been formed by the prime minister and led by the Ministry of Health with the support of WHO, UNICEF and other partners. (Dec-16, OCHA) Approximately 1.6 to 2.2 million children at particular risk of cold, malnutrition and disease. UN estimates that 40,000 pregnant women are affected. (Dec-15, CWS) WHO has set up a website to facilitate information exchange between health partners at www.whopak.org. (Oct-17, UNOCHA)
Shelter	The chair of the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) Lt. General Muhammad Zubair said that the housing policy for the earthquake affected areas had been finalized. He told the BBC that under the policy, about 400,153 houses would be built, and the government would provide sheets and cement in bulk for construction. According to the GOP, he said that US$1 billion dollars would be required for the provision of health and education facilities, along with the construction of houses. (Jan-9, GOP) There is an estimated 137,008 people in 26 planned and 113 spontaneous camps across the region, according to the Camp Management Cluster. (Jan-12, DFID) Pakistani military continuing to construct community “warm rooms” and prohibit the distribution of kerosene stoves in NWFP camps. (Jan-12, DFID) Winterization of non-winterized tents by shelter cluster is ongoing. (Jan-12, DFID) OCHA reports that the migration of displaced people from higher elevations into camps increased slightly due to weather conditions. A significant number of people reportedly doing “reconnaissance” visits to camps before returning to higher altitudes. (Jan-12, DFID) Major General Shaukat Sultan, Director General of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that permanent shelters prepared by the army can accommodate some 1.5 million survivors. He says that over 255,000 permanent shelters have been set up for people living over 5,000 feet. More than 30,000 winterized tents have been acquired from abroad, while 750,000 tents have been pitched inside the valleys. (Jan-4, GOP) In PcK, UNICEF organizing the distribution of some 50,000 kits containing warm winter clothing and other winter items for children. (Dec-27, IRIN) Several techniques used for better and safer winterization: Afghan refugees helping to create an “Afghan fireplace” for heating; UNHCR recommends pitching tent two feet deep and insulation. Every military-run camp has several “fire stops,” information on fire prevention and extinguishers. (Dec-22, UNHCR) There are some 55 tent villages in PcK which house over 58,000 people, with 23 tent villages in NWFP, housing over 35,000 people, according to the FRC. There are some 400 spontaneous tent villages housing over 100,000 people. (Dec-24, GOP) According to rapid assessment by UN, some one tenth of tents are too thin to withstand the winter. Some 75 percent of households require extra protection to get through winter. Some 1 million blankets or half a million quilts still needed, UNICEF says. (Dec-22, UNICEF) Emergency Shelter Cluster: 98,605 shelter kits delivered (730,000 beneficiaries), of which 54,529 delivered above 5,000 ft.; 55,000 transitional shelters constructed (407,000 beneficiaries); 610,000 tents delivered (283,806 by humanitarian community); 4.8 million blankets delivered (1.7 million by humanitarian community); 451,000 plastic sheets/tarpaulins delivered by humanitarian community. (Dec-19, UNCT)
Infrastructure	Agencies have been given a target of 400,000 quake-resistant homes to build before next winter season. (Dec-28, Dawn) PcK Minister Sardar Sikander Hayat Khan said that reconstruction and rehabilitation in PcK will begin on April 1, 2006. (Dec-28, Dawn) GOP says that 95% of roads, 70% of water supply system, 85% of electrical supply and 96% of telecom facilities have been restored in quake-affected areas. (Dec-27, GOP) GOP has approved a US$300 million project to rehabilitate and restore damaged and destroyed infrastructure. Private NGOs and civil society organizations will also be involved in rehabilitation. (Dec-27, GOP) GOP estimates that 6,700 schools were destroyed in NWFP and 1,300 in PcK. (Dec-28, Reuters) OCHA says that almost 500 schools have reopened, with over 32,200 children enrolled in the schools. In an effort to get an overall picture of the situation around Muzaffarabad, UNICEF and local officials are conducting a rapid assessment of more than 2,000 schools. Some 2,500 school tents are in the pipeline. UNICEF has distributed some 16,000 school-in-a-box sets for children in PcK. Each kit can provide supplies for 80 children and 2 teachers. (Dec-28, IRIN) The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank estimate that the quake damaged some 2,385 miles (3,837 kilometers) of roads; 2,366 km (1470 miles) in PcK and 1,471 km (914 miles) of roads in NWFP were damaged. Out of US$5.2 billion estimated for reconstruction needs, World Bank and ADB estimates about US$1.092 billion needed for relief, US$205 million for death/injury compensation, US$301 million for early recovery and US$97 million for the restoration of livelihoods. In addition, US$3.5 billion was estimated for the physical reconstruction. (Nov-15, Reuters, ADB)
Security	UNJLC reports that two security incidents were reported in Kokliot and UNDSS has decided that no UN operations can take place in Kokliot and within a 5 km radius of this town. (Jan-4, OCHA) Save the Children has established 68 safe play spaces in NWFP and PcK – 11 new spaces were created this week. (Dec-27, SC) According to OCHA, Ministry of Social Welfare is offering the most vulnerable groups who have been affected by the earthquake to be moved to an institution outside Islamabad. (Dec-19, OCHA) NWFP government insists on police escorts for international staff in the province. Security instructions do not allow movement outside Battagram town without police escort. (Dec-7-13, WFP) Local police now accompanies distributions to places with no military presence due to security concerns in Bagh. (Dec-16, OCHA)

India

Overview

The latest official death toll is 1,309 in Indian-controlled Kashmir (IcK). Officially, 6,622 people reportedly injured and 150,000 displaced (Oct-17, AFP). Worst-hit areas are around Tangdhar and Uri towns in Kupwara and Baramulla districts respectively, along the disputed Line of Control (LoC). Third worst-hit area is Poonch district.

In quake-hit areas in neighboring Indian-controlled Kashmir (IcK), inclement weather from last week has also affected the approximately 150,000 homeless survivors. Temperatures have dropped to below 0 degrees Celsius since last week. Maximum temperatures reached a 10-year record low of 0.2 degrees Celsius (32.3 F) in Srinagar on Sunday (January 8). (Jan-9, AFP) Many roads in remote areas around the Kashmir Valley have been blocked by snow. (Jan-8, Kashmir Times) Dal Lake in the Kashmir Valley remained frozen solid for the seventh day on Thursday, while officials say that other high-altitude lakes have frozen in the region. (Jan-12, PTI) After a lull in precipitation amid continuing subzero temperatures in the latter part of this week, heavy rain and snow is expected to begin again late Friday (January 13). (Jan-12, PMD) A cold wave that has swept through other parts of South Asia over the past week or so has claimed the lives of at least 265 people in northern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

India has not asked for international assistance, and the presence of foreign aid agencies is restricted in the disputed region, which is also the site of a separatist militancy. Local state agencies, social, religious and political organizations, and NGOs also assisting in relief and rehabilitation. International and domestic aid agencies have to contend with frequent security checks and roadblocks, sometimes delaying much needed relief operations. (Dec-12, CASA)

IcK’s Chief Justice Bashir Khan ordered IcK officials to provide food and kerosene to survivors in Uri and Tangdhar for January. Kerosene allotments will be increased from 6 to 10 liters as well. A slew of lawsuits in November had also forced government relief officials to disburse relief funds that rightfully belonged to quake survivors. (Jan-5, AFP)

Survivors in Uri, where 40 out 150 villages were badly hit by the quake, have reported a general lack of heating devices although they electric power is available. Local NGO, Human Aids Society, says at least 10,000 coal heaters are needed for those living in temporary shelters in Uri. However, relief officials in the district claim that adequate heating arrangements have been made. (Jan-12, Kashmir Times) ADEPT reports that relief officials have been carrying out rescue operations throughout the week in Uri to dig out survivors trapped by heavy snow in temporary shelters. (Jan-07, ADEPT)

Power was restored in the Kashmir Valley on January 9 (Monday) after a massive power outage last week. Lack of power caused many households and dwellings to suffer from the cold. (Jan-8, 9, Kashmir Times, UNI)

IcK plans Disaster Management Authority to help coordinate disaster response and relief in the state. So far, the GOI says it has given out 2.35 billion Indian Rs (US$52 million) in compensation. (Dec-27, Kashmir Times) Major NGOs and agencies working in IcK: CARE (Relief and shelter); CRS (Relief and Shelter); Prime Minister’s Relief Fund (Emergency Relief); SC/UK (Relief and shelter); World Vision (Relief and shelter) and USAID/India (Emergency Relief). (Jan-06, USAID)

Indian authorities have appealed for survivors to move into government-constructed community shelters, but many residents reportedly remain reluctant to leave their land and property. SEEDS has completed 405 shelters in Poonch, and its team has returned to New Delhi. (Jan-02, SEEDS)

Doctors in Indian-controlled Kashmir (IcK) report growing cases of frost bite, pneumonia and other cold-related diseases due to the arrival of subzero temperatures to the region.

A court ruling has directed the IcK government to provide information on 91 children orphaned by the earthquake, who were adopted by Bharatiya Jain Sangathan and SARHAD, two private NGOs outside IcK, due to concerns on their well-being. (January 9, Kashmir Times)

Pakistan and India on October 29 made an unprecedented agreement to open the disputed Line of Control (LoC) to facilitate relief. All crossing points are now opened at Nauser-Teethwal, Chakothi-Uri, Hajipur-Uri, Rawalakot-Poonch and Tattapni-Mendhar. However, only Nauser-Teethwal and Rawalakot-Poonch crossing points are open for limited civilian crossing. (Nov-21, TN)

Security threats from militants an issue for NGOs because of proximity of some villages to the disputed Line of Control (LoC) and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK). (Dec-12, CASA)