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South Asia Earthquake Update

March 23, 2006

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

Table of Contents:

Pakistan

Overview.....................................page 2

Sectors……………………………page 5

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 75,000 in Pck and in NWFP. Over 79,000 people injured and estimated 3.5 million displaced or homeless, with approximately 2.5 million in temporary camps.

Pakistani authorities began encouraging refugees to leave camps in quake-affected areas of northern Pakistan on Friday (March 10). GOP estimates that returns will take approximately 45 days to complete. (Mar-17, USAID) Currently, it is the planting season, but many challenges and concerns for returns remain. (Mar-21, Oxfam) UNHCR also called on authorities to ensure that all returns are voluntary and informed. (Mar-10, IRIN)

Main priorities for current humanitarian action have been identified), ahead of March 31 deadline to close camps: 1) Mitigate impact of cold weather for remaining winter period; 2) Improve sanitation to prevent disease outbreaks in the spring; 3) Prepare for voluntary return for displaced families. Some relief efforts have to be maintained beyond the winter, throughout the year. (Feb-23, UNCT) UNHCR and UNICEF have finalized systematic return monitoring mechanism and have provided training to partners involved in returns. Mass information campaign is critical for returns process. (Mar-16, UNHCR) Relief operations are expected to continue beyond next harvesting season, i.e. September. (Feb-27, OCHA) Currently, there are a total of 52 international and 82 national staff deployed in the affected area. There are 60 mobile teams (23 – technical, 37 – camp management). (Mar-9, UNHCR) DFID emergency team plans to withdraw by the end of the month. UNJLC is ending mission on April 12. (Mar-2, UNJLC) UNJLC is determining which of UNJLC’s functions may be required after this date, although not necessarily under UNJLC responsibility. (Mar-22, UNJLC)

Humanitarian hubs, clusters and agencies further involved in finalizing one-year Action Plan from Relief to Recovery (key document for recovery phase). Priorities of continuing humanitarian action are: Developing Returns Strategy and Action Plan, food and NFI assistance in IDP residual camps, measures for the decommissioning of pit latrines in IDP camps, revitalization of primary health care services and disease surveillance. (Mar-10, OHCA) Transition from relief to reconstruction to be headed by ERRA. (Feb-27, GOP) Plan is to expand UN Country Team to include ICRC, IFRC and NGO representation. (Mar-10, OCHA) Army will remain deployed in affected areas to provide security, emergency response, road maintenance, debris removal and monitoring. ERRA will coordinate rehabilitation, with NWFP and PcK as implementation partners. (Mar-15, GOP) ERRA Chairman Saleem Altaf said that 200 teams at the union council level are assessing damage. Work in 34 remaining union councils given to “well-reputed NGO.” (Mar-15, GOP)

ERRA will launch a 4.5 billion Pakistani Rs livelihood support program from April to provide sustainable sustenance, which includes livestock replacement, feed supply, and agricultural tools supply. Each family will be paid 3,000 Rs from April to September 2006. (Mar-02, GOP) ERRA says US$1.5 billion will be spent on reconstruction of at least 600,000 homes, with US$576 million on education and US$303 million on healthcare over next three years. (Mar-20, DPA) GOP has introduced scheme for housing reconstruction: 175,000 Pakistani Rs for destroyed homes, to be paid in four installments. 25,000 Pakistani Rs for structurally damaged homes to be paid in two installments. GOP has already disbursed US$230 million to approximately 274,000 families. (Mar-15, UNDP) NGOs report problems with receiving compensation as many victims have lost ID cards and are having difficulties with opening bank accounts. (Mar-13, Action Aid) ERRA plans to launch programs in four sectors – rural housing, health, education and cash grants for livelihoods, from April 1. (Mar-18, GOP)

So far, the UN has gained about US$376 million of its six-month US$552 million emergency appeal, which ends in April. Donor countries in November pledged US$6.2 million for quake relief and reconstruction. (Mar-08, AFP) UNHAS funding is due to run out very soon, and US$24 million is urgently needed to maintain helicopter until August. (Mar 1-7, WFP)

UNJLC reports that rains over the weekend and start of the week has caused renewed landslides, blocking many roads. (Mar-22, UNJLC) UNHCR says that although returns began on March 10, major impediment is inaccessible roads. (Mar-9, UHCR) Another major impediment is absence of comprehensive and consistent transportation strategy. (Mar-16, UNHCR)

Overall winter conditions are mild, comparing favorably with last year’s snowfall. (Jan-27, DFID) Snowline has receded significantly since it reached maximum on January 19, but heavy rains remain a threat. (Mar 1-7, WFP) Weather forecast for Friday (March 24) is mostly cloudy with occasional showers. More scattered showers are expected on Saturday (March 25), with intensifying rains and intermittent thunderstorms on Sunday (March 26). However, dry weather is expected for the next few days from the weekend. (Mar-23, GOP)

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), spearheading the UN-led cluster for Camp Management, said that over 18,000 people have returned home since Pakistani authorities began camp closures on March 10. In PcK, planned returns are on hold because camp closure has not been officially launched. Nevertheless, spontaneous returns taking place both in Muzaffarabad and Bagh. Returns in NWFP spontaneous camps also slower. (Mar-16, UNHCR) Sialkot Siran tent city in Mansehra district with 212 families was reportedly officially closed down on Tuesday (March 21). (Mar-21, The News) More than 4,000 out of over 16,000 residents of Mehra Relief camps returned to their homes. (Mar-20, GOP) OCHA estimates nearly 80 percent of 120,000 affected people in PcK will return to places of origin by late March and early April, in time for the spring planting season, which begins in April. (Mar-3, USAID) There are about 2 million other survivors staying in tents elsewhere, and about 400,000 are in temporary tin shelters at higher elevations. (Mar-08, UN, AFP) GOP has also reportedly finalized information on conditions in areas of return and expected assistance for shelter reconstruction. The information will be released in the media to help make informed decisions on their returns. The IOM, in conjunction with ERRA, is currently providing free transport home to IDPs in refugee camps with the initial use of 150 trucks and jeeps. PakMil also providing limited transport. (Mar-16, UNHCR) Return process consists of three parts: Registration, medical checks and immunization where necessary in order to prevent disease outbreaks after survivors leave the camp. NRC is also providing legal counseling at the camp to provide advice on compensation, land disputes and other issues. (Mar-13, Reuters)

According to the UNHCR, main concerns of the affected population are: Availability of land, road rehabilitation, shelter, drinking water and food in their villages. UNHCR also called for assistance to vulnerable people who cannot go home immediately, including disabled, widowed or those who lost land in landslides. (Mar-10, Reuters) GOP officials said that only vulnerable people, such as widows and orphans, will be looked after for one year, as well as people belonging to areas that are assessed as prone to landslides. (Feb-27, Dawn) RRC said people who lost land to landslips will be allocated land in adjoining villages. GOP has agreed to retain one or two large camps for IDPs after end of March, while longer-term solutions are found for them. (Mar-9, UNHCR) Each affected family will get a one-month food ration. Free transport, as well as free education and health facilities will be provided. (Feb-27, Dawn) Returnees will be entitled to keep all NFIs distributed to them. Aid agencies have stressed that basic infrastructure, such as shelter, water/sanitation, and livelihood means, need to be available at places of origin.

IOM says that about 324,000 people in the region are unemployed, about 29 percent of the population. (Feb-27, GOP) NGOs and GOP working to provide survivors with sustainable living as local agrarian economy has been badly hit, through micro-credit and cash-for-work programs. GOP, in collaboration, with Dosti Welfare Organization and CWS, has launched construction trade training centers. (Mar-17, GOP) Training centers have been set up in NWFP and PcK for construction workers to ensure better construction. All projects under sponsorship will be displayed on ERRA website to be launched soon. (Mar-15, GOP) IOM has opened a new field office in Peshawar in order to facilitate reconstruction and rehabilitation programs. (Mar-17, IOM) WFP has launched a two-year food-for-work project that will begin in April that includes repair of community infrastructure and livelihood training. (Mar-05, WFP) FAO has begun agriculture and livelihood rebuilding programs. (Mar-15, UNDP) CWS, Plan and SC has launched livelihood training for both men and women. (Mar-13, Mar-11, Feb-23 CWS, SC, GOP) IOM, ILO, UNDP, UNOPS, CARE, SC, GOAL, USAID and WVI have begun debris clearance and cash-for-work and employment projects. (Mar-15, UNDP, GOP) ILO, HRDN, SC have begun programs to stimulate local economy. (Mar-15, UNDP) Relief International (RI) providing micro-credit programs for widows and female-headed households. (Feb-21, RI)

There are 147,307 people in 153 camps with a population of over 50 and 102,481 in 630 camps with populations of less than 50, these populations are considered more vulnerable and unwilling to go home. (Mar-02, DFID) (Mar-9, UNHCR) The UNHCR has been supporting the GOP in assisting about 145,000 survivors in 150 camps, out of an estimated total of 600 camps in the affected area. (Feb-13, Reuters) Emergency Shelter Cluster estimated between 60 to 85% intend to return home by March 31 – leaving between 60,500 and 188,000 remaining in camps. (Mar-2, DFID) ESC has said that of the 298,708 people displaced from areas of origin, between 188,184 (66%) and 60,608 (20%) are unlikely to return to areas of origin, requiring temporary solutions until issues, such as land disputes, are resolved. (Mar-13, ESC)

Although GOP is estimating that 66 percent of construction will be completed by end of 2006, Oxfam says estimate may be overly optimistic due to scale of destruction. Agency says priority is to ensure that majority of IDPs will not be in winter shelters again this year. Most rebuilding will be done by owners, with aid from aid agencies. World Bank is estimating that rebuilding of 400,000 homes will require effort of 59,000 skilled laborers. (Mar-23, Oxfam) USAID and SC rebuilding infrastructure to villages, as well as the villages themselves through cash-for-work programs. (Mar-20, GOP) IMC shifting operations to support populations in home areas. (Mar-15, IMC)

The US is set to end relief operations in quake-hit northern Pakistan when about 200 troops will leave at the end of this month, ending the largest relief operation ever carried out by the US military. US General Peter Pace, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staffs, told reporters after visiting quake-affected areas that the US military had conducted over 5,000 sorties following the earthquake. He said that US Chinook helicopters will be reassigned to other operations in the area on March 31, the official end of the six-month emergency relief phase. US Ambassador to Pakistan, Ryan Crocker, said that the US will provide US$200 million over the next few years to support relief work. Pakistan is a key ally in the US-led war on terror. Up to 1,200 US troops were involved in the peak of the emergency phase, which runs from October 2005 to April 1, 2006.

A moderate earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale struck the Himalayan region on Tuesday (March 21), with the epicenter about 75 miles (125 km) southwest of Gilgit in PcK. There were no reports of damages or casualties. More than 1,780 aftershocks have been recorded in the region since the October 2005. (Mar-21, Khaleej). Another aftershock measuring 5.0 also struck Hazara division on Sunday (Mar-19) in NWFP, and was felt by residents in Balakot town. (Mar-19, Khaleej)

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. 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) Nearly one-third of affected children have been enrolled in 952 schools. A Welcome-to-School campaign will run from March 6, 2006 to March 31, 2007, according to OCHA. (Mar-02, DFID) 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) USAID says affected population includes orphaned children, widows who are now heads of households, elderly, and those handicapped by the earthquake. This group includes approximately 5,000 who will need support with housing, wat/san, food, and income-general activities. UNHCR and local authorities identifying resettlement sites for this population. (Mar-03, USAID) Up to 500 unregistered Afghan migrant workers living in Muzaffarabad (PcK) have been missing out on aid, according to local Women’s Development Department, because they lack identity cards. Many were working on construction sites, but since the quake have been living in poor shelters, not camps. They are not entitled to government compensation and their children do not go to school. (Mar-06, IRIN)
Coordination	FRC Maj. Gen. Farooq Ahmend Khan says that following the completion of relief work on March 31, rehabilitation work will begin on April 1. (Mar-9, GOP) In Muzaffarabad, Dr. Ghulam Haider Kazmi was appointed Chief Liaison Officer for cluster coordination and will advise the GOP on cluster issues, and help to facilitate relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. (Mar-10, OCHA) According to UNJLC, the GOP has waived customs duty and other taxes on goods imported for the relief operation for three months. To qualify for such an exemption, a “No Objection Certificate (NOC)” must be issued for each consignment. The FRC has delegated the issuing of NOC’s for International organizations, NGOs to the ERC within the Cabinet Division. (Mar-11, UNJLC) UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator (DHC), Jamie Goldrick, says issues of food assistance beyond March, provision of health care, utilities, education, land ownership, rubble removal, urban/rural planning, special support to vulnerable groups and informed return process being discussed with ERRA and partner organizations. ERRA has agreed to continue to work with cluster systems, with technical working groups in four areas of housing, education, health and livelihoods. (Mar-08, OCHA) ‘Action Plan from Relief to Recovery’ being prepared as UNCT/IASC document as a guideline for donors to identify how and where to expend donations (Feb-27, OCHA) Document meant to prevent gap between end of relief phase and start of reconstruction, and will cover relief, return and early recovery over the next 12 months, from April 2006. (Feb-23, UNCT) UN’s transition plan, ‘Action Plan from Relief to Recovery, ’ identified transitional shelter, livelihood restoration, institutional and legislative capacity to handle land and property management, psycho-social support, protection of vulnerable groups and return of IDPs. (Feb-27, IRIN) OCHA says relief operations may continue beyond next harvesting season in September and many survivors are likely to remain dependent on food assistance. (Feb-27, OCHA) Sustainable Return Taskforce (SRT) now in full swing. OCHA is lead agency. (Feb-16, UNHCR) UNHCR, Oxfam, IOM and NRC also involved. SRT covers issues of IDPs, protection and advocacy. (Feb-17, OCHA) SRTF was created by heads of the clusters in Islamabad to support development of a sustainable returns strategy through the cluster approach. The SRTF will cover issues of IDPs and utilizes operations/logistics advisors from OCHA, UNHCR, Oxfam and IOM and on a protection officer from NRC. (Feb-17, OCHA) UN-led cluster breakdown is as follows: Shelter – IOM; Food and Nutrition – WFP; Health – WHO; Wat/san – UNICEF; Logistics – WFP; Protection and Education – UNICEF. (Feb-22, UNHCR) 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) 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. Federal Relief Commission coordinates rescue and relief operations. Major General Farooq Ahmed Khan, is the Federal Relief Commissioner.
Logistics	IOM says that in order to facilitate speedy returns, they are offering free transport home to nearly 300,000 survivors of the earthquake living in government-run temporary relief camps. IOM says that it will initially start with some 150 trucks and jeeps and will expand the program as more survivors choose to return. (Mar-20, IRIN) According to UNJLC, many roads have been cut off again in Allai valley and Neelum valley road is considered dangerous and “No go.” (Mar-15, UNJLC) Although UNJLC mandate is scheduled to end on April 12, a request has been filed by the HC to retain UNJLC presence in-country until June 30. (Mar-22, UNJLC) UNJLC says that many zones in the affected area remain inaccessible by road because of a lack of infrastructure and constant landslides. (Mar-9, UNJLC) Plans for the transition from relief to return and recovery are being discussed by the Logistics cluster. UNJLC’s mandate is due to end on April 12, and UNJLC has sent out a questionnaire to the heads of all Clusters which functions may be required after this date. (Mar-10, UNJLC) In the past two weeks alone, the region has had more than 50 landslides, some of them fatal, leaving roads in poor or impassable condition. (Mar-03, Reuters) UNHAS helicopter fleet has been reduced by 50%, according to the WFP. (Mar-14, WFP) Helicopter operations will reduce significantly by April 1. (Mar-2, DFID) WFP said it needs US$24 million to keep helicopter operations going through the end of August. Helicopter fleet peaked at 20 in February and has been scaled back this month to 17. Helicopters will fall to 13 by March 23 without fresh funds. (Mar-09, Reuters) WFP said that the UN organizations, aid agencies and FRC had asked WFP to keep its helicopters flying until December 2006 to facilitate reconstruction due to road network damage. (Feb-1, Reuters) There is a total number of 37 vehicles being used for relief transport. (Mar-2, UNHCR) UNHAS mandate has been extended to August 31, but with reductions in fleet and flying hours from March 1 due to funding shortfalls. (Feb-16, DFID) Passenger services will cease. (Feb-16, DFID, UNHAS) Experts are warning that landslides represent a very serious threat, and action is urgently needed to pre-empt further disasters ahead of the summer rains, expected to being in July. Other dangerous conditions include aftershocks, which still continue to trigger landslides in the area, helping to create what the report described as “near perfect” conditions for slides and renewed floods. (Feb-13, Reuters) The UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) reports it is using 25 expert local mountain guides from Hunza to conduct assessments in Allai Valley, Neelum Valley and Bagh. (Mar-2, IRIN) 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. 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)
International Financial Assistance	According to GOP, US has pledged a total of US$510 million for relief and reconstruction efforts. (Mar-20, GOP) So far, the UN has gained about US$376 million of its six-month US$552 million emergency appeal, which ends in April. Donor countries in November pledged US$6.2 million for quake relief and reconstruction. However, Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said yesterday (Tuesday, March 7) that the government may not take the full donor amount as some terms did not suit Pakistan. (Mar-08, AFP, GOP) UNCT reports that contrary to some perception, international response has been above average. Expenditure rate is also above average, exceeding 55 percent of contributions so far. (Feb-23, UNCT) US troops providing aid plan to depart the country by March 31, and will overturn activities to the Pakistani military. (Feb-28, US DOS) US Rear Admiral Michael LeFever, says that the phased withdrawal would begin in mid-February of the some 1,200 troops and by the end of March, the remaining 750 troops and 12 Chinook helicopters would leave. (Feb-4, GOP) Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), said that it would allocate an additional US$20 million that will be distributed through UNICEF, UN Habitat and FAO. (Feb-22, CIDA) The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) cluster coordinator has said that there is a need for a new Relief to Recovery Appeal as the UN Flash Appeal is due to end on April 8.
Food	WFP says that it has welcomed a US$2 million contribution from Saudi Arabia that will enable the UN agency to assist the most vulnerable for several months after the emergency. (Mar-9, IRIN) WFP plans to distribute final food tranche to tent villages by March 31. (Mar-9, ERRA) Food distribution was severely disrupted by protests against Prophet Mohammad cartoons and rain in late February and early March, but WFP has now reached over 85% of allotted beneficiaries. (Mar-02, DFID) About a quarter of livestock was destroyed, while a third of standing crops were not harvested last October. Significant food and seed supplies were also lost in the quake. (Mar-8, WFP). NGOs said return of IDPs to places without sufficient land is problematic, as some land was destroyed by the earthquake. Average plot size in the area is said to be only about 1.4 hectares, only half of which is under cultivation. However, agriculture makes up nearly half the household income in the region. (Mar-09, IRIN) WFP announced food-for-work project for survivors living in, or returning to remote highland valleys. Two-year operation will cover 670,000 affected people in NWFP and PcK. Initially, about 82,000 families would receive family rations in exchange for help in repairing community infrastructure. Second phase would include training 32,600 men and women in livelihood and agriculture skills, as well as reconstruction. (Mar-05, DPA) Many survivors likely to remain dependent upon food assistance at least until next harvest in September/October. (Feb-23, UNCT) FRC has in reserve 2,800 tons of food items to provide to people before their departure from camps. (Feb-27, Dawn) USAID will distribute vouchers worth US$1 million to help stimulate the local economy. (Feb-6, AFP, Feb-8, USAID, Feb-7, IOM) Save the Children, with financial support from USAID, has begun livestock support project in NWFP, which aims to replenish livestock as well as provide for surviving ones. (Feb-23, IRIN) According to recent livelihood assessment by Save the Children (SC), 40 percent of agricultural land has been lost to landslides, and a third of livestock killed. About 99 percent of survivors not working due to lost land or livestock. Between 30-40 percent of income in PcK generated from family remittances sent from abroad. Based on November FAO assessment, nearly all livestock in worst-affected areas were killed. Effects are hardest on poorest survivors – farmers that now have to depend on shopkeepers for credit. Prices of food have risen between 120 to 200 percent, and transportation to around 180 percent in most areas. (Feb-27, IRIN) Save the Children with financial support from USAID has begun a livestock support program at the Mehra relief camp in Allai valley in NWFP. (Feb-23, IRIN)
Water and Sanitation	In response to an outbreak of diarrhea, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has deployed mobile teams funded by the European Commission’s Humanitarian aid department (ECHO) and the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) to fix water and sanitation problems in relief camps. (Mar-17, ECHO) The Aga Khan Foundation says it is working to provide clean drinking water to thousands of survivors in mountainous areas of PcK. The group has already provided water to 4 villages out of 14 in the area and plans to supply the rest in the coming months. (Mar-20, IRIN) DFID Field team currently visiting NWFP to assess reports of outstanding needs for wat/san. (Mar-02, DFID) Increased emphasis on sanitation before onset of spring, which is expected to bring disease outbreaks, according to OCHA. (Mar-02, DFID) Between 50% to 100% of irrigation structures and water systems were damaged and buried in some areas. (Mar-8, WFP) Landslides have also blocked or damaged access to water sources. NGOs say water access is major priority in areas such as Bagh and Muzaffarabad. (Feb-28, IRIN) UNICEF as lead agency for water and sanitation in northern Pakistan, and with other aid agencies, is compiling a water and sanitation strategy for the transition period from relief to recovery from April 2006-April 2007. (Feb-28, IRIN) Wat/San needs largely met in official camps, but less consistent in unofficial camps. (Feb-17, USAID) 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	The Jang reports that the World Health Organization (WHO) has not reported any major disease outbreaks but has received confirmed reports of sporadic cases of measles, cholera, acute flaccid paralysis and hepatitis. (Mar-17, the News) According to the Disease Surveillance and Early Warning System (DEWS) Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) continue to contribute significantly to the overall consultations in all reporting districts, but are showing a slight decrease. (Mar-17, the News) According to WHO, a total of 400,226 health events under surveillance were reported, including 76 deaths over past month. (Mar-13, WHO) International Medical Corps (IMC) says that in light of the March 30 government deadline to close tent villages, IMC is shifting its activities to support populations as they leave the camps to return home. (Mar-15, IMC) A field hospital set up by the Italian government in Mansehra was handed over to the NWFP Government. (Mar-9, GOP) WHO has established 20 prefabricated Basic Health Units (BHU) in affected areas, with another 15 to be completed by the end of March. (Mar-16, IRIN) IRIN reports that according to the FRC, about 64 field hospitals, including some 43 international field hospitals and another 87 medical teams are operating in affected areas. (Mar-16, IRIN) WHO says a total of 1,458,058 children up to 5 years of age were vaccinated against polio in affected areas during the March round of the National Immunization Days. (Mar-15, WHO) Over 250 health workers have now been trained and are improving affected women’s access to healthcare, according to WHO. (Mar-02, DFID) Communication plan for better awareness and coordination of health issues, wat/san and child protection drafted by three GOP ministries, UNICEF, WHO and others. (Mar-02, DFID) According to WHO, for the past month of February, 29% of consultations are due to acute respiratory infections (ARIs), 6% acute diarrhea, 4% Unexplained fever and 4% injuries. Since the start of the Disease Early Warning System, 191 deaths have been reported: 31% are ARI related, which illustrates a sharp decrease since two weeks, WHO reports. (Feb-28, WHO) US Ambassador to Pakistan Ryan Crocker said that the US would spend some US$200 million over the next few years to supplement GOP’s efforts to revive health and educational facilities in affected areas. (Feb-22, GOP) Medecins du Monde (MDM) reportedly found 41 measles cases within 3 days. A WHO investigation revealed that almost all camps have reported measles cases. A mass immunization campaign covering target population of 4,425 was initiated. (Feb-17, OCHA) WHO says there are 37 national and international field hospitals but no plan yet on closure of the hospitals. (Feb-9, DFID) According to the Health Cluster, WHO, UNFPA, and UNICEF will provide 113 basic Health Units, 29 Rural Health Centers and 2 Tehsil Headquarter (THQs), including equipment, supplies, staff accommodation and training. (Feb-9, DFID) WHO has set up a website to facilitate information exchange between health partners at www.whopak.org. (Oct-17, UNOCHA)
Shelter	GOP responsible for settlements of less than 50 tents, but UNHCR has been providing assistance to these populations. (Feb-22, UNHCR) As of March 2, there are a total of 153 camps (96 – PcK; 57 – NWFP), comprising 147,291 people (86,257 - PcK; 147,291 – NWFP). (Mar-02, UNHCR) Some returns have already started in both PcK and NWFP, taking their tents with them. UNHCR conducting visits in Siran Valley to discuss returns. Few camps also relocated in PcK and NWFP due to heavy rains and landslide risks. 87 families were moved in Muzaffarabad on February 26 due to increased water levels in Neelum River. (Mar-2, UNHCR) NRC and Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) providing legal and protection advice for returnees. (Mar-02, UNHCR) According to ERRA, many rural residents require transitional shelter for up to three years. USAID/DART says urban residents may need it for five or more years. USAID/DART working on transitional shelters. (Feb-24, USAID) Construction of permanent homes will begin in April, but it may be impossible to rebuild the 400,000 houses needed before the start of next winter. Main priority is to move people out of tents into temporary shelter, which need to be sturdy and insulated enough to withstand another winter. (Feb-23, Christian Aid) USAID providing shelter kits to those populations in higher elevations (over 5,000 feet). The kits include CGI sheets, wire mesh, tool kits, insulation and bed rolls. (Feb-27, The News) According to GOP, USAID has helped more than 9,000 families in Mansehra district to have earthquake-resistant shelters with wooden walls and tin roofs. Partner NGO Mercy Corps provided building materials to more than 6,200 houses in the Siran and Konch valleys and paid families 4,200 rupees each for their labor. Another partner, ACTED, provided shelter supplies and household items to 3,000 families in Kaghan Valley and paid families 800 rupees if they constructed adequate sanitation facilities. (Feb-24, GOP) According to the Jang, Pakistan has lifted a ban on tent exports following the completion of a supply of 300,000 tents to the affected population. The ban was put in effect following the October 8 quake and local industry was given a goal of producing some 300,000 tents for those affected. (Mar-1, Jang) OCHA reports the overall situation in camps is relatively stable in planned and spontaneous camps administered by the camp management cluster. Number of camps fluctuates between 27-31 planned and 121-127 spontaneous camps. (Feb-17, OCHA) OCHA reports 388,245 temporary transitional shelters have been constructed of which some 247,176 have been constructed by the PAKMIL. Additionally, some 3.1 million CGI sheets have been distributed. (Feb-17, OCHA) The Emergency Shelter Cluster and DFID field team suggest that needs have been generally met, with sufficient non-food items in the pipeline to fill remaining needs. GOP reports some 80% of affected population has been covered by heating items. (Feb-16, DFID) Divisional Relief Commissioner Hazara (NWFP) Sahibzada Muhammad Nees said that around 22 tent villages (all tented camps) from across NWFP will be shut down by the end of March. Around 80,000 survivors will be shifted to their native areas. The commissioner said that the temporary shelters were being closed in a bid to expedite the survivors’ permanent rehabilitation. (Feb-8,9 GOP, DFID)
Infrastructure	The GOP says that donors will spend some Rs.5954.97 million on the reconstruction of some 408 earthquake-resistant educational facilities in PcK. (Mar-17, GOP) The chair of ERRA, Altaf Slaim said earlier this week that the reconstruction of damaged housing units will be completed by next winter. He also said that ERRA has selected 11 different areas, out of which in its first phase, it will focus on five areas, including livelihood, housing and physical planning, education and health sponsorship. (Mar-20, GOP) USAID, along with Save the Children, has established five vocational centers at Mehra Relief Camp. (Mar-17, GOP) Oxfam reports that in PcK alone, 80% of crops and 50% of arable land was destroyed with more than 100,00 cattle killed. (Mar-13, Oxfam) The chair of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) Dr. Naseem Ashraf said that some 800 new schools will be opened in PcK with the help of UNICEF. In PcK, some 1,800 schools out of some 3,100 schools were destroyed. (Mar-11, GOP) IOM says that it has begun the removal of rubble from Muzaffarabad. According to IOM, over 40 million cubic meters of rubble was left in the city. (Mar-25, IRIN) GOAL began cash-for-work programs aimed at clearing rubble and reconstruction. (Feb-20, GOAL) FRC Khan says that affected people of Balakot have received compensation for 57,988 houses damaged while a total of 276,000 affected families from NWFP have received compensation (Feb-27, GOP) USAID will spend some US$200 million for the reconstruction of Health and Education sectors in PcK and NWFP, Regional Director Lisa Chiles said. Some 200 schools and 140 health facilities would be reconstructed. She said that some US$100 million was earmarked for relief, US$200 million for reconstruction, while some US$70 million had already been provided in humanitarian assistance. (Mar-1, Dawn) GOP says at least Rs 200 billion will be used for rebuilding PcK starting from April within a period of two to three years. (Jan-24, GOP) According to ERRA estimates, of the more than 400,000 houses in the area, 51 percent were totally destroyed, while the rest were repariable. (Mar-08, DPA) GOP estimates that 6,700 schools were destroyed in NWFP and 1,300 in PcK. (Dec-28, Reuters) 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.
Security	SOS Children’s Villages “search and rescue” team continues to identify unaccompanied and orphaned children. (Feb-24, SOS-Kinderdorf International)