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South Asia Earthquake Update

 

November 21, 2005

 

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

 

 

 

Table of Contents:

 

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

India .....................................page 17

 


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 now stands at a little over 73,000 in Pck and in NWFP while unconfirmed death toll has climbed to over 86,000.  (Nov-8, AP, Dawn)   Quake has left over 79,000 people injured and an 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.  Worst affected districts are Muzaffarabad (epicentre), Mansehra and parts of Bagh.  Abbottabad is the least affected district by the earthquake.  Over 80 percent of the structures have been destroyed in the affected areas, while continuing aftershocks are threatening the structures that are still standing. Aftershock of 5.0 hit the region on Sunday (November 20). (Nov-21, PTI)

 

Due to dramatic elevations and a larger geographic area shelter and logistics remain top priorities. (Oct-24, DFID) With the onset of winter and continuing rains and thunderstorms, concerns are mounting for survivors.  Pakistan's weather office is forecasting as much as 3 meters (10 feet) of snowfall this winter near the epicenter of the quake north of Muzaffarabad.  (Nov-8, IHT) Heavy snow/rain forecasted for today, but gradually clearing in the evening. (Nov-20, Met Office)

 

Government of Pakistan (GOP) has called for international assistance.  GOP has requested helicopters, field hospitals, medicines including typhoid drugs and antibiotics (in syrup form for infants), fracture treatment kits, surgical equipment, disinfectants (for dead bodies), water purification kits and tables, ready-to-eat meals and winterization tents for some four million affected people.  (Oct-12, Reuters, OCHA) The Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) is compiling damage data on the city, district and tehsil (regional) levels. (Nov-15, ACT)

 

Confirmed contributions to six-month UN Emergency Appeal stand at US$168.8 million (31%) out of the US$ 550 million requested (Nov-21, DFID) Agencies report funding shortfall affecting critical Logistics, Shelter and Camp Management programs. (Nov-21, OCHA)UNDP says several factors played a part in greater difficulty of raising international aid for Pakistan earthquake, as opposed to the December 2004 tsunami disaster: the involvement of only one country (Pakistan), that the disaster occurred at the end of the fiscal year, and the number of other disasters in 2005. (Nov-16, DPA) Due to funding shortfall, some NGOs are finding it difficult to meet objectives set for November – this will probably mean some shelter items in pipeline will not be distributed before December. (Nov-16, OCHA)

 

International donors pledged more than US$5.8 billion in assistance to quake-affected Pakistan.  Some US$3.9 billion would be in the form of soft loans, while the remaining US$1.9 billion is comprised of grants.  Both the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank announced US$1 billion each, mostly in the form of soft loans.  Saudi Arabia pledged another US$573 million.  The United States tripled its aid package from US$156 million to US$510 million comprising US$300 million cash, US$100 million in private donations and US$110 million in military-supplied relief.  Other sizable contributions include Islamic Development Bank (IDB) with US$500 million, China US$326 million, Iran US$200 million, Turkey US$150 million, France US$124 million, the UK US$120 million, Japan US$120 million, the European Union (EU) US $110 million, Germany US$100 million, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) US$100 million and another US$100 million given by Kuwait.  (Nov-19, UNOCHA).  It remains unclear how much, if any of the pledges have made towards funding the emergency portion of the United Nations US$550 million consolidated flash appeal which is currently 77 percent under-funded.

 

GOP has setup an ÒOversight CommitteeÓ for the PresidentÕs Relief Fund to ensure accountability and transparency in the expenditure of relief and reconstruction funds for the quake-affected areas.  The committee is headed by the Governor State Bank of Pakistan and provincial representatives from all provinces and the PcK.  (Nov-18, GOP)

 

Logistics and access to affected areas continue to be the biggest challenge for relief operations.  Agencies have given high priority for delivery of aid to high-altitude areas before onset of winter. Proper camp management and provision of aid in lower areas also given priority in anticipation of further migration of IDPs from high altitudes. (Nov-16, OCHA) About 100 helicopters from NATO Allies, UN, GOP and from all over the world are operating in Pakistan to help with earthquake relief efforts (Nov-14, DFID).  NATO has ended its airlift from Incirlik (Turkey).  NATO airlift from other parts of the world including Amman (Jordan) would continue.  (Nov-18, UNHCR).  UNHCRÕs five emergency teams in Muzaffarabad, Balakot, Bagh, Mansehra and Batagram, working with domestic and international NGOs to distribute relief items. (Nov-3, Reuters)  

 

Pakistani army has opened Neelum Valley road that would allow delivery of relief aid by road.  (Nov-17, Dawn)  Heavy rains and tremors continue to cause landslides – creating difficulties in Neelum Valley and Laswa bypass. Bypass will be closed from mid-December to mid-February. (Nov-20, OCHA) Roads into Jhelum and Kaghan Valleys cleared. (Nov-14, DFID) Officials say seasonal roads are often closed every winter, and after snow begins to fall, will not be usable until April or even May. (Nov-3, AFP) WFP reports that new surge in foreign donations (US, Norway, Canada and Denmark), totaling US$14 million, has extended its US$100 million helicopter operation for at least another two months. WFP, which provides air support to UN agencies and partners, continues to work closely with Pakistan Army helicopters for maximum efficiency. (Nov-15, WFP) UNJLC planning team has developed overall coordination plan dubbed ÒWinter Sustainment Plan,Ó which gives special attention to beneficiaries in more isolated regions – in coordination with humanitarian agencies and COP. Introduces ÒForward Area Support SitesÓ (FASS) located in areas not accessible by road in winter. (Nov-20, OCHA)

 

UN has released Priority Humanitarian Action Plan for November. UN focus includes: Emergency shelter, medical evacuations, pre-positioning of food for 700,000 people, and mobile health services.  (Nov-9, DFID) Main priority for the UN is to provide emergency shelter and pre-position food for 200,000 people above the snowline, as well as the 150,000 people that the UN estimates will settle in spontaneous and planned camps and provide general food for 600,000 accessible by road. (Nov-14, Reuters) 

 

Eighteen official government/international camps housing about 3,200 families (15,000 individuals) in and around Mansehra, Muzaffarabad and Bagh. Total capacity is for 32,000 families (225,000 individuals). Ninety camps reportedly administered by Pakistan Army (more than half supplied by WFP). (Nov-15, WFP). Pakistan military reports 71 spontaneous tent villages housing some 53,276 people in affected areas. (Nov-14, DFID). A total of 55,000 IDPs are in both, self-settled and official, tented camps throughout NWFP, according to the military, a further 20,000 are estimated in host communities. (Nov-20, OCHA) Many villagers reluctant to leave home due to cultural concerns, particularly, security for female family members. (Nov-3, IRIN)

 

UNHCR notes that level of aid given to people in camps appears to exceed that received by people who stayed in villages. (Nov-11, UNJLC) GoP is currently facilitating movement of people from Ôat riskÕ areas, such as Allai Valley, including registration and transportation of about 100,000 people using transport vehicles. (Nov-11, UN) Oxfam reports that people are leaving higher elevations at a rate of 1,500 a day, potentially overwhelming camps in lower valleys. (Nov-15, Oxfam) However, agencies reports population movements are unclear. Movement to camps in Batagram appear to have increased, while other areas have stabilized. (Nov-21, DFID/OCHA) Conditions in the estimated 1,000 spontaneous camps are cause for concern. Reports of increased self-reconstruction of shelters over last week as 40-day mourning process has ended and populations become more mobile. (Nov-21, DFID) UN/Government camp survey was completed on November 14. Government has decided to close five spontaneous camps and relocated IDPs in order to set up less crowded and better managed camps. (Nov-16, OCHA)

 

Shelter items most urgent relief priority under GOP National Action Plan combining Shelter and Camp Management. Due to constraints, NGOs have begun to use alternative, indigenous materials for constructing cheap but sturdy stand-alone shelters, and tentatively distributing second type of shelter repair kit. (Nov-3, Reuters)  Winterization efforts are difficult since it is difficult to track delivery of tents – insufficient CGI sheeting and stove supplies. (Nov-20, OCHASo far, an estimated 500,000 tents are needed, but only 392,177 tents have been distributed, according to the government. (Nov-14, DFID) IOM warned that almost 75 percent of tents delivered were not suitable for severe winter – coordinating efforts by 43 agencies, including UN, Pakistani and international agencies, to provide emergency shelter through ÒOperation Winter Race.Ó  Plans to airlift 10,000 shelter repair kits by end of November. Pakistan Army plans to deploy 180 teams. A six-day operation to deliver 1,000 tons of relief to Neelum Valley began on November 16, with the help of three British Chinooks. Airborne deliveries to other areas will continue throughout winter. IOM says it still needs US$3.8 million until the end of the year, as well as more staffing. (Nov-21, DPA/OCHA).

 

UNOCHA has set up 10 clusters at each humanitarian hub to better coordinate humanitarian relief operations across sectors and to avoid any duplication of efforts.  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)

 

WFP reports that of the 2.3 million that need food assistance, only 1.4 million (60%) receiving sufficient food per day. (Nov-20, OCHA) WFP reports that it has only enough supplies to keep feeding 800,000 people till the end of December – aims to feed estimated 1 million people. (Nov-15, TN)  Pakistan government usually pre-positions food supplies for mountain communities during the winter, but access to many stocks have been blocked. (Nov-16, IRIN) USAID reports that since most roads are blocked or partially blocked, food distributions are occurring at roadblocks as far into valleys as possible – from these distribution points, mule packs carry food further. (Nov-3, USAID) FAO post-earthquake rapid livelihoods assessment from October 27 to 31 found there has been a huge depletion in assets and capital that people need to make a living in the affected area. (Nov-18, FAO)

 

GOP, with the help of WHO, has set up an Disease Early Warning and Surveillance Network (DEWS) to identify and respond to any disease outbreaks in quake-affected areas.  (Oct-23, DPA) Hundreds of cases of pneumonia are being treated in quake-affected areas in Pakistan.  Sporadic cases of measles, meningitis and acute jaundice syndrome reported. Several cases of suspected diphtheria and one related death from Muzaffarabad. (Nov-14, WHO)  Immunization drive for 800,000 children was launched against measles, tetanus, whooping cough, diphtheria and polio. Spearheaded by UNICEF and conducted in coordination with the Pakistan military, Health Ministry, non-government organizations. UNICEF considers measles biggest threat. (Nov-14, Reuters, AFP)

 

WHO says cases of diarrhea have been decreasing since November 16 and the situation is being gradually brought under control.  Improved water and sanitation conditions and dropping temperatures have contributed to decline in diarrhea (Nov-17, OCHA) UNHCR spearheading up to 32 teams to improve wat/san hygiene in spontaneous camps. (Nov-14, Reuters)  GOP is urging international donors who have deployed field hospitals to maintain their presence until March 31.  (Nov-7, GOP).  Lack of female health care workers severely limiting access to health care by female patients. (Nov-14, WHO). 16 international field hospitals and 20 mobile teams throughout affected area. (Nov-14, GoP, OCHA)

 

GOP and GOI have set up five crossing points along the LoC at Nauser-Teethwal, Chakothi-Uri, Hajipur-Uri, Rawalakot-Poonch and Tattapni-Mendhar, allowing people to cross the border on foot to seek assistance from the relief camps set up by the two countries.  All the crossing points are now open.  However, presently only Nauser-Teethwal and Rawalakot-Poonch crossing points are open for people crossing.  (Nov-21, TN)

 

 

International Response

 

á      Foreign Governments

 

More than 90 countries, regional and international organizations have pledged more than several hundred million dollars in aid contributions and monetary pledges to the ongoing relief and reconstruction efforts in the earthquake devastated areas of Pakistan.  Some of the larger contributions have come from the United Nations South Asia Earthquake Consolidated Flash Appeal calling for US$ 550 million in pledges, the ICRC appeal calling for US$117 million, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, and contributions made by individual nations directly to the Pakistani government.  Some of the largest monetary contributions from individual nations are coming from Australia, Britain, Canada, China, the European Union, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.  The United Nations Emergency Response Pakistan website has posted several reports attempting to track the status and quantities of the incoming aid from a number of various governments, regional, and international organizations. http://earthquake05.un.org.pk/ In addition to these efforts, a number of NGOs have initiated their own appeals for their relief and reconstruction efforts in the earthquake-devastated areas. Navy Rear Admiral Michael LeFever, commander of the US Disaster Assistance Center in Pakistan, said that the US is expected to increase its relief force in coming days to about 1,200 from the current 975. (Nov-10, Reuters) Number of US helicopters in operation is 24. (Nov-10, US DoS) India sent a third consignment of 600 tons of relief to Pakistan by train. Pakistan has also been permitted to source relief items from India. (Nov-17, PTI)

 

 

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. 

 

Kohistan (population 500,000, north of Battagram) has been identified as one of the most neglected districts in the region. (Nov-17, IFRC)

 

UNICEF estimates some 1.6 million to 2.2 million children were affected by the earthquake and 17,000 children killed while attending school.  (Oct-31, AFP)  UNICEF estimated earlier some 50-60 percent of the dead victims are children and some 32,000 young people had died while another 42,000 were injured.  (Oct-18, Reuters) 

Coordination

UN Humanitarian Information Center (HIC) in Pakistan has finalized data standardization of locations in affected areas to better coordinate relief and development to overcome problem of different names for same place. Database has listed nearly 6,500 small and large communities in 30,000 square km (11,580 square miles) affected area. (Nov-15, IRIN)

 

Fifth and final border crossing at Hajpur-Uri opened Wednesday.  (Nov-16, BBC, TN) Rawalkot-Poonch crossing on LoC opened - Monday (November 7). Chakothi-Uri opened - Wednesday (November 9). Teetwal-Nauser opened Saturday (November 12). Tattapani-Menhar opened on November 14

 

The UN Early Recovery Framework prepared ahead of the November 19 conference will reflect activities essential to the transition from relief to reconstruction.  (Nov-16, OCHA)

 

GOP has established a ÒPrime Minister Relief CellÓ in Islamabad for help in locating family members.  Hotline Tel: (+9251) 9222666.

 

ÒEarthquake Relief CellÓ has been established in the Prime MinisterÕs House.  The 24-hour hotlines will receive complaints from the earthquake-affected.  (+9251) 9213891 or (+9251) 92229999. 

 

According to DFID, the UN released its Priority Action Plan for November, which includes support for 200,000 persons living in areas above the snow line as well as some 150,000 people the UN estimates will settle in camps.  The focus includes emergency shelter, medical evacuations, pre-positioning of food for 700,000 and mobile health services.  (Nov-9, DFID)

 

The UN has created 4 humanitarian hubs in Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Mansehra, and Batagram.  Balakot being considered.  (Nov-8, OCHA)

 

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)

 

GOP presented its National Action Plan on November 1 which will provide a framework for the development of the international aid response.  (Nov-1, OCHA)

 

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 will coordinate rescue and relief operations.  Major General Muhammad Farooq Javed, Chairman of the Prime MinisterÕs Inspection Commission will head the Commission. 

 

A Humanitarian Information Centre (HIC) has been set up within the UNDAC/UN coordination centre. (Oct-14, UNOCHA)

HIC has finalized data standardization of locations across the affected region to better coordinate relief and development activities.  (Nov-16, IRIN) 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

A UNJLC planning team has developed the ÒWinter Sustainment PlanÓ in which special attention is given to those in more isolated regions.  (Nov-20, OCHA)

 

According to OCHA, heavy rains and tremors continue to cause landslides, making it difficult for ongoing road clearing in Neelum Valley and Laswa bypass.  (Nov-20, OCHA)

 

Pakistani army has opened Neelum Valley road that would allow delivery of relief aid by road.  Relief operations are expected to pick up, however, some parts are considered hazardous.  (Nov-17, Dawn) 

 

A US military rapid refueling point (RRP) has been set up in Muzaffarabad.  (Nov-16, DPA)

 

According to OCHA, after an intensive training course for 10 logisticians, the UN Logistics Support System (LSS) is now fully functional at the two WHO warehouses in Mansehra and Muzaffarabad as well as at the Ministry of Health pharmacy at Abbas Hospital in Muzaffarabad. (Nov-16, OCHA)

 

People continue to come down form higher areas to lower grounds.  Camp population in the two larger camps in Batagram—Meira and Batagram 1 has increased from 6,080 to 7,652 over the weekend.  (Nov-20, OCHA)

 

Teams of mountain experts known as ÒQuake JumpersÓ are being assembled to reach remote affected communities.  WFP will be providing air support, communications and survival packs for the operation.  Plan is to eventually open up 25 new helipads. (Nov-14, WFP)

 

Concerns over some 60,000 people in Kaghan Valley and 100,000 people in Allai Valley living above the snow line.  (Nov-14, DFID)

 

98 helicopters operational, another 8 in the pipeline.  (Nov. 14, UNJLC)

 

PakistanÕs weather bureau is forecasting snowfalls this winter of as much as 3 meters (10 feet) north of Muzzaffarabad. (Nov-8, IHT)

 

OCHA says an Interagency Transport and Logistic Operations Plan have been created and the recently created Joint Government/UN Logistics Cell is operating. (Nov-1, OCHA)

 

A UN Joint Logistics Center (UNJLC) cell has been created within the UN Coordination Centre in Islamabad together with  UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS). (Oct-14, UNOCHA)

 

A joint NATO-UNHCR air bridge from Incirlik airbase in Turkey will ferry aid from UNHCRÕs regional warehouse in Iskenderun.  (Oct-19, UNHCR) 

 

International Financial Assistance

IRC, CRS, WVI, SC, CARE, and Mercy Corps are urging international donors for more funding, warning that a second wave of deaths could occur if inadequate funds received.  (Nov-17, CRS)

 

GOP has asked the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approval for loan savings from 8 Asian Development Fund (ADF) loans up to US$105 million to be used as quick-disbursements.  (Nov-16, ADB)

 

International donors have asked Pakistan to formulate a strategy to prevent corruption of aid, to win international trust and speedy transfer of foreign donations for reconstruction. Donors want all reconstruction activities, including those under Pakistani military, to be placed under Auditor General of Pakistan (AGPR). (Nov-16, DPA)

 

UN Flash Appeal is currently US$134.6 million (24%) committed and US$34.2 million pledged against a requested US$550 million.  (Nov-21, DFID)

 

The World Bank (WB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on November 12 released a preliminary assessment report saying that Pakistan needs at least US$5.2 billion for effective relief, recovery and reconstruction in areas affected by the devastating October 8 earthquake. About US$1.092 billion was estimated 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 of housing, schools, health facilities and other public infrastructure in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK). About US$450 million has been estimated for short-term reconstruction, while US$3.053 billion has been estimated for long-term reconstruction. The assessment, which was launched on October 24, comes ahead of an international donor conference on November 19 in Islamabad.

Food

OCHA estimates that of the total 2.3 million dependant on food assistance, some 1.4 million (60%) are receiving an average 1,600 kcal a day.  (Nov-20, OCHA)

 

WFP says starting next month it will increase food rations for wheat flour from 75 kilograms (165 pounds) to 100 kilograms (220 pounds) per family per month.  Households have been issued ration cards and WFP has set up 119 strategically placed distribution points throughout Muzaffarabad where survivors could get wheat flour, pulses, vegetable oil and salt (Nov-16, IRIN). 

 

Priority areas for food distribution are Neelum Valley, Jehlum Valley, Allai and Kaghan.  OCHA says that the amount of food sent to Neelum and Jehlum Valley and staff for distribution has to increase.  (Nov-16, OCHA)

 

FAO says 200,000 livestock have died, and storage facilities for livestock feed are needed.  (Nov-16, UNOCHA)

 

WFP Emergency Operation is aiming to meet the needs of some 1 million people.  Of these, some 823,000 have been reached.  Some 8,835 tons of food has been dispatched.  (Nov-11, WFP)

 

WFP says that 2.3 million people in need of food aid for at least 2 months in urban areas and at least 4 months in rural areas.  (Nov-2, WFP) 

 

WFP says six out of nine districts affected by the earthquake were in the most food insecure parts of Pakistan.  According to an assessment carried out by WFP with support from UNICEF and Oxfam, priority should be given to the estimated 200,000 people living in the most difficult to reach areas in Neelam, Jahlum, Kargan and Naran Valley as well as upper parts of Alai which may soon become cut off by snow for several months.  Half of rural households lost most or all of their grain and a quarter of livestock was killed.  (Oct-28, WFP)

Water and Sanitation

UNICEF and its partners have set up water points, latrines and bathrooms in organized camps.  (Nov-14, UNNS)

 

In response to outbreaks of diarrhea, UNHCR has deployed mobile teams to fix water and sanitation problems in relief camps.  (Nov-11, UNHCR)

 

UAE Armed Forces have set up four water purification plants in Balakot (3) and Muzaffarabad (1).  Each of the plants will purify some 10,000 gallons of water.  (Nov-11, UAE)

 

Camp Management Cluster headed by UNHCR, is providing technical support to 18 planned GOP camps where some 10,000 are living.  Priority is to provide sanitation, water supply and health care by end of November.  (Nov-9, UNCT)

 

Oxfam has restored a supply of clean water to some 100,000 people and plans to provide water to an additional 500,000.  At hospitals in Hazara and Hazaram, Oxfam providing wat/san services.  In Balakot, Oxfam working in five camps to fix latrines and pipelines.  (Nov-5, Oxfam)

 

In Muzaffarabad, water supply has been some 90% restored. In Mansehra and Rawalakot, the water supply systems have been repaired.  In Bagh, water supply system has been restored to the main tank which serves 50,000 people.  In Balakot and Batagram, IFRC has provided mobile treatment plants, serving 40,000. (Nov-8, OCHA)

 

Oxfam says it has started installing sanitation facilities in emergency settlements in and around the city of Bagh. About 70 percent of the cityÕs water supply was reportedly destroyed form the quake.  Medecins sans Frontieres (Belgium), Islamic Relief and Muslim Hands will take care of the rest of the camps.  (Nov-7, IRIN)

 

OCHA planning figures say 3.2-3.5 million require Wat/San support. (Nov-1, OCHA)

Public Health/Medical

IFRC began distributing special large tents and support items to some 200 Pakistani women health workers, who will use the tents to provide basic health services.  (Nov-16, IFRC)

 

A reported outbreak of acute watery diarrhea has been brought under control with less reported cases form the Old University camp in Muzaffarabad.  However, diarrhea remains a concern especially as populations increase in self-settled camps.  (Nov-16, UNOCHA)

 

15 international field hospitals and 19 mobile medical teams are reported throughout the affected area. 9 mental health teams have been mobilized. (Nov-17, GOP, OCHA) WHO is providing health kits and training to more than 200 volunteer health workers.  (Nov-16, OCHA)

 

Acute Respiratory Tract Infections continue to be the highest reported condition. (Nov-17, WHO) Sporadic cases of measles, meningitis, and acute jaundice syndrome reported.  Several cases of Diptheria and one death from remote areas in Muzaffarabad.  Vaccinations against tetanus, polio, measles continues. (Nov-14, DFID) Pakistani health officials are leading team of doctors to immunize some 800,000 children under 15 years of age in the next two weeks against measles, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and diphtheria before winter arrives.  (Nov-13, Reuters) Some 582 teams of vaccinators will be deployed.  (Nov-16, UNICEF)

 

76 teams (44 international and 32 MoH) are providing primary health care through mobile and other units.  9 mental health teams have been established to provide psychosocial support.  (Nov-14, UNOCHA)

 

60-bed NATO hospital became operational on November 9 in Bagh district in PcK.  (Nov-9, AFP)

 

UN Population Fund (UNFPA) says that more than 17,000 women due to give birth in the next two months.  UNFPA says that it is providing delivery kits, and other medical supplies.  (Nov-9, DPA) Need for female medical staff stressed by UNOCHA. (Nov-8, UNOCHA)

 

ICRC says medical evacuations down to less than 10 per day.  (Nov-10)

 

UNOCHA planning figures cite some 3.2 million to 3.5 million need medical care.  (Nov-1, OCHA) More than 79,000 injured.

 

As part of NATOÕs aid, first military field hospital from the Netherlands began operating Wednesday (November 9) in central Bagh district of PcK.  It is the second field hospital in Bagh after MSF opened one. (Nov-10, IRIN) 21 international field hospitals operational, with bed capacity for 1,252 patients. 13 mobile medical teams (Nov-7, DFID)

 

WHO says that latest assessments show 291 health facilities destroyed and 74 partially damaged out of a total of 564.  Less than half continue to operate. (Oct-28, WHO) OCHA reports that up to 4 million people require primary health facilities, 75,000 hospital treatment, with 9,000 pregnant women and 600,000 children under five, as well as those disabled, in acute need of treatment.  (Nov-1, OCHA)

 

A joint WHO/Ministry of Health operations center has been established in Islamabad to coordinate health efforts.  (Oct-12, WHO) The Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC), is located at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.  (Oct-14, UNOCHA) WHO field offices are operational in five of the most affected locations: Bagh, Balakot, Mansehra, Muzaffarabad, and Rawalkot.  (Oct-25, USAID)

 

A telephone-based outbreak alert and notification system is fully operational in Muzaffarabad.  (Nov-7, WHO) WHO and the Ministry of Health have set up an Early Warning and Response Network (EWARN), starting with Muzaffarabad, to quickly identify and respond to outbreaks. (Oct-21, GOP) 

 

WHO has set up a website to facilitate information exchange between health partners at www.whopak.org.  (Oct-17, UNOCHA) 

Shelter

GOP says that with the help of Pakistani Army engineers, some 1350 shelters have been constructed in quake stricken parts of NWFP and PcK.  (Nov-18, GOP)

 

A total of 55,000 displaced are in both official and self-settled camps throughout the NWFP.  Another 20,000 are with host communities.  (Nov-20, OCHA)

 

Conditions in camps, especially the estimated 1,000 self-settled camps are a major cause of concern, according to OCHA.  (Nov-20, OCHA)

 

First relief camp run by civil authorities, aided by Afghan refugees with expertise in tent construction, has opened near Havelian in NWFP. Banda Shahib Khan campÕs population has already reached 2,500 and plans to host up to 20,000. (Nov-21, UNHCR)

 

UN Habitat launched transitional winterized shelter initiative in Muzafarabad, utilizing materials such as soil, iron sheets and debris, to erect about 1,000 environmentally friendly shelters. (Nov-21, IRIN)

 

Hundreds of spontaneous camps are reported in each valley – some under management of different religious and political parties with little experience in the field. UNHCR assisting in 44 planned and spontaneous camps; Pakistan military running 71 camps – total camp population unknown. (Nov-17, OCHA)

 

GOP moving towards transitional shelter – providing 200,000 iron sheets to help in winterization. Temporary Shelter Construction teams will be mobilized to build shelters for vulnerable families. Shelter cluster members determining how to complement the sheets to provide complete shelter kit. (Nov-17, OCHA)

 

UNHCR and government discussing which camps need to be closed or relocated. New sites for camps for approximately 8,000 people (out of 10,000 to be relocated) have been identified. More sites still needed. (Nov-17, OCHA)

 

IDPs prefer spontaneous camps because of perceived fewer restrictions and more space to shelter their livestock, an important livelihood source. (Nov-17, USAID)

 

UNDP has launched an initiative this week to help some 30,000 families in high-altitude areas to build locally designed winterized shelters from rubble and locally available materials.  (Nov-14, UNNS)

 

According to IOM, helicopters will begin an airlift of 180 tons of IOM shelter repair, materials and blankets to Kuttan in Upper Neelum Valley as part of ÒOperation Winter Race,Ó a plan to airlift 10,000 shelter repair kits by the end of November to communities above 5,000 ft cut off from road access.  (Nov-15, IOM) Further staff and supplies are needed to enable Operation Winter Race to reach its full potential in the next two weeks before weather sets in.  (Nov-20, OCHA)

 

NATO and Pakistani staff will reportedly move to areas above 5,000 feet to build winterized shelters.  (Nov-15, NATO)

 

Pakistan military is planning to have 160 teams ready to move into hard to reach areas to go village-to-village to make Òwarm roomÓ shelters in areas above 5,000 feet high.  (Nov-14, DFID)

 

Pakistan military reports 71 Òtent villagesÓ housing some 53,276 people throughout the affected area.  (Nov-14, DFID)

 

Some 500,000 still reportedly without shelter.  (Nov-8, IRIN)

 

About 392,177 tents have been delivered.  500,000 total required. (Nov-14, DFID)

 

UNOCHA reports some 10,000 currently living in organized camps.  18 camps established—7 around Mansehra, Balakot and Batagram, 8 around Muzaffarabad and 3 around Bagh.  Total capacity for 225,000. (Nov-8, UNOCHA)

 

GOP will start handing out compensation payments of Rps 25,000 (US$418) for loss of houses.  (Nov-5, UNOCHA)

 

Some 2.5 million have lost their homes.  2.2 million are in rural areas, 100,000 in semi-urban areas and 200,000 in urban areas.  (Nov-7, DFID)

 

ICRC is now planning to assist at least 200,000 people, instead of 150,000 – half by air in Neelum Valley in remote villages, and other half by road in Jhelum Valley and Muzaffarabad. Will give tarpaulins and blankets first, then distribute two-month, instead of three-month food rations for winter. (Nov-4, ICRC)

 

Federal Relief Commissioner Khan said that GOP had established 58 tent villages which sheltered some 36,000 people. (Nov-2, BBC)

Infrastructure

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said GOP would seek input of local and foreign seismologists and geologists in the reconstruction and rehabilitation phase.  (Nov-18, GOP)

 

UNDP says several factors played a part in greater difficulty of raising international aid for Pakistan earthquake, as opposed to the December 2004 tsunami disaster: the involvement of only one country (Pakistan), that the disaster occurred at the end of the fiscal year, and the number of other disasters in 2005. (Nov-16, DPA)

 

The Federal Educational Minister says the cost of rehabilitating the educational system in NWFP and PcK is at some US$500 million.  Minister says 9,000 educational institutions in NWFP and 7,000 educational institutions in PcK were destroyed.  (Nov-16, Frontier Post, Dawn)

 

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.   At least 10,000 schools were destroyed or damaged.  (Nov-8, Reuters) Of these, 7,197 were destroyed. Of these, 3,680 schools in PcK and 3,517 in NWFP were destroyed. (Nov-8, IHT, The Dawn)

 

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. Pakistan will appeal for US$5.2 billion in November 19 donors conference. (Nov-15, Reuters, ADB)

 

Planning figures from OCHA say 70% of houses destroyed, 30% damaged. (Nov-1, OCHA)

 

USAID says almost 90 percent of schools destroyed.  USAID working with UNICEF to restart schools.  (Oct-27, USAID) UNICEF, quoting GOP estimates, said that 6,700 schools were destroyed in NWFP and another 1,300 destroyed in PcK.  (Oct-31, AFP)

 

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has approved 2 billion Pakistani Rs (US$33.3 million) for reconstruction of homes, at a meeting of the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA). (Oct-28, AP)

 

In Nheelum Valley, almost 90-100% of buildings were destroyed.  (Oct-27, UNOCHA) 90% of the structures in Bagh have totally collapsed, almost 100 percent of structures in Nasera district in Jhelum Valley have collapsed.  (Oct-23, 25UNOCHA)

 

An Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) has been established to rebuild infrastructure. Lt. Gen Muhammad Zubair, engineer-in-chief of the Pakistani Army is chair.  (Oct-17, Dawn)

Security

IOM says GOP and aid agencies are working together to warn survivorÕs against falling prey to traffickers.  (Nov-20, Reuters)  Security has reportedly been beefed-up at makeshift camps and childrenÕs wards in the hospitals of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. (Nov-21, DPA) 

 

UNICEF says establishment of system to protect vulnerable groups, including women and elderly, remains key priority. Assessments ongoing in 39 out of 41 identified camps – more partners needed. (Nov-17, OCHA)

 

Reports that women are increasingly facing violence and harassment at camps.  (Nov-16, IRIN)

 

UNICEF, together with the Ministry of Social Welfare, have begun registering children living in emergency settlements.  UNOCHA reports at least 4,000 children have been registered thus far.  (Nov-1, UNOCHA)

 


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. The governmentÕs main priority right now is provision of shelter through tents, repair of homes, reconstruction of homes and community shelters to last through the winter.

 

GovernmentÕs distribution of cash relief from the Natural Calamity Relief Fund (NCRF) began in Uri and Tangdhar on October 19. Relatives of each casualty received 100,000 Indian rupees (US$2,200), while 60,000 Indian rupees (US$1,333) are offered for the rebuilding of destroyed homes. (Oct-26, AFP) All disbursement completed on November 15. (Oct-26, AFP) Additional incentive for families that complete construction of temporary sheds from tin sheets and timber by or before the end of November. (Nov-10, PTI) Following the earthquake, the government announced a US$150 million aid package.

 

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. The Indian Army, under Operation Imdad, has been carrying out bulk of relief and rehabilitation effort. Local state agencies, social, religious and political organizations, and NGOs also assisting.

 

As in northern Pakistan, aid workers struggle with the mountainous terrain, landslides and increasingly cold weather. (Oct-17, AFP) International and domestic aid agencies also have to contend with frequent security checks and roadblocks. (Oct-24, SC) Heavy snow reported in Sadna Pass, at 10,000 feet on the Sringar-Teethwal road – causing concerns for survivors in Tangdhar area. Survivors call more further winterization of tents. (Nov-14, AFP)

 

International and domestic media continue to report that some remote villages have received little or no aid, which the Indian government repeatedly denies. Residents in Tangdhar and Uri say relief not being fairly distributed. (Oct-31, Kashmir Times) Some villages do not have NGO presence and are completely dependent on the government for relief. (Oct-30, AFP) Villagers in Salamabad, Uri constructing tin sheds, which they plan to stay in until March next year. However, they say tin structures are cold during the night. A district offici