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South Asia Earthquake Update

 

November 28, 2005

 

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

 

 

 

Table of Contents:

 

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

India .....................................page 14

 

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. 

 

Government of Pakistan (GOP) has called for international assistance. Distribution of shelter materials, stoves and blankets, as well as food, seen as priority. Priority areas for distribution are Neelum Valley (40,000 vulnerable), Jhelum Valley, Allai Valley (110,000 vulnerable) and Kaghan Valley (40,000 vulnerable). (Nov-24, OCHA)

 

Confirmed contributions and pledges to six-month UN Emergency Appeal stand at US$215.1 (39%) out of the US$ 550 million requested. (Nov-24, DFID) Agencies report funding shortfall affecting critical Logistics, Shelter and Camp Management programs. (Nov-21, OCHA) The UN says it is funded only until around mid-December. (Nov-25, IRIN)

 

International donors pledged more than US$5.8 billion in assistance to quake-affected Pakistan during November 19 donors conference.  Some US$3.9 billion would be in the form of soft loans, while the remaining US$1.9 billion is comprised of grants.  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.  (Nov-18, GOP)

 

FRC have begun plans to hand over disaster response activities to two provincial authorities of NWFP and PcK. Target date is December 31, 2004. (Nov-28, UN) GoP continues to hand out compensation to affected families, which has risen from 25,000 Pakistan Rs to 150,000 Pakistan Rs. An additional 25,000 Pakistan Rs for families that rebuild with earthquake-resistant standards. (Nov-24, DFID)

 

Humanitarian hubs operating in Muzaffarabad, Mansehra, Bagh and Battagram. Hub to be established in Banna (Allai Valley). (Nov-24, OCHA)

 

Starting from November 28, UN-led Logistics Cluster will reduce number of meetings to two per week. (Nov-25, WFP) UNJLC reports increasing need for clear picture of major roads/routes that need to be kept open during winter. Road conditions update provided by WDS (local NGOs). (Nov-25, WFP) Pakistani army has opened Neelum Valley road that would allow delivery of relief aid by road.  (Nov-17, Dawn)  Roads into Jhelum and Kaghan Valleys cleared. (Nov-14, DFID) Officials say after snow begins to fall, roads will not be usable until April or even May. (Nov-3, AFP) Landslides blocked highway between Neelum Valley and Muzaffarabad – army is working on clearing roads, but continuing landslips are impeding progress. (Nov-28, TN)

 

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) Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Jan Egeland, said that it was believed that 100,000 to 150,000 people were still above the snowline and risked being Òsnowed-in.Ó  He says that the numbers were less than the estimated 200,000 a few weeks ago because many people had come down and relief workers had access to more communities.  Eight battalions from the Pakistani army were reportedly working with the UN and IOM to open up access to villages.  (Nov-23, UN)

 

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) NATO Air Bridge ceased operations as of November 24. (Nov-24, DFID) NATO provides capacity in seven categories: water supply, shelter, schools, sanitation, hospitals, roads, debris. Multinational engineering battalion will reach full operational capacity by December 13.  (Nov-25, WFP) NATO has provided shelter to 29,000 people and will provide additional shelter for remaining 6,000. (Nov-25, WFP)

 

Helicopter relief flights were suspended yesterday due to inclement weather that dumped as much as 8 inches of snow and 1.2 inches of rain in some high altitude areas in the quake affected regions in PcK and NWFP.  WFP had to cancel some 30 flights setting it back by a day and half in terms of its food delivery schedule.  Snow is also impeding some ground transportation.  (Nov-26, Reuters, AP) more rain and moderate to heavy snow at more than 6,500 feet (1,981) More rain and moderate to heavy snow are forecast tomorrow (November 29) with isolated thunderstorms, while minimum average temperatures are forecast to fall below zero in the later part of the week. (Nove-26, UK Met Office)

 

Estimated 120,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) already in spontaneous and established camps. (Nov-24, DFID)  So far, there are about 20 government-run settlements housing over 24,000 people, including 11 in Mansehra, housing about 15,000 IDPs, and another nine home to over 9,000 in Muzaffarabad. (Nov-25, IRIN) 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) However, there are several reasons why many survivors choose not to move down: Reluctance to leave behind their harvest, reluctance to bring female family members into close proximity with strange males, and the belief that the military is attempting to make way for other infrastructure projects, such as dams. (Nov-25, IOM) Pakistan military reports local population migrations have slowed significantly, especially in Allai, Sirin and Kaghan Valleys – officials believe most who have migrated have already done so. (Nov-28, UN)

 

Relief Commissioner, Salim Bismil, said that 50,000 more people are expected to come down from the mountains during the winter. (Nov-25, AFP) The Red Cross reports that the population movement is expected to continue for another week to 10 days, before dropping off. (Nov-25, IFRC).  According to Pakistan military estimates some 300,000 affected people would remain in inaccessible areas in the NWFP over the course of winter months.  The UNHCR, which is the lead agency for camp management, is working with the government to assess the conditions of spontaneous camps. They have already recommended the closure of several sites in PcK, and assessments are ongoing in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) this week. (Nov-24, DFID)

 

The government in PcK plans to build five more organized tent villages to accommodate some 40,000 earthquake survivors in different areas across PcK.  (Nov-27, DAWN) Pakistan military working with volunteers and aid workers to build shelter homes of about 200 square feet, with priority given to families who have no male member in the home and are living above 5,000 feet.  It said 18,269 shelters have been completed, with another 4,750 under construction. (Nov-28, AP)

 

Shelter items most urgent relief priority under GOP National Action Plan combining Shelter and Camp Management. NGOs have begun to use alternative, indigenous materials for shelter improvisation and winterization of tents. (Nov-3, Reuters)  So far, about 309,000 tents have been distributed, of the 500,000 required (62% coverage), with a further 165,000 in the pipeline. (UN-OCHA, November 24)  However, relief agencies estimate that about 75% to 90% of tents are not winterized. (Nov-25, Reuters)  IOM 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. Airborne deliveries to other areas will continue throughout winter. (Nov-21, DPA/OCHA). IOM has distributed 1,300 shelter kits to more than 10,000 survivors through ÒWinter Race.Ó (Nov-28, UN) Federal Relief Commissioner (FRC) Major General Farooq Ahmad Khan has said that a total of 7,655 shelters above 5,000 feet (1,524 m) have been constructed by the army. (Nov-25, OCHA) IOM reports many villagers had not begun building shelters from the ruins of their homes because they think they will not receive government compensation if they did so. (Nov-25, IOM) Earthquake Recovery and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA) developing guidelines for shelter beyond winter. (Nov-24, DFID)

 

Operation ÒWinter RaceÓ has resulted in over 8,000 shelters built by the military and 6,000 by the humanitarian community.  According to governmentÕs federal relief commission (FRC) civilians have also built more than 7,000 shelters.  (Nov-24, 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) 

 

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) Acute diarrhea outbreak under control Muzaffarabad. Outbreak resulted in 738 cases and no deaths. (Nov-24, DFID) UNICEF, working with GOP and WHO, says it has launched a measles immunization campaign, targeting 800,000 children in two weeks, before snow cuts off remote areas.  UNICEF says there have been 40 measles cases thus far.  Some 600 teams are also vaccinating against polio, diphtheria, and tetanus.  Around 60,000 children are being vaccinated each day.  (Nov-22, UNICEF)

 

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). 

 

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)

 

 

 

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. 

 

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) 

 

Up to 150,000 above snowline risk being snowed-in.  (Nov-23, UN)

 

The Pakistani military estimates that around 300,000 people will remain in inaccessible areas in NWFP over the winter. The Federal Relief Commission says that 5,445 families are in government camps.  It is estimated that 30,000 of the total population in Allai have descended into camps or with host communities. (Nov-25, OCHA)

Coordination

Fuel farm in Abbotabad is operational with 1 million liters. (Nov-25, WFP)

 

UNJLC says update on pipeline impossible due to lack of input from agencies/IOs/NGOs. (Nov-25, WFP)

 

Data collection is handled at central level by Cluster Information Manager in Islamabad (shelterinfo@iom.int). Reports are that FRC number are 10% off from shelter cluster data – discussions ongoing. (Nov-28, UN)

 

Field Cluster Coordinator in Mansehra is piloting a Òsub-clusterÓ approach. Five sub-groups have been created in Balakot, Kaghan Valley, Battagram, Allai and the Serin Valley to support existing Field Coordination Offices. (Nov-28, UN)

 

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

 

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)

 

 

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, is chief. 

 

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

Bad weather from Saturday (November 26) to early Monday (November 28) resulted in cancellation of over 30 helicopter flights to bring 100 tons of shelter and food to Neelum and Jhelum valleys. 10-truck convoy carrying 50 tons of food to Pattai Awanan, east of Muzaffarabad, also had to wait. Flights resumed early today. (Nov-28, ICRC)

 

Islamic Relief hired 20 earthmoving vehicles for two months to clear roads. (Nov-28, IR)

 

OCHA reports that people from high altitude villages continue to descend to lower areas, however, there are some indications that affected communities prefer to remain in villages if adequate food and shelter is provided.  (Nov-25, OCHA)

 

OCHA reports that food has become the highest priority and will be granted cargo space of some 60%, while 35% will be granted to shelter and 10% to other items.  (Nov-25, OCHA)

 

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)

 

Eight battalions of the Pakistani army are working with the UN and IOM to open access to villages. (Nov-23, UN)

 

According to GOP, the Pakistan Army Survey Group has developed a Geographic Information System (GIS) containing data about the disaster for NWFP and PcK.  (Nov-22, GOP)

 

People continue to come down from 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)

 

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)

 

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)

 

Teams of mountain experts known as ÒQuake JumpersÓ are being assembled to reach remote affected communities.  (Nov-14, WFP)

 

OCHA says an Interagency Transport and Logistic Operations Plan has been created as well as Joint Government/UN Logistics Cell. (Nov-1, OCHA) 

International Financial Assistance

International donors pledged more than US$5.8 billion in assistance to quake-affected Pakistan at donorÕs conference on Saturday (November 19).  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). 

 

UN Flash Appeal is currently US$151 million committed and US$64 million pledged against a requested US$550 million.  Total contributions and pledges is U$216 million (39% of requested amount) (Nov-25, OCHA)

 

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)

 

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.

Food

Food distribution taking place in 5 thematic areas: Emergency school feeding, Hospital feeding, Camp feeding, General food distribution (with support of Pakistan army and civil authorities), Host family and Feeding. (Nov-22, UN)

 

WFP is preparing a village-based database and will incorporate data from the Pakistan military and the ICRC. (Nov-25, WFP)

 

WFP says some 2.3 million people will require food assistance at least through April 2006, according to assessments by WFP, UNICEF and Oxfam.  (Nov-22, WFP)

 

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)

 

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

Water and Sanitation

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)

 

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

Fourth ICRC basic healthcare unit opening in Jhelum Valley (three other units already in Chinari, Pathika and Muzaffarabad). (Nov-28, ICRC)

 

Save the Children and Americares providing field hospital to Bana, located in Allai valley in NWFP.  Hospital will provide care to area that is home to some 50,000 people. (Nov-23, SC)

 

UNICEF says it has launched a measles immunization campaign, targeting 800,000 children in two weeks, before snow cuts off remote areas. UNICEF will be working with the WHO and Pakistani Ministry of Health.  Some 600 teams are also vaccinating against polio, diphtheria, and tetanus.  Around 60,000 children are being vaccinated each day.  (Nov-22, UNICEF)

 

The UN has warned that waste and debris from the earthquake could become toxic and endanger survivorÕs health.  (Nov-20, BBC)

 

GOP has started appointing health education officers in tent settlements to help prevent outbreaks of diarrhea and other diseases in affected areas.  The program is jointly organized by the WHO and Health Ministry. (Nov-22, The News)

 

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.  (Nov-14, DFID)

 

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) 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)

 

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)

 

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

 

WHO says that 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 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

FRC and UN-led Emergency Shelter Cluster will jointly convene ÒWinterization Working GroupÓ (consisting of FRC, Shelter, Camp Management and provincial authorities) to establish impending winterization program. (Nov-28, UN)

 

Save the Children, only NGO working in Panjkot Valley, reports snow has covered some villages and landslides have cut off roads. Aims to reach 2,500 families by end of December. (Nov-28, SC)

 

Over 309,000 tents of some 500,000 required have been provided with a further 165,000 in the pipeline due for delivery by early December.  (Nov-25, OCHA)

 

GOP says it will increase compensation for survivors who lost their homes.  Survivors will get almost US$2,929, an increase of some US$2,511 over the original US$418.  (Nov-22, BBC)

 

IOM is expected to receive 3,300 shelter repair kits in Muzaffarabad and 2,000 in Batagram for distribution in the high Neelum and Allai Valleys.  Some 1,200 tool kits have been dispatched to Neelum Valley, Batagram and Allai.  (Nov-22, IOM)

 

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) 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)

 

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)

 

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)

 

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. (Nov-17, OCHA)

 

UNDP has launched an initiative to help some 30,000 families in high-altitude areas to build locally designed winterized shelters from rubble and 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) OCHA reports anecdotal evidence that the operation is leading to small numbers of people returning to villages to rebuild shelters.  The operation has led to over 8,000 shelters built by the military and 6,000 by the humanitarian community.  Civilians have also reportedly built more than 7,000 shelters.  (Nov-25, 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)

 

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)

Infrastructure

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)

 

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)

 

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)

 

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 Neelum 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

Inspector-General of NWFP has requested UN staff in Batagram district to move only with police escort. (Nov-25, WFP)

 

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. (Nov-17, 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. 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.

 

Relatives of each casualty received 100,000 Indian rupees (US$2,200) in government compensation, 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. 

 

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.

 

ADEPT has issued an appeal for experienced mountain climbers to volunteer for the relief effort in the region, particularly in delivery of food and medical supplies to remote areas. Two dozen have responded – but more is needed. More information can be found at: Http://www.ExplorersWeb.com. International and domestic aid agencies also have to contend with frequent security checks and roadblocks. (Oct-24, SC)

 

Residents in several villages Uri district continue to report cases of political corruption, such as the use of fictious names, sale of relief material and the lack of proper distribution. (Nov-25, Kashmir Times) The government set up a grievances department, where people can lodge complaints on relief distribution. (Nov-8, Daily Excelsior)

 

Shelter remains the top relief priority. Aside from food and water, fuel to cook food and burn firewood is also an important relief item. (Oct-26, AFP) First priority for aid workers is providing shelter worst-hit areas around Tangdhar, and upper areas of Kupwara and Baramulla that are going to be snowbound by end of November. Second are families that will remain accessible, despite heavy snow; third are those whose homes are partially damaged. (Oct-31, SEEDS) 

 

Although at least 35,000 tents are needed in the region, only about 12,000 tents and 200,000 blankets have been distributed by the Indian government. (Oct-26, MHA) Up to 1 million people and their livestock (a valuable commodity) need winter housing. Many living in makeshift tent cities. (Oct-23, ADEPT) ADEPT says efforts must focus on huge logistical problem of distributing tents and setting them up, as it is too late to procure more tents before winter. (Nov-2, ADEPT) GOI plans to build prefabricated, winterized community centers where people can shelter at night and work outside during the day to rebuild their homes. Survivors have appealed for kangris and bokharis, traditional heaters used in the region that use very little fuel.

 

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, presently only Nauser-Teethwal and Rawalakot-Poonch crossing points are open for limited civilian crossing.  (Nov-21, TN)

 

 

Sector Status

 

Sector Status

Affected Population

150,000 people displaced (Oct-13, AFP), about 90 percent of them remain homeless (Oct-17, AFP)

 

India-based Academy for Disaster Management Education Planning and Training (ADEPT) says 70% of villages reportedly have no road access and can only be reached by steep mountain trails. (Nov-2, ADEPT)

 

Coordination

ATHROT, a relief action program for IcK-based NGO, has been set up by a number of independent voluntary organizations, such as the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, Doctors Offering Care and Kashmir Times Publications, to coordinate the efforts of private organizations. ATHROT opening centers in Uri, Salamabad, Karnah, Tangdhar, Teetwal, Keran and Machhil for relief distribution. (Oct-24, Kashmir Times)

 

State and federal government on October 17 agreed on a three-pronged rehabilitation strategy:  Financial assistance, short-term construction of community shelters and long-term construction of quake-resistant infrastructure. (Oct-17, BBC News)

 

State Cabinet appointed five government officers to coordinate relief and reconstruction: BA Runiyal, Relief Commissioner, will be in charge in Uri; Sharief-ud-Din – Srinagar; GM Rather - Tangdhar;  Jeet Lal Gupta – Poonch; K Mohinder Singh - relief Commissioner (migrants) in Jammu. (Oct-31, Kashmir Times)

 

Caritas Internationalis has launched an appeal for over US$5.5 million to assist local partner, Caritas India. Caritas India, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and the Catholic Social Service Society (CSSS) of the Jammu and Kashmir Diocese. Development and Peace funding Caritas India projects to provide relief for 4,000 families in 12 villages. Emergency phase to last until March 2006. Longer-term phase to last until November 2006. (Nov-10, Development and Peace)

Logistics

 No New Information

Food

 

Water and Sanitation