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South Asia Earthquake Update

January 5, 2006

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

Table of Contents:

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

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

Overview

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

Jan Vandemoortele, UN humanitarian coordinator said that the UN’s US$550 million flash appeal has so far received US$305 million in cash, with another US$10 million pledged, about 57% of the total. He added that the UN and partner agencies needed US$2 million a day to keep aid operations running.

A long-anticipated cold spell of low temperatures has finally arrived in quake-hit northern Pakistan, following heavy snow and rain that began last Saturday (December 2). The cold temperatures have raised concerns among aid workers of new deaths among quake survivors from cold-related illnesses. “The snow came late but it came with a vengeance. The weather on the weekend was very severe with snow falling below the usual snowline of 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) and with heavy rain flooding countless tents,” said Vandemoortele. Although the weather has eased, temperatures continue to fall and are expected to reach -16C (3.2 F) in mountainous areas outside of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK).

Pakistani military has announced that all earthquake-affected areas have been assessed. (Dec-30, OCHA) An Emergency Coordination Center is in the process of being established by OCHA with assistance of UNJLC. (Dec-29, UNJLC) WFP Direct Response Teams (‘Quake Jumpers”) currently doing rapid assessments and call forwards for Non-Food Items (NFIs) and food. Information management system being established to guarantee follow up on generated data and targeting. (Dec-21, OCHA)

Helicopter relief flights also resumed in quake-hit northern Pakistan on Wednesday (January 4), after being grounded for at least three days by the inclement weather. The Pakistani military also said that roads blocked by landslides caused by the wet weather were being cleared as well, except for some areas in Chakothi and Neelum Valley. Access to areas above 5,000 feet (1,524 m) is reportedly largely blocked. New UNJLC transport coordination database has been created to facilitate the overview of cargo movement and waiting list of cargo through UNJLC-UNHAS-IOM-Atlas Alliance. UNJLC Logs Supply System (LSSW) to monitor NFI supply begins in Islamabad. (Dec-29, UNJLC) UNHAS will only be able to keep up its activities at its current rate until February 10. During Eid holiday (January 10-11), less transport capacity will be available. (Dec-30, OCHA) Process of visa waivers for foreign aid workers entering Pakistan for up to three months currently being reviewed. All individuals and foreign NGOs are advised to obtain proper visa before entering the country. Those already in-country will still be waived. (Dec-21, UNJLC) GOP has waived customs duty and other taxes on goods imported for relief operation for period of three months, but not for reconstruction goods. (Dec-21, UNJLC) UNHAS planning to build its own de-icing equipment which will be ready in approximately three weeks. (Dec-30, OCHA)

There are mounting concerns over the inadequacy of tents and shelter for more than 2.5 million survivors, which has been made more apparent by the spell of bad weather from over the weekend, the first major episode of the winter. About 1.9 million survivors are living independently below the snowline, 250,000 are in organized camps, and another 400,000 are in temporary shelters above the snowline. All but 10 percent of the tents have been adequately winterized. The UN has reported that many non-winterized tents have collapsed under heavy snow and winds in many camps, and have caused difficulties for survivors unfamiliar with living in tents. With the weather abating since Wednesday (January 4), aid agencies and survivors are scrambling to improve their shelter before more forecasted severe weather arrives this weekend. Aid agencies, the UN, and the army are reportedly currently touring camps and distributing corrugated iron sheets, plastic and other building materials. The World Food Program (WFP) is also distributing high-energy biscuits for people unable to cook outside because of the rain.

The UNHCR, which is supporting 300 camps with the government as the lead agency for camp management, is currently prepared to support 50,000 new arrivals and is setting up new tent sites. With landslides and snow covering several roads, the Pakistan Army says that it is essential to move people down to planned camp villages at lower elevations. UNHCR reports that 85 percent of shelters in planned camps are winterized. (Dec-30, USAID) But many survivors are reluctant to move for fear of losing their land and property.

The UN said that the current lack of a mass exodus of people from higher elevations means either that people have sufficient winter supplies, or that they are unable to move because of the snow. However, other aid workers have expressed optimism that enough food and shelter supplies were delivered to high-altitude areas due to a massive relief effort that began in November and mostly clear weather in December.

Relief agencies increasingly concerned over social unrest in transitional shelters, according to IOM, due to close proximity, cultural differences, difficulties in cooking and sanitation arrangements, loss of livelihood, inadequate shelter and boredom. Literacy and other outreach classes in established camps helping to mitigate unrest. (Dec-28, IRIN) UN shelter cluster distributing flyer explaining fire safety and winterization techniques. (Dec-30, USAID) IOM reports some 50 tent fires have been recorded since earthquake with loss of life and destruction of property. About two-thirds of families have constructed home-built stoves within tents for cooking and heating, while remainder use open fires. (Dec-28, IRIN)

Although the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) say they have not seen a surge in sick people or deaths since the weather worsened, CNN reports scores of people have begun lining up outside field hospitals in Muzaffarabad for cold-related illnesses, mostly for children. Mohamud Khalif Bile, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) senior representative in Pakistan, said that up to 18 people have died of pneumonia in the past six weeks, five of them during the past week. He added that aid workers have already managed to prevent around 45 separate outbreaks of measles in the quake zone after individual cases were detected. WHO and other agencies had also carried out mass immunization campaigns in camps, starting from last November. Bile said that the mortality rate had not risen very much in the past six weeks, given the conditions. However, the Pakistan army reported on Thursday (January 5) continuing small outbreaks, including a recent small measles outbreak in a tent camp in Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK). Already in northern Pakistan, up to 35 children have died of pneumonia since last week (December 25-31). FRC says that Pakistan has requested all countries who have established hospitals and water filtration plants in relief camps to leave behind and donate their facilities upon completion of their task. (Dec-24, GOP)

NATO Civil Military Cooperation teams (CIMIC) currently entering final phase of relief operations – aiding Pakistani military and other NGOs in building shelter, repairing infrastructure and delivering relief. (Dec-27, NATO) NATO will wrap up earthquake relief operations when 90-day mandate expires on January 21. (Dec-1, TN, Reuters) US Ambassador Ryan Crocker said that the over 1,000 US troops helping with relief efforts will leave Pakistan in March. (Dec-27, Dawn) US Disaster Assistance Center continues to maintain 12 US Chinook helicopters, along with four S70 Australian helicopters.

Meteorologists report that the cold wave in the region is expected to last for another week. In December, January and February, day temperatures are expected to be subzero, with temperatures reaching -20 degrees Celsius (- 4 F) in February. (Dec-7, UNJLC)

Sector Status
Affected Population	Death toll is at 73,320; injured is at 69,392 (Nov-16, OCHA) 4 million affected; estimated 3.3 million displaced or homeless scattered across 15,000 villages. (Nov-1, OCHA) Nearly half of the four million affected people are in PcK and another 1.3 million in NWFP. Estimated 35% of schools in higher altitudes will close on December 22 for winter vacation, until end of February 2006. Rest will remain open until end of regular school year in April/May. (Dec-15, DFID) Up to 10,000 children lost at least one parent, and about 800,000 women between the age of 15 and 49 were affected. (Dec-15, CWS) About 18,095 students and 853 teachers and educational staff died in the earthquake in NWFP and PcK. (Dec-15, CWS) UNICEF estimates some 1.6 million to 2.2 million children were affected by the earthquake. (Oct-31, AFP) UNICEF estimates almost 1 million schoolchildren need support, of which some 450,000 are of primary school age. (Dec-28, Reuters) Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) registering affected population, including those residing in and outside camps. (Dec-8, UN)
Coordination	According to OCHA, the Pakistani military has announced that all affected areas have been assessed. (Dec-30, OCHA) UNJLC says that an Emergency Coordination Center is in the process of being established by OCHA with assistance of UNJLC. According to UNJLC, it will consolidate information from the coordinating bodies and will act as a central briefing point and information center on the emergency, with the goal to set up a structure to help plan for future operations. It will be located in OCHA’s new offices and will be operational by January 4, 2006. (Dec-29, UNJLC) A Strategic Information Cell (SIC) has been comprised of HIC, FRC, UNJLC and clusters which will act as a repository of information gathered. SIC will focus on data collection for the period between December 15 to January 31. (Dec-15, Clusters) “Joint Operations Center” established to task UNHAS; Pakistan military; NATO and US Military air assets. (Dec-2, OCHA) 90-day ‘Winter Plan’ created to outline UN-led Cluster response. Priorities are: 1) Ensure continued assistance for estimated 350,000-380,000 who are expected to remain in high-elevation locations for the winter; 2) Support potential camp population of 250,000 in planned and spontaneous camps at lower elevations; 3) Ensure protection and meet needs of vulnerable population including women, children, elderly and disabled; 4) Continuous assessment of changing situation to meet emerging needs. (Dec-2, OCHA) GOP has established a “Prime Minister Relief Cell” in Islamabad for help in locating family members. Hotline Tel: (+9251) 9222666. “Earthquake Relief Cell” has been established in the Prime Minister’s House. The 24-hour hotlines will receive complaints from the earthquake-affected. (+9251) 9213891 or (+9251) 92229999. Ten sectoral coordination clusters were established to bring together the government, UN agencies, NGOs, IOs, militaries, and donors. (Oct-22, UNOCHA) These clusters cover areas such as food & nutrition, water & sanitation, health, emergency shelter, early recovery and reconstruction, IT/communication, logistics, camp management, protection and education. (Nov-1, OCHA) Detailed cluster information (meeting minutes, contact information) is posted at: www.un.org.pk. (Nov-8, OCHA) Clusters are concept of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), and is new to the UN system. It is being trialed in this disaster. (Nov-11, UN) The GOP formed a 7-member Civil Services Special Task Force. In addition to coordination, the task force will supervise foreign relief workers, NGOs, and volunteers. The task force will work under the Federal Relief Commissioner. Saeed Ahmed Khan is chief coordinator; Ishtiaq Ahmed is coordinator for NWFP; Tariq Khosa is coordinator for PCK; Qasim Niaz is coordinator for donor agencies; Arifa Sofi is coordinator for NGOs; Mohsin Rizvi is coordinator for foreign offices; and Dr. Ashfaq is coordinator for health services. (Oct-19, GOP) Federal Relief Commission coordinates rescue and relief operations. Major General Farooq Ahmed Khan, is the Federal Relief Commissioner. Humanitarian Information Centre (HIC) has been set up within the UNDAC/UN coordination centre. (Oct-14, UNOCHA) The NATO Deployed Joint Task Force (DJTF) is coordinating NATO relief activities with Pakistani officials. (Oct-27, Dawn) Pakistani army has opened three more military bases at Dhamial, Peshawar and Tarbela to assist in relief operations. Army is operating six forward bases in Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalkot, Balakot, Batgram and Mansehra. The army has also set up three main reporting and information centers at Havelian, Mansehra, and Gahri Habibullah. (Oct-27, DPA) Network of some 45 Army points in place. There are six major points, three each in NWFP at Mansehra, Balakot and Batagram, and Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Rawalkot in PcK. (Oct-19, Jang)
Logistics	Helicopters resumed work in affected areas on Wednesday (January 4) after operations were suspended for three days due to bad weather. However, more bad weather is expected. (Jan-4, Dawn) Under current funding, UNHAS will only be able to keep up activities at current rate until Feb. 10, OCHA says. Does not include 4 helicopters funded by DFID until May 3. (Dec-30, OCHA) UNJLC says that a new transport coordination database has been created to facilitate the overview of cargo movement. (Dec-29, UNJLC) A chart of available warehouse space is published on the UNJLC webpage. The table is designed to give all agencies and NGOs in need of storage a precise overview of existing warehouse capacity. (Dec-29, UNJLC) http://www.unjlc.org/pakistan UNJLC says that it is also in the process of updating and expanding its map catalog in order to provide readily available information to the relief community. UNJLC says that for printed copies and requests, email unjlcmapping@gmail.com. Maps can also be downloaded from the UNJLC website. (Dec-29, UNJLC) GOP and Pakistani military will try to ensure that important roads stay open where possible. It might be possible to keep roads leading into Neelum Valley open throughout winter. (Dec-28, OCHA) UNJLC map of revised UNHAS passenger service flight schedule now available to relief community at http://www.unjlc.org/pakistan/maps/UNHASPaxroutes/. (Dec-21, UNJLC) GOP and GOI have set up five crossing points along the LoC at Nauser-Teethwal, Chakothi-Uri, Hajipur-Uri, Rawalakot-Poonch and Tattapni-Mendhar. All the crossing points are now open. However, presently only Nauser-Teethwal and Rawalakot-Poonch crossing points are open for limited civilian crossing. (Nov-21, TN)
International Financial Assistance	Germany says it will give an additional 1 million euros (1.2 million dollars) to earthquake victims. (Jan-4, DPA) As of December 23, commitments and contributions against the UN Flash Appeal stand at US$240.7 million (43.6% of overall requirements). Another US$19.3 million is pledged, bringing total coverage of flash appeal to some 47%. (Dec-23, OCHA) UN Foundation has established South Asia Earthquake Response Fund to enable private-sector donors to support the UN’s relief and rehabilitation efforts. Initial contribution of US$ 1 million has been made. (Dec-21, Reuters)
Food	The spokesperson of the Relief Commissioner, Col. Baseer Malik said that the recent suspension of helicopter aid deliveries should not have affected food supplies as there are adequate food stocks. (Jan-4, GOP) The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) says that thousands of families have given up their makeshift shelters to protect their remaining animals because the majority of people depend on dairy livestock for nutrition and income. (Jan-3, WSPA) Save the Children (SC) will now distribute WFP rations to 86,290 people in Allai Tehsil (Battagram) and about 35,000 people in Tehsil Kala Khaka (Mansehra). SC is amending agreement with WFP to accommodate these changes. (Dec-27, SC)
Water and Sanitation	Forty percent of overall population and 90% of camp population receiving safe water. 4,000 latrines installed, 60,000 in the pipeline. (Dec-12, OCHA) UNICEF and the Ministry of Environment mark a new partnership with a memorandum of understanding and a website (www.pakquakecommunication.org) to spread awareness in affected areas about hygiene, safe drinking water, sanitation, and waste management. (Dec-5, GOP)
Public Health/Medical	Major General Shaukat Sultan, Director General of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) says that records show that for the time being, normal health related deaths are lower than even previous years. Medical camps established by foreign aid groups have brought good medical supplies and he says that “health conditions are improving in quake-hit areas.” (Jan-4, GOP) Kuwait will establish two 40-bed state-of-the-art fixed hospitals in NWFP and PcK. (Jan-4, Dawn) Khalid Saeed, a mental health coordinator with the World Health Organization (WHO) says that some 180,000 survivors have serious mental disorders, including psychosis, severe depression and anxiety. (Jan-4, Reuters) IOM has deployed Mental Health and Psychosocial support teams to cities and camps. IOM found that after interviewing 1390 people, some 117 (8.4%) were diagnosed with various degrees of mental problems. Women and children were most affected. (Dec-27, IOM) According to the latest reports, issued jointly by the Pakistan government and World Health Organization (WHO), Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) account for 20-30% of the consultations among children under the age of five in the earthquake-affected areas. (Dec-22, UNICEF) Ministry of Health has launched special vaccination campaign in relief camps in PcK and NWFP for tetanus, diphtheria and meningitis. About 70 percent of people have been vaccinated, but campaign will cover those who recently arrived from high mountain areas. Increase in cases of pneumonia and respiratory diseases in northern Pakistan. (Dec-22, IFRC) There are 74 field hospitals, including 47 international field hospitals and 9 mental health teams, operating in the region. (Dec-9, IRIN) There are about 51 foreign medical teams, along with 233 Pakistani doctors. Pakistan military has nine forward treatment centers and 28 surgical and treatment teams of army doctors. (Dec-11, GOP) National Task Force on Psycho-social Trauma has been formed by the prime minister and led by the Ministry of Health with the support of WHO, UNICEF and other partners. (Dec-16, OCHA) Approximately 1.6 to 2.2 million children at particular risk of cold, malnutrition and disease. UN estimates that 40,000 pregnant women are affected. (Dec-15, CWS) WHO has set up a website to facilitate information exchange between health partners at www.whopak.org. (Oct-17, UNOCHA)
Shelter	Major General Shaukat Sultan, Director General of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that permanent shelters prepared by the army can accommodate some 1.5 million survivors. He says that over 255,000 permanent shelters have been set up for people living over 5,000 feet. More than 30,000 winterized tents have been acquired from abroad, while 750,000 tents have been pitched inside the valleys. (Jan-4, GOP) The GOP reports that the Pakistan Red Crescent Society in collaboration with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has distributed 43,265 tents and 322,598 blankets to some 64,000 affected families in NWFP. (Jan-4, GOP) ICRC medical teams reported that many tents in villages and settlements had collapsed under the weight of rain and snow when bad weather hit on New Year’s Day. (Jan-4, ICRC) In PcK, UNICEF organizing the distribution of some 50,000 kits containing warm winter clothing and other winter items for children. (Dec-27, IRIN) Several techniques used for better and safer winterization: Afghan refugees helping to create an “Afghan fireplace” for heating; UNHCR recommends pitching tent two feet deep and insulation. Every military-run camp has several “fire stops,” information on fire prevention and extinguishers. (Dec-22, UNHCR) There are some 55 tent villages in PcK which house over 58,000 people, with 23 tent villages in NWFP, housing over 35,000 people, according to the FRC. There are some 400 spontaneous tent villages housing over 100,000 people. (Dec-24, GOP) According to rapid assessment by UN, some one tenth of tents are too thin to withstand the winter. Some 75 percent of households require extra protection to get through winter. Some 1 million blankets or half a million quilts still needed, UNICEF says. (Dec-22, UNICEF) Emergency Shelter Cluster: 98,605 shelter kits delivered (730,000 beneficiaries), of which 54,529 delivered above 5,000 ft.; 55,000 transitional shelters constructed (407,000 beneficiaries); 610,000 tents delivered (283,806 by humanitarian community); 4.8 million blankets delivered (1.7 million by humanitarian community); 451,000 plastic sheets/tarpaulins delivered by humanitarian community. (Dec-19, UNCT)
Infrastructure	Agencies have been given a target of 400,000 quake-resistant homes to build before next winter season. (Dec-28, Dawn) PcK Minister Sardar Sikander Hayat Khan said that reconstruction and rehabilitation in PcK will begin on April 1, 2006. (Dec-28, Dawn) GOP says that 95% of roads, 70% of water supply system, 85% of electrical supply and 96% of telecom facilities have been restored in quake-affected areas. (Dec-27, GOP) GOP has approved a US$300 million project to rehabilitate and restore damaged and destroyed infrastructure. Private NGOs and civil society organizations will also be involved in rehabilitation. (Dec-27, GOP) GOP estimates that 6,700 schools were destroyed in NWFP and 1,300 in PcK. (Dec-28, Reuters) OCHA says that almost 500 schools have reopened, with over 32,200 children enrolled in the schools. In an effort to get an overall picture of the situation around Muzaffarabad, UNICEF and local officials are conducting a rapid assessment of more than 2,000 schools. Some 2,500 school tents are in the pipeline. UNICEF has distributed some 16,000 school-in-a-box sets for children in PcK. Each kit can provide supplies for 80 children and 2 teachers. (Dec-28, IRIN) The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank estimate that the quake damaged some 2,385 miles (3,837 kilometers) of roads; 2,366 km (1470 miles) in PcK and 1,471 km (914 miles) of roads in NWFP were damaged. Out of US$5.2 billion estimated for reconstruction needs, World Bank and ADB estimates about US$1.092 billion needed for relief, US$205 million for death/injury compensation, US$301 million for early recovery and US$97 million for the restoration of livelihoods. In addition, US$3.5 billion was estimated for the physical reconstruction. (Nov-15, Reuters, ADB)
Security	UNJLC reports that two security incidents were reported in Kokliot and UNDSS has decided that no UN operations can take place in Kokliot and within a 5 km radius of this town. (Jan-4, OCHA) OCHA says that the grace period for police escorts until Dec. 31, never materialized, hampering free movement for aid agencies. (Dec-30, UNJLC) Save the Children has established 68 safe play spaces in NWFP and PcK – 11 new spaces were created this week. (Dec-27, SC) According to OCHA, Ministry of Social Welfare is offering the most vulnerable groups who have been affected by the earthquake to be moved to an institution outside Islamabad. (Dec-19, OCHA) NWFP government insists on police escorts for international staff in the province. Security instructions do not allow movement outside Battagram town without police escort. (Dec-7-13, WFP) Local police now accompanies distributions to places with no military presence due to security concerns in Bagh. (Dec-16, OCHA)

India

Overview

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

Kashmir Valley remained cut off from the rest of the country for the second day on Tuesday (January 3) following heavy rain and snow that began over the weekend and eventually abated on Wednesday (January 4). One quake survivor was also killed when a temporary shelter fell in Balakot, one of more than 100 quake-affected villages in IcK.

The inclement weather and landslides have also closed many roads, including the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, and disrupted electricity to the Kashmir valley.

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

IcK plans Disaster Management Authority to help coordinate disaster response and relief in the state. So far, the GOI says it has given out 2.35 billion Indian Rs (US$52 million) in compensation. (Dec-27, Kashmir Times) Major NGOs and agencies working in IcK: CARE (Relief and shelter); CRS (Relief and Shelter); Prime Minister’s Relief Fund (Emergency Relief); SC/UK (Relief and shelter); World Vision (Relief and shelter) and USAID/India (Emergency Relief). (Dec-14, USAID) CASA partnered with NGO Coordination Federation, a network of 25 NGOs in IcK. Kashmir Rural Welfare Association – working on rural housing, income generation, handicraft works and women’s empowerment; Hindustani Covenant Church, CASA member; Confederation of Voluntary Associations, a voluntary action network of 15 organizations; Al Basheer, an NGO working in the field of adult education and women’s issues; Army Wives Welfare Association – working with women and children. (Dec-12, CASA)

GOI reports that nine villages in Tangdhar and six villages in Uri would be relocated due to extensive quake damage. About 24,000 structures are estimated to be fully or partially destroyed. (Dec-27, Kashmir Times)

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

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