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South Asia Earthquake Update

February 9, 2006

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

Table of Contents:

Pakistan

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

Sectors……………………………page 5

Overview

The confirmed death toll from the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that was centered near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK) on October 8 stands at over 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.

Agencies in discussion to form consensus on whether it is safe to move from emergency relief to recovery. (Feb-9, DFID) OCHA cluster coordinator said there is a need for a new Relief to Recovery Appeal, as the UN Flash Appeal is due to end on April 8. Sectors of most concern remain shelter, camp management and water/sanitation. (Jan-27, DFID)

However, last week, the World Food Program (WFP) said it needed more than US$80 million dollars to keep flying helicopters for the rest of the year, as part of the UN’s US$550 million Flash Appeal. The WFP is currently feeding one million Pakistanis, which is expected to drop to 800,000 by April. (Feb-6, AFP) WFP on February 2 warned UN may have to drastically cut down on UN relief flights by end of February, if there are no fresh aid donations. WFP is in charge of transporting relief supplies for several other humanitarian agencies as well. UN has a fleet of 20 helicopters and will need about US$11 million a month in March, April and possibly May, while another US$6 to 7 million a month is needed for the rest of the year. However, figure could rise in July if landslides caused by monsoon rains wipe out roads. (Feb-1, Reuters) Last week, donations to the UN’s emergency relief fund rose from US$335 million to US$343 million, about 62 percent of the total of US$550 million appeal. UN Humanitarian Coordinator Jan Vandemoortele said that the UN needs about US$60 million a month to continue relief operations.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf visited Bagh on Sunday (February 5) to assess relief efforts in the area. (Feb-5, GOP) A second phase of government compensation worth 75,000 Pakistani Rs (US$1,250) is due by mid-February. The first installment of the 25,000 Pakistani Rs were distributed in November. A total of 175,000 Pakistani Rs per family has been pledged. (Feb-6, AFP) So far, over 9,950 million Pakistani Rs have been disbursed as compensation to survivors including: 3,202 million Rs to 32,025 relatives of deceased, 438 million Rs disbursed to 20,640 injured, and 6310 million Rs for 252,000 destroyed homes. (Jan-27, Dawn) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has approved the establishment of the National Disaster Management Commission (NDMC) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for quick response to manmade disasters. Unlike relief and reconstruction organizations set up earlier with army generals as their chiefs, the NDMC will be headed by prime minister. (Feb-3, Khaleej Times)

Agencies continue to look for ways in which survivors can begin sustainable living. WFP Pakistan country director Michael Jones said on Monday (February 6) that aid agencies are looking at microcredit programs to allow survivors to replace “seriously depleted” livestock and boost the local economy. WFP also plans to provide seeds and agricultural tools to facilitate the return of survivors to their homes. IOM, which is preparing pilot projects for reconstruction in the spring, says that about 324,000 people in the region are unemployed, about 29 percent of the population. IOM last week began a cash-for-work program, in which mesh baskets are made by survivors for infrastructure reconstruction, with priority given to the disabled and women. WFP also plans to distribute stone crushers and block building machines to support individual reconstruction in villages as well. USAID said last week that it would distribute vouchers worth US$1 million to help stimulate the local economy. (Feb-6, AFP, Feb-8, USAID, Feb-7, IOM)

Overall confusion over whether adequate shelter and NFIs are in the pipeline – it’s clear that distribution has been unequal in some areas and there are isolated cases of unmet needs. (Feb-2, DFID) Pakmil is beginning to scale down operations and transfer responsibilities to civil authorities, which need to be strengthened. Civilian authorities in NWFP and PcK will be responsible for food delivery by March 31. Strategic Information Cell (SIC) between the HIC, IOM, Shelter Cluster, FRC and UNJLC has been operating in virtual manner since December 15, 2005 – first workshop took place January 24 involving Cluster and OCHA. (Jan-27, OCHA) FRC and ERRA have created a transition team to begin transition from relief to reconstruction. (Jan-20, OCHA)

WFP spokesperson Amjad Jamad said last week that the UN organizations, aid agencies and FRC had asked WFP to keep its helicopters flying until December 2006 to facilitate reconstruction. “The road network will take years to repair and for people to rebuild their lives they require materials and there is no other way to supply them,” he said. (Feb-3, Reuters) Landing permits for humanitarian workers entering Pakistan for first time no longer issued at the airport – visa must be obtained in advance from appropriate embassy. Relief workers already in Pakistan needing visa or landing permit extensions should apply to Directorate-General of Immigration and Passports – otherwise, re-entry will not be allowed. (Jan-29, Khaleej) UNJLC publishing daily road status report and map available by mailing list and http://www.unjlc.org/pakistan/land IOM is currently providing free transportation through Balakot Valley to aid survivors, as well as free container service from Karachi to Islamabad to aid relief transportation. (Feb-1, IRIN)

UN staff movements and flights were suspended on February 8 to 9 due to religious holiday. (Feb-09, DFID) Although flights deliver to approximately 380,000 people (40%), land routes bring food and supplies to about 500,000 (60%) of the 1 million being fed by the WFP. Geologist working with UN reports that it will take several months beyond April to clear main roads for limited traffic, up to five years to clear roads completely. Landslide risk to increase dramatically in March/April due to snowmelt and rains. (Jan-17, WFP)

Overall winter conditions are mild, comparing favorably with last year’s snowfall. (Jan-27, DFID) Weather is expected to continue to be mild on Thursday (February 9). However, outbreaks of rain and moderate to heavy snowfall above 9,000 ft is expected on Saturday, Sunday and Monday (February 13). (Feb-8, UK Met Office) No significant rain/snow expected during current week. (Feb-8, Pak Met) An aftershock measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale struck last Friday (February 3), which was felt in Islamabad, Abottabad and Mansehra. (Feb-3, AFP) An aftershock of 5.0 struck on Wednesday (February 8), with an epicenter near Mansehra – no reports of damages. (Feb-9, The News)

Registrations and assessment for spontaneous camps should be released next week – preliminary results suggest that more than 75,000 people in 600 camps will be identified, with major outstanding needs for wat/san, food and shelter assistance. (Feb-09, DFID) Families in worst spontaneous camps being assisted to relocate to better camps. (Feb-09, DFID) Camp management has moved into second phase of operations: Delivering stoves and fuel, and promoting fire safety. Overall situation described as stable, despite challenges. (Jan-27, OCHA) Estimated 137,008 people in 26 planned and 113 spontaneous camps across the affected region. (Jan-27, DFID) Of the more than 600 planned and spontaneous camps in NWFP and PcK, UNHCR has been extending technical and material support to nearly 158 settlements housing over 157,000 displaced people. Official registration of camps in both PcK and North West Frontier Province (NWFP) did not include spontaneous camps with less than 50 tents, which UNICEF and UNFPA will register. (Jan-27, OCHA) IOM has completed assessment covering Abottabad and Mansehra in NWFP to cover less-than-50 camps. There are at least 370 such spontaneous settlements in the districts below 5,000 ft. IOM intends to extend assessment to rest of NWFP. (Feb-07, IOM) Meanwhile, UNHCR has decided that emergency operations will continue in camps until the end of winter in March, although some are expected to stay until late-2006. UNHCR and partners concerned with potential premature closure of military-run camps by March 31, 2006, as announced by PakMil. (Jan-20, OCHA) PakMil plans to close all 22 tent villages in NWFP by that date, and move 80,000 survivors closer to their native areas. (Feb-8, GOP)

NATO said overall aid effort had provided 275,000 emergency shelters, nearly enough for estimated 3 million left homeless. (Feb-3, Reuters) IOM will launch operation “Storm Watch” to reinforce shelter in all hubs for strong storms that are expected in late February and early March. (Jan-26, UN ESC) Both the military and the government have asked the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide stoves and kerosene, along with firesafety equipment. Previously, authorities banned individual stoves and had insisted on communal heating. Fuel depots are in each hub – fuel distribution being conducted by UNHCR and its partners. (Jan-26, UN ESC) Emergency Shelter Cluster (ESC) has identified need for 50,000 additional stoves, but no formal request has been made yet. (Feb-2, DFID) About 1.9 million survivors are living independently below the snowline, 250,000 are in organized camps, and another 400,000 are in temporary shelters above the snowline. No significant movements of population, although survivors continue to arrive in camps in Bagh and Battagram. (Feb-9, DFID)

ESC will be redefined as the Emergency Shelter and Housing Cluster, with active UN Habitat involvement. (Jan-27, DFID) ESC is working closely with Camp Management, Livelihoods, Housing and Early Recovery clusters, which are expected to merge under guidance of new Transition Coordinator during intervening period. (Jan-27, OCHA) Emergency shelter distribution now in final phase. Inputs expected to peak in mid-February and finish by early March. (Jan-23, UN)

Wat/san conditions continue to be area in need of improvement in camps. (Feb-09, DFID) Wat/san conditions need to be improved before water table is increased by rains and/or thawing of snow in mountains. (Jan-20, OCHA) Lack of female health workers continue to be a major concern. (Jan-20, OCHA) Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) continue to consist of the majority of illnesses. (Jan-31, WHO) WHO estimates that 73% of affected areas are covered by primary health care services. About 40 field hospitals operating mostly until April or June. (Jan-27, DFID)

Pakistan Federal Relief Commission Major General Farooq Ahmad Khan said some 750 US soldiers that are still conducting relief and rehabilitation operations will start leaving mid-February. They will completely exit by March 31. The US will be handing over control of hospitals, refilling stations and engineering equipment. USAID will also be constructing hospitals and schools in quake-hit areas, following departure. The US military had established the US Combined Disaster Relief Center in Pakistan less than 48 hours after the October quake struck. 1,000 NATO troops completed their mission in the country last week. (Feb-3, PTI; Feb-4, GOP; Feb-6, Time of India)

Security has been increased for Shi’ite-dominated areas, including Bagh, ahead of the religious celebration on February 9 and 10 in case of sectarian violence. (Feb-2, UN)

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	UN Humanitarian Coordinator Jan Vandemoortele said that the UN needs about US$60 million a month to continue relief operations. The US military has announced that it will withdraw from relief operations at the completion of its mission on March 31. The US will also hand over US$6 million dollars in military medical and construction equipment, including the 212^th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) that will be handed over to Pakistan on February 16. US Rear Admiral Michael LeFever, says that the phased withdrawal would begin in mid-February of the some 1,200 troops and by the end of March, the remaining 750 troops and 12 Chinook helicopters would leave. (Feb-4, GOP) US Agency for International Development (USAID) mission director Lisa Chisels says that after the US military leaves, USAID will reconstruct hospitals and schools in affected areas. Chisels says that USAID has already spent some US$100 million for quake-affected areas. (Feb-6, IANS) The Cluster Coordinator has said that the major relief priorities between now and spring are: sanitation, especially as the weather warms around April; preparations for small crises, such as snow storms; the return of rural survivors to their homes around March; and the return of urban survivors, which will entail urban rebuilding. OCHA says that regular breaks in winter weather have allowed UN and aid agencies to step up deliveries to affected populations. OCHA says the priorities remain unchanged: 1) Keeping survivors warm, 2) Winterizing tents and providing corrugated iron (CGI) sheets, 3) Providing heated family tents, in hospitals and school tents, with adequate safety measures in place, and 4) improving sanitation in camps. (Jan-27, OCHA) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Monday (January 30) that the disbursement of the second tranche of Rs. 75,000 would start by the middle of this month in PcK and NWFP. Aziz said that out of an allocation of Rs. 175,000 for each damaged house, the first installment of Rs. 25,000 has already been distributed. A third installment of Rs. 25,000 and the last installment of Rs. 50,000 will be distributed after the inspection of houses. Aziz said that so far the GOP has released Rs. 24 billion of which 18.926 billion have been distributed. (Jan-30, GOP) Enough stocks of food and medicine were available for survivors in NWFP, the Pakistani minister for population welfare and women development, Kashif Azam said. (Jan-30, GOP) NATO forces formally concluded their 90-day relief and rescue on Tuesday (January 31), saying it had completed its goal of providing relief and helping survivors endure the winter months.  The three-month mission, the alliance’s first in a non-NATO country, came in response to Pakistan’s relief request after the October 8 earthquake which killed over 73,000 people and left more than three million homeless.  NATO forces in the mission included 1,200 NATO engineers, medics and aircrew from Britain, France, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Spain, Germany, Poland and Lithuania as well as five helicopters, working primarily in Bagh district of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK).  According to OCHA, FRC and ERRA have created a transition team to help with transition from relief to reconstruction. (Jan-20, OCHA) UNDP and UN Volunteers program have launched a UN Volunteers scheme to enlist people for earthquake recovery and rehabilitation efforts. (Jan-19, UNV) A National Disaster Management Agency will be set up to provide an institutional response to emergencies. (Jan-19, DFID) Under an MoU, 50,000 children and adolescents will be mobilized among survivors to become “Rahbers” or tent-to-tent communicators, to raise awareness about hygiene, safe drinking water and health and child protection issues. (Jan-20, GOP) 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. 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)
Logistics	The IOM is currently providing free transportation through Balakot Valley, as well as free container service from Karachi to Islamabad to aid survivors and relief transportation. According to DFID, good weather continues in affected areas with signs of early spring. (Feb-9, DFID) UNHAS reportedly proposing an extension of operations until the end of December 2006, however will have funding shortfall of US$89 million if approved. (Feb-9, DFID) UNJLC reports a bridge out at Ghanol, located 15km NE of Balakot due to bad weather. The bridge will not be repaired for at least 4 to 6 weeks. UJLC says that as a result, the Kagan Valley road is inaccessible and helicopters will be the only way for access. (Jan-19, UNJLC) IOM has deployed around 10 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) in Muzaffarabad, capital of PcK to respond to an emergency assistance hotline established at a local FM radio. IOM reports some 1,200 requests thus far. (Jan-18, IRIN) UNJLC has established an emergency team in Muzaffarabad for quick response during times of inclement weather. (Jan-11, UNJLC) 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. UNJLC says that for printed copies and requests, email unjlcmapping@gmail.com. Maps can also be downloaded from the UNJLC website. (Dec-29, UNJLC) UNJLC map of revised UNHAS passenger service flight schedule now available to relief community at http://www.unjlc.org/pakistan/maps/UNHASPaxroutes/. (Dec-21, UNJLC) GOP and GOI have set up five crossing points along the LoC at Nauser-Teethwal, Chakothi-Uri, Hajipur-Uri, Rawalakot-Poonch and Tattapni-Mendhar. (Nov-21, TN)
International Financial Assistance	The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) cluster coordinator has said that there is a need for a new Relief to Recovery Appeal as the UN Flash Appeal is due to end on April 8. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), which is preparing pilot projects for reconstruction in the spring, says that about 324,000 people in the region are unemployed, about 29 percent of the population. The IOM last week began a cash-for-work program, in which mesh baskets are made by survivors for infrastructure reconstruction, with priority given to the disabled and women. UN Humanitarian Coordinator Jan Vandermoortele says that donations for the UN Flash Appeal stands at US$343 million as of January 27, comprising some 62 percent of the total US$550 million appeal. (Jan-27, DPA). UN Foundation has established South Asia Earthquake Response Fund to enable private-sector donors to support the UN’s relief and rehabilitation efforts. Initial contribution of US$ 1 million has been made. (Dec-21, Reuters)
Food	The UN’s World Food Program (WFP) on February 2 warned that the UN may have to drastically cut down on UN relief flights in quake-hit northern Pakistan by the end of February, if there are no new aid donations. The World Food Program (WFP) said that it needed more than US$80 million dollars to keep flying helicopters for the rest of the year, as part of the UN’s US$550 million Flash Appeal. The WFP is currently feeding one million Pakistanis, which is expected to drop to 800,000 by April. UN WFP regional director Amir Abdulla said that the flights constituted an important lifeline for thousands of quake survivors in the region. The WFP is in charge of transporting relief supplies for several other humanitarian agencies as well. The UN has a fleet of 20 helicopters and will need about US$11 million a month in March, April and possibly May, while another US$6 to 7 million a month is needed for the rest of the year. However, the figure could rise in July if landslides caused by monsoon rains wipe out roads. WFP Pakistan country director Michael Jones said on Monday (February 6) that aid agencies are looking at microcredit programs to allow survivors to replace “seriously depleted” livestock and boost the local economy. The WFP also plans to provide seeds and agricultural tools to facilitate the return of survivors to their homes. Although a second phase of government compensation is due to be disbursed in mid-February, Jones stressed that the money should be used for “rebuilding, not just subsistence.” The Dawn reports that 50,000 affected families will get Rs 3,000 annually through Pakistan’s Bait-ul-Mal’s “Food Support Program.” (Jan-23, Dawn) GOP reports that the President of PcK, Major General Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan said that food reserves are in sufficient quantities for survivors living in high altitude areas. Brigadier Khalid Mehmood, who is in charge of the relief operations in Battagram and Kohistan districts, says that WFP has provided enough food for three months to people living in areas located 5000 feet above sea level. (Jan-17, GOP) According to the WFP and GOP, some 2.3 million people remain food insecure. (Jan-12, DFID) WFP has reportedly stockpiled sufficient food to last between 7-30 days at central locations throughout the affected region. (Jan-12, DFID)
Water and Sanitation	The WATSAN cluster says that spontaneous camps and rural areas, have the greatest outstanding needs, however, improvements in WATSAN continue. (Feb-9, DFID) DFID says scabies becoming common due to poor hygiene facilities. (Feb-2, DFID) DFID says that OCHA reports that concern is mounting that poor access to water, latrines and bathing facilities in camps could trigger disease outbreaks. (Jan-19, DFID) Forty percent of overall population and 90% of camp population receiving safe water. 4,000 latrines installed, 60,000 in the pipeline. (Dec-12, OCHA) UNICEF and the Ministry of Environment mark a new partnership with a memorandum of understanding and a website (www.pakquakecommunication.org) to spread awareness in affected areas about hygiene, safe drinking water, sanitation, and waste management. (Dec-5, GOP)
Public Health/Medical	WHO says there are 37 national and international field hospitals but no plan yet on closure of the hospitals. (Feb-9, DFID) According to the Health Cluster, WHO, UNFPA, and UNICEF will provide 113 basic Health Units, 29 Rural Health Centers and 2 Tehsil Headquarter (THQs), including equipment, supplies, staff accommodation and training. (Feb-9, DFID) According to WHO, the transition from relief to recovery is being currently discussed by the health cluster. The main goal is to ensure the continuity of an adequate level of health services in affected areas after temporary health facilities by country medical teams and aid agencies shut down. (Jan-29, WHO) Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) continues to contribute significantly to overall consultations. A total of 24,134 ARI cases and 6 related deaths were reported. A total of 4,772 acute diarrhea cases were reported with an increase from the previous week. Fifteen cases of clinically diagnosed measles were reported. (Jan-29, WHO) Shortage of female medical staff still a concern. (Feb-2, DFID) GOP has started to rebuild some 61 basic health units and 7 rural health centers in Muzaffarabad and Neelum Valley. (Jan-20, AFP) Local health officials say they have begun to rebuild some 61 basic health units and seven rural health centers with pre-fabricated materials in Muzaffarabad and Neelum Valley. (Jan-19, Dawn) Major General Shaukat Sultan, Director General of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) says that records show that for the time being, normal health related deaths are lower than even previous years. Medical camps established by foreign aid groups have brought good medical supplies and he says that “health conditions are improving in quake-hit areas.” (Jan-4, GOP) Khalid Saeed, a mental health coordinator with the World Health Organization (WHO) says that some 180,000 survivors have serious mental disorders, including psychosis, severe depression and anxiety. (Jan-4, Reuters) 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) WHO has set up a website to facilitate information exchange between health partners at www.whopak.org. (Oct-17, UNOCHA)
Shelter	Divisional Relief Commissioner Hazara (NWFP) Sahibzada Muhammad Nees said that around 22 tent villages (all tented camps) from across NWFP will be shut down by the end of March. Around 80,000 survivors will be shifted to their native areas. The commissioner said that the temporary shelters were being closed in a bid to expedite the survivors’ permanent rehabilitation. (Feb-8,9 GOP, DFID) DFID says that preliminary results from registration and needs assessment for people in spontaneous camps say that more than 75,000 people in 600 camps will have needs in shelter and food assistance and water and sanitation. (Feb-9, DFID) According to DFID, the Emergency Shelter Cluster is no longer holding separate meetings but alternates weekly joint meetings with Housing and Camp Management. Emergency shelter says that in general, affected populations have been covered, although isolated pockets remain, including the Kohistan area. (Feb-9, DFID) UNHCR says there are no significant movements of people although displaced people continue to arrive in camps in Bagh and Battagram. Families in the worst spontaneous camps are also being assisted to relocate to better camps, UNHCR says. (Feb-9, DFID) Eight new camps have been established for some 40,000 survivors in PcK, who are living in high-altitude areas, Member of the PcK Council Dr. Najeeb Naqi Khan said. (Jan-27, Dawn) OCHA has agreed to streamline needs of spontaneous camps under 50 people for better coordination of services. (Feb-2, DFID) The Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA), Lt Gen Mohammad Zubair, says that President Musharraf has given the highest priority to reconstruction and rehabilitation in the housing sector. He said the reconstruction of houses in rural areas would be completed within two years and said that some 88 percent of the houses destroyed by the earthquake were in rural areas. (Jan-22, Dawn) ERRA says that it has finalized its strategy for launching reconstruction activities in affected areas from March. Around 60-66 percent of reconstruction expected to be complete this year, ERRA chair Lt. Gen. Muhamamd Zubair said. Over 40 billion rupees would be disbursed over the next 6 months. (Jan-23, GOP) GOP says that so far some 386,000 CGI sheets have been distributed to survivors for self-construction. (Jan-15, GOP) GOP says that the Pakistani army has constructed some 155,000 shelters in PcK so far. (Jan-14, GOP) UNHCR is providing material and technical assistance to GOP officials and NGOs in 26 planned camps and 118 spontaneous camps hosting some 140,000 people in affected areas. (Jan-18, UNHCR) The chair of the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) Lt. General Muhammad Zubair said that the housing policy for the earthquake affected areas had been finalized. He told the BBC that under the policy, about 400,153 houses would be built, and the government would provide sheets and cement in bulk for construction. According to the GOP, he said that US$1 billion dollars would be required for the provision of health and education facilities, along with the construction of houses. (Jan-9, GOP) There is an estimated 137,008 people in 26 planned and 113 spontaneous camps across the region, according to the Camp Management Cluster. (Jan-12, DFID) 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)
Infrastructure	GOP says at least Rs 200 billion will be used for rebuilding PcK starting from April within a period of two to three years. (Jan-24, GOP) 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 estimates that 6,700 schools were destroyed in NWFP and 1,300 in PcK. (Dec-28, Reuters) The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank estimate that the quake damaged some 2,385 miles (3,837 kilometers) of roads; 2,366 km (1470 miles) in PcK and 1,471 km (914 miles) of roads in NWFP were damaged. 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	The PcK government has reinforced security for foreigners, especially US citizens engaged in relief activities, following the Bajaur incident on January 13 when missiles were fired into 3 houses in Damadola, in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). However, the region’s top police official, Inspector General Shahid Hasan said that the incident had caused no security alarm in PcK because “The atmosphere here is altogether different.” (Jan-24, Dawn) 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)