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South Asia Earthquake Update

March 30, 2006

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

Table of Contents:

Pakistan

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

Sectors……………………………page 5

Overview

The confirmed death toll from the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that was centered near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK) on October 8 stands at over 75,000 in Pck and in NWFP. Over 79,000 people injured and estimated 3.5 million displaced or homeless, with approximately 2.5 million in temporary camps.

Pakistani authorities began encouraging refugees to leave camps in quake-affected areas of northern Pakistan on March 10. GOP estimates that returns will take approximately 45 days to complete. (Mar-17, USAID) UNHCR also called on authorities to ensure that all returns are voluntary and informed. (Mar-10, IRIN) UN Special Envoy for the South Asia Earthquake, former US President George Bush, met with UN officials on March 24 for the launch of the recovery phase. (Mar-24, IRIN)

Humanitarian hubs, clusters and agencies further involved in finalizing one-year Action Plan from Relief to Recovery (key document for recovery phase). Priorities of continuing humanitarian action are: Developing Returns Strategy and Action Plan, food and NFI assistance in IDP residual camps, measures for the decommissioning of pit latrines in IDP camps, revitalization of primary health care services and disease surveillance. (Mar-10, OHCA) Action Plan expected to be released on April 8 to mark six months after the quake. (Mar-24, UNHCR) Army will remain deployed in affected areas to provide security, emergency response, road maintenance, debris removal and monitoring. ERRA will coordinate rehabilitation, with NWFP and PcK as implementation partners. (Mar-15, GOP) Returns Task Force (RTF) presented “Framework and Operational Process for the Return or Resettlement of Persons Displaced by the October Earthquake” on March 11. Provincial Returns Task Forces have been established in each humanitarian hubs. (Mar-24, UNHCR) Currently, there is a total of 51 international and 79 national staff deployed in the affected area. There are 54 mobile teams (23 – technical, 31 – camp management. (Mar-24, UNHCR)

ERRA has announced comprehensive three-year plan in 11 development sectors with US$3.5 billion for housing, health, education and livelihood in quake-affected areas. (Mar-30, ACT) ERRA will launch a 4.5 billion Pakistani Rs livelihood support program from April to provide sustainable sustenance, which includes livestock replacement, feed supply, and agricultural tools supply. Each family will be paid 3,000 Rs from April to September 2006. (Mar-02, GOP) ERRA says US$1.5 billion will be spent on reconstruction of at least 600,000 homes, with US$576 million on education and US$303 million on healthcare over next three years. (Mar-20, DPA) GOP has introduced scheme for housing reconstruction: 175,000 Pakistani Rs for destroyed homes, to be paid in four installments. 25,000 Pakistani Rs for structurally damaged homes to be paid in two installments. GOP has already disbursed US$230 million to approximately 274,000 families. (Mar-15, UNDP) NGOs report problems with receiving compensation as many victims have lost ID cards and having difficulties with opening bank accounts. (Mar-13, Action Aid) ERRA plans to launch programs in four sectors – rural housing, health, education and cash grants for livelihoods, from April 1. (Mar-18, GOP)

So far, the UN has gained about US$376 million of its six-month US$552 million emergency appeal, which ends in April. Donor countries in November pledged US$6.2 million for quake relief and reconstruction. (Mar-08, AFP) UNHAS funding is due to run out very soon, and US$24 million is urgently needed to maintain helicopter until August. (Mar-24, WFP) IFRC today revised its initial emergency appeal from US$117 million (152 million Swiss francs) to US$172 million (227 million Swiss francs) to cover the recovery period. (Mar-29, IFRC) IOM has appealed for US$4.4 million to continue return operations through December this year. (Mar-28, IOM)

Almost all roads into Jhelum and Neelum valleys have been either washed away or blocked by landslides. (Mar-28, IOM) Military support will end on March 31 – leaving with UNHAS with 13 aircrafts, reduction of 50%. (Mar-24, UNHCR) Major impediment for rains are inaccessible roads due to rains and floods. Spring snowmelt expected to bring more landslides in July monsoon season. (Mar-24, UHCR) Another major impediment is absence of comprehensive and consistent transportation strategy. (Mar-16, UNHCR) In Indian-controlled Kashmir (IcK), which was also affected by the quake, four Indian soldiers were killed and 14 others injured when their vehicle was hit by landslides triggered by heavy rains in quake-hit Poonch district. (Mar-28, IANS)

Overall winter conditions are mild, comparing favorably with last year’s snowfall. (Jan-27, DFID) Snowline has receded significantly since it reached maximum on January 19, but heavy rains remain a threat. (Mar 1-7, WFP) Weather forecast for Friday (Mar-31) is intermittent rain/thunderstorms that will decrease on Saturday (April 1). Partly cloudy weather forecast for Sunday (April 2). Dry weather expected next week. (Mar-30, PMD)

According to UNHCR on Wednesday (March 29) about 36,000 people have reportedly returned home since the GOP began IDP returns on March 10. (Mar-29, UNHCR) In NWFP, eight camps have emptied in the Mansehra area, mostly from army-run camps, but also increasingly from civil-administered camps. In PcK, 241 families have returned spontaneously from Muzaffarabad, while the IOM will begin returns on March 27. In Bagh, the CMO (Camp Management Organization) announced that camp closures will begin on March 20, but no spontaneous returns have reported. (Mar-24, UNHCR) In Batagram, where about 15,000 people have left their camps, the Kund camp closed last week. OCHA estimates nearly 80 percent of 120,000 affected people in PcK will return to places of origin by late March and early April, in time for spring planting season, which begins in April. (Mar-3, USAID) There are about 2 million other survivors staying in tents elsewhere, and about 400,000 are in temporary tin shelters at higher elevations. (Mar-08, UN, AFP)

Aid agencies have stressed that basic infrastructure, such as shelter, water/sanitation, and livelihood means, need to be available at places of origin. IDPs have been allowed to take home non-food items (NFIs), such as tents and community kitchens. Local authorities plan to transfer communal facilities, such as toilets, to the home communities. So far, about half a million tents have been delivered to survivors, while about 440,000 transitional shelters have been constructed since the quake struck. (Mar-24, UNHCR) Returns process supported by FRC’s public information campaign in English and Urdu. (Mar-24, UNHCR) The IOM, in conjunction with ERRA, providing free transport home to IDPs in refugee camps with the initial use of 150 trucks and jeeps. PakMil also providing limited transport. (Mar-16, UNHCR) UNHCR is continuing monitoring along with UNICEF. Each vulnerable will be checked to see if return is voluntary. If not, issue will be sorted out first at local level (Camp Management cluster), and then higher PakMil/GOP level. IDPs are reportedly being informed that those who do not move on given fixed dates will lose chance of benefiting from assistance, such as transport facilities, food ration, and cash compensation. According to camp managers, families remaining in camps beyond March 31 will not be provided any communal services such as electricity, water and sanitation. (Mar-24, UNHCR) General IDP camp feeding will end on March. WHO is looking into alternatives to field hospitals, primary health care clinics and mobile clinics that are gradually phasing out. (Mar-24, UNHCR) Each affected family will get a one-month food ration. Free transport, as well as free education and health facilities will be provided. (Feb-27, Dawn) Return process consists of three parts: Registration, medical checks and immunization where necessary in order to prevent disease outbreaks after survivors leave the camp. NRC is also providing legal counseling at the camp to provide advice on compensation, land disputes and other issues. (Mar-13, Reuters)

According to the UNHCR, main concerns of the affected population are: Availability of land, road rehabilitation, shelter, drinking water and food in their villages. UNHCR also called for assistance to vulnerable people who cannot go home immediately, including disabled, widowed or those who lost land in landslides. (Mar-10, Reuters) GOP officials said that vulnerable people, such as widows and orphans, will be looked after for one year, as well as people belonging to areas that are assessed as prone to landslides. (Feb-27, Dawn) RRC said people who lost land to landslips will be allocated land in adjoining villages. GOP has agreed to retain one or two large camps for IDPs after end of March, while longer-term solutions are found for them. (Mar-9, UNHCR)

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

There are 126,311 people in 156 camps with a population of over 50, and 112,160 in 760 camps with populations of less than 50. (Mar-24, UNHCR) UNHCR has been supporting the GOP in assisting about 145,000 survivors in 150 camps, out of an estimated total of 600 camps in the affected area. (Feb-13, Reuters) ESC has said that of the 298,708 people displaced from areas of origin, between 188,184 (66%) and 60,608 (20%) are unlikely to return to areas of origin, requiring temporary solutions until issues, such as land disputes, are resolved. (Mar-13, ESC) PcK Chief Secretary, Kashir Murtaza, says that 40 to 50 percent of IDPs have begun to return to their homes. (Mar-28, GOP)

US President George Bush endorsed the inclusion of quake-ravaged areas in the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZ) along with other border areas of Pakistan for duty-free entry of goods into the US market, according to Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood. (Mar-29, The News) US is set to end relief operations in quake-hit northern Pakistan when about 200 troops will leave on April 15, ending the largest relief operation ever carried out by the US military. Australian troops will also be ending their relief operations as well. US Ambassador to Pakistan, Ryan Crocker, said US will provide US$200 million over the next few years to support relief work. (Mar-30, Dawn)

Mild earthquake measuring 4.2 struck Hazara division of NWFP on Thursday morning (March 30). No damage or injuries were reported. (Mar-20, Dawn)

Sector Status
Affected Population	Death toll is at 73,320; injured is at 69,392 (Nov-16, OCHA) 4 million affected; estimated 3.3 million displaced or homeless scattered across 15,000 villages. (Nov-1, OCHA) Nearly half of the four million affected people are in PcK and another 1.3 million in NWFP. Up to 10,000 children lost at least one parent, and about 800,000 women between the age of 15 and 49 were affected. (Dec-15, CWS) Nearly one-third of affected children have been enrolled in 952 schools. A Welcome-to-School campaign will run from March 6, 2006 to March 31, 2007, according to OCHA. (Mar-02, DFID) About 18,095 students and 853 teachers and educational staff died in the earthquake in NWFP and PcK. (Dec-15, CWS) UNICEF estimates some 1.6 million to 2.2 million children were affected by the earthquake. (Oct-31, AFP) USAID says affected population includes orphaned children, widows who are now heads of households, elderly, and those handicapped by the earthquake. This group includes approximately 5,000 who will need support with housing, wat/san, food, and income-general activities. UNHCR and local authorities identifying resettlement sites for this population. (Mar-03, USAID) IOM and the GOP launched an information and awareness-raising campaign on Thursday (March 30) to reduce trafficking of women and children in affected areas. GOP banned six-month countrywide ban on adoption of children and established hostel in Attock district, 80 km northeast of Islamabad, to provide refuge to 3,000 separated children and women. (Mar-30, IRIN)
Coordination	According to OCHA, ERRA is in the process of establishing Technical Working Groups at the federal and provincial levels with the aim to coordinate and monitor reconstruction activities. (Mar-24, OCHA) World Vision, along with other members of the Child Protection Network, is leading awareness raising efforts on return process by communicating key messages via radio to families preparing to leave camps in NWFP – program may be extended beyond camp closure date of March 31. (Mar-27, World Vision) IOM has opened a new field office in Peshawar in order to facilitate reconstruction and rehabilitation programs. (Mar-17, IOM) DFID emergency team plans to withdraw by the end of the month. UNJLC is ending mission on April 12. (Mar-2, UNJLC) UNJLC is determining which of UNJLC’s functions may be required after this date, although not necessarily under UNJLC responsibility. (Mar-22, UNJLC) FRC Maj. Gen. Farooq Ahmend Khan says that following the completion of relief work on March 31, rehabilitation work will begin on April 1. (Mar-9, GOP) According to UNJLC, the GOP has waived customs duty and other taxes on goods imported for the relief operation for three months. To qualify for such an exemption, a “No Objection Certificate (NOC)” must be issued for each consignment. The FRC has delegated the issuing of NOC’s for International organizations, NGOs to the ERC within the Cabinet Division. (Mar-11, UNJLC) ‘Action Plan from Relief to Recovery’ being prepared as UNCT/IASC document as a guideline for donors to identify how and where to expend donations (Feb-27, OCHA) OCHA says relief operations may continue beyond next harvesting season in September and many survivors are likely to remain dependent on food assistance. (Feb-27, OCHA) Sustainable Return Taskforce (SRT) now in full swing. OCHA is lead agency. (Feb-16, UNHCR) UNHCR, Oxfam, IOM and NRC also involved. SRT covers issues of IDPs, protection and advocacy. (Feb-17, OCHA) SRTF was created by heads of the clusters in Islamabad to support development of a sustainable returns strategy through the cluster approach. The SRTF will cover issues of IDPs and utilizes operations/logistics advisors from OCHA, UNHCR, Oxfam and IOM and on a protection officer from NRC. (Feb-17, OCHA) UN-led cluster breakdown is as follows: Shelter – IOM; Food and Nutrition – WFP; Health – WHO; Wat/san – UNICEF; Logistics – WFP; Protection and Education – UNICEF. (Feb-22, UNHCR) GOP has established a “Prime Minister Relief Cell” in Islamabad for help in locating family members. Hotline Tel: (+9251) 9222666. “Earthquake Relief Cell” has been established in the Prime Minister’s House. The 24-hour hotlines will receive complaints from the earthquake-affected. (+9251) 9213891 or (+9251) 92229999. Federal Relief Commission coordinates rescue and relief operations. Major General Farooq Ahmed Khan, is the Federal Relief Commissioner.
Logistics	Almost all roads into Jhelum and Neelum valleys have been either washed away or blocked by landslides. (Mar-28, IOM) Heavy rains and landslides continue to hamper relief efforts in earthquake-affected areas. Road closures due to landslides are delaying food dispatches and IDP returns. The spring snowmelt is expected to result in further landslides with even more landslides foreseen during the July monsoon season. It could take several months to repair and open primary and secondary roads. (Mar-24, UNHCR) With military air support ending on March 31, UNHAS will just have a total fleet of 13 aircraft as of April 1, a reduction of some 50%. UNHAS reports that if no further funding is available by the end of March, the remaining fleet will go off contract the first week of April and the project will close. WFP says some US$24 million is needed. (Mar-21, WFP) PcK and IOM providing transport facilities for returnees. About 100 vehicles are being used in upper Neelum valley. (Mar-29, GOP) IOM says that in order to facilitate speedy returns, they are offering free transport home to nearly 300,000 survivors of the earthquake living in government-run temporary relief camps. IOM says that it will initially start with some 150 trucks and jeeps and will expand the program as more survivors choose to return. (Mar-20, IRIN) Although UNJLC mandate is scheduled to end on April 12, a request has been filed by the HC to retain UNJLC presence in-country until June 30. (Mar-22, UNJLC) UNJLC is determining which of UNJLC’s functions may be required after this date, although not necessarily under UNJLC responsibility. (Mar-22, UNJLC) UNHAS mandate has been extended to August 31, but with reductions in fleet and flying hours from March 1 due to funding shortfalls. (Feb-16, DFID) Passenger services will cease. (Feb-16, DFID, UNHAS) Experts are warning that landslides represent a very serious threat, and action is urgently needed to pre-empt further disasters ahead of the summer rains, expected to being in July. Other dangerous conditions include aftershocks, which still continue to trigger landslides in the area, helping to create what the report described as “near perfect” conditions for slides and renewed floods. (Feb-13, Reuters)
International Financial Assistance	ADB granting US$5 million to help poor households affected by quake. (Mar-28, ADB) Germany has pledged it would provide US$80 million in health, housing and infrastructure development projects in rebuilding effort – part of US$110 million German pledge for relief and rehabilitation. (Mar-30, GOP) Phased withdrawal of 1,200 US troops began in mid-February, and by April 15, remaining 200 troops will leave. (Mar-30, Dawn) According to GOP, US has pledged a total of US$510 million for relief and reconstruction efforts. (Mar-20, GOP) So far, the UN has gained about US$376 million of its six-month US$552 million emergency appeal, which ends in April. Donor countries in November pledged US$6.2 million for quake relief and reconstruction. However, Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said yesterday (Tuesday, March 7) that the government may not take the full donor amount as some terms did not suit Pakistan. (Mar-08, AFP, GOP) UNCT reports that contrary to some perception, international response has been above average. Expenditure rate is also above average, exceeding 55 percent of contributions so far. (Feb-23, UNCT) Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), said that it would allocate an additional US$20 million that will be distributed through UNICEF, UN Habitat and FAO. (Feb-22, CIDA) The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) cluster coordinator has said that there is a need for a new Relief to Recovery Appeal as the UN Flash Appeal is due to end on April 8.
Food	General IDP camp feeding will end on 31 March. Only targeted camp feeding of vulnerable persons will take place on the basis of requests by Provincial Governments and endorsed by ERRA. General food distribution is also ending on 31 March. Only targeted ‘Food-for-Work’ and ‘Food-for-Training’ will continue at a much-reduced level. General hospital feeding will end on 31 March. (Mar-24, UNHCR) GOP is starting integrated plan to revive agriculture in affected areas. World Bank, FAO and local companies will be providing 900 tons of wheat seed and 1,650 tons of fertilizer. (Mar-26, GOP) WFP says that it has reached more than 837,000 people so far this month. (Mar-21. WFP) WFP Executive Board recently cleared two-year PRRO, which will commence April 1, 2006. About 670,000 homeless people who lack remittances and other family support will be provided with food as they rebuild communities. School feeding will address 450,000 children. Distribution will occur in remote villages until basic infrastructure and trade is restored. (Mar-21, WFP) WFP plans to distribute final food tranche to tent villages by March 31. (Mar-9, ERRA) About a quarter of livestock was destroyed, while a third of standing crops were not harvested last October. Significant food and seed supplies were also lost in the quake. (Mar-8, WFP). NGOs said return of IDPs to places without sufficient land is problematic, as some land was destroyed by the earthquake. Average plot size in the area is said to be only about 1.4 hectares, only half of which is under cultivation. However, agriculture makes up nearly half the household income in the region. (Mar-09, IRIN) WFP announced food-for-work project for survivors living in, or returning to remote highland valleys. Two-year operation will cover 670,000 affected people in NWFP and PcK. Initially, about 82,000 families would receive family rations in exchange for help in repairing community infrastructure. Second phase would include training 32,600 men and women in livelihood and agriculture skills, as well as reconstruction. (Mar-05, DPA) Many survivors likely to remain dependent upon food assistance at least until next harvest in September/October. (Feb-23, UNCT) FRC has in reserve 2,800 tons of food items to provide to people before their departure from camps. (Feb-27, Dawn)
Water and Sanitation	Access to safe drinking water: In Muzaffarabad, 87% of the target population in camps and 97% of the target population outside camps have access to safe drinking water. In Bagh, 100% of the population in camps and 10% of the population outside camps have access to safe drinking water. In Shangla, 100% of the target population in camps and 33% outside camps have access to safe drinking water. In Mansehra, the ratio is 81% versus 21%. In Battagram, 31% of the target population outside camps have access to safe drinking water. (Mar-24, UNHCR) Access to sanitation facilities: In Muzaffarabad, 96% of the target population in camps and 55% of the target population outside camps have access to sanitation facilities. In Bagh, 100% of the population in camps and 25% of the population outside camps have access to sanitation facilities. In Shangla, 100% of the target population outside camps have access to sanitation facilities. In Mansehra, 70% of the target population in camps have access to proper sanitation facilities. In Battagram, 89% of the target population outside camps have access to sanitation facilities. (Mar-24, UNHCR) PRCS working with IFRC in providing water and sanitation units, including Balakot area. (Mar-22, PRCS) In response to an outbreak of diarrhea, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has deployed mobile teams funded by the European Commission’s Humanitarian aid department (ECHO) and the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) to fix water and sanitation problems in relief camps. (Mar-17, ECHO) Between 50% to 100% of irrigation structures and water systems were damaged and buried in some areas. (Mar-8, WFP) Landslides have also blocked or damaged access to water sources. NGOs say water access is major priority in areas such as Bagh and Muzaffarabad. (Feb-28, IRIN)
Public Health/Medical	WHO is looking into alternatives to field hospitals, primary health care clinics and mobile clinics that are gradually phasing out. The Ministry of Health supported by WHO is planning to set up a disaster preparedness programme with the aim of strengthening the health response in future disasters. (Mar-24, UNHCR) Total of 200 health facilitators have received training and are reporting on a weekly basis to the Disease Early Warning System. 160 disease outbreak alerts have been investigated and responded to so far. (Mar-24, WHO) The main causes for consultations this week remain Acute Respiratory Infection (25%), Acute Watery Diarrhoea (6%), Fever of Unexplained Origin (4%) and (4%) injuries. Acute Respiratory Infection represented 34% in less than 5 years old compared to 23% in more than 5 years old. Similarly, 10% of the total consultations due to Acute Watery Diarrhoea were in less than 5 years old, compared to 4% in those 5 years old or more. (Mar-29, WHO) All temporary and permanent health facilities need to get a Non Objection Certificate (NOC) from ERRA, including those facilities that are almost completed. (Mar-29, WHO) The WHO says that the earthquake has made the challenge of treating TB in the country even greater as death rates in Pakistan are reportedly among the highest in the world. (Mar-24, WHO) CWS psychosocial program team facilitating departure of IDPs from camps – counseling provided. (Mar-30, CWS) IOM medical staff also screening returns before they are allowed to travel. IOM also assisting vulnerables unable to return home. (Mar-28, IOM) National Task Force (NTF) approved National Plan of Action for psychological services and trauma counseling of earthquake affectees. (Mar-28, GOP) The Jang reports that the World Health Organization (WHO) has not reported any major disease outbreaks but has received confirmed reports of sporadic cases of measles, cholera, acute flaccid paralysis and hepatitis. (Mar-17, the News) WHO has established 20 prefabricated Basic Health Units (BHU) in affected areas, with another 15 to be completed by the end of March. (Mar-16, IRIN)
Shelter	Data collection for tracking of shelter-related non-food items will cease on 31 March, after which it will be handled by UNJLC. (Mar-24, UNHCR) A total of 156 camps with a population of 142,940 people are in the earthquake-affected area. Out of this, 96 camps with 86,264 people are located in PAK and 60 camps with 56,676 people are located in NWFP. (Mar-24, UNHCR) The World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) has provided 1000 shelter homes in 8 affected areas in PcK at a cost of some Rs. 18 million. (Mar-23, GOP) NRC and Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) providing legal and protection advice for returnees. (Mar-02, UNHCR) According to ERRA, many rural residents require transitional shelter for up to three years. USAID/DART says urban residents may need it for five or more years. USAID/DART working on transitional shelters. (Feb-24, USAID) Construction of permanent homes will begin in April, but it may be impossible to rebuild the 400,000 houses needed before the start of next winter. (Feb-23, Christian Aid) According to GOP, USAID has helped more than 9,000 families in
Infrastructure	The UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is starting a new campaign to “disaster proof” schools to reduce the number of deaths of children killed by earthquakes and floods each year. (Mar-29, Reuters) GOP will establish eleven housing reconstruction centers at district or sub-district level in Bagh, Rawalakot, Dhirkot, Hattian, Muzaffarabad, Patika, Balakot, Shinkiari, Batagram, Bana and Besham, responsible for training, technical assistance and coordination of activities. (Mar-24, Dawn) Most rebuilding will be done by owners with aid from aid agencies. World Bank is estimating that rebuilding of 400,000 homes will require effort of 59,000 skilled laborers. (Mar-23, Oxfam) USAID and SC rebuilding infrastructure to villages, as well as the villages themselves through cash-for-work programs. (Mar-20, GOP) Although GOP is estimating that 66 percent of construction will be completed by end of 2006, Oxfam says estimate may be overly optimistic due to scale of destruction. Agency says priority is to ensure that majority of IDPs will not be in winter shelters again this year. (Mar-23, Oxfam) The GOP says that donors will spend some Rs.5954.97 million on the reconstruction of some 408 earthquake-resistant educational facilities in PcK. (Mar-17, GOP) The chair of ERRA, Altaf Slaim said earlier this week that the reconstruction of damaged housing units will be completed by next winter. He also said that ERRA has selected 11 different areas, out of which in its first phase, it will focus on five areas, including livelihood, housing and physical planning, education and health sponsorship. (Mar-20, GOP) Oxfam reports that in PcK alone, 80% of crops and 50% of arable land was destroyed with more than 100,00 cattle killed. (Mar-13, Oxfam) The chair of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) Dr. Naseem Ashraf said that some 800 new schools will be opened in PcK with the help of UNICEF. In PcK, some 1,800 schools out of some 3,100 schools were destroyed. (Mar-11, GOP) IOM says that it has begun the removal of rubble from Muzaffarabad. According to IOM, over 40 million cubic meters of rubble was left in the city. (Mar-25, IRIN) GOAL began cash-for-work programs aimed at clearing rubble and reconstruction. (Feb-20, GOAL) According to ERRA estimates, of the more than 400,000 houses in the area, 51 percent were totally destroyed, while the rest were repariable. (Mar-08, DPA) GOP estimates that 6,700 schools were destroyed in NWFP and 1,300 in PcK. (Dec-28, Reuters) The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank estimate that the quake damaged some 2,385 miles (3,837 kilometers) of roads; 2,366 km (1470 miles) in PcK and 1,471 km (914 miles) of roads in NWFP were damaged.
Security	Security alert for foreign agencies working in NWFP, following some clashes between tribal militants in the province, and an outbreak of violence in the neighboring semi-autonomous Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), which borders Afghanistan. On Tuesday (March 28), the US consulate in NWFP’s provincial capital of Peshawar closed temporarily following a security threat. Hours later, a bomb blast in a crowded marketplace in the city center killed at least one person and injured at least 15. Staff belonging to international agencies have been told by the security coordinating office in Islamabad to restrict their movements to only necessary travel. International staff were also directed to avoid traveling to southern parts of the NWFP, which border FATA. However, there were no clear directives on traveling to areas affected by the October 2005 earthquake, which are mostly in the northern part of NWFP. (Mar-30, Khaleej, Reuters) The Protection Cluster actively supports the IDP returns process. A UNHCR / World Vision / UNICEF working group has been established to draft an ‘Aide Memoir’ for IDP returns. Its aim is to guide and standardize the Hub role in the IDP returns process. UNICEF handed over 9 early childhood development kits, 200 posters, and 1,492 cartons for 1,789 small children to implementing partners in 28 child-friendly spaces. (Mar-30, UNHCR) In line w/ IDP Returns Framework, the Protection Cluster takes the lead in monitoring and reporting on protection issues. In Manshera, protection monitoring mechanism implemented by team of 80 UN and NGO personnel. GOP and UN agencies visited areas of return to assess conditions. (Mar-24, UNHCR) WFP reports the general situation is calm, however, international UN staff continues to be escorted in North West Frontier Province (WFP) on all road missions as the continued insurgency in North Waziristan and Balochistan is of growing concern. (Mar-21, WFP)