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South Asia Earthquake Update

 

October 11, 2005

 

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

 

 

Table of Contents:

 

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

India .....................................page 11

 

Pakistan

 

Overview

 

Over 40,000 people are reportedly feared dead from an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale that hit Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK) on Saturday (October 8). The earthquake was the strongest to hit the region in a century. The death toll widely varied from a confirmed number of 21,000 to 40,000, as large parts of the mountainous region and remote villages remained inaccessible due to landslides caused by the earthquake. Prime Minister Saukat Aziz reported another 51,000 injured. The epicenter was located near Muzaffarabad, the capital of in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK), and Pakistan has so far sustained most of the damage and deaths. Aid agencies report that 120,000 people urgently needed shelter and up to 4 million people could be displaced in Pakistan. In Muzaffarabad, at least 11,000 people have died. Some of the worst-affected areas were in five districts near the Line of Control (LoC) that divides PcK and IcK, where about 1,200 people were confirmed dead. Large areas were also devastated in North West Frontier Province (NWFP), including the badly-hit towns of Mansehra, Balakot and Batgram, but no death tolls were yet available. A UN official said today that areas beyond Muzaffarabad and Balakot and the Neelum Valley in PcK have not been reached by rescue teams yet.

 

The Pakistan government has appealed for international aid and there has been a strong international response. International and domestic relief efforts have begun and are expected to be ongoing for some time. Although aid reportedly began to trickle into Muzaffarabad yesterday (Monday, October 11) and move into many other areas today, heavy rains and continuing bad weather have brought new threats of landslides, hampering the general movement of aid into the region. The Pakistan army’s resources are also reportedly being badly stretched.

 

More than three days after the initial earthquake, efforts have been shifting from search and rescue to providing relief to the survivors, according to the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team in Pakistan. The UNDAC Team has arrived in Islamabad and has set up an On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC) in Muzaffarabad in PcK. The UN has also set up a special information center on the earthquake response in Islamabad, and its website is expected to be operational on October 12. Unconfirmed reports say USAIDS’ Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) will fund a grant to UN Joint Logistics Center (UNJLC) to assess transition from military to civilian transportation systems.

 

The UN today (Tuesday, October 11) made a US$272 million consolidated appeal to cover relief needs including heavy tents, food, blankets, medicine and water supplies. “The appeal is to cover the immediate life-saving and early recovery needs for only the first six months of the emergency phase,” said Yvette Stevens, assistant UN emergency relief coordinator, adding that reconstruction needs are expected to be much greater. Some of the immediate needs include shelters, heaters and tents because of dropping seasonal temperatures, as well as helicopters for transport into remote areas. UN agencies and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have deployed relief workers and experts to the areas. The World Food Program (WFP)’s first batch of food for 240,000 people was delayed for a day by logistical problems and is expected to arrive tomorrow. Dozens of large and small international and local aid agencies, including CARE, Oxfam, and Edhi have also begun relief work in Pakistan. Aid pledges have also started pouring in from several countries, including the US, the EU, Japan, neighboring India and countries in the Middle East, which have also provided relief and rescue workers. NATO commanders in Afghanistan have also drawn up plans to provide aid. However, Pakistan has ruled out any joint operations with India in the disputed Kashmir region.

 

Health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have said that disease could break out among survivors because of the crowded conditions, bad weather and the lack of clean water, including cholera and measles, which is endemic in the region. WHO also reported that many health facilities been destroyed and health personnel have died. Aside from last December’s devastating Indian Ocean 9.2-magnitude earthquake and tsunami disaster that killed or left missing about 230,000 people, the other most recent major earthquake was in December 2003 in which a 6.3- magnitude earthquake (USGS) hit the city of Bam in Iran and killed about 31,000 people.

 

Domestic Response

 

·       Local Government

 

On Monday (October 10) the Pakistani government established the Federal Relief Commission to coordinate rescue and relief operations with the provincial government, relevant ministries, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the Red Crescent and other international agencies. Major General Muhammad Farooq, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission will head the Commission.

 

On Tuesday (October 11) the Pakistani government announced the deployment of two army divisions and additional brigades to the quake-affected areas. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said that a brigade headquarters was set up in Balakot in NWFP and troops will be deployed every 10 km in the affected areas from where they will fan out to reach inaccessible areas. Aziz also reported that approximately 40 helicopters were conducting rescue and relief transports to the affected areas. According to Pakistani military spokesman, Major General Shaukat. As of Monday (October 10) Pakistani army helicopters and aircraft had conducted more than 80 flights, supplying three MT of medicine, 12 MT of rations, and two MT of water to affected areas.

 

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz announced that the government had given Rs 500 million each to Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK) and the North West Frontier Provinces (NWFP) governments.

 

Pakistan missions abroad have been tasked with mobilizing assistance from host governments and the Pakistani community abroad.

 

·       Local Organizations

 

The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has mobilized hundreds of volunteers and conducted needs assessments in Manshera, Balakot, and Batagram in the North West Frontier Provinces (NWFP) as well as in Rawalakot and Bagh in PcK. Three truckloads of tents, blankets, food, and medicines were distributed on Tuesday (October 11) in Manshera and Balakot in the NWFP.

International Response

 

·       United Nations

 

On Sunday (October 9), an eight-member UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team (UNDAC) arrived in Islamabad and have been assisting in the coordination of relief efforts in the worst affected areas. UNDAC is establishing a reception center for relief commodities at the international airport in Islamabad as well as an On-Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC) in Muzaffarabad in PcK.

 

The UN Disaster Management Team is coordinating interagency rapid assessments and has deployed teams to the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK), and the Northern Areas.

 

The United Nations has appealed for US$272 million for earthquake survivors in Pakistan. The interagency appeal will cover relief needs in the affected Kashmir region including winterized tents, food, blankets, medicines, and water purification equipment as well as the reconstruction of some schools.

 

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that aid trucks are being sent from the agency’s warehouse in Peshawar to Mansehra district in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province. On Tuesday (October 11), a UNHCR doctor and field assistant left for Mansehra to assess damages and needs where there are nearly 45,000 Afghan refugees in four camps.

 

·       Foreign Governments

 

At a press conference, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said that foreign donations have risen to US$300 million with more donations coming. These donations include but are not limited to the following:

 

Britain dispatched a 15-member team to assist local relief workers at Margella Towers in Islamabad. Britain dispatched a group of 88, broken into smaller teams and sent to Muzaffarabad, the capital of PcK, for rescue and relief operations. Meanwhile. Britain’s Department for International Development (DFID) has pledged an initial US$1.7 million in assistance.

 

Turkey has dispatched a 100-member rescue team with equipment headed for Muzaffarabad. Turkey has also sent two C-130’s carrying relief goods from Jordan to Islamabad.

 

A flight carrying a rescue team as well as relief goods from Russia is bound for Muzaffarabad. Another Russian team of 43 specialists with special vehicles and sniffer dogs is being sent to the PcK capital.

 

Germany has sent a flight carrying relief goods as well as a 15-member search and rescue team to be sent to Muzaffarabad.

 

China has sent a 50-member rescue team to Balakot. China has also donated 5 tons of aid goods as well as six sniffer dogs to assist in relief operations. China has pledged US $6.2 million in financial assistance.

 

Two rescue teams comprised of 70 specialists from Japan are headed to Batgram in NWFP. Japan has pledged US$219,000. In addition, on Tuesday (October 11) Japan offered another US$20 million in assistance as well as several transport helicopters and dozens of troops.

 

A 26-member Spanish team with six sniffer dogs is working in Bagh, PcK.

 

A Swiss rapid response team is headed to Abbottabad in PcK

 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sent two flights carrying a 70-member rescue team as well as two sniffer dogs to be deployed to Mansehra in NWFP. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have offered US$100 million in aid to be split between emergency relief and infrastructure repair projects.

 

Iran has sent a special flight carrying a 13-member rescue team as well as oil, rice, and blankets, which has been sent to Mansehra in NWFP.

 

A 25-member relief team from France with earthquake related equipment departed on Monday (October 10) to Rawalakot in PcK to carry out relief work.

 

Kuwait has offered US$100 million in aid to be split between emergency relief and infrastructure repair projects.

 

On Monday (October 10), the US military in Afghanistan sent five Chinook and three Black Hawk helicopters to assist with rescue and relief effort with additional helicopters expected next week. The United States has offered an initial US$50 million in emergency aid funds. In addition a nine-member Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will be in place in Islamabad on Wednesday (October 12) to assist with humanitarian needs and the coordination of the US government in conjunction with USAID in Pakistan. USAID has already coordinated one relief airlift with 250 rolls of plastic sheeting, 5,000 blankets and 5,000 water containers for affected populations in Mansehra and Batagram Districts, NWFP.

 

South Korea has offered US$3 million in aid and will send rescue workers to Pakistan.

 

Malaysia will be sending a 46-member search and rescue team including 18 medical officers and has pledged US$1 million in aid.

 

Ireland has pledged US$1.2 million in aid.

 

The Czech Republic has pledged US$1 million in aid.

 

The Australian government has pledged up to US$7.6 million in aid to be used to buy medical supplies, water containers, purification tablets, and field hospitals.

 

Yemen and Saudi Arabia have each pledged to send two flights of relief goods.

 

Belgium is sending a five member rescue team and relief goods.

 

Sri Lanka has pledged US$100,000 in aid.

 

Thailand has pledged US$100,000 in aid and offered 50 doctors and nurses.

 

South Africa has pledged to send 18 doctors, 10 paramedics, and 30 tons of aid.

 

·       International Humanitarian Relief Organizations

 

The World Bank has pledged US$20 million in assistance.

 

On Tuesday (October 11), an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) convoy of supplies including 10,000 blankets, 2,000 tarpaulins and other non-food items arrived in the town of Abbotabad, the location of the ICRC operational and logistics center. Tomorrow (Wednesday, October 12) these goods will be distributed in Muzaffarabad.

 

NATO has offered troops, aircraft and humanitarian aid to Pakistan, has already sent 50 German troops from NATO’s peacekeeping force in Afghanistan.

 

The European Union (EU) has provided aid workers on the ground and has allocated an initial US$4.4 million in aid.

 

The Asian Development Bank has offered US$10 million, reallocated from existing projects, for immediate assistance to the worst-affected areas.

 

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is supporting the International Blue Crescent (IBC) to distribute some 50,000 blankets and providing food to 3,000 people in Muzaffarabad. UMCOR is also supporting the Church World Service (CWS), which is providing food items and other utilities to 1,600 families in Azid Kashmir and North West Frontier Province.

 

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is working on the ground assessing the situation and distributing food, blankets and tents to survivors in the districts of Abottabad, Manshera, Shangla, and Batagram.

 

Action Against Hunger (also known as Action contre la faim or ACF) reports that it has sent an assessment team to Islamabad and has begun operations preparing to assist victims of the earthquake. ACF reports that it will send on Friday (October 13) 30 tons of aid, including food rations, tents, blankets, cooking equipment, and water provision supplies, in addition to a response team of water, sanitation, and food security experts.

 

Caritas Internationalis has provided assistance in the form of 700 winterized tents, 4,200 blankets, as well as monetary resources for the purchase of food and non-food items. In addition, an Emergency Response and Support Team has been dispatched to assist Caritas Pakistan with needs assessments and coordination in affected communities.

 

Muslim Hands (MH) has allocated an initial amount of US$873,000. On the ground MH has more than 40 MH Pakistan staff as well as volunteers working in the areas of Bagh, Islamabad, Mansehra, Muzzaffarabad, and Rawalakot. MH has sent 1,600 tents to Muzzafarabad and has provided food, bedding, and basic medicines to 10,000 families while other teams are assisting in rescue operations and burial services.

Sector Status

 

·      Coordination

 

The United Nations has set up a special information center on the earthquake response in Islamabad along with a website that will include maps, situation reports and information on UN relief activities. The website is set to be up and running on Wednesday (October 12) and will be announced on the Reliefweb website.

 

·      Logistics

 

Transportation of relief supplies to affected areas appears to be the biggest challenge for the government. Many of the worst affected areas are located in remote mountains and valleys. Due to landslides and damage to roads, many small towns and villages are only accessible by helicopters. In response to Pakistan’s request for helicopters, the US has sent eight military helicopters from neighboring Afghanistan and plans to have nearly 40 on the ground in Pakistan within weeks. In addition, the US is sending C-17 and C-130 cargo planes, two U.S. military engineer battalions and four big CH-47 and CH-53 helicopters. UN officials say 50 more helicopters would be needed in addition to the 20 already pledged by various countries. Torrential rainstorms are affecting relief efforts. Helicopter flights had to be suspended for two hours today (Tuesday, October 11) due to inclement weather conditions at Pakistan Air Force base at Chaklala near Rawalpindi which has been the staging airfield for helicopter flights. The roads between Mansehra – Balakot, Mansehra – Muzzaffarabad, and Mansehra – Batgram are now open for the transportation of relief goods. However, most areas beyond these points remain inaccessible due to damage caused by landslides. Officials fear that continued rainstorms could cause further landslides blocking the roads that have just been opened. Additional logistical bottlenecks can be expected as more international relief flights arrive in Islamabad. Despite the government’s request that relief aid be channeled through it, there have been reports of many citizens groups and aid organizations across the country rushing relief convoys to affected areas independent of the government. Although the Pakistan military has been largely in-charge of rescue and relief operations, coordination mechanisms with humanitarian relief organizations appear to be non-existent. Meanwhile, the Government of Pakistan has announced visa-free entry for a week to facilitate foreign teams planning to join relief and rescue efforts and for those arriving to see their families and relatives in quake affected areas. Coordination and distribution of relief aid is likely to take the front seat as more aid arrives in the affected areas.

 

·      Health

 

Officials fear that deteriorating sanitary conditions in affected areas could lead to possible health epidemics. “I believe the health situation is one of the biggest concerns at the moment, with such a large number of dead and injured people. A lot of medical supplies are being provided and more are needed but…if water safety is not addressed and shelter needs are not attended to, we’ll see huge health problems,” said Khalif Bile, head of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Islamabad. “All kinds of essential medical supplies are needed…while vaccination of children against infectious diseases is critical at the moment,” he added. The NGO, Medecins Sans Frontieres, said that there was a risk of water-borne disease in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK). The UN also warned of the risks of cholera and pneumonia and said that there was an urgent need for measles vaccinations. Khawaja Shabir, provincial director-general of health, says that malaria, gastroenteritis and water borne diseases have already spread in the worst-hit areas. However, it appears that malaria may become less of a threat as temperatures are reportedly dropping in the region. WHO has deployed 17 medical teams, comprised of 4 to 5 members to NWFP and PcK. According to IRIN, a damage assessment team made up of NGOs has identified medical aid with drugs, vaccines and bandages as a top priority. Shabir also said that there was not one hospital left in the city. Most health facilities in affected areas have been destroyed by the earthquake. Additionally, many health workers may have been killed in the disaster or are dealing with the deaths of relatives or friends. Reports say that officials are trucking and flying in field hospitals. Bile says that at least 4 field hospitals are on their way. According to Reuters, people with serious injuries are being referred to military and civilian hospitals in the capital and other areas. Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan, spokesman of the armed forces, says that so far 2,000 injured have been evacuated from PcK.

 

• Pakistan has made an urgent appeal to the international community for field hospitals, antibiotics, anti-typhoid medicines, fracture treatment kits, surgical equipment and other supplies, UNOCHA says.

 

• The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said that it estimates that about 1,000 hospitals and health centers in Pakistan were completely destroyed in the earthquake.

 

• Six field hospitals are operational in PcK and NWFP, in addition to other hospitals.

 

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has deployed 60 staff and has provided a one-month supply of medicines and supplies for 210,000 people as well as enough equipment for 1,000 surgeries.

 

• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is sending a 100-bed field hospital to Muzzaffarabad along with a mobile ICRC first aid station which can perform emergency surgery and other medical services while the field hospital is being set up. The German and Japanese Red Cross societies have mobilized two basic health care emergency response units (ERUs) for Muzzafarabad area. ICRC says the ERUs will avoid overcrowding of the field hospital and provide outpatient consultations. ICRC will also airlift medical supplies into affected areas. 30 medical personnel from the ICRC will arrive on Wednesday and Thursday. The ICRC has also hired three helicopters to transport relief supplies and evacuate wounded.

 

• UNFPA says tens of thousands of women in the affected areas are currently pregnant and UNFPA said many were at risk following the disaster. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) sent 8 trucks of medicine and supplies to Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

 

o      Pakistani Health authorities have been mobilized for the disinfection of the affected areas.

 

o      Three Pakistani Red Cross Society medical teams are on their way to PcK and 11 truckloads of tents, blankets, food, and medicines will be dispatched to the area within a day or two.

 

• At a press conference, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said that 15 specialized international rescue teams and 11 foreign medical teams were operating in different affected areas and foreign teams are setting up eight additional field hospitals to provide immediate treatment in affected areas.

 

• World Emergency Relief (WER) global family has sent US$2.6 million of antibiotics and basic medicines to care for 100,000 people for one month. WER has also sent winterized tents to house 3,000 people.

 

• Caritas Pakistan is setting up medical relief camps in affected areas to provide health care for at least 3-4 days.

 

• Muslim Hands has four medical clinics and nine mobile ambulance units up and running.

 

·      Water/Sanitation

 

WHO says that there is an urgent need for clean water and sanitation. Khawaja Shabir, provincial director-general of health, said that corpses and sewage had contaminated the Neelum River, the main source of drinking water in Muzzaffarabad. “Whatever water is available in the city is not fit for human consumption,” he said. Andrew Macleod, spokesperson for the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team said that “We are going to move to a very dangerous health situation. We need to make sure that fresh drinking water is brought in as soon as possible.”

 

·      Food

 

The UN World Food Program (WFP) began an airlift of emergency supplies late Monday (October 10). An Iluyushin-76 carrying medical supplies and generators was due to take off from Italy to Peshawar, capital of NWFP on Tuesday (October 11) morning. Later Tuesday a WFP-chartered Boeing 747 with 80 metric tons of high-energy biscuits was due to leave for Peshawar. WFP says it is planning on providing ready-to-eat food for 1 million people for one month.

 

• ICRC will provide initial food assistance to some 30,000 families for three months

 

·      Shelter

 

UNOCHA says that Pakistan has appealed for shelter equipment including tents, plastic sheeting and blankets “for an estimated four million people who are in need of shelter.” In hard-hit Muzzafarabad, most people are living outdoors, in parks, sports fields, etc. for fear of another earthquake.

 

• ICRC is sending some 30,000 family tents

 

• The International Red Cross says it will work to provide emergency food and shelter to 120,000 vulnerable people stranded in the cold weather conditions.

 

·      Security

 

Reports say that looting is one factor in an exodus of people moving out of affected areas. Reports say that some relief trucks were unable to reach their destination because they were stopped by desperate survivors in search of food. Other reports say that relief workers have been beaten by angry crowds trying to get supplies. In Muzaffarabad, shopkeepers reportedly clashed with looters. Injuries were reported, and the Associate Press reported an absence of security forces in the area. However, Reuters reported police firing warning shots when looters attempted to raid a government store in Muzzafarrabad.

 

 

 

India

 

Overview

 

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has declared a devastating earthquake that hit the South Asian region on Saturday (October 8) a “national calamity” as the latest reported death toll reached more than 1,200 in Indian-controlled Kashmir (IcK) today (Tuesday, October 11). Up to 5,000 others have reportedly been injured. The earthquake, which measured 7.6 on the Richter scale and was centered in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK), has claimed up to 41,000 lives in PcK and Pakistan. Particularly hard-hit areas included Kupwara and Baramulla districts in IcK, along the disputed Line of Control (LoC), including the town of Uri, which has a population of 30,000, and Tangdar, close to the epicenter in PcK. According to Singh, latest estimates report at least 32,000 houses damaged. The only highway between IcK and PcK has also been damaged and closed.

 

After touring affected areas in IcK today, Singh announced an additional 5 billion rupees (US$116 million) in government aid, taking the total aid package to almost US$150 million. The Indian government has so far not appealed for international aid, and Singh stressed that money is not an issue. He added that the priority right now was to provide shelter and warm clothing due to dropping seasonal temperatures, and more aid would be given for relief and rehabilitation as well. Army and government rescuers and aid workers are reportedly battling dropping temperatures, landslides caused by the quake and difficult mountainous terrain in order to reach remote areas. Senior state government official Nayeem Akhter estimated that over 12,000 people in remote villages have not been reached so far. There are reports of angry victims in these areas, some at elevations as high 11,000 feet (3353 m), and in relief camps that have not been reached with aid for the past 3 nights. However, the Indian army said that some supplies of water, food, medicines and body bags were getting through to some areas, most of it through air-drops, particularly in Baramulla and Kupwara. The state government has also dispatched about 21 medical teams. However, an official said that although 5,000 tents have provided, another 15,000 are needed. The Indian military has between 500,000 and 700,000 troops in Kashmir to fight a Muslim insurgency. Because of the insurgency, IcK is normally restricted from foreign militaries and aid organizations.

 

Meanwhile, violence has continued daily despite a truce called yesterday by the main Muslim rebel alliance in IcK, the United Jihad Council (UJC). The Indian army has yet to respond. At least 8 separatists were killed in an overnight battle in Kupwara, while a landmine explosion near the international border in Doda injured one civilian today. Suspected militants belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen militant group also reportedly killed 10 Hindu family members and 2 other civilians (a Muslim and a Sikh) in Rajouri yesterday. In other news, Kashmiri political separatist leaders, such as those belonging to the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), have reportedly joined relief efforts. Meanwhile, the US Embassy in New Delhi has warned US citizens of a “possible threat” of terrorist attacks in India today. In 2001, an earthquake that hit the western Indian state of Gujarat claimed about 20,000 lives.

Domestic Response

 

·      Local Government

 

The Indian government has released US$23.1 million dollars for immediate relief work in affected areas.

 

The Indian Directorate of Health is coordinating medical relief and has deployed 21 medical response teams to affected areas.

 

The Indian army and air force as well as local volunteers are conducting rescue and relief operations assisting district administrators in affected areas.

 

·      Local Organizations

 

No new information available

 

International Response

 

No international assistance has been requested by the Indian government