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South Asia Earthquake Update

 

November 1, 2005

 

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

 

 

Table of Contents:

 

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

India .....................................page 13

 

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, has risen to over 58,000 with over 36,000 deaths in Pck and in excess of 18,000 in NWFP, officials estimate the death toll to climb as more areas become accessible. Quake has left over 79,000 people injured and an estimated 3.3 million displaced or homeless. Buildings and public infrastructure have suffered serious damage. Over 80 percent of the structures have been destroyed in the affected areas, while continuing aftershocks are threatening the structures that are still standing. The Government of Pakistan (GOP) estimates the cost to rebuild the quake-affected areas to cost US$5 billion. UN estimates the cost of rebuilding the affected areas could run into the billions of dollars over a 5-10 year period.

 

Due to dramatic elevations and a larger geographic area shelter and logistics remain top priorities. (Oct-24, DFID) With the onset of winter and continuing rains and thunderstorms, concerns are mounting for survivors, many of whom are without shelter.

 

The Government of Pakistan (GOP) has called for international assistance. GOP has requested helicopters, field hospitals, medicines including typhoid drugs and antibiotics (in syrup form for infants), fracture treatment kits, surgical equipment, disinfectants (for dead bodies), water purification kits and tables, ready-to-eat meals and winterization tents for some four million affected people. (Oct-12, Reuters, OCHA) WFP-led survey recommends assistance to urban areas for next two months and in rural areas until the end of February. (Oct-28, WFP)

 

International donors and representatives from some 60 nations around the world on Wednesday (October 26) pledged US$580 million at a donorÕs conference at United Nations (UN) headquarters Geneva on October 26. Ahead of the conference, the UN had revised its consolidated flash appeal yesterday from US$312 million to a little over US$549 million for the first six months of the emergency phase. However, UN has received a total of only US$122 million in pledges, of which US$67.8 million is in firm commitments - 80 percent short. (Oct-26, Reuters, BBC)

 

GOP has accepted NATOÕs offer for the deployment of a NATO Response Force (NRF), consisting of a reinforced engineering battalion of around 1,000 personnel. It will provide assistance in reconstruction of infrastructure, the provision of medical care and aerial movement of supplies. (Oct-23, DT) Mobile headquarters of NATO became fully operational on Thursday (October 27). Vice Admiral John Stufflebeem, commander of mission, said NATO is Òsolely focused on supporting Pakistani authorities and those bringing relief supplies and aid capabilities to the affected regionÉthis is a short-term relief mission.Ó (Oct-28, Dawn) Local critics have criticized Musharraf for not seeking parliamentary approval for NATOÕs deployment in the country Ð its first substantial presence in South Asia. (Oct-28, Reuters) However, NATO is providing badly-needed air support and relief.

 

Asian Development Bank and the World Bank will jointly begin an assessment of the quake-affected areas in Pakistan to determine needs and reconstruction costs. The team is expected to submit its report by mid-November. (Oct-21, Reuters) Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan will host international conference on November 18-19 to raise funds for reconstruction. He said so far, US$1.7 billion has been pledged or committed by world for quake relief, while US$257 million (Rs. 15.2 billion) were pledged domestically. (Oct-28, The News) Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has approved 2 billion Pakistani Rs (US$33.3 million) for reconstruction of homes, at a meeting of the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA). Priority will be given to rebuilding infrastructure in the first phase. (Oct-28, AP)

 

Total contribution towards humanitarian effort in Pakistan (including bilateral, NGOs, UN agencies, etc): US$251 million committed; US$1.05 billion pledged. Total: US$1.3 billion. (Oct-27, DFID) Pakistan yesterday (Thursday, October 28) circulated a draft resolution calling on the UN General Assembly to urge world to Òswiftly deliverÓ pledged funds for relief and rehabilitation Ð action expected on November 14. (Oct-28, The News)

 

Logistics and access to affected areas continue to be the biggest challenge for relief operations. Most mountain communities traditionally have thousands of tons of food trucked up to them before the winter each year. Lack of roads now mean helicopters are the primary means of delivery (Oct-28, Reuters). President Musharraf said 122 helicopters from NATO Allies, UN, GOP and from all over the world are operating in Pakistan to help with earthquake relief efforts. He said an additional 65 helicopters, 25 each from NATO and the US and 15 from ICRC were arriving soon. (Nov-1, TN) Highest priority for movements via the NATO airbridge is given to tents, blankets, stoves and medical supplies. (Oct-30, NATO). GOP says it needs more than 100 helicopters to deliver aid in a significant way to remote, inaccessible areas. (Oct-21, Reuters) Heavy snow, likely to begin in about three weeks, would limit the use of these helicopters. (Oct-17, OCHA). The WFP said the UN could only keep its helicopter fleet running for another week, while US$50 million is needed immediately to keep them flying. (Oct-28, Reuters)

 

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said presence of foreign forces did not pose a security threat to Pakistan. Currently, about 925 US troops and nearly 1,000 NATO personnel are on the ground in Pakistan helping with the relief efforts. (Nov-1, Reuters)

 

UNOCHA has set up 10 clusters at each humanitarian hub to better coordinate humanitarian relief operations across sectors and to avoid any duplication of efforts. 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)

 

WFP said preliminary findings of assessment carried out with UNICEF and Oxfam found 2.5 million living in makeshift shelters. Based on findings, WFP raised the number of people who need food for the winter from 1 million to 2.3 million. (Oct-28, WFP)

 

The UN said there were no reports of epidemics, but said the health infrastructure in affected areas had virtually collapsed. The biggest health concerns are untreated injuries due to gangrene and major infections. Health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), said disease could break out among survivors because of the crowded conditions, bad weather and the lack of clean water, including cholera, pneumonia and measles, which is endemic in the region. Currently 52 field hospitals are in place (Oct-27, OCHA). Aid agencies warn of second wave of deaths due to cold weather and exposure. (Oct-24, DFID). Local media have reported four cold-related deaths in quake-affected areas. (Nov-1, DPA). GOP, with the help of WHO, has set up an Early Warning and Response Network (EWARN) to identify and respond to any disease outbreaks in quake-affected areas. (Oct-23, DPA)

 

GOP and GOI have set up crossing points along the LoC at Nauser-Teethwal, Chakothi-Uri, Hajipur-Uri, Rawalakot-Poonch and Tattapni-Mendhar. (Oct-31, Reuters) allowing people to cross the border on foot to seek assistance from the relief camps setup by the two countries. Pakistan has said that it has set up two relief camps and a field hospital in these areas, while India said last week that three relief camps at these points were operational. (Oct-31, Reuters)

 

GOP has awarded four emergency broadcast licenses to set up FM stations at various locations in PcK to improve communication with the local public. Some 100,000 radio sets would be distributed among the local public upon funding. (Oct-26, IRIN)

International Response

 

á      Foreign Governments

 

More than 90 countries, regional and international organizations have pledged more than several hundred million dollars in aid contributions and monetary pledges to the ongoing relief and reconstruction efforts in the earthquake devastated areas of Pakistan. Some of the larger contributions have come from the United Nations South Asia Earthquake Consolidated Flash Appeal calling for US$ 312 million in pledges, the ICRC appeal calling for US$56.6 million, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, and contributions made by individual nations directly to the Pakistani government. Some of the largest monetary contributions from individual nations are coming from Australia, Britain, Canada, China, the European Union, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. US Ambassador to Pakistan, Ryan Crocker, said that there is no time frame for US troops assisting in quake relief Ð may take several months. (Oct-26, Hindustan Times) The United Nations Emergency Response Pakistan website has posted several reports attempting to track the status and quantities of the incoming aid from a number of various governments, regional, and international organizations. In addition to these efforts, a number of NGOs have initiated their own appeals for their relief and reconstruction efforts in the earthquake-devastated areas.

 

Response to UNÕs US$550 million Emergency Consolidated Appeal:

 

WHO has received US$9.81 million out of its US$56 million emergency appeal to provide food support to one million people over next six months from Saudi Arabia, Japan, Denmark, Australia, Iceland and the Faroe Islands. (Oct-27, WFP)

 

WHO has received US$9.8 million out of its US$100 million separate appeal for air support from Canada, the US, the UK and Switzerland. (Oct-27, WFP)

 

Sector Status

Affected Population

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.

 

Death toll is at 58,000; injured is at 79,000 (Nov-1, OCHA)

 

UNICEF estimates some 1.6 million to 2.2 million children were affected by the earthquake and 17,000 children killed while attending school. The head of UNICEF, Ann Veneman, says that the trauma for survivors is worse than that from the tsunami. Veneman repeated warnings of a Òsecond waveÓ of deaths if children are not provided proper health care. (Oct-31, AFP) UNICEF estimated earlier some 50-60 percent of the dead victims are children and some 32,000 young people had died while another 42,000 were injured. (Oct-18, Reuters) UNOCHA says some 960,000 children need school support (Nov-1, OCHA)

Coordination

GOP presented its National Action Plan on Tuesday (November 1) which will provide a framework for the development of the international aid response with technical expertise and by addressing gaps in resources. (Nov-1, OCHA)

 

Pakistan and India made an unprecedented agreement to open the disputed Line of Control (LoC). Following a series of meetings held in Islamabad over the weekend, Pakistani and Indian officials agreed that Kashmiri families and relief items will be allowed across five points on foot, not on vehicles.

 

The GOP formed a 7-member Civil Services Special Task Force. In addition to coordination, the task force will supervise foreign relief workers, NGOs, and volunteers. The task force will work under the Federal Relief Commissioner. Saeed Ahmed Khan is chief coordinator; Ishtiaq Ahmed is coordinator for NWFP; Tariq Khosa is coordinator for PCK; Qasim Niaz is coordinator for donor agencies; Arifa Sofi is coordinator for NGOs; Mohsin Rizvi is coordinator for foreign offices; and Dr. Ashfaq is coordinator for health services. (Oct-19, GOP)

 

Federal Relief Commission will coordinate rescue and relief operations. Major General Muhammad Farooq Javed, Chairman of the Prime MinisterÕs Inspection Commission will head the Commission.

 

An Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) has been established to rebuild infrastructure. Lt. Gen Muhammad Zubair, engineer-in-chief of the Pakistani Army is chair. (Oct-17, Dawn)

 

A Humanitarian Information Centre (HIC) has been set up within the UNDAC/UN coordination centre. (Oct-14, UNOCHA) A UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator will be based in Muzaffarabad. (Oct-19, UNOCHA)

 

The UN created three humanitarian hubs in Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Mansehra. (Oct-15, VOSOCC) UNOCHA says two additional hubs are being considered at Balakot and Batagram. (Oct-19, UNOCHA)

 

An Emergency Response Centre has been opened in Islamabad. (Oct-15, ERC)

 

Ten sectoral coordination clusters were established to bring together the government, UN agencies, NGOs, IOs, militaries, and donors. (Oct-22, UNOCHA)

 

A mobile NATO headquarters became operational Thursday (October 27). The Deployed Joint Task Force (DJTF) is coordinating NATO relief activities with Pakistani officials. (Oct-27, Dawn)

 

Pakistani army has opened three more military bases at Dhamial, Peshawar and Tarbela to assist in the relief operations. Army is operating six forward bases in Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalkot, Balakot, Batgram and Mansehra. The army has also set up three main reporting and information centers at Havelian, Mansehra, and Gahri Habibullah. (Oct-27, DPA) Network of some 45 Army points in place. There are six major points, three each in NWFP at Mansehra, Balakot and Batagram, and Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Rawalkot in PcK. (Oct-19, Jang)

 

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is operating out of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK) while the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society (IFRC) is working in the rest of the country. (Oct-11, Alertnet)

Logistics

OCHA says an Interagency Transport and Logistic Operations Plan have been created and the recently created Joint Government/UN Logistics Cell is operating. (Nov-1, OCHA)

 

A giant Russian MI 26 copter arrived over the weekend to help with road clearing efforts. (Oct-31, Khaleej Times)

117 helicopters in total are operating and more are expected. (Oct-30, UNOCHA) 1st of 4 NATO heavy-lift helicopters from the German Air Force arrived at Chaklala Airbase on Oct-31. Remaining 3 will arrive by mid-week and begin operations by end of week. (Nov-1, Dawn)

 

UNOCHA says as much as 30 percent of affected areas remains inaccessible. (Oct-27, USAID) According to the UNOCHA, there is only a three-week opportunity to deliver assistance to mountainous areas of Pakistan before the first snowfall. (Oct-24, UNOCHA) Unprecedented logistical challenges in some 30,000 square kilometers of high-altitude terrain remain.

 

UNHCR says it has set up a new relief supply line from Iran on Wednesday (October 26) from its Kermanshah warehouse near the border with Iraq. (Oct-28, UNHCR)

 

A UN Joint Logistics Center (UNJLC) cell has been created within the UN Coordination Centre in Islamabad together with the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) antenna. (Oct-14, UNOCHA)

 

A joint NATO-UNHCR airlift from Incirlik airbase in Turkey will ferry some 860 tons of aid from UNHCRÕs regional warehouse in Iskenderun. (Oct-19, UNHCR) NATO plans to send some 1,000 troops, including a 500-strong engineering battalion. (Oct-21, AFP) The air bridge has delivered about 600 tons of supplies so far. The first element of the engineering battalion, led by the Spanish army arrived on Sunday (October 30) The battalion will start work in the Bagh area. (Nov-1, Dawn)

International Financial Assistance

Total contribution towards humanitarian effort in Pakistan (including bilateral, NGOs, UN agencies, etc): US$251 million committed; US$1.05 billion pledged. Total: US$1.3 billion. (Oct-27, DFID)

 

International donors and representatives from some 60 nations around the world pledged US$580 million at a donorÕs conference at UN headquarters in Geneva on October 26.  Ahead of the conference, the UN had revised its consolidated flash appeal on October 25 from US$312 million to US$549.5 million.  However, UN officials say only US$15.8 million of the new money was pledged to its emergency flash appeal, aimed at providing food and shelter to over 2 million homeless people.  Most of the pledges are earmarked for reconstruction.  The UN is seeking the US$549.5 million to cover immediate life-saving and early recovery needs for the first six months of the emergency phase and says it has received some US$122 million in pledges of which US$67.8 million is in firm commitments. 

Food

OCHA says that due to damaged food stocks, food requirements are anticipated until mid-March. (Nov-1, OCHA)

 

WFP says that survivors will start dying from lack of food within a month and women and children will be the worst hit if the world fails to help. WFP malnutrition was already a problem in affected areas with some 60 percent of children chronically malnourished before the quake and 10 percent affected by wasting of the body. (Oct-31, AFP)

 

WFP says that latest assessments say that 2.3 million people may require food aid to get through the winter. (Oct-28, WFP)

 

WFP says six out of nine districts affected by the earthquake were in the most food insecure parts of Pakistan. According to an assessment carried out by WFP with support from UNICEF and Oxfam, priority should be given to the estimated 200,000 people living in the most difficult to reach areas in Neelam, Jahlum, Kargan and Naran Valley as well as upper parts of Alai which may soon become cut off by snow for several months. Half of rural households lost most or all of their grain and a quarter of livestock was killed. (Oct-28, WFP)

 

Eight NGOs are partnering with WFP. (Oct-28, WFP)

Water and Sanitation

OCHA planning figures say 3.2-3.5 million require Wat/San support. (Nov-1, OCHA)

 

CARE International, Intersos, Tearfund, International Medical Committee, Alisei, American Rescue Committee, ACTED, JEN and Merlin are assessing and coordinating in this sector. (Oct-17, UNOCHA)

 

In Muzaffarabad and Bagh, the pipe network was damaged, ceasing all water distribution. Safe water and sanitation have been restored in some parts. (Oct-23, 25, UNOCHA)

 

NATO will send 3 water purification plants. (Oct-21, NATO)

THW has installed two water treatment plants in Muzaffarabad and Balakot which are producing 250,000 liters a day, to supply 17,000 people. (Oct-17, UNOCHA) Six plants will be set up n Batagram, Balakot, and other areas. (Oct-22, UNOCHA)

Public Health/Medical

The Pakistan Federal Relief Commission asked for medicines and equipment, including antibiotics, painkillers, 100 specialist beds for spinal injuries and dozens of operating tables. (Nov-1, Reuters)

 

OCHA reports that Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is the most common diagnosis reported by all health facilities in Muzzafarabad, Bagh and Rawalakot. One child has died of ARI in Muzaffarabad. No current reports of measles or outbreaks of communicable diseases. (Nov-1, OCHA)

 

ICRC basic health care units operational in Neelum and Jheelum valleys. (Nov-1, ICRC)

 

WHO says that 24 more people have died of tetanus infections, raising the total deaths to 44. More than 140 patients are estimated to be infected with tetanus. WHO says around 4 million doses of the tetanus vaccine should arrive in Islamabad in a few days. (Nov-1, DPA)

 

DPA, citing the local newspaper daily Ausaf, said that at least 4 people have died due to the cold in affected areas. (Nov-1, DPA)

 

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

 

NATO has flown in a field hospital which will be staffed by more than 150 staff. (Oct-31, DPA) In Muzzaffarabad, 8 field hospitals are up and running and providing some 600 beds. (Oct-31, IRIN)

 

WHO says that latest assessments show 291 health facilities destroyed and 74 partially damaged out of a total of 564. Less than half continue to operate. (Oct-28, WHO) Of the 155 health facilities, 147 were destroyed. (Oct-31, IRIN) OCHA reports that up to 4 million people require primary health facilities, 75,000 hospital treatment, with 9,000 pregnant women and 600,000 children under five, as well as those disabled, in acute need of treatment. (Nov-1, OCHA)

 

USAID DART reports WHO measles campaign progressing well in Muzaffarabad. WHO has deployed 19 two-person teams to expand campaign to rural areas. On Oct 26th WHO confirmed 14 cases of measles in Batagram and Balakot. (Oct-27, USAID) WHO says at least 1 person has died of measles, and a total of 30 cases have been reported in the quake zone. (Oct-27, WHO)

 

WHO field offices are operational in five of the most affected locations: Bagh, Balakot, Mansehra, Muzaffarabad, and Rawalkot. (Oct-25, USAID)

 

A joint WHO/Ministry of Health operations center has been established in Islamabad to coordinate health efforts. (Oct-12, WHO) The Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC), is located at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. (Oct-14, UNOCHA)

 

WHO and the Ministry of Health have set up an Early Warning and Response Network (EWARN), starting with Muzaffarabad, to quickly identify and respond to outbreaks. (Oct-21, GOP)

 

Around 200 medical facilities are operational in the affected area, including 16 in PcK, with the rest in NWFP. There are some 52 field hospitals in place. (Oct-27, OCHA) IRIN reports some 99 percent of all first aid posts have been destroyed. (Oct-28, IRIN)

 

The GOP says that the Pakistani Army was running some 8 field hospitals at full capacity. (Oct-18, GOP) US will send three field hospitals (Oct-20, Jang). The US Army 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) with more than 100 US soldiers arrived in Muzaffarabad. (Oct-24, AP)

 

MSF has a field hospital in Bagh and three clinics in nearby villages. BaghÕs hospital and 22 health clinics were destroyed. There are reportedly two makeshift civil hospitals and a military hospital in its place. (Oct-26, Reuters) UNICEF will establish at least 30 medical centers in Muzaffarabad, Rawalkot and Bagh to provide basic medical services. (Oct-18, IRIN)

 

The Jang reports that at least 40 people have died of tetanus. (Oct-28, Jang) GOP and WHO have arranged for 200,000 doses of anti-tetanus serum (ATS) to be airlifted from Cairo to affected areas. Minister of Health, Nasir Khan says that 1.8 million additional doses would arrive over next few weeks. (Oct-21, GOP) Selected measles and tetanus vaccinations taking place in Rawalakot and Bagh. (Oct-27, WHO)

 

WHO has set up a website to facilitate information exchange between health partners at www.whopak.org. (Oct-17, UNOCHA)

 

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) opened a 100-bed field hospital in Muzaffrabad on October 21. (Oct-21, ICRC)

Shelter

OCHA estimates some 480,000 shelters required. (Nov-1, OCHA)

 

Members of the IFRC Regional Disaster Response Team, in conjunction with Pakistan Red Crescent and IOM have begun to place mixed-gender teams on the ground in mountain villages that have yet to receive assistance. (Nov-1, OCHA)

 

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz says GOP will provide 5,000 Pakistani Rs (US$418) for families to buy sheet metal and cement for reconstruction. (Nov-1, BBC)

 

Shelter cluster exploring all potential winter-resistant shelter alternatives. (Nov-1, the News)

 

Some 140,000 tents have been provided and 200,000 are in the pipeline. Estimated shortfall of some 100,000 to 200,000 foreseen when combined totals of expected tents are delivered by November 30. (Oct-30, UNOCHA)

 

UNHCR has begun setting up a camp of 600 tents at a park in Muzaffarabad. Each tent can accommodate a family. UNHCR plans to supply some 20,000 tents and almost 250,000 blankets to survivors. (Oct-29, DPA) UNHCRÕs emergency teams in Mansehra, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Batagram and Balakot are working with the army and others to identify sites for temporary camps at lower elevations. So far one dozen sites have been identified. (Oct-28, UNHCR) UNHCR has set up three new tent sites in Jhelum Valley, with a capacity for 24,000. Agency has yet to move into Neelum Valley, where road access remains difficult. (Oct-27, AP) UNHCR has set up 9 temporary camps with the GOP which have been established in and around Mansehra and Muzaffarabad and up north towards Balakot, ranging in size from 60-3,000 people. UNHCR says hundreds of spontaneous settlements have appeared as well and is surveying needs. (Oct-27, DFID)

 

In Mansehra, local and provincial officials are creating 25 tent villages with capacities up to 300 tents (Oct-27, USAID)

Infrastructure

Planning figures from OCHA say 70% of houses destroyed, 30% damaged. (Nov-1, OCHA)

 

USAID says almost 90 percent of schools destroyed. USAID working with UNICEF to restart schools. (Oct-27, USAID) UNICEF, quoting Pakistani government estimates, said that 6,700 schools were destroyed in NWFP and another 1,300 destroyed in PcK. (Oct-31, AFP)

 

In Nheelum Valley, almost 90-100% of buildings were destroyed. (Oct-27, UNOCHA) 90% of the structures in Bagh have totally collapsed, almost 100 percent of structures in Nasera district in Jhelum Valley have collapsed. (Oct-23, 25UNOCHA)

 

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz says that about US$5 billion in damages was caused by the earthquake. (Oct-15, Reuters)

 

World Bank announced a US$470 million package to help the GOP in the reconstruction of quake-devastated areas. The package includes US$100 for highway reconstruction, US$130 million financing of community infrastructure and US$200 million in quick disbursement credits from the BankÕs concessional International Development Agency (IDA). An additional US$40 million in IDA funding was announced earlier-25, WB)

Security

Cluster strategy focuses on the needs of the vulnerable population, with focus on women and children (between 1.6 to 2.2 million) (Nov-1, OCHA)

 

The first ÒChild Friendly SpaceÓ was expected to be launched Friday (Oct-28) at the edge of Balakot city. (Oct-28, WVI) World Vision is focusing on child protection and plans to establish 20 Child Friendly Spaces to support three camps. (Oct-21, WVI)

 

UNICEF has asked the GOP to appoint Òchild protection officersÓ in all major hospitals. (Oct-19, PTI) UNICEF is creating field offices in Mansehra and Muzaffarabad to coordinate emergency response for child protection. (Oct-14, UNOCHA)

 

The Pakistani government is in the process of setting up aid staging posts at Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalkot, Mansehra and Balakot for relief and security. Troops being deployed every 10 km to provide security, search for survivors and provide relief in most affected areas. (Oct-19, GOP)

 

India

 

Overview

 

The latest official death toll reported at 1,309 in Indian-controlled Kashmir (IcK) from a 7.6-magnitude earthquake centered in neighboring northern Pakistan. Officially, 6,622 people reportedly injured and 150,000 displaced (Oct-17, AFP). Worst-hit areas are around Tangdhar and Uri towns in Kupwara and Baramulla districts respectively in IcK, along the disputed Line of Control (LoC). Third worst-hit area is Poonch district. The governmentÕs main priority right now is provision of shelter through tents, repair of homes, reconstruction of homes and community shelters to last through the winter.

 

GovernmentÕs distribution of cash relief from the Natural Calamity Relief Fund (NCRF) began in Uri and Tangdhar on October 19. Relatives of each casualty receiving 100,000 Indian rupees (US$2,200), while 60,000 Indian rupees (US$1,333) are offered for the rebuilding of destroyed homes. (Oct-26, AFP) IcK Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said houses with minor or partial damage would be given Indian Rs30,000 (US$670) each, instead of earlier Rs10,000 (US$222). Additional monetary assistance of Indian Rs31,000 (US$ 690) per family given for construction of temporary tin and timber shelters before onset of winter. In addition to government relief, Jammu and Kashmir Bank will also provide soft loans for home reconstruction. (Oct-27, PTI) Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) estimates that 120 million Indian Rs (US$2.7 million) in monetary relief had been distributed as of October 25. (Oct-26, MHA)

All disbursement expected to be complete by November 15. (Oct-26, AFP) Following the earthquake, the government announced a US$150 million aid package.

 

India has not asked for international assistance, and the presence of foreign aid agencies is restricted in the disputed region, which is also the site of a separatist militancy. The Indian Army, under Operation Imdad, has been carrying out bulk of relief and rehabilitation effort. The Indian military has about 500,000 to 700,000 troops deployed in the region to control a separatist insurgency. Local state agencies, social, religious and political organizations, and NGOs also assisting.

 

As in northern Pakistan, aid workers struggle with the mountainous terrain, landslides and increasingly cold weather. (Oct-17, AFP) International and domestic aid agencies also have to contend with frequent security checks and roadblocks. Some agencies building base camps to overcome this problem. Friendly reception from survivors is also important security priority. (Oct-24, SC)

 

International and domestic media continue to report that some remote villages have received little or no aid, including about 10 to 15 villages in Baramulla district, which the Indian government repeatedly denies. (Oct-31, Kashmir Times) Residents in Tangdhar, which is reportedly more difficult to access than Uri, reportedly say only influential people are receiving relief. (Oct-30, Kashmir Times) Others in the area say that government relief is not enough to rebuild homes. Because of the fresh aftershocks, people are moving into fields. Some villages do not have NGO presence and are completely dependent on the government for relief. (Oct-30, AFP) Kashmir Times reports concern over lack of official monitoring in distribution of government aid, citing past disasters in which less than half of aid had been dispersed to victims due to local government corruption. The concerns have been echoed by ATHROT, an umbrella organization of NGOs working in the region. (Oct-31, Kashmir Times) Protestors in Uri threw stones at a police station, attacked relief trucks and carried out a demonstration, saying that relief was not being fairly distributed. (Oct-28, Kashmir Times) Some tents that were distributed are also not appropriate to withstand the upcoming winter season, when snowfalls can reach 10 feet (3 meters). (Oct-28, Kashmir Times)

 

India-based Academy for Disaster Management Education Planning and Training (ADEPT) relief organization said number of villages have not been mapped, and at least 10 villages remained inaccessible as of October 19. Total number of affected villages unknown. (Oct-19, ADEPT)

 

Shelter remains the top relief priority. Aside from food and water, fuel to cook food and burn firewood is also an important relief item. (Oct-26, AFP) Urgently needed items include woolen cloths, milk powder, pediatric medicines, childrenÕs footwear, blankets and school kits. (Oct-27, SEEDS)

 

Although at least 35,000 tents are needed in the region, only about 12,000 tents and 200,000 blankets have been distributed by the Indian government. Government plans to supply 20,000 tents by end of October. (Oct-26, MHA) According to ADEPT, up to 1 million people and their livestock (a valuable commodity) need winter housing. Many living in makeshift tent cities made of items such as plastic awnings, old signboards and other scavenged materials. (Oct-23, ADEPT)

 

Survivors have appealed for kangris and bokharis, traditional heaters used in the region that use very little fuel. Both heaters are less of a fire hazard than kerosene heaters. In addition, electricity is not easy to access in the region, smoke from regular wood can cause respiratory ailments and fuel kerosene heaters are very heavy. Aid workers say many villagers have never lived in tents and need education on preventing fires or smoke asphyxiation.

 

GOI also plans to build prefabricated, winterized community centers where people can shelter at night and work outside during the day to rebuild their homes. GoI plans at least 107 centers in Uri and Tangdar areas in Baramulla and Kupwara districts respectively, which would be constructed through mid-November (Oct-21, Kashmir Times). Each center will accommodate 100 to 200 people, and later converted into schools or health care centers. Military and paramilitary will set up shelters. No construction work is possible during the winter due to rain, snow and slush. (Oct-17, ADEPT)

 

A labor shortage has hit IndiaÕs tent industry due to both Diwali (Hindu) and Eid (Muslim) celebrations this week in major manufacturing hubs. Being a small-scale industry, most only have contract labor. India is only able to supply around 500 tents a day, which is insufficient for quake victims. In addition, none of the tent manufacturers in India are producing all the material required for the finished product. (Oct-27, Hindustan Times)

 

Pakistan and India yesterday (Sunday, October 30) made an unprecedented agreement to open the disputed Line of Control (LoC) to aid victims of the October 8 earthquake. Pakistani and Indian officials agreed that Kashmiri families and relief items will be allowed across five points on foot, not on vehicles. The agreement was made despite bomb attacks in in New Delhi on Saturday evening (October 29) that killed about 60 people. A little known group, Front for Islamic Uprising, claimed responsibility for the attacks, which most officials believe is linked to the Kashmiri separatist group, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The crossing points would be located at Nauser-Teethwal, Chakothi-Uri, Hajipur-Uri, Rawalakot-Poonch and Tattapni-Mendhar. (Oct-31, Reuters) Indian Union Home Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal today confirmed New Delhi blasts will not affect the India-Pakistan peace process. (Nov-1, PTI)

 

Other separatists, including those from the main separatist All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) alliance, have expressed a desire to cross, but will wait for the proper authorization. However, the Indian government has stressed that relief would only be undertaken by government officials. (Oct-31, Kashmir Times)

 

International Response

 

India has not asked for international assistance.

 

More than £15 million (US$26 million) has been pledged by the British public to the Disasters Emergency CommitteeÕs (DEC) Asia Quake Appeal, covering 13 UK aid agencies, including Tearfund. (Oct-19, Tearfund)

 

Sector Status

 

Sector Status

Affected Population

150,000 people displaced (Oct-13, AFP), about 90 percent of them remain homeless (Oct-17, AFP) Of these, about 10,000 affected families are in Poonch district. (Oct-26, Kashmir Times)

 

The Indian National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which already has a presence, called for protection of the rights of victims. (Oct-14, Kashmir Times) Both military and separatist militants in the region have been known to commit human rights abuses against civilians in the restive region.

 

Caritas India and local partners plans to help over 5,000 children in educational and recreational activities for psycho-social healing. (Oct-25, Caritas)

 

There are 71 widows and 154 children that have lost at least one parent. All 50 widows in Uri and 21 widows in Tangdhar have been given 10,000 Indian Rs (US$220.00) each. (Oct-26, MHA).

 

Coordination

No international assistance requested by the Indian government

 

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

 

To address coordination problems, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) established disaster response force with Army and paramilitary personnel. (Oct-18, Kashmir Times)

 

State and federal government on Monday (October 17) agreed on a three-pronged rehabilitation strategy: Financial assistance, short-term construction of community shelters and long-term construction of quake-resistant infrastructure. (Oct-14, BBC News)

 

State Cabinet appointed five government officers to coordinate relief and reconstruction: BA Runiyal, Relief Commissioner, will be in charge in Uri; Sharief-ud-Din Ð Srinagar; GM Rather - Tangdhar; Jeet Lal Gupta Ð Poonch. (Oct-16, Daily Excelsior) K Mohinder Singh has been appointed the new relief Commissioner (migrants) in Jammu, relieving Qamar-ud-Din. (Oct-31, Kashmir Times)

 

IcK government has set up a media center in Uri (Baramulla district) to provide information on relief operations in the area. (Oct-17, PTI)

 

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has a Control Room functioning around the clock that is closely monitoring the situation. (Oct-12, MHA)

 

Action by Churches Together (ACT) member, ChurchÕs Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), planning to undertake initial relief operations to assist 10,000 affected families through four local partners: Al-Bashir, CNI Hospital/Church, Hindustani Convent Church (HCC) and COVA network. (Oct-12, ACT)

 

ActionAid is conducting a survey of more than 25 villages in the remote areas of Uri and Baramulla to identify areas that have not yet received aid.

 

HelpAge International providing relief in partnership with HelpAge India and Help the Aged. Relief being carried by foot to areas around Uri. (Oct-17, HelpAge International)

 

Save the Children expanding response to 20,000 families across the four affected districts of Kupwara, Baramula, Poonch and Rajouri. (Oct-13, Alertnet) SC has established base camps in Tangdhar (Kupwara) and Uri (Baramullah), reducing difficulties caused by bad weather and frequent security checks at roadblocks. (Oct-25, SC)

 

Caritas Internationalis has launched an appeal for over US$5.5 million to assist local partner, Caritas India. Caritas India, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and the Catholic Social Service Society (CSSS) of the Jammu and Kashmir Diocese launched relief and rehabilitation program in at least 10 villages in Uri and surrounding areas. Will provide 4,000 families with essential food and non-food items through end of November. (Oct-25, Caritas)

 

At least 11 NGOs from western state of Gujarat, with experience from the 2001 earthquake disaster, including the Center for Environment Education, will aid in rehabilitation work. NGOs currently helping to construct permanent and temporary homes in Uri. (Oct-27, Khaleej Times)

 

India Partners is sending funds to EFICOR and the Disaster Coordination Committee (DCC) its partner organizations in India, to begin emergency assistance. (Oct-24, India Partners)

Logistics

Border Roads Organization (BRO) says road from Baramulla to Kaman Bridge on Line of Control will be operational by December 15. (Oct-17, Times of India) BRO says that it would take 8 to 10 days to re-open Uri-Muzaffarabad road due to dangerous landslides and damaged areas. (Oct-25, Kashmir Times)

 

The Indian Army has cleared most of the roads into the hard-hit areas of Uri and Tangdhar (Baramulla and Kupwara districts). (Oct-13, PTI)

Food

GOI has airlifted 22.9 MT of biscuit/food items. (Oct-26, MHA) The GoI has distributed 1,426 quintals of rice, 937 quintals of atta and 961 quintals of wheat in Poonch district. (Oct-27, PTI)

 

Jammu and Kashmir branches of Indian Red Cross have distributed 5 MT of dried food rations. (Oct-11, Alertnet)

The Indian Red Cross staff involved in relief operations in Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, and Uri. (Oct-11, Alertnet)

 

UNICEF provided 17 tons of biscuits for children Ð about 3 tons distributed through Army. Nutrition camps organized at Salamabad. (Oct-21, Time of India)

 

According to a local doctor, most people in the area already suffer from malnutrition, making them especially vulnerable to lack of food.

Water and Sanitation

Water and electricity supplies restored in the Hazratbal and Jamia Masjid areas of Srinagar. Restoration efforts ongoing in other towns. (Oct-15, UNDP)

 

The Indian Air Force (IAF) airlifted 51,200 liters of water to IcK. (Oct-14, PTI)

 

Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA) conducting wat/san assessments in two villages allocated to them by the government. (Oct-28, EHA)

Public Health/Medical

Although no threats of disease, epidemic control units established at Uri and Tanghdar by the health services department. Officials say all 142 affected villages have been visited by medical teams. (Oct-24, PTI)

 

The Indian Directorate of Health coordinating medical relief. 21 medical response teams to affected areas. 12,725 injured have been treated at camp hospital in Uri, and another 7,500 have been treated in Tangdhar. (Oct-24, PTI) Twelve hospitals in three Kashmir districts, including in Srinagar city, have started offering counseling to survivors. (Oct-15, AFP)

 

A team of rehabilitation/orthopaedic doctors have arrived in IcK under the Ministry of Social Empowerment. (Oct-18, NIC)

 

HelpAge International and its partner Help Age India have sent mobile medical unit to Uri in and two other mobile medical units to the outlying villages. (Oct-11, Alertnet)

 

GOI has airlifted 111.75 MT of medicine, including 1.75 donated by UNICEF. (Oct-26, MHA)

 

ActionAid India is providing counseling and giving support to earthquake survivors in India with an 80-strong team including 40 local people. (Oct-11, Alertnet)

 

The Academy for Disaster Management Education, Planning and Training (ADEPT) working the Catholic Diocese of Jammu, along with ADEPT partner Christian Medical College, to provide medical services in Uri, Baramulla. (Oct-23, ADEPT) CMC Ludhiana, partner of ADEPT, set up base camp in Baramulla in order to provide medical services to surrounding villages. (Oct-25, ADEPT)

 

Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) recruited help to bolster counseling centers for mental trauma. (Oct-15, AFP) MSF teams working in Baramullah, Uri and Srinagar and Tangdar. (Oct-20, Reuters)

 

WHO India is providing a number of services, including technical guidelines, two tons of emergency surgical kits, relief items, and a disease/injury surveillance system after staff obtains necessary security clearance. Measles vaccination and vitamin A supplementation being discussed with government and UNICEF. (Oct-20, WHO)

 

Caritas India and local partners hope to provide 4,000 families with regular basic health services by March 2006. (Oct-25, Caritas)

 

Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA) providing medical services in Uri, Baramulla Ð has begun de-worming campaign. Providing medical treatment in two villages allocated to them by the government, as well as the Gujjar communities. (Oct-28) An EHA team has set up in part of the areaÕs destroyed hospital. EHA reports one village affected by TB infections. (Oct-19, TearFund)

Shelter

37,607 buildings/houses have been damaged in total. (Oct-26, MHA)

 

GOI has airlifted about 12,000 tents, 36,153 tarpaulins, 25 poly rolls, 200,000 blankets and 26,000 pieces of woolen clothes. (Oct-26, MHA)

 

GOI has made available 135,000 cft (cubic square feet) timber in Uri and 125,000 cft at Tangdhar, with another 40,000 cft in storage in Sopore and Baramulla for rebuilding/repair of shelter. 273 mts of CGI sheets, and 20,000 bags of cements also made available. (Oct-24, PTI) The CGI sheets and timber intended for construction of temporary shelters measuring 150 square feet (14 sq meters). (Oct-27, PTI)

 

In another report, Director General Police Gopal Sharma said 7,000 cubic feet timber (cft) and 15,000 CGI tin sheets are available in Uri and Tangdhar for building or repairing shelter. 300 engineers are assisting in construction. (Oct-25, Kashmir Times)

 

IcK government has opened relief centers in Mirwaiz Manizil and Jamia Masjid and seven relief camps in Uri, Tanghdar and Poonch. (Oct-15, UNDP)

 

The government plans to construct 31 community halls in Uri to accommodate survivors during the winter. (Oct-26, AFP)

 

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in cooperation with the Indian Red Cross (IRC), providing shelter, food and clothes assistance to cover the needs of 15,000 households (15,000 tents, 15,000 kitchen sets and 60,000 blankets). The ICRC has contributed 49,000 blankets, 7,316 kitchen sets, 600 tents and 400 tarpulins to the Indian Red Cross. (Oct-22, ICRC)

 

The Jammu Red Cross Society has provided 2,000 blankets, 90 tents, and other items to Poonch district. (Oct-14, Kashmir Times) Indian Red Cross Society has distributed over 10,800 blankets, over 1,800 kitchen sets, 330 tents and 1,300 food packs, as well as plastic sheeting and clothing. Over 11,600 blankets, 1,900 kitchen sets and 170 tents are on the way to the area around Uri. (Oct-22, ICRC)

 

World Vision India said it will be providing tents to 3,000 affected families in the state. (Oct-21, Times of India)

 

ADEPT plans to providing shelter items for affected from base camp in Baramulla. (Oct-25, ADEPT)

 

ActionAid India is providing assistance to 3000 families in the form of waterproof tents, community tents, blankets and family kits containing 15 days of food, shoes and education materials for children, medicines and essentials for women. (Oct-11, Alertnet)

 

Save the Children ordering 6,000 tents. Survey team hired to rebuild earthquake-proof shelters Ð will be surveying villages to determine shelter options w/ other agencies. (Oct-24, SC)

 

Caritas providing 3,000 families with emergency tented shelter in Uri. It is hoped that 2,000 families will build transitional homes with adequate sanitation facilities through material and cash-for-work incentives by March 2006. (Oct-25, Caritas)

 

Sustainable Environmental and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) was first external team to reach Poonch and coordinate with district authorities on October 9. Second team sent on October 22 to Poonch, which is also distributing shelter items. (Oct-27, SEEDS)

 

GOI has begun with construction of community centers in Uri, which will hold 600 to 700 people and are expected to be completed in two weeks. Centers will also have wat/san facilities. (Oct-28, Kashmri Times)

 

ATHROT, an umbrella organization of local NGOs, is currently providing shelter items to families in Julla village in Uri, and carrying out assessments. (Oct-31, Kashmir Times)

 

Tearfund partner, Discipleship Center (DC) this week began distributing temporary shelters, hygiene kits and clothing to 200 families in Baramulla. (Oct-19, Tearfund)

Infrastructure

According to the government, 42,750 homes have been destroyed and another 73,450 damaged. (Oct-23, ADEPT)

 

Government focusing on repairing water pipelines, opening schools and persuading skilled and unskilled labor to stay and help restart livelihoods in affected areas. (Oct-25, Kashmir Times)

 

Minister for Housing and Urban Development Ghulam Hassan Mir says rehabilitation in Uri and Tangdhar, where some areas experienced 100 percent damage, will take a year. Rehabilitation in Poonch estimated to take two months. (Oct-26, Kashmir Times)

 

GOI has set up four telecom facilitation centers in Srinagar, Jammu, Uri and Tangdhar to facilitate conversations between family members across the Line of Control (LoC) in badly-affected Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK). (Oct-18, Hindustan Times) Wireless communication network functional in Uri and Tangdhar. (Oct-15, UNDP)

 

Power Development Department (PDD) has suffered losses of 290 million rupees in IcK. At least 1,000 transformers have been damaged. (Oct-14, PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department has begun repairing damaged infrastructure. (Oct-23, ADEPT)

 

Traffic on National Highway 1A between Srinagar-Tangdhar and Srinagar-Rui disrupted due to landslides. (Oct-15, UNDP)

 

Security

A female suicide bomber blew herself up in Pulwama district on Thursday, October 13, in the first incident of its kind in IcK. (Oct-13, PTI) Three militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen group were shot dead in Doda today. Two civilians were kidnapped by suspected militants in Anantnag district, and one of them was strangled to death. (Nov-1, PTI) Yesterday, 5 militants were killed in a clash in Kupwara district. (Oct-31, Kashmir Times) Two civilian were injured when troops fired on a demonstration in Budgam district. (Nov-1, Khaleej Times)

 

Country on alert following bomb attacks in New Delhi that killed about 60 people over the weekend. Kashmir separatist group, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) believed involved. (Oct-30, Kashmir Times.

 

Indian intelligence sources warned that the JamaÕat ul Dawa (JuD) group, linked to the Kashmiri separatist Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), have set up relief camps in PcK, close to the LoC, where Pakistani military has been unable to reach. (Oct-25, Hindustan Times)

 

Four Rotary International tents were burnt down in Baramullah by a mob coming out of mosques following rumors that the organization was involved in conversion and Òanti-IslamicÓ acts. (Oct-24, SC)

 

Aid agencies contending with frequent security checks and roadblocks in the region. (Oct-24, SC)