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South Asia Earthquake Update

 

November 9, 2005

 

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

 

 

Table of Contents:

 

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

India .....................................page 14

 

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 now stands at a little over 73,000 in Pck and in NWFP while unconfirmed death toll has climbed to over 86,000. (Nov-8, AP, Dawn) 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. The earthquake affected nine districts in total: Abbottabad, Batagram, Mansehra, Shangla, and Kohistan in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Muzaffarabad, Neelum, Poonch and Bagh in PcK. Worst affected districts are Muzaffarabad (epicentre), Mansehra and parts of Bagh. Abbottabad is the least affected district by the earthquake. Over 80 percent of the structures have been destroyed in the affected areas, while continuing aftershocks are threatening the structures that are still standing. A severe aftershock measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale shook Islamabad, NWFP and PcK early on Sunday (November 6) injuring seven people in Lundi village in Batagram district in NWFP after their home collapsed. (Nov-7, TN) The Government of Pakistan (GOP) estimates the cost to rebuild the quake-affected areas to cost US$5 billion. However, a joint assessment carried out by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank estimates reconstruction to cost between US$3-4 billion. (Nov-8, Dawn)

 

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. Pakistan's weather office is forecasting as much as 3 meters (10 feet) of snowfall this winter near the epicenter of the quake north of Muzaffarabad. (Nov-8, IHT) GOP says 123 tent villages have been set up in lower lying areas of Kashmir and NWFP. (Nov-7, AP). Four more government relief camps planned on outskirts of Islamabad. (Nov-3, Frontier Post) Eighteen government/international camps housing about 3,000 families in and around Mansehra, Muzaffarabad and Bagh. (Nov-2, UNHCR)

 

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) Pakistan Army Survey Group developed database up to union council level of aid organizations and volunteers in NWFP. Database has been turned over to Revenue Department. (Nov-2, GOP).

 

Confirmed contributions to the UN Flash Appeal stand at US$ 84 million out of the USD 550 million requested (15% funded). An additional US$ 48 million has been pledged. The lack of funding is affecting helicopter operations, and WFP now has to borrow money to keep relief operations running. (Nov-5, OCHA)

 

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 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 – 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 mean helicopters are 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). UNHCR will extend and expand joint emergency airlift with NATO. First phase of airlift, operating out of the Turkish airbase, Incirlik, is due to end this weekend. Second phase from Incirlik, as well as Denmark and Jordan, to begin almost immediately. UNHCRÕs five emergency teams in Muzaffarabad, Balakot, Bagh, Mansehra and Batagram, working with domestic and international NGOs to distribute relief items. (Nov-3, Reuters) WFP warned it will scale back relief helicopter flights Òwithin the next three or four daysÓ due to funding shortages, and will be unable to position winter food stocks over next four weeks. WFP handles most air support for about 30 UN and independent aid agencies. Agency has received about a tenth of US$100 million emergency appeal. (Nov-3, Reuters) Some 150,000 people remain in areas largely cut off by landslides. Helicopter relief is the only means of delivery of relief supplies. (Nov-6, Reuters)

 

UNHCR, which is providing essential camp management, may have to leave if it does not receive the US$30 million it needs to operate for the month of November. ÒWe can see more and more people coming down from the hills for help, but there is little we can offer them,Ó said UNHCR communications manager Vivan Tan. She said that although relief agencies were looking to non-tent solutions to fill an acute tent shortage, Ò[We] can only work on a model once we know how much money we have got.Ó(Nov-4, Reuters)

 

Pakistani army is struggling to clear roads that are being repeatedly blocked by fresh landslides in places such as Neelum Valley. Moving heavy equipment to clear roads is also major logistical challenge. Officials say seasonal roads are often closed every winter, and after snow begins to fall, will not be usable until April or even May. (Nov-3, AFP) The weather for the weekend is forecast to be generally dry, but isolated thundershowers are expected on Sunday (November 6). (Nov-6, Met Office)

 

The Pakistan Federal Relief Commission (FRC) plans to set up more emergency tent villages in valleys below 1,500 meters (4,921 feet). GOP and UN estimates 100,000 - 150,000 people in high-altitude zones will need to move before winter in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) alone. (Nov-3, IRIN) IOM plans to conduct emergency shelter program for 70,000 beneficiaries above the snow line. IOM has also been requested by GOP to facilitate movement of evacuees from Ôat-riskÕ areas (such as Allai in Battagram). (Nov-3, UN) Many villagers reluctant to leave home due to cultural concerns, particularly, security for female family members. (Nov-3, IRIN)

 

An increasing number of people from Allai Valley are arriving at various locations along the Karakorum Highway and around Batagram city, and more are expected to descend to the lower grounds in the coming weeks. Some 80,000 people in Allai Valley and an additional 60,000 in Kaghan Valley may need to move to lower grounds to escape death and disease due to exposure to harsh winter. UN estimates some 10-20 percent of the 200,000 people living above the snowline (higher altitudes) have not received help. (Nov-7, UNDPI). UN OCHA is urging careful monitoring of population movements, especially near Muzaffarabad, to get a good sense about how many people are remaining in their villages vs those migrating to other locations (Nov-5, 6, OCHA, Reuters).

 

UN has released Priority Humanitarian Action Plan for November. The plan includes support to 200,000 persons living in areas above the snowline, as well as the 150,000 people that the UN estimates will settle in spontaneous and planned camps. UN focus includes: Emergency shelter, medical evacuations, pre-positioning of food for 700,000 people, and mobile health services. (Nov-9, DFID)

 

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) US military says that it intends to conduct airlifts through the winter, and will not be affected by UN funding shortfall. (Nov-2, Reuters) Over 75,000 Pakistani Army troops are deployed in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK) and North West Frontier Province (NWFP). (Nov-4, The News)

 

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)

 

Shelter items most urgent relief priority under GOP National Action Plan combining Shelter and Camp Management. Due to constraints, NGOs have begun to use alternative, indigenous materials for constructing cheap but sturdy stand-alone shelters, and tentatively distributing second type of shelter repair kit. (Nov-3, Reuters) So far, an estimated 500,000 tents are needed, but only 335,393 tents have been distributed, according to the government. (Nov-9, DFID) ÒOperation Winter RaceÓ teams, during the first-week pilot phase of their operation, have placed mixed-gender teams in mountain villages and have assisted in erecting 160 shelters to date. The goal is to increase their number to 20 five-persons teams, able to assist 20-30 families per day/per team with shelter kits and non-food items. (Nov-5, OCHA)

 

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) USAID reports that since most roads are blocked or partially blocked, food distributions are occurring at roadblocks as far into valleys as possible – from these distribution points, mule packs carry food further. Although many roads have been blocked, accessible back trails allow villagers to travel from higher to lower elevations to access markets. People have significant stocks of food because of recent harvest. (Nov-3, USAID)

 

The UN said there were no reports of major epidemics, but said the health infrastructure in affected areas had virtually collapsed. Hundreds of cases of pneumonia are being treated in quake-affected areas in Pakistan. 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. 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 Disease Early Warning and Surveillance Network (DEWS) to identify and respond to any disease outbreaks in quake-affected areas. (Oct-23, DPA). UN reports sharp increase in acute respiratory infection that can lead to pneumonia. 9,000 Acute Respiratory Tract Infections (ARI), 6,000 cases of diarrhea, 1,130 cases of dysentery, 444 cases of scabies, and 139 cases of tetanus, with 41 deaths reported. (Nov-8, Reuters) Seven diarrhea deaths also reported in NWFP. (Nov-3, Reuters, GOP, WHO). Health experts are calling for improved water and sanitation facilities, and hygienic conditions around camps especially around spontaneous camps. GOP and international health experts plan to improve sanitation, water supply, and healthcare conditions in the self-settled/spontaneous camps by the end of November. (Nov-9, UNCTP). Hundreds of thousands without shelter in remote mountainous areas with sub-zero temperatures are facing death or disease unless they are moved to lower grounds with food and shelter. (Nov-6, Reuters). Health Ministry requires Rs100 million to continue medical relief activities for 28 field hospitals. (Nov-3, Dawn). GOP is urging international donors who have deployed field hospitals to maintain their presence until March 31. (Nov-7, GOP)

 

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 set up 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) The first of five planned crossings on the disputed Line of Control (LoC) opened at Rawalakot-Poonch on Monday (November 7). Chakothi-Uri crossing point linking Muzaffarabad (PcK) with Srinagar (IcK) opened today. (Nov-9, BBC, Reliefweb). However, so far these crossings are opened to relief materials carried by authorities, and peopleÕs movements have yet to begin. (Nov-9, BBC, Reuters).

 

 

 

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$ 550 million in pledges, the ICRC appeal calling for US$117 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. 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. http://earthquake05.un.org.pk/ 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.

 

Sector Status

Affected Population

Death toll is at 73,276; injured is at 69,260 (Nov-5, 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.

 

UNICEF estimates some 1.6 million to 2.2 million children were affected by the earthquake and 17,000 children killed while attending school. (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)

 

OCHA says some 250,000 above snow line face life-threatening situation. (Nov-4, OCHA)

Coordination

According to DFID, the UN released its Priority Action Plan for November, which includes support for 200,000 persons living in areas above the snow line as well as some 150,0000 people the UN estimates will settle in camps. The focus includes emergency shelter, medical evacuations, pre-positioning of food fro 700,000 and mobile health services. (Nov-9, DFID)

 

UNDP says shelter will be a top priority at a November 19 meeting in Islamabad. The meeting will also focus on longer-term rebuilding. (Nov-9, Reuters)

 

The Kaman Post at the Chakothi-Uri crossing, the main crossing on the Line of Control (LoC) was opened today, as part of an agreement to open five points along the LoC to facilitate relief to victims. Yesterday (Nov-7) the Rawalakot-Poonch crossing was opened. (Nov-8, OCHA)

 

The UN has created 4 humanitarian hubs in Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Mansehra, and Batagram. Balakot being considered. OCHA says UN and IOM now have some 300 staff deployed, more than 80% are in the field outside Islamabad. International staff being stepped up in hubs. (Nov-8, OCHA)

 

Ten sectoral coordination clusters were established to bring together the government, UN agencies, NGOs, IOs, militaries, and donors. (Oct-22, UNOCHA) These clusters cover areas such as food & nutrition, water & sanitation, health, emergency shelter, early recovery and reconstruction, IT/communication, logistics, camp management, protection and education. (Nov-1, OCHA) Detailed cluster information (meeting minutes, contact information) is posted at: www.un.org.pk. (Nov-8, OCHA)

 

GOP presented its National Action Plan on November 1 which will provide a framework for the development of the international aid response. (Nov-1, OCHA)

 

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.

 

A Humanitarian Information Centre (HIC) has been set up within the UNDAC/UN coordination centre. (Oct-14, UNOCHA)

The NATO Deployed Joint Task Force (DJTF) is coordinating NATO relief activities with Pakistani officials. (Oct-27, Dawn)

 

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

Logistics

UN says that by December 1, some communities will be cut off by snow altogether. (Nov-9, DFID)

 

GOP to facilitate the movement of evacuees from Ôat riskÕ areas such as Allai Valley, which includes the registration and transportation of up to 120,000 people. (Nov-9, DFID)

 

102 helicopters operational, another 16 in the pipeline. (Nov. 9, DFID)

 

As many as 40,000 people in higher elevations have not yet received help. (Nov-8, IHT) UNOCHA says population movement from higher elevations to lower areas continues and efforts are being made to find accurate figures. (Nov-8, OCHA)

 

PakistanÕs weather bureau is forecasting snowfalls this winter of as much as 3 meters (10 feet) north of Muzzaffarabad. (Nov-8, IHT)

 

OCHA says valley roads are open except for Neelum Valley, which needs another 3-4 weeks. OCHA requesting aid agencies move their commodities to the principle Forward Operating Bases of Bagh, Muzaffarabad, and Abbatobad as directed by UNJLC/UNHAS, where distribution by helicopter will take place. (Nov-8, OCHA)

 

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

 

A joint NATO-UNHCR air bridge from Incirlik airbase in Turkey will ferry aid from UNHCRÕs regional warehouse in Iskenderun. (Oct-19, UNHCR)

International Financial Assistance

Confirmed contributions to the UN Flash Appeal is at US$84 million out of US$550 million requested (15% funded). An additional US$48 million has been pledged. UNOCHA says lack of funding is affecting helicopter operations. (Nov-5, UNOCHA)

 

US$1.7 billion has been pledged or committed by international donors, while US$257 million was pledged domestically. (Oct-28, The News)

Food

OCHA says food has been delivered to about 775,000 people. (Nov-8, OCHA) WFP reports 6,055 MT of food have been distributed as of November 1. (Nov-3, USAID) WFP says that 2.3 million people in need of food aid for at least 2 months in urban areas and at least 4 months in rural areas. (Nov-2, 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)

 

WFP has established 4 base camps to provide office and sleeping accommodations to UN and I/NGOs in the field – open to reservations on first come, first served basis. (Nov-4, WFP)

Water and Sanitation

Camp Management Cluster headed by UNHCR, is providing technical support to 18 planned GOP camps where some 10,000 are living. Priority is to provide sanitation, water supply and health care by end of November. (Nov-9, UNCT)

 

Oxfam has restored a supply of clean water to some 100,000 people and plans to provide water to an additional 500,000. At hospitals in Hazara and Hazaram, Oxfam providing wat/san services. In Balakot, Oxfam working in five camps to fix latrines and pipelines. (Nov-5, Oxfam)

 

In Muzaffarabad, water supply has been some 90% restored. In Mansehra and Rawalakot, the water supply systems have been repaired. In Bagh, water supply system has been restored to the main tank which serves 50,000 people. In Balakot and Batagram, IFRC has provided mobile treatment plants, serving 40,000. (Nov-8, OCHA)

 

Oxfam says it has started installing sanitation facilities in emergency settlements in and around the city of Bagh. About 70 percent of the cityÕs water supply was reportedly destroyed form the quake. Medecins sans Frontieres (Belgium), Islamic Relief and Muslim Hands will take care of the rest of the camps. (Nov-7, IRIN)

 

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

Public Health/Medical

WHO says that hundreds of people in PcK have acute diarrhea and doctors are investigating if they are cases of cholera. Aid workers are trying to improve water supplies and sanitation where the survivors fell sick.

 

Reports of acute respiratory tract infections, tetanus, jaundice, measles, meningitis continue. (Nov-19, DFID)

 

60-bed NATO hospital became operational Wednesday (Nov-9) in Bagh district in PcK. (Nov-9, AFP)

 

UN Population Fund (UNFPA) says that more than 17,000 women due to give birth in the next two months. UNFPA says that it is providing delivery kits, and other medical supplies. (Nov-9, DPA)

 

WHO says number of air evacuations has decreased to 19 compared with 80 in late October. (Nov-7, WHO)

 

Need for female medical staff stressed by UNOCHA. (Nov-8, UNOCHA)

 

In Muzaffarabad, several suspected cases of diphtheria have been reported. In Sri Satchal, suspected cases under investigation. (Nov-8, OCHA)

 

Diarrhea on increase in Battagram, with 4 child deaths reported in Tandol village. (Nov-7, DFID) Hundreds of cases of pneumonia reported by aid workers.

 

UNOCHA planning figures cite some 3.2 million to 3.5 million need medical care. (Nov-1, OCHA) More than 79,000 injured.

 

21 international field hospitals operational, with bed capacity for 1,252 patients. 13 mobile medical teams (Nov-7, DFID) 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) 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)

 

NWFP government has unveiled its plan for the reconstruction of damaged hospitals, and other health care centers. Officials say the plan will be discussed on Wednesday (November 9). (Nov-7, Khaleej Times)

 

UN says sharp increase in number of ARIÕs. 7 deaths from water-borne diseases reported in NWFP. (Nov-3, Reuters) 8,764 Acute Respiratory Tract Infections (ARI) and 444 cases of scabies reported, 1,113 tetanus cases reported. (Nov-2, DFID) 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)

 

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

 

A telephone-based outbreak alert and notification system is fully operational in Muzaffarabad. (Nov-7, WHO) 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)

 

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

Shelter

Some 500,000 still reportedly without shelter. (Nov-8, IRIN)

 

About 335,393 tents have been delivered, with 322,000 more expected. (Nov-8, IHT)

 

UNOCHA reports some 10,000 currently living in organized camps. 18 camps established—7 around Mansehra, Balakot and Batagram, 8 around Muzaffarabad and 3 around Bagh. Total capacity for 225,000. (Nov-8, UNOCHA)

 

GOP will start handing out compensation payments of Rps 25,000 (US$418) for loss of houses. (Nov-5, UNOCHA)

 

Some 2.5 million have lost their homes. 2.2 million people are in rural areas, 100,000 in semi-urban areas and 200,000 in urban areas. (Nov-7, DFID)

 

ICRC is now planning to assist at least 200,000 people, instead of 150,000 – half by air in Neelum Valley in remote villages, and other half by road in Jhelum Valley and Muzaffarabad. Will give tarpaulins and blankets first, then distribute two-month, instead of three-month food rations for winter. (Nov-4, ICRC)

 

Shelter is number one priority under the GOP National Action Plan. (Nov-3, IOM)

 

Federal Relief Commissioner Khan said that GOP had established 58 tent villages which sheltered some 36,000 people. (Nov-2, BBC)

Infrastructure

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. At least 10,000 schools were destroyed or damaged. (Nov-8, Reuters) Of these, 7,197 were destroyed. Of these, 3,680 schools in PcK and 3,517 in NWFP were destroyed. (Nov-8, IHT, The Dawn)

 

Total reconstruction estimated by GOP planning commission was at US$10-12 billion, while World Bank and ADB estimates ranged from US$3-4 billion dollars. (Nov-8, Dawn) In October,

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

 

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 GOP 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)

 

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)

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)

 

UNICEF, together with the Ministry of Social Welfare, have begun registering children living in emergency settlements. UNOCHA reports at least 4,000 children have been registered thus far. (Nov-1, UNOCHA) The first ÒChild Friendly SpaceÓ was expected to be launched 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) Another 14 are planned (with total of 17) to be running for at least 12 months. (Nov-4, World Vision) Save the Children has established 3 safe play spaces for Mera, Jasul and Batagram villages of Batagram. (Oct-31, STC)

 

Two people were injured in a clash on Tuesday in Muzaffarabad between members of the Mutahida Qami Movement (MQM) political party and the religious Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) group over slogans written on wall. MQM, which represents Urdu-speaking migrants in southern Karachi city, had set up a relief camp in Muzaffarabad. JeI is PakistanÕs largest political party and the two groups have often clashed in Karachi. (Nov-9, AP)

 

 

 

India

 

 

Overview

 

The latest official death toll is 1,309 in Indian-controlled Kashmir (IcK). Officially, 6,622 people reportedly injured and 150,000 displaced (Oct-17, AFP). Worst-hit areas are around Tangdhar and Uri towns in Kupwara and Baramulla districts respectively, along the disputed Line of Control (LoC). Third worst-hit area is Poonch district. 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. An NGO coordination meeting in New Delhi on October 21 determined an estimated 60,000 families are homeless, although no numbers can be confirmed. (Oct-31, SEEDS)

 

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) 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 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. Local state agencies, social, religious and political organizations, and NGOs also assisting. The IcK government, under the leadership of new Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, today reviewed relief and rehabilitation operations, as well as the annual winter delivery of food to remote areas, such as Leh, Kargil and Gurez, that are usually snowbound during the winter. (Nov-8, Kashmir Times)

 

As in northern Pakistan, aid workers struggle with the mountainous terrain, landslides and increasingly cold weather. (Oct-17, AFP) Snow is already reportedly falling in Tangdhar. (Nov-3, SEEDS) International and domestic aid agencies also have to contend with frequent security checks and roadblocks. (Oct-24, SC)

 

International and domestic media continue to report that some remote villages have received little or no aid, which the Indian government repeatedly denies. Residents in Tangdhar and Uri say relief not being fairly distributed. (Oct-31, Kashmir Times) Some villages do not have NGO presence and are completely dependent on the government for relief. (Oct-30, AFP) Villagers in Salamabad, Uri, say that international and local NGOs have been providing the bulk of relief, and government relief has been insufficient. Residents have been constructing tin sheds, which they plan to stay in until March next year. However, they say tin structures are hot during the day and cold during the night. Villagers also say that large community centers cannot be built by the government because of the terrain, although smaller centers may be more feasible. However, no work has been begun yet. Other remote areas report lack of relief distribution based on political lines. (Nov-9, Kashmir Times) A district official and five Revenue Department officials have been suspended in connection with relief fraud in Uri, under the instructions of new IcK Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. The government has set up a grievances department, where people can lodge complaints on relief distribution. (Nov-8, Daily Excelsior)

 

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) First priority for aid workers is providing shelter worst-hit areas around Tangdhar and upper areas of Kupwara and Baramulla that are going to be snowbound by end of November. Second are families that will remain accessible, despite heavy snow; third are those whose homes are partially damaged. (Oct-31, SEEDS) Due to tent shortages, aid agencies, such as Oxfam, have started using alternative, locally acquired materials to create winterized shelters in IcK. (Nov-3, Reuters)

 

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. (Oct-26, MHA) Up to 1 million people and their livestock (a valuable commodity) need winter housing. Many living in makeshift tent cities. (Oct-23, ADEPT) ADEPT says efforts must focus on huge logistical problem of distributing tents and setting them up, as it is too late to procure more tents before winter - 80% of villages still lack proper shelter. (Nov-2, ADEPT) GOI plans to build prefabricated, winterized community centers where people can shelter at night and work outside during the day to rebuild their homes. Survivors have appealed for kangris and bokharis, traditional heaters used in the region that use very little fuel.

 

Pakistan and India on October 29 made an unprecedented agreement to open the disputed Line of Control (LoC) to aid victims of the October 8 earthquake. The crossing points would be located at Nauser-Teethwal, Chakothi-Uri, Hajipur-Uri, Rawalakot-Poonch and Tattapni-Mendhar. (Oct-31, Reuters) The first of five planned crossings on the disputed Line of Control (LoC) occurred on Monday, November 7 at Rawalakot-Poonch. India and Pakistan today re-opened the main crossing on the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region today, the second of the crossings. The Kaman Post at the Chakothi-Uri crossing was previously re-opened in April this year, after a landmark bus service was restarted between Indian- and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (IcK and PcK). The crossing links PcKÕs capital of Muzaffarabad and IcKÕs main city of Srinagar. However, the bus service was closed after the earthquake due to landslides and damage on the Friendship Bridge. After civilian and military officials from both sides met today, they exchanged almost identical relief items. Although dozens of civilians had gathered at the makeshift bus station at Kaman Post in IcK in hopes of being able to cross and meet relatives from the other side, they were not allowed. (Nov-9, BBC, Reuters) UNÕs World Food Program (WFP) today (Tuesday, November 8) urged the opening of more roads across the LoC in order to facilitate relief operations for thousands of victims in quake-hit Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK). There are some areas in PcK that are cut off from relief hubs and are more easily accessible from IcK, such as Neelum Valley. (Nov-8, Reuters) Although governments blame a range of logistical problems for delays, observers say political concerns are more to blame. (Nov-7, BBC, Reuters)

 

Heavy rain with isolated thunder forecasted for Thursday (November 10), with snowfall in areas above 9,000 ft (2,743 m) and light wind. Maximum temperature 17C (62F); minimum temperature 9C (48F). (Met Office, Nov 7)

International Response

 

India has not asked for international assistance.

 

USAID has provided more than US$600,000 to relief organizations for emergency relief supplies and shelter. (Nov-8, USAID)

 

Sector Status

 

Sector Status

Affected Population

150,000 people displaced (Oct-13, AFP), about 90 percent of them remain homeless (Oct-17, AFP)

 

Caritas India and local partners plan 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).

 

India-based Academy for Disaster Management Education Planning and Training (ADEPT) says 70% of villages reportedly have no road access and can only be reached by steep mountain trails. Villages are far and wide, some with a population of only 100. (Nov-2, ADEPT)

 

Coordination

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)

 

State and federal government on 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-17, 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 – Srinagar; GM Rather - Tangdhar; Jeet Lal Gupta – 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)

 

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)

 

Save the Children 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. CRS and Caritas India have set up a field office in Baramulla. CRS has distributed relief to more than 10,000 people across 11 mountainous villages. (Nov-3, CRS)

 

Indian Red Cross continues to provide relief in affected areas. (Nov-7, ICRC)

 

Cultural Renewal of Kashmir Student Youth (CROKSY) distributed relief materials to residents of villages in Baramulla district, including 300 tents. (Nov-9, Kashmir Times)

 

Logistics

Road linking Muzzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK), and Srinagar was re-opened today to light vehicles between Uri and Kaman Post area on the Indian side, a month ahead of schedule. (Nov-3, PTI)

 

Food

WHO assessment team has recommended food supplies for affected whose food supplies have been wiped out, for six months following assessment. (Nov-3, WHO)

 

UNICEF provided 17 tons of biscuits for children – about 3 tons distributed through Army. (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

ADEPT reports that many villages need proper training in personal and public hygiene and sanitation, which is leading to increased health problems. (Nov-2, ADEPT)

 

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

Public Health/Medical

Following assessment, WHO team recommends the strengthening of disease surveillance, completion of injury survey, intensified measles vaccination and vitamin A administration, psycho-social counseling and disaster preparedness planning. Provided technical and material support to Director Emergency Medical Response, MOH&FW. (Nov-3, WHO)

 

ADEPT reports large portion of survivors suffering from respiratory infection due to exposure - expected to worsen through winter. Although Indian army provided first aid and transported seriously injured, logistical problems prevented follow up – making infections from injuries common. (Nov-2, ADEPT) ADEPT plans to identify villagers who can be trained as Emergency Community Health Attendants. (Nov-02, ADEPT)

 

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)

 

Although no threats of disease, epidemic control units established at Uri and Tanghdar by the health services department. (Oct-24, PTI)

 

Army personnel have evacuated injured from Baramullah and Tangdhar to Army hospital, Srinagar, SMHS hospital Srinagar, Bone and Joint Hospital Srinagar and the Sher-e-Kashmir Insitute of Medical Sciences. Makeshift hospitals were set up in Uri and Tangdhar. (Nov-03, WHO)

 

The Directorate General of Health Services MOH&FW is coordinating medical relief and has deployed a 30-member medical response team. (Nov-03, WHO)

 

Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) working in Baramullah, Uri and Srinagar and Tangdar. (Oct-20, Reuters)

 

Caritas India and local partners hope to provide 4,000 families with regular basic health services by March 2006. (Oct-25, Caritas) CRS and partners managing three mobile medical teams and have treated more than 3,500 patients. (Nov-1, CRS)

 

Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA) providing medical services in Uri, Baramulla. EHA medical team reached Khalsa Ghati village (at 9,000 feet) – first team to operate at such a high altitude. Earlier, team had visited Khala village, which was previously not accessed by other medical teams. At Baramulla base camp, EHA provided workshop on trauma counseling. EFICOR members also attended. (Nov-7, EHA)

 

Health workers say there has been a lack of psychological treatment for quake victims, particularly from worst-hit Uri and Tangdhar areas. Even before the earthquake, medical care in remote areas was scarce. Other officials say quake has caused relapse in patients recovering from insurgency-related psychological stress. (Nov-7, Kashmir Times)

 

Shelter

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)

 

IcK Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said houses with minor or partial damage would be given Indian Rs30,000 (US$670) each. Additional monetary assistance of Indian Rs31,000 (US$ 690) per family given for construction of temporary tin and timber shelters before onset of winter. Jammu and Kashmir Bank will also provide soft loans for home reconstruction. (Oct-27, PTI)

 

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) CGI sheets and timber intended for construction of temporary shelters measuring 150 square feet (14 sq meters). (Oct-27, PTI)

 

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. (Oct-17, ADEPT) 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. (Oct-28, Kashmri Times) The government plans to construct 31 community halls in Uri. (Oct-26, AFP) IcK government is considering relocation of about 900 homeless families, comprising 6,600 people, from seven villages in Tangdhar sector. (Nov-2, PTI)

 

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).

 

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

 

Save the Children ordering 6,000 tents. Survey team hired to rebuild earthquake-proof shelters – 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) sent second team on October 22 to Poonch,. NGO is working with government and other NGOs to establish field workshops to help families construct their own shelters using simple materials. (Nov-2, SEEDS) Although NGOs are using different approaches for shelter provision, SEEDS is currently using a 10-point guide, including determining location, guarding against companies attempting to sell construction materials and improvising shelter materials. (Oct-31, SEEDS)

 

ATHROT currently providing shelter items to families in Julla village in Uri, and carrying out assessments. (Oct-31, Kashmir Times)

 

Oxfam has supported over 5,000 people with blankets and plastic sheeting – plans to support 20,000 people in total. Investigating alternative shelter options for both low and high-altitude areas. (Nov-3, Oxfam)

 

Infrastructure

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

 

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) says there have been 65 aftershocks above 5.0 (which can cause landslides) that have been recorded since October 8. (Nov-8, Kashmir Times)

 

Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) team from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur, India, is conducting surveys in IcK. Their findings can be accessed at http://www.eeri.org (Nov-3, EERI)

 

Ministry for Housing and Urban Development 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)

 

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) A policeman was killed by suspected militants in Pulwama district. The Imam of a mosque and his mother and sister were reportedly beaten by security forces in Baramulla district. The incident caused residents to strike in protest. (Nov-9, Kashmir Times)

 

Indian Army has recovered arms caches in Uri and Tangdhar – reports there has been no let up in militant infiltrations in the area, despite the earthquake. (Nov-8, Daily Excelsior)

 

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)