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South Asia Earthquake Update

 

December 1, 2005

 

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

 

 

 

Table of Contents:

 

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

India .....................................page 15

 


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) Quake has left over 79,000 people injured and an estimated 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. .

 

UN has released Priority Humanitarian Action Plan for November. UN focus includes: Emergency shelter, medical evacuations, pre-positioning of food for 700,000 people, and mobile health services. (Nov-9, DFID) Humanitarian hubs operating in Muzaffarabad, Mansehra, Bagh and Battagram. Hub to be established in Banna (Allai Valley). (Nov-24, OCHA) Distribution of food, shelter materials, stoves and blankets seen as priority. Priority areas for distribution are Neelum Valley (40,000 vulnerable), Jhelum Valley, Allai Valley (110,000 vulnerable) and Kaghan Valley (40,000 vulnerable). (Nov-24, OCHA)

 

Confirmed contributions and pledges to six-month UN Emergency Appeal stand at US$215.1 (39%) out of the US$ 550 million requested. (Nov-24, DFID) UN says it is funded only until around mid-December. (Nov-25, IRIN) International donors pledged more than US$5.8 billion in assistance to quake-affected Pakistan during November 19 donor conference.

 

FRC have begun plans to hand over disaster response activities to two provincial authorities of NWFP and PcK. Target date is December 31, 2004. (Nov-28, UN)

 

Agencies have given high priority for delivery of aid to high-altitude areas before onset of winter. Proper camp management and provision of aid in lower areas also given priority. (Nov-16, OCHA) NATO Air Bridge that consists of two parts; one using military aircraft and the other using chartered aircraft. The military component/part ceased operations as of November 24. The civilian component is planned and funded through December 3. (Nov-29, OCHA). NATO will wrap up earthquake relief operations when 90-day mandate expires in late January, according to Pakistan Foreign Ministry. Agreement came after meeting between NATOÕs ambassador to Pakistan Carsten Fauboll and Pakistani Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan. NATO has sent around 1,000 medics, engineers and helicopter support crews. (Dec-1, TN, Reuters) NATO multinational engineering battalion will reach full operational capacity by December 13. (Nov-25, WFP) Italian engineers and heavy equipment due to arrive tomorrow (December 2, Friday). (Dec-2, Reuters) UNHAS says it has enough funding to continue operation of its air assets (13 Mi-8, 2 Mi-26) until early February. (Nov-29, OCHA)

 

Conflicting reports continue on population movements of people from high elevations into camps at lower levels. USAID reports Pakistani military as saying that about 1,000 people are descending daily in Kaghan Valley, and 500 are descending daily from Allai Valley. Relief Commissioner, Salim Bismil, said that 50,000 more people are expected to come down from the mountains during the winter. (Nov-25, AFP) Majority are single males settling with host community. However, other agencies report most IDPs that intended to move have already done so. Pakistan military estimates some 300,000 affected people may remain in inaccessible areas in the NWFP winter. Still other reports say that IDPs are traveling to pick up relief at hubs and returning home. (Nov-29, UNJLC, USAID) There are several reasons why many survivors choose not to move down: Reluctance to leave behind their harvest, reluctance to bring female family members into close proximity with strange males, and the belief that the military is attempting to make way for other infrastructure projects, such as dams. (Nov-25, IOM)

 

Camp Management Organization has been created by GOP for management of camps in collaboration with humanitarian partners. (Nov-28, OCHA) FRC reports that there are now approximately 338 formal tent villages, with a total of 7,618 tents to house about 77,500 people. The government in PcK plans to build five more organized tent villages to accommodate some 40,000 earthquake survivors in different areas across PcK. (Nov-30, GOP). Latest military figures indicate some 80,000 people now registered in government/military tent villages. Estimated 20,000 are in unregistered sites. (Nov-30, IFRC) Contingency planning for possible mass-migration under the aegis of OCHA will be finalized for ratification by Cluster Coordinators on the 7th of December (Nov-29, OCHA)

 

The UNHCR working with the government to assess the conditions of spontaneous camps. More than 230 camps have been identified in NWFP. Two additional planned sited identified. (Nov-30, IFRC) GOP registering private camps (set up by local, political, or commercial organizations) to ensure they will provide continued services of necessary quality. Two major challenges, according to IFRC: Lack of knowledge of militaryÕs plans and absorption capacity of local communities. (Nov-30, IFRC)

 

GOP today said that it has shifted its focus from providing tents to building winterized shelters. Army has already constructed 1,300 prefabricated one-room shelter houses that can accommodate a family of six to eight people, while another 1,700 are planned. (Nov-30, GOP) Pakistan military working with volunteers and aid workers to build shelter homes of about 200 square feet - priority given to families who have no male member and are living above 5,000 feet. GoP said it has already completed 18,269 shelters, with another 4,750 under construction to be completed over the next couple of days for a total of 23,019. All constructed at altitude of 5,000 to 8,000 feet. (Nov-29, Dawn)

 

FRC and UN-led Emergency Shelter Cluster will jointly convene ÒWinterization Working GroupÓ (consisting of FRC, Shelter, Camp Management and provincial authorities) to establish impending winterization program. (Nov-28, UN) So far, about 309,000 tents have been distributed, of the 500,000 required (62% coverage), with a further 165,000 in the pipeline. (UN-OCHA, November 24) However, relief agencies estimate about 75% to 90% of tents are not winterized. (Nov-25, Reuters) IOM coordinating efforts by 43 agencies, including UN, Pakistani and international agencies, to provide emergency shelter through ÒOperation Winter Race.Ó IOM says operation is on target to deliver 10,000 winterized shelters to those living between 5,000 to 7,000 feet by December 12. (Nov-29, IOM)

 

GOP, with the help of WHO, has set up an Disease Early Warning and Surveillance Network (DEWS). (Oct-23, DPA) At least eight people have died from cold-related illnesses due to the increasingly cold weather. Hospitals in the affected region have reported treating more than 700 people suffering from pneumonia, hypothermia and other illnesses. Yesterday, reports said that the number of people seeking treatment in hospitals tripled to more than 1,000 per day. Although the UN yesterday downplayed the reports, saying that it had not yet confirmed the cases, UNICEF official Silvia Pasti today said that workers were currently collecting information on the outbreaks. The News also reported that cold-related illnesses have begun to affect aid workers as well. (Dec-1, Dawn, Reuters) 423,000 out of targeted 800,000 children have been vaccinated for measles through joint efforts of UNICEF, GOP and WHO. It is expected that campaign will be completed by December 6. (Nov-28, OCHA) UNICEF says there have been 40 measles cases thus far. Some 600 teams are also vaccinating against polio, diphtheria, and tetanus. (Nov-22, UNICEF) UNHCR spearheading up to 32 teams to improve wat/san hygiene in spontaneous camps. (Nov-14, Reuters) UNICEF says wat/san is main priority right now - is installing water tanks and digging latrines in camps. (Nov-30, UNICEF)

 

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast subzero night-time temperatures for today (Thursday, December 1) and Friday (December 2). More rain and snow are forecast for the weekend, followed by a severe cold wave. Clouds expected to begin building up tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday. Maximum temperatures for the next two days at 16 degrees Celsius and minimum as low as -10 degrees Celsius. (Dec-1, PMD)

 

Logistics - Several roads are becoming less accessible. The road from Islamabad to Bagh has been reported today as 'difficult' and deteriorating. The road from Bagh to Kahutta via Lasdana across the mountains was blocked by a WFP truck and snow; the alternate route to Kahutta via Rawalakot was passable but slow (6 hours and likely 9 hours for trucks) (Nov-29, OCHA)

 

Sector Status

Affected Population

Death toll is at 73,320; injured is at 69,392 (Nov-16, OCHA)

 

4 million affected; estimated 3.3 million displaced or homeless scattered across 15,000 villages. (Nov-1, OCHA) Nearly half of the four million affected people are in PcK and another 1.3 million in NWFP.

 

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)

 

The Pakistani military estimates that around 300,000 people will remain in inaccessible areas in NWFP over the winter. The Federal Relief Commission says that 5,445 families are in government camps. It is estimated that 30,000 of the total population in Allai have descended into camps or with host communities. (Nov-25, OCHA)

Coordination

Fuel farm in Abbotabad is operational with 1 million liters. (Nov-25, WFP)

 

UNJLC says update on pipeline impossible due to lack of input from agencies/IOs/NGOs. (Nov-25, WFP)

 

Data collection is handled at central level by Cluster Information Manager in Islamabad (shelterinfo@iom.int). Reports are that FRC number are 10% off from shelter cluster data Ð discussions ongoing. (Nov-28, UN)

 

Field Cluster Coordinator in Mansehra is piloting a Òsub-clusterÓ approach. Five sub-groups have been created in Balakot, Kaghan Valley, Battagram, Allai and the Serin Valley to support existing Field Coordination Offices. (Nov-28, UN)

 

 

GOP has established a ÒPrime Minister Relief CellÓ in Islamabad for help in locating family members. Hotline Tel: (+9251) 9222666. ÒEarthquake Relief CellÓ has been established in the Prime MinisterÕs House. The 24-hour hotlines will receive complaints from the earthquake-affected. (+9251) 9213891 or (+9251) 92229999.

 

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 150,000 people the UN estimates will settle in camps. The focus includes emergency shelter, medical evacuations, pre-positioning of food for 700,000 and mobile health services. (Nov-9, DFID)

 

 

Ten sectoral coordination clusters were established to bring together the government, UN agencies, NGOs, IOs, militaries, and donors. (Oct-22, UNOCHA) These clusters cover areas such as food & nutrition, water & sanitation, health, emergency shelter, early recovery and reconstruction, IT/communication, logistics, camp management, protection and education. (Nov-1, OCHA) Detailed cluster information (meeting minutes, contact information) is posted at: www.un.org.pk. (Nov-8, OCHA) Clusters are concept of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), and is new to the UN system. It is being trialed in this disaster. However, Cluster Coordination is expected to be separate from the ÔnormativeÕ work of NGOs. (Nov-11, UN)

 

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, is chief.

 

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

HIC has finalized data standardization of locations across the affected region to better coordinate relief and development activities. (Nov-16, IRIN) 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

Australian Red Cross says a total of some 1,340 aftershocks have taken place, which are compounding the difficulties presented by the high altitudes, mountainous terrain and remoteness of some of the communities. (Dec-1, ARC)

 

Saudi Arabia has started an Òair bridgeÓ of some 10-12 planes to transport relief goods to Pakistan. (Nov-30, GOP)

 

As of November 29, GOP reports that 95 percent of roads in affected are have been cleared, and 75 percent of the water supply and 70 percent of the electricity supply has been restored. (Nov-29, USAID)

 

Although the Pakistani military has ordered closure of roads due to damage, landslides and rockfalls from rain, villagers are still risking roads and bridges to acquire relief. (Nov-29, Reuters)

 

GOP and GOI have set up five crossing points along the LoC at Nauser-Teethwal, Chakothi-Uri, Hajipur-Uri, Rawalakot-Poonch and Tattapni-Mendhar. All the crossing points are now open. However, presently only Nauser-Teethwal and Rawalakot-Poonch crossing points are open for limited civilian crossing. (Nov-21, TN)

 

With airlifting of relief goods drawing to a close, over the next few weeks NATO would shift its helicopters to provide shelter and food to vulnerable populations in the remote mountainous areas. (Nov-28, GOP)

 

Bad weather from Saturday (November 26) to early Monday (November 28) resulted in cancellation of over 30 helicopter flights to bring 100 tons of shelter and food to Neelum and Jhelum valleys. 10-truck convoy carrying 50 tons of food to Pattai Awanan, east of Muzaffarabad, also had to wait. Flights resumed early today. (Nov-28, ICRC)

 

Islamic Relief hired 20 earthmoving vehicles for two months to clear roads. (Nov-28, IR)

 

OCHA reports that people from high altitude villages continue to descend to lower areas, however, there are some indications that affected communities prefer to remain in villages if adequate food and shelter is provided. (Nov-25, OCHA)

 

OCHA reports that food has become the highest priority and will be granted cargo space of some 60%, while 35% will be granted to shelter and 10% to other items. (Nov-25, OCHA)

 

Eight battalions of the Pakistani army are working with the UN and IOM to open access to villages. (Nov-23, UN)

 

According to GOP, the Pakistan Army Survey Group has developed a Geographic Information System (GIS) containing data about the disaster for NWFP and PcK. (Nov-22, GOP)

 

A UNJLC planning team has developed the ÒWinter Sustainment PlanÓ in which special attention is given to those in more isolated regions. (Nov-20, OCHA)

 

The UN Logistics Support System (LSS) is now fully functional at the two WHO warehouses in Mansehra and Muzaffarabad as well as at the Ministry of Health pharmacy at Abbas Hospital in Muzaffarabad. (Nov-16, OCHA)

 

OCHA says an Interagency Transport and Logistic Operations Plan has been created as well as Joint Government/UN Logistics Cell. (Nov-1, OCHA)

International Financial Assistance

UAE has offered to rebuild city of Balakot in first formal offer to rebuild a city in response to GOPÕs reconstruction plan unveiled during November 19 donor conference. (Nov-29, Khaleej Times)

 

International donors pledged more than US$5.8 billion in assistance to quake-affected Pakistan at donorÕs conference on Saturday (November 19). Some US$3.9 billion would be in the form of soft loans, while the remaining US$1.9 billion is comprised of grants. (Nov-19, UNOCHA).

 

UN Flash Appeal is currently US$151 million committed and US$64 million pledged against a requested US$550 million. Total contributions and pledges is U$216 million (39% of requested amount) (Nov-25, OCHA)

 

International donors have asked Pakistan to formulate a strategy to prevent corruption of aid, to win international trust and speedy transfer of foreign donations for reconstruction. (Nov-16, DPA)

 

The World Bank (WB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on November 12 released a preliminary assessment report saying that Pakistan needs at least US$5.2 billion for effective relief, recovery and reconstruction in areas affected by the devastating October 8 earthquake.

Food

USAID/DART reports that crops continue to come out of Kaghan Valley into market, suggesting that a final harvest was successfully gathered. Cattle prices have fallen to a quarter of the regular price as individuals leaving the valley attempt to sell of livestock. (Nov-29, USAID)

 

World Vision and WFP will distribute food to estimated 51,000 people in Siran valley, until April 2006. (Nov-29, Reuters)

 

Each rural household had average of one animal, but over 30 percent of sheep and goats have been killed. (Nov-29, IRiN)

 

Food distribution taking place in 5 thematic areas: Emergency school feeding, Hospital feeding, Camp feeding, General food distribution (with support of Pakistan army and civil authorities), Host family and Feeding. (Nov-22, UN)

 

WFP is preparing a village-based database and will incorporate data from the Pakistan military and the ICRC. (Nov-25, WFP)

 

Some 2.3 million people will require food assistance at least through April 2006, according to assessments by WFP, UNICEF and Oxfam. (Nov-22, WFP)

 

WFP says starting next month it will increase food rations for wheat flour from 75 kilograms (165 pounds) to 100 kilograms (220 pounds) per family per month. WFP has set up 119 strategically placed distribution points throughout Muzaffarabad where survivors could get wheat flour, pulses, vegetable oil and salt (Nov-16, IRIN).

 

WFP says six out of nine districts affected by the earthquake were in the most food insecure parts of PakistanFAO says 200,000 livestock have died, and storage facilities for livestock feed are needed. (Nov-16, UNOCHA)

Water and Sanitation

IOM has total of 16 mobile teams on the ground to fix latrines and waste management issues, as well as provide hygiene training. (Dec-1, TN)

 

GOP has mandated Ministry of Health to review water/san situation in camps and organize improvements. (Nov-29, USAID)

 

Nearly 1,600 latrines in Muzaffarabad have been created, with another 1,600 planned. Lack of sanitation facilities for women and solid waste disposal in camps remain a concern. (Nov-28, OCHA)

 

IFRC water tanks providing potable water to 39,000 people in Balakot and Battagram areas Ð also distributing hygiene kits. (Nov-30, IFRC)

 

Due to lack of sanitation teams in field, hygiene teams have to double as construction supervisors, impeding progress of their own program. (Nov-IFRC)

 

Many natural springs have dried up and water channels used for irrigation have been broken, misaligned, blocked or destroyed in quake. (Nov-29, IRIN)

 

UNICEF and PcK government have jointly launched US$8.2 million project to rehabilitate rural water supply systems and improve sanitation in Muzaffarabad and Bagh. About 200 rural water supply systems will be created, providing drinking water to about 150,000 people. 50,000 latrines in schools, mosques, health centers and homes will also be constructed. (Nov-29, Reuters)

 

UNICEF has also provided 46,000 bars of soap, 11,000 buckets, 5,000 jerry cans, 1,000 latrines to about 20,000 people around Mansehra and Muzaffarabad. (Nov-29, Reuters)

 

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)

 

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. (Nov-8, OCHA)

 

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

Public Health/Medical

Red Cross and Red Crescent partners have provided healthcare to more than 48,500 patients in major towns and villages and continue to expand services to remote and isolated areas. (Nov-20, IFRC)

 

Save the Children and Americares providing field hospital to Bana, located in Allai valley in NWFP. Hospital will provide care to area that is home to some 50,000 people. (Nov-23, SC)

 

UNICEF says it has launched a measles immunization campaign, targeting 800,000 children in two weeks, before snow cuts off remote areas. UNICEF will be working with the WHO and Pakistani Ministry of Health. (Nov-22, UNICEF)

 

GOP has started appointing health education officers in tent settlements to help prevent outbreaks of diarrhea and other diseases in affected areas. The program is jointly organized by the WHO and Health Ministry. (Nov-22, The News)

 

Acute Respiratory Tract Infections continue to be the highest reported condition. (Nov-17, WHO) Sporadic cases of measles, meningitis, and acute jaundice syndrome reported. Several cases of Diptheria and one death from remote areas in Muzaffarabad. (Nov-14, DFID)

 

16 international field hospitals and 19 mobile medical teams are reported throughout the affected area. 9 mental health teams have been mobilized. (Nov-17, GOP, OCHA) GOP is urging international donors who have deployed field hospitals to maintain their presence until March 31. (Nov-7, GOP).

 

 

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

 

A joint WHO/Ministry of Health operations center has been established in Islamabad to coordinate health efforts. (Oct-12, 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

As winter sets in, those living in the open are increasingly vulnerable to major health concerns. (Dec-1, RC)

 

Caritas say it has distributed some 3,000 winterized tents and more than 4,000 plastic sheets. (Nov-30, CAFOD)

 

IFRC says it aims to meet immediate shelter, relief, health and wat/san needs of some 570,000 people over the next 6 months. (Dec-1, ARC)

 

GOAL supplying materials for 7,500 families to build temporary shelter to supplement tents in Bagh district. (Nov-30, GOAL)

 

UNHCR has so far airlifted over 80,000 blankets and tens of thousands of plastic sheets to Allai and Leepa valleys.

 

GOP negotiating with private land owners for establishment of camps, and encourage people to live close to areas of residence to decongest some camps. (Nov-28, OCHA)

 

Mercy Corps (MC) has employed more than 1,100 Pakistanis to build 6,000 shelter to accommodate up to 50,000 people. The cash-for-work program employs locals to clear and salvage debris to construct shelters. So far, MC has distributed more than 2,500 tents in Konsh and Siran valleys. (Nov-28, MC)

 

IOM has distributed over 1,300 shelter kits to more than 10,500 people. An additional 6,000 kits will be distributed to Neelum and Allai Valleys, and a further 1,000 will be distributed in Siran Valley. (Nov-29, IOM)

 

Church World Service (CWS) and other NGOs urge fire safety training in use of tents, as well as fire extinguishing equipment, especially as villagers attempt to keep warm and are unused to living in tents. At least two children have died and several other people injured in Maiddan town. (Nov-29, CWS)

 

Save the Children, only NGO working in Panjkot Valley, reports snow has covered some villages and landslides have cut off roads. Aims to reach 2,500 families by end of December. (Nov-28, SC)

 

Conditions in camps, especially the estimated 1,000 self-settled camps are a major cause of concern, according to OCHA. (Nov-20, OCHA). UNHCR assisting in 44 planned and spontaneous camps; Pakistan military running 71 camps Ð total camp population unknown. (Nov-17, OCHA)

 

UNHCR and government discussing which camps need to be closed or relocated. New sites for camps for approximately 8,000 people (out of 10,000 to be relocated) have been identified. More sites still needed. (Nov-17, OCHA)

 

GOP moving towards transitional shelter Ð providing 200,000 iron sheets to help in winterization. Temporary Shelter Construction teams will be mobilized to build shelters for vulnerable families. (Nov-17, OCHA)

 

OCHA reports anecdotal evidence that the Winter Race operation is leading to small numbers of people returning to villages to rebuild shelters. The operation has led to over 8,000 shelters built by the military and 6,000 by the humanitarian community. Civilians have also reportedly built more than 7,000 shelters. (Nov-25, OCHA)

 

NATO has provided shelter to 29,000 people and will provide additional shelter for remaining 6,000. (Nov-25, WFP) NATO and Pakistani staff will reportedly move to areas above 5,000 feet to build winterized shelters. (Nov-15, NATO) Pakistan military is planning to have 160 teams ready to move into hard to reach areas to go village-to-village to make Òwarm roomÓ shelters in areas above 5,000 feet high. (Nov-14, DFID)

 

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

Infrastructure

Pakistani Minister for Environment, Tahir Iqbal, estimates that removal of debris in affected areas will cost more than US$150 million. Debris can be used for reconstruction. UN has warned of health and livelihood hazards if authorities failed to provide appropriate waste and natural resource management during reconstruction. (Nov-29, DPA)

 

UN Geologist Jean Schnieder warns that 12 villages near Jared and Kawai in the Kaghan Valley must be evacuated because of landslides hazards. In addition, floods are certain to occur due to the overflow of dams from snowmelt and debris as unpredictable weather occurs. (Nov-29, Reuters)

 

The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank estimate that the quake damaged some 2,385 miles (3,837 kilometers) of roads; 2,366 km (1470 miles) in PcK and 1,471 km (914 miles) of roads in NWFP were damaged. 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)

 

Out of US$5.2 billion estimated for reconstruction needs, World Bank and ADB estimates about US$1.092 billion needed for relief, US$205 million for death/injury compensation, US$301 million for early recovery and US$97 million for the restoration of livelihoods. In addition, US$3.5 billion was estimated for the physical reconstruction. (Nov-15, Reuters, ADB)

 

In Neelum 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, 25, UNOCHA)

 

An Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) has been established to rebuild infrastructure. (Oct-17, Dawn)

Security

Inspector-General of NWFP has requested UN staff in Batagram district to move only with police escort. (Nov-25, WFP)

 

To date, 320 vulnerable people identified in 3 Muzaffarabad camps. Measures to establish monitoring system being undertaken. Most organizations have agreed on a code of conduct on gender-related issues. (Nov-28, OCHA)

 

IOM says GOP and aid agencies are working together to warn survivorÕs against falling prey to traffickers. (Nov-20, Reuters) Security has reportedly been beefed-up at makeshift camps and childrenÕs wards in the hospitals of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. (Nov-21, DPA)

 

 

 


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.

 

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. International and domestic aid agencies have to contend with frequent security checks and roadblocks. Local state agencies, social, religious and political organizations, and NGOs also assisting in relief and rehabilitaion. Indian President Abdul Kalam visited Tangdhar on Saturday (November 26) during two-day visit to quake-affected areas. (Nov-29, Times Foundation)

 

Border areas in Baramullah district recorded about two and half feet of snowfall, areas of Kupwara recorded six inches, resulting in shut down of roads. (Nov-30, ADEPT) The first major snowfall of the season on Monday (November 28) cut off Tangdhar area, which is normally isolated for two to four months during the winter. (Nov-28, AFP) ADEPT has issued an appeal for experienced mountain climbers to volunteer for the relief effort in the region, particularly in delivery of food and medical supplies to remote areas. ADEPTÕs international climbing team still waiting for permission from the government to move in. (Nov-30, ADEPT)

 

Residents in several villages Uri district continue to report cases of political corruption, and the lack of proper relief distribution. (Nov-25, Kashmir Times) The government set up a grievances department, where people can lodge complaints on relief distribution. (Nov-8, Daily Excelsior) The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has settled a record 3,000 relief distribution cases in Uri since October 16 due to free legal services given to quake surivors. IcK Chief Justice Bashir Khan criticized the state government for corruption in relief distribution. (Nov-29, Daily Excelsior) Over 50 million Indian Rs have been sanctioned in favor of 569 survivors in 10 court sessions. About 3,000 cases have been settled. About 1,250 other cases have been referred to the government for consideration while other were rejected due to lack of proper documentation. Victims needed compensation to start building shelters by November 30. (Nov-29, Kashmir Times)

 

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) ADEPT reports that large number of sheets and shelter items need to be distributed, which is being hampered by logistical difficulties. Catholic Relief Services has completed about 28% of distribution of tin sheets. (Nov-30, ADEPT)

 

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. (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. (Nov-2, ADEPT) Survivors have appealed for kangris and bokharis, traditional heaters used in the region that use very little fuel.

 

GOI says they have constructed nearly 2,000 pre-fabricated shelters and over 12,000 tin sheds. (Nov-30, Reuters) Many survivors have opted to stay within their communities because they lack written property titles. (Nov-30, ADEPT) Villagers in Uri report that there has been little or no government building of community shelters, despite availability of government land on public school grounds. (Dec-1, Kashmir Times)

 

Pakistan and India on October 29 made an unprecedented agreement to open the disputed Line of Control (LoC) to facilitate relief. All crossing points are now opened at Nauser-Teethwal, Chakothi-Uri, Hajipur-Uri, Rawalakot-Poonch and Tattapni-Mendhar. However, only Nauser-Teethwal and Rawalakot-Poonch crossing points are open for limited civilian crossing. (Nov-21, TN) Landmark trans-Kashmir bus service between Srinagar (IcK) and Muzaffarabad (PcK) resumed today, after being suspended by the earthquake. (Dec-1, Khaleej Times)

 

A militant was killed when he entered a civilianÕs home to take food in Doda district. The civilian was also killed. (Dec-1, Kashmir Times) The EU has added the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant group, the largest Kashmiri militant group, to its terrorist group blacklist. (Dec-1, Daily Excelsior)