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South Asia Earthquake Update

December 28, 2005

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

Table of Contents:

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

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

Overview

The confirmed death toll from the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that was centered near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK) on October 8 stands at over 73,000 in Pck and in NWFP, while the unconfirmed death toll has climbed to over 86,000. (Nov-8, AP, Dawn) The quake has left over 79,000 people injured and 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.

WFP Direct Response Teams (‘Quake Jumpers”) currently doing rapid assessments and call forwards for Non-Food Items (NFIs) and food. Resources from Direct Response, Winter Race and Shelter Cluster pooled for call forwards. IOM will also send teams to join WFP teams. Other organizations have shown interest in using the system. Information management system being established to guarantee follow up on generated data and targeting. (Dec-21, OCHA)

GOP has decided to set up a Federal Disaster Relief Management Agency (FEDREMA) for better coordination in disasters. (Dec-27, Dawn) Federal Relief Commissioner Maj. Gen. Farooq Ahmed Khan said that so far some Rs. 16 billion (US$267.6 million) have been disbursed as compensation to victims of the earthquake. (Dec-24, GOP) PcK Minister said that reconstruction and rehabilitation in PcK will begin on April 1, 2006. (Dec-28, Dawn)

Former US President George Bush appointed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan as special UN envoy for Pakistan earthquake relief on December 14. (Dec-15, DPA)

OCHA says the implementation of the winterization campaign is in progress. Aim is to provide each family in need in prioritized camps (more than 50 tents) with one tent, 2 pieces plastic sheeting, 4 mattresses, 1 stove and 3 blankets per person. (Dec-23, OCHA) Refugees International (RI) reports that government compensation for housing is at 175,000 Pakistani Rs (US$3,100), next of kin for deaths is 100,000 Pakistani Rs (US$1,760), compensation for injures is 15,000 to 50,000 Pakistani Rs. Some problems: Those who moved to camps did not receive compensation, some victims live in remote areas where checks cannot be cashed, landlords are collecting compensation instead of their tenants. (Dec-20, RI)

GOP has waived customs duty and other taxes on goods imported for relief operation for period of three months. (Dec-16, UNJLC) Procurement of emergency supplies far from complete, will delay supplies needed for reconstruction due to competition for transport space. (Dec-20, RI) Difficult road conditions continue to hamper travel. More than 50 people have been killed in several road accidents in the area since the quake. (Dec-20, AP)

NATO will wrap up earthquake relief operations when 90-day mandate expires on January 21. (Dec-1, TN, Reuters) NATO’s Disaster Relief Team has reached mark of over 1,000 helicopter sorties. (Dec-28, Dawn) Currently, it is not planned to leave NATO assets in the country after February 1. (Dec-21, OCHA) German Defense Minister Franz-Josef said Thursday, December 22 that German troops and two helicopters would stay in Pakistan a month longer than NATO-led forces in order to continue relief and rehabilitation. (Dec-22, DPA) US Ambassador Ryan Crocker said that the over 1,000 US troops helping with relief efforts will leave Pakistan in March. (Dec-27, Dawn)

UNHCR and GOP will soon launch household-level registration exercise to record profiles of IDPs in tented camps. Will also aid in early recovery phase. (Dec-28, IRIN) FRC reports 55 established tent villages, housing over 58,000 in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK), while another 23 have been established in NWFP housing over 35,000. (Dec-28, IRIN) GOP reports total of 502 camps (463 in NWFP and 39 in PcK) with 187,506 people in NWFP and PcK. UNHCR is helping GOP run 37 organized camps. (Dec-28, UNHCR) UNHCR also providing support to about 400 spontaneous camps in 3 districts in PcK and 5 districts in NWFP. (Dec-28, IRIN) Spontaneous camp defined as self-settlement consisting of 50 tents or less; houses families outside area of origin; will remain accessible by road through winter. 1,200 such camps estimated. (Dec-21, Emergency Shelter Cluster) IOM reports over 1.9 million people are estimated to be living in 300,000 tents across affected areas. (Dec-28, IOM)

Emergency Shelter Cluster reports total coverage of distribution of emergency shelter kits above 5,000 ft is at 90% - figure considered 80% accurate. Does not include transitional shelters built by Pakistan military nor tents (of which 47,000 have been distributed above 5,000 ft.) (Dec-18, UN) UN said focus of quake relief is now on approximately 2 million people below the snowline (5,000 feet or 1,524 m). First phase of IOM-led Operation Winter Race completed on December 15. Second phase will be required from mid-December to end of January 2006, focusing on lower-level areas. Assessment by Emergency Shelter Cluster became available on the HIC website on December 20. Outstanding shelter needs remain high. However, there are enough tents in the pipeline to cover 30,000 tents needed. Taking into account those already in pipeline, 1.7 million blankets and 118,000 plastic sheets are needed. (Dec-18, Emergency Shelter Cluster) 271,500 non-winterized tents need to be replaced or winterized by end January 2006. (Dec-19, UNCT)

Relief agencies increasingly concerned over social unrest in transitional shelters, according to IOM \, due to close proximity, cultural differences, difficulties in cooking and sanitation arrangements, loss of livelihood, inadequate shelter and boredom. Literacy and other outreach classes in established camps helping to mitigate unrest. (Dec-28, IRIN)

IOM is supplementing tent safety information distributed by other NGOs, through radio public service announcement, tour by Shelter Cluster technical advisor and distribution of fire safety pamphlets to camp staff. (Dec-20, IOM) IOM reports that some 50 tent fires have been recorded since the earthquake with loss of life and destruction of property. About two-thirds of families have constructed home-built stoves within tents for cooking and heating, while remainder use open fires. (Dec-28, IRIN) Several techniques used for better and safer winterization: Afghan refugees helping to create an “Afghan fireplace” for heating; UNHCR recommends pitching tent two feet deep and insulation. Every military-run camp has several “fire stops,” information on fire prevention and extinguishers. (Dec-22, UNHCR)

ARIs reported to be on increase in children in quake-affected areas. ARIs account for 20-30% of the consultations among children under the age of five in the earthquake-affected areas. (Dec-22, UNICEF) UNJLC reports that lack of female health personnel continues to hamper medical services to women and children as part of one-day health clinics conducted during Operation Winter Race. (Dec-21, UNJLC) FRC says that Pakistan has requested all countries who have established hospitals and water filtration plants in relief camps to leave behind and donate their facilities upon completion of their task. (Dec-24, GOP)

Weather forecasters say that snow will soon hit all affected areas in PcK and NWFP. Winter may last beyond the end of March in villages at higher altitudes. (Dec-22, UNICEF) In December, January and February, day temperatures are expected to be subzero, with temperatures reaching -20 degrees Celsius (- 4 F) in February. (Dec-7, UNJLC) Heavily overcast weather on Tuesday (December 27) briefly delayed some relief helicopter flights, but after a few hours, flights resumed. (Dec-27, AP) Relief workers report mostly good weather for the month of December – but they are still prepared for harsher weather in January and February. (Dec-28, Reuters) No significant weather forecasted for next couple of days, but strong weather system bringing widespread rain and snow expected on Saturday (December 30) in areas above 6,000 ft. (Dec-28, PMD)

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. Estimated 35% of schools in higher altitudes will close on December 22 for winter vacation, until end of February 2006. Rest will remain open until end of regular school year in April/May. (Dec-15, DFID) Up to 10,000 children lost at least one parent, and about 800,000 women between the age of 15 and 49 were affected. (Dec-15, CWS) About 18,095 students and 853 teachers and educational staff died in the earthquake in NWFP and PcK. (Dec-15, CWS) UNICEF estimates some 1.6 million to 2.2 million children were affected by the earthquake. (Oct-31, AFP) UNICEF estimates almost 1 million schoolchildren need support, of which some 450,000 are of primary school age. (Dec-28, Reuters) Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) registering affected population, including those residing in and outside camps. (Dec-8, UN)
Coordination	A Strategic Information Cell (SIC) has been comprised of HIC, FRC, UNJLC and clusters which will act as a repository of information gathered. SIC will focus on data collection for the period between December 15 to January 31. (Dec-15, Clusters) “Joint Operations Center” established to task UNHAS; Pakistan military; NATO and US Military air assets. (Dec-2, OCHA) 90-day ‘Winter Plan’ created to outline UN-led Cluster response. Priorities are: 1) Ensure continued assistance for estimated 350,000-380,000 who are expected to remain in high-elevation locations for the winter; 2) Support potential camp population of 250,000 in planned and spontaneous camps at lower elevations; 3) Ensure protection and meet needs of vulnerable population including women, children, elderly and disabled; 4) Continuous assessment of changing situation to meet emerging needs. (Dec-2, OCHA) FRC began plans to hand over disaster response activities to provincial authorities of NWFP and PcK. Target date is December 31, 2004. (Nov-28, UN) GOP has established a “Prime Minister Relief Cell” in Islamabad for help in locating family members. Hotline Tel: (+9251) 9222666. “Earthquake Relief Cell” has been established in the Prime Minister’s House. The 24-hour hotlines will receive complaints from the earthquake-affected. (+9251) 9213891 or (+9251) 92229999. 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. (Nov-11, UN) 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 coordinates rescue and relief operations. Major General Farooq Ahmed Khan, is the Federal Relief Commissioner. 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	FRC says over 13,000 sorties have been flown in affected areas thus far. (Dec-23, GOP) In Muzaffarabad, there are reports of minor population movements from higher altitudes. In Bagh, there are no reports of massive downward movement, while in Batagram there has been ongoing migration of people from higher elevations, into camps, according to OCHA. (Dec-23, OCHA) The number of helicopters has decreased slightly with foreign militaries leaving. Eight of the seventeen helicopters provided by foreign governments are leaving. However, 2 additional UNHAS and 2 more helicopters from NGOs have been provided. (Dec-23, OCHA) 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)
International Financial Assistance	As of December 23, commitments and contributions against the UN Flash Appeal stand at US$240.7 million (43.6% of overall requirements). Another US$19.3 million is pledged, bringing total coverage of flash appeal to some 47%. (Dec-23, OCHA) UN Foundation has established South Asia Earthquake Response Fund to enable private-sector donors to support the UN’s relief and rehabilitation efforts. Initial contribution of US$ 1 million has been made. (Dec-21, Reuters)
Food	Pakistan Army has distributed about 1.5 million tons of food items in NWFP. (Dec-20, GOP) Shortage of wheat flour reported due to breaks in pipeline, which slowed down food deliveries to partners working with WFP. Breaks occurred due to uplift capacity problems at wheat loading sites – more loading centers requested to increase capacity. Loan of vegetable oil will be transported from Afghanistan to address pipeline-break in vegetable oil. (Dec-20, WFP) 1 million people are food-aid dependent in snowbound and inaccessible areas according to joint meeting between camp management and emergency shelter. (Dec-15, Cluster meeting)
Water and Sanitation	Forty percent of overall population and 90% of camp population receiving safe water. 4,000 latrines installed, 60,000 in the pipeline. (Dec-12, OCHA) UNICEF and the Ministry of Environment mark a new partnership with a memorandum of understanding and a website (www.pakquakecommunication.org) to spread awareness in affected areas about hygiene, safe drinking water, sanitation, and waste management. (Dec-5, GOP)
Public Health/Medical	International Medical Corps is expanding its mobile outreach efforts to remote areas including Shamori, Batora, Mori, Kamriala, Garlat, Banda Balola, Jaagir, Sarash, Saran and the Al-Husaani tent village. (Dec-27, IMC) The Ministry of Health of PcK, UNICEF and the Qatar Charity Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide medical assistance to victims in five locations in PcK and NWFP. According to the country director of Qatar Charity, the collaboration aims at providing emergency medical services focusing on women and children by establishing, equipping and deploying 18 medical teams to select areas for 6 months. MOH will supply the teams, UNICEF will provide “Emergency Medical Kits”-- enough to cover the needs of 10,000 for 6 months, while the Qatar Charity will provide funds. (Dec-23, GOP) IOM has deployed Mental Health and Psychosocial support teams to cities and camps. IOM found that after interviewing 1390 people, some 117 (8.4%) were diagnosed with various degrees of mental problems. Women and children were most affected. (Dec-27, IOM) According to the latest reports, issued jointly by the Pakistan government and World Health Organization (WHO), Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) account for 20-30% of the consultations among children under the age of five in the earthquake-affected areas. (Dec-22, UNICEF) Ministry of Health has launched special vaccination campaign in relief camps in PcK and NWFP for tetanus, diphtheria and meningitis. About 70 percent of people have been vaccinated, but campaign will cover those who recently arrived from high mountain areas. Increase in cases of pneumonia and respiratory diseases in northern Pakistan. (Dec-22, IFRC) There are 74 field hospitals, including 47 international field hospitals and 9 mental health teams, operating in the region. (Dec-9, IRIN) There are about 51 foreign medical teams, along with 233 Pakistani doctors. Pakistan military has nine forward treatment centers and 28 surgical and treatment teams of army doctors. (Dec-11, GOP) UNICEF says it has distributed some 35,000 hygiene kits and is teaching people who lived in isolated villages how to improve hygiene habits. (Dec-19, UNICEF) OCHA reports that the Health Ministry has identified 100 basic healthcare units (BHU) to set up in prefabricated structures. (Dec-16, OCHA) The mission of WHO Director-General which concluded on December 11 concluded that there are no major threats of epidemics as the situation is under control and immunization plans are under way. Mission reported that cold and cramped living conditions were contributing to risk of respiratory infections and hypothermia. (Dec-16, OCHA) National Task Force on Psycho-social Trauma has been formed by the prime minister and led by the Ministry of Health with the support of WHO and other partners. UNICEF is assisting with training of community-based workers, volunteers and teachers while WHO is lead on training of health staff and setting up of referral teams. Task force is also supporting training of social workers by Ministry of Social Welfare. (Dec-16, OCHA) Approximately 1.6 to 2.2 million children at particular risk of cold, malnutrition and disease. UN estimates that 40,000 pregnant women are affected. (Dec-15, CWS) WHO has set up a website to facilitate information exchange between health partners at www.whopak.org. (Oct-17, UNOCHA)
Shelter	In PcK, UNICEF organizing the distribution of some 50,000 kits containing warm winter clothing and other winter items for children. (Dec-27, IRIN) FRC says Pakistani Army and NGOs have provided over 200,000 shelters to survivors over 5000 ft. as of December 23. Total of 746,000 tents, 4.9 million blankets and quilts have been given to survivors. More than 443,000 CGI sheets have been delivered with more in the pipeline. (Dec-24, GOP) There are some 55 tent villages in PcK which house over 58,000 people, with 23 tent villages in NWFP, housing over 35,000 people, according to the FRC. There are some 400 spontaneous tent villages housing over 100,000 people. (Dec-24, GOP) According to rapid assessment by UN, some one tenth of tents are too thin to withstand the winter. Some 75 percent of households require extra protection to get through winter. Some 1 million blankets or half a million quilts still needed, UNICEF says. (Dec-22, UNICEF) Emergency Shelter Cluster is urging the international community to provide plastic sheeting. (Dec-23, OCHA) Emergency Shelter Cluster: 98,605 shelter kits delivered (730,000 beneficiaries), of which 54,529 delivered above 5,000 ft.; 55,000 transitional shelters constructed (407,000 beneficiaries); 610,000 tents delivered (283,806 by humanitarian community); 4.8 million blankets delivered (1.7 million by humanitarian community); 451,000 plastic sheets/tarpaulins delivered by humanitarian community. (Dec-19, UNCT) Camp Management cluster currently preparing for individual registration in all camps to be conducted in early January. (Dec-19, OCHA) UNHCR will have enough NFIs to support 180,000 in camps and has contingency stock for 80,000 people. GOP has contingency stock of 25,000 stock. Sites for more camps still being identified by GOP and UNHCR. (Dec-19, OCHA)
Infrastructure	GOP estimates that 6,700 schools were destroyed in NWFP and 1,300 in PcK. (Dec-28, Reuters) OCHA says that almost 500 schools have reopened, with over 32,200 children enrolled in the schools. In an effort to get an overall picture of the situation around Muzaffarabad, UNICEF and local officials are conducting a rapid assessment of more than 2,000 schools. Some 2,500 school tents are in the pipeline. UNICEF has distributed some 16,000 school-in-a-box sets for children in PcK. Each kit can provide supplies for 80 children and 2 teachers. (Dec-28, IRIN) According to a report by IRIN, the World Conservation Union, comprised of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and CARE, have expressed grave concern over widespread pollution as a result of poor sanitation, degradation of forests, landslides and inadequate solid waste management practices. (Dec-21, IRIN) 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. 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)
Security	UNHAS will be making one flight a day to Bana to ease situation caused by closure of road from Battagram to Bana for security reasons. UN staff not allowed to stay overnight in Banna. If ban not lifted, relief operations will be hampered. Police escorts still required in Battagram and Bagh districts. (Dec-21, OHCA) According to OCHA, Ministry of Social Welfare is offering the most vulnerable groups who have been affected by the earthquake to be moved to an institution outside Islamabad. (Dec-19, OCHA) NWFP government insists on police escorts for international staff in the province. Security instructions do not allow movement outside Battagram town without police escort. (Dec-7-13, WFP) Local police now accompanies distributions to places with no military presence due to security concerns in Bagh. (Dec-16, OCHA)

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.

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. Local state agencies, social, religious and political organizations, and NGOs also assisting in relief and rehabilitation. International and domestic aid agencies have to contend with frequent security checks and roadblocks, sometimes delaying much needed relief operations. (Dec-12, CASA)

IcK plans Disaster Management Authority to help coordinate disaster response and relief in the state. So far, the GOI says it has given out 2.35 billion Indian Rs in compensation. (Dec-27, Kashmir Times) Major NGOs and agencies working in IcK: CARE (Relief and shelter); CRS (Relief and Shelter); Prime Minister’s Relief Fund (Emergency Relief); SC/UK (Relief and shelter); World Vision (Relief and shelter) and USAID/India (Emergency Relief). (Dec-14, USAID) CASA partnered with NGO Coordination Federation, a network of 25 NGOs in IcK. Kashmir Rural Welfare Association – working on rural housing, income generation, handicraft works and women’s empowerment; Hindustani Covenant Church, CASA member; Confederation of Voluntary Associations, a voluntary action network of 15 organizations; Al Basheer, an NGO working in the field of adult education and women’s issues; Army Wives Welfare Association – working with women and children. (Dec-12, CASA)

SEEDS has completed work on 315 shelters in 32 villages in Poonch district – 56 more shelters being built. After end of Interim Shelter program at end of this week, SEEDS planning final round of winter relief around last week of December. Materials have dispatched and workforce continues to grow. (Dec-20, SEEDS) GOAL working with long-term local partner, CINI, and provided emergency shelter, food, lanterns and stoves, and warm clothing to over 1,000 families in Tangdhar, Uri and Kupwara. (Dec-20, GOAL) GOI reports that nine villages in Tangdhar and six villages in Uri would be relocated due to extensive quake damage. About 24,000 structures are estimated to be fully or partially destroyed. (Dec-27, 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)

Security threats from militants an issue for NGOs because of proximity of some villages to the disputed Line of Control (LoC) and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PcK). (Dec-12, CASA) Three suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants were killed in a gunbattle with police late Monday (December 26) in southern Pulwama district. (Dec-28, IANS)

An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale shook IcK on December 25, but no injuries were reported. (Dec-26, IANS) Forecast for next 24 hours is generally cloudy with possibility of rain/snow in some areas. Minimum temperature at 1 C. (December 28, IMD)