Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

Pakistan

Pakistan - Earthquake: OCHA Situation Report No. 21

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2005/0200
OCHA Situation Report No. 21
South Asia - Earthquake
Pakistan

Situation Overview

1. The death toll currently stands at 73,276 and the number of injured at 69,260.

2. Some 3,265 families (10,000 individuals) are currently living in organised camps. 18 camps are established - 7 around Manshera, Balakot and Batagram, 8 around Muzaffarabad and 3 around Bagh. Together they have a total capacity for 32,000 families (up to 225,000 individuals).

3. Population movement from the higher valleys to lower areas continues, and efforts are being undertaken to assess accurate figures. The military authorities in Mansehra report that, with the opening of the road north of Balakot, considerable population movement from Kaghan and Naran valleys towards Balakot and Mansehra should also be expected. In Batagram, increased movement is expected towards the lower grounds in the valley along the Indus River.

4. The valley roads are now open, except for Neelum Valley, which will require a further 3-4 weeks.

5. As winter approaches and, despite the combined efforts of the Government and humanitarian community, conditions for many of the affected populations remain poor, and concerns are growing at the impact this has on health. In addition, the need for female medical staff in the affected areas continues to be stressed.

6. It is requested that all agencies move their commodities by road to the principle Forward Operating Bases of Muzzafarabad, Abbatobad and Bagh, as directed by UNHAS/UNJLC, from where redistribution by helicopter will take place. Established procedures (e.g. submissions of cargo movement request forms) should be strictly adhered to and UNJLC should be kept informed of projected logistical requirements.

7. International community presence is rapidly being stepped up in field hubs (Muzaffarabad, Mansehra, Bagh, Balakot, Batagram: UN and IOM now have about 300 staff deployed in the disaster area. More than 80% of deployed staff are in the field outside of Islamabad.

8. As of 4 November 2005, 40 EAPC nations have offered assistance to Pakistan on a bilateral basis, through NATO / EADRCC, through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, through OCHA or other international organisations. The Letter of Agreement between NATO and Pakistan has been approved by both the NATO NAC and the Pakistani Government.

9. At Rawalakot - Poonch, one of five planned crossing points on the Line of Control in the disputed areas of Kashmir opened on 7 November. It is hoped that this might facilitate the movement of relief assistance.

Priority Needs

1) Logistics

2) Shelter / Winterised tents/ Stoves

3) Food

4) Latrines

5) Medical support /prosthetics

6) Restoration of communication infrastructure and essential services

Key Deliveries

- Food has been delivered to approximately 775,000 people in the affected areas.

- 300 school-in-a-box and 57 tents have been delivered and 50,000 primary level textbooks, 1,000 school-in-a-box 50,000 slates and 2,500 plastic sheeting are ready for distribution.

- In Muzaffarabad, the water supply system has been 90% restored.

- Over 20,000 medical evacuations have taken place with an on-going 80 evacuations a day.

Funding

- The UN Flash Appeal is currently 15% funded with USD$85 million of USD$550 million committed. In addition there are USD$ 49million in unconfirmed pledges, which if confirmed will bring the total response to 24%.

- UN Agencies and IOM have forecast a current shortfall of USD $ 42.4 million needed to carry out the most immediate life-saving activities during the month of November alone, without which many programmes will have to close. Funding is needed for shelter, camp management, logistics and early recovery.

National Coordination Overview

10. The UN Country Team has prepared its 'Priority Humanitarian Actions for November 2005', which was shared it with Member States in Geneva on 7 November. It will also be discussed with donors in Islamabad in a meeting on 9 November.

11. The document highlights activities that require particular attention, and need support, as winter approaches. Specifically targeted in the planning for November is assistance for an estimated 200,000 people living in the high valley who may well be completely cut off once winter sets in, as well as for approximately 150,000 expected to settle in spontaneous and planned camps. These priorities are in line with the strategic direction for the relief operation shared by the Government and humanitarian community, and outlined respectively in the National Plan of Action, 1 November 2005 and the Overall Strategy for Humanitarian Response, 31 October 2005.

12. The Federal Relief Commission (FRC) convened a strategy meeting with representatives of the UN and humanitarian community, donors, as well as the Pakistani and foreign military, on 7 November. Decisions were made on specific issues relating to coordination and cooperation. At the same time, the FRC highlighted eight key challenges for the relief operation: sustenance of displaced persons; transitional shelter; sustenance in winter months for all vulnerable groups; airlifting humanitarian supplies that were delivered from abroad; aviation assets management; decentralization of implementation and handover to the Provincial Relief Commissions; donor fatigue; and lack of funding for UN agencies.

13. A media visit was organized on 6 November for representatives of national and foreign media in order to provide them with an insight on how humanitarian operations are on going approximately one month since the earthquake.

14. Waste management experts deployed by the OCHA Environmental Emergencies Section (Joint UNEP/OCHA) are helping to address: medical waste management at the hospitals; waste dumped directly into the river; waste management 6-8 settlement camps; and ongoing risks from landslides and building collapse. The experts will develop proposals through the cluster process to address issues with greatest implications for human health. An expert deployed to help mitigate erosion/landslide risks from cutting of trees for fuel/shelter will conduct fieldwork in Mansera starting November 4, in collaboration with government officials. A slope stabilization expert will also be deployed by November 11.

Mansehra Overview

15. According to the military in Mansehra, a large number of people from the Kaghan and Naran valleys are expected to move south towards Balakot and Mansehra due to opening of the Kaghan valley road on 6 November. Urgent efforts are underway to ensure that adequate accommodation and services are in place.

16. Assistance to the areas around Jorga requires focused attention.

Bagh Overview

17. In order to ensure that high-risk areas will receive critical assistance by 30 November, agencies will pool assets and resources to maximize reach. Most of the priority areas are accessible by road.

18. In addition to shelter and food, the local authorities emphasize the need for seeds, vaccination of livestock and micro-finance activities as main priorities for the area.

Batagram Overview

19. It is expected that more people will arrive in the camps after the Eid and that an increasing number of people will spontaneously move towards lower grounds in the valley along the Indus River, as winter sets in.

Muzaffarabad Overview

20. The military has provided a prioritised list of deliveries. Agencies are continuing to refine their priorities accordingly.

Mansehra Overview

21. The two-pronged approach to assist populations based on their locations in the upper and lower valleys continues; prioritising deliveries to the affected populations in Kaghan and Allai valleys and supporting tented villages in Manserha district.

22. Head of Cluster/Head of Agency meetings have been introduced in an effort to endure better coordination between clusters and to ensure that recommendations from the clusters result in commitments and action at the cluster/agency level.

EMERGENCY SHELTER CLUSTER

23. In Muzaffarabad, teams are working on the ground to assist communities with simple repairs to make houses liveable for the winter.

24. In Batagram, approximately 85% of families in need of shelter have received a tent. In Allai Valley, however, it is estimated that only one third of the people have received tents so far. A major challenge is to provide proper shelter for the winter to people in the remote villages before the winter.

LOGISTICS CLUSTER

25. The imminent snowfall in the most affected areas and the subsequent access constraints, necessitate pre-positioning of essential food and shelter, tool kits and blanket supplies, without further delay.

26. In Muzaffarabad, the requested 'fuel farm' at the airport is now operational. Three British Chinooks will fly out of Muzaffarabad from 15 to 20 of November. This operation aims to lift 200+ MT/day, using underslung loads to move as many relief goods as is possible to affected areas. Planning to maximise the use of the Chinooks requires that all organisations work together.

27. Coordination of the limited warehouse resources is improving, but requires focused attention. There are four Rubbhalls at the UN camp at Garhihabibullah and additional 2 sites for Rubbhalls (UNHCR and PAK Military) have been secured at the airport. Visibility of plans and pipelines for non-food items is limited.

28. A survey by US navy engineers of the airport road indicates it will be vulnerable to landslides over the winter. An alternate route is being investigated.

29. In Bagh, there is an on-going exercise to deliver 100 tonnes of tents and non-food items to Forward Kahuta.

FOOD AND NUTRITION CLUSTER

30. In Muzaffarabad, a total of 261 MTs of mixed food commodities have been distributed to 22,000 beneficiaries in 15 Union Councils, from 1 to 3 November. 55 MTs have been transported through helicopter operations in 30 flights. A tentative monthly distribution plan for WFP and its implementing partners has been prepared for Athmuqam, Hattian and Muzaffarabad Tehsils, targeting 290,000 beneficiaries, distributing a total of 4,655 MTs. Inadequate number of organized formal NGOs and CBOs continue to be the main challenge.

31. In Bagh, a total number of 276 MTs of mixed commodities have been distributed to this date. WFP aims at distributing 3838 MTs of food to 157,000 people.

HEALTH CLUSTER

32. In Muzaffarabad, several suspected diphtheria cases have been reported and some have been transferred to other locations for follow up. In Sri Satchal, diphtheria cases are under investigation after six deaths have been reported. No evidence of diphtheria has been found so far. However, two cases of measles were reported and transferred to the US military hospital. In addition, three suspected diphtheria cases were transferred to the field hospital. In Garhi Dobbota, one suspected diphtheria case was transferred to Rawalpindi. In Chinari, one out of thirteen diarrhoea cases required admission for treatment today. Agencies are monitoring the situation closely.

33. In Bagh, many female patients living in Meira camp seek treatment with the Cuban medical team, which consists of several female doctors and nurses. In the Allai Valley, the medical teams are concerned that very few women are seeking medical assistance, although the female population obviously needs care.

WATER AND SANITATION CLUSTER

34. In Muzaffarabad, the water supply is being supplemented with mobile units. Inter-agency collaboration has resulted in clean drinking water to some 49,000 people in camps, 247 water tanks and 564 latrines serving some 8500 people. Inadequate supply of latrine material has reduced the number of latrines that are being installed.

35. In Mansehra and Rawalkot, the water supply systems have been repaired.

36. In Bagh, the water supply system has been restored to the main water tank serving 50,000 people.

37. In Batagram and Balakot, IFRC/Red Crescent have provided mobile treatment plants, serving 40,000 people. Distribution is taking place through tankers.

EDUCATION CLUSTER

38. In Muzaffarabad, UNICEF and NGOs have established a total number of 19 schools. Clearing of rubble from 19 schools selected by the Government is being coordinated between UNICEF and USAID.

39. In Mansehra, 17 schools (with an average of 250 children per schools) have been established by UNICEF, in collaboration with NGOs.

40. In Bagh, a total number of 36 schools are operating in the town, resourced by local and international NGOs, as well as the military.

41. In different villages of Batagram district, Save the Children-US have established 4 safe play groups, where more than 150 boys and girls, aged 4-10, are participating in the activities.

PROTECTION CLUSTER

42. In Muzaffarabad, as of 5 November, a total of 3,350 children have been registered in three child protection centres in Jalalabad, Chilabandi and Tareqabad camps. Registration is ongoing in two other centres at Meritanaoli and Abbas Institute of Medical Science.

CAMP MANAGEMENT CLUSTER

43. In Muzaffarabad, the future of spontaneous camps has not been resolved. The Relief Commissioner is working on a plan, which will be shared with UNHCR in coming days. After an assessment, the capacity of the two camps - Thori Park and Mera Tinolaye - appears to be significantly less than anticipated (less than 2,000 tents for both sites). Latrine construction is accelerating as material arrives. Efforts are made to maximize the use of the space in the camps taking into account the minimal standards and, at the same time, maximizing the number of people accommodated.

44. In Mansehra, efforts are underway in Jabba Farm to provide accommodation for approximately 6,000 persons expected to arrive from Kaghan and Allai valleys. Additional sites for tented villages in the area to be assessed on 7 November.

45. In Bagh, UNHCR will establish 4 camps of 100 tents for earthquake-affected populations shortly - two camps in Bagh district, one in each of the districts Havali and Dhirkot.

46. In Batagram, the two larger camps continue to attract an increasing number of people, with approximately 25-40 families arriving every day. The camp population in Meira is close to 2,500 and in Batagram 1 around 2,000.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. All detailed cluster information (meeting minutes, assessments, contact information etc.) is being posted on www.un.org.pk.

2. The latest information on projects and funding for the Flash Appeal, and for the emergency overall, can be found on the Financial Tracking Service (http://ocha.unog.ch/fts/reports/reportlist.asp?section=CE&record_ID=688).Further information on earthquake appeals and funding is available on ReliefWeb (http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/dbc.nsf/doc105?OpenForm&rc=3&emid=EQ-2005-000174-PAK).

3. Contact details of focal points for information on in-kind and cash contributions can be found at http://www.un.org.pk/earthquake05/

4. OCHA will revert with further information as it becomes available. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.

Tel.: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:

Ms. Merete Johansson, direct Tel. +41-22-9171694
Ms. Kirsten Gelsdorf, direct Tel. +41-22 917 1843
Ms. Rebecca Richards, direct Tel. +41-22 917 3183

Press contact:

(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
(N.Y.) Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. + 1-917 367 5126

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.