OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Afghanistan - Earthquake
14 April 2002


This report has been compiled on the basis of information provided by the
United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA).

Background

1.  An earthquake of magnitude 5.8 occurred on Friday 12 April at 04:00:26
UTC at 35.88N 69.25E and at a depth of 33km. This point is approximately
150 kilometers north of Kabul in Nahrin district, Baghlan province. This
most recent earthquake was centered in the same area as the powerful
earthquake that struck on 25 March that killed up to 1,000 people and left
tens of thousands of people homeless. The quake of was felt in Kabul, but
there are no reports of damage and casualties in the capital.


Current Situation

2.  Assessments have been conducted in the following villages: Burka,
Shujan valley (South of Nahrin), Jelgah valley (East of Nahrin), Shinderak
(East of Nahrin), Kokedhai (8 km from Nahrin on the Baghlan road),
Koh-I-Zolaaw (15km South from Dawabi).  Dawabi (100% damage) and
Khojakeder are the most seriously affected locations, with 700 and 500
families respectively having received aid.

3.  After the initial shock, tremors continued on 12 April, with no
further impact or damage reported. The total number of casualties now
stands at 50 people, two from Khojakheder, three from Koh-I-Zolaaw, five
from Jelggah, and 40 from Dawabi. 80% of those killed are children. 12-15
people have been reported missing. The number of injured people is
estimated at 150. Emergency assessment medical teams have not yet returned
and a final account is not available.

4.  The helicopter assessment mission planned for Saturday 13 April could
not take place due to poor weather conditions in Mazar-I Sharif. However,
a road convoy of relief supplies departed from Mazar for Nahrin yesterday.

5.  There are reports that there may be problems in the Salang tunnel in
the coming days and it is therefore strongly recommended to dispatch
relief supplies for the earthquake area from the northern region.

6.  The road from Nahrin to Godri which was blocked by a land slide has
now been cleared.

7.  The present working number of beneficiaries is 1,500 families.


National and International Response / Sectoral Updates

Health

8.  Following a co-ordination meeting on Saturday in Nahrin, it was
concluded that health assistance was adequate, and the MSF medical team
have subsequently returned to Pul-i-Kumri. The Swedish Committee (SCA)
currently have six clinics established in the area, with support from
HUMEDICA Aid International who have set up additional clinics, and PSF who
are providing medical assistance. HALO Trust supplied three ambulances to
transfer the injured to medical facilities.

9.  SCA clinic in Nahrin has treated 100 patients and has five doctors on
site. The ICRC has supplies for 200 wounded at the Pul-E Khumri hospital.
FOCUS announced that only 20 patients have been referred to the hospital.


Food

10.  Food is available in sufficient quantities in the area. ICRC has
emergency stocks for 15,000 in Mazar-I Sharif that can be called upon if
required. ACTED continues to distribute WFP supplied food commodities and
has large stocks in the area.

11.  UNAMA plans to distribute bread on a daily basis over a thee-day
period. Yesterday, 3,000 portions were distributed and 5,000 today.


Shelter

12.  500 people were targeted to receive tents. 69 have been distributed
and the remainder are on their way from Pul-I-Khumri. The tents have been
provided by IOM, Norwegian Church Aid and distributed through UNAMA.


Water

13.  CONCERN installed a water bladder with a capacity of 10,000 liters
next to the SCA hospital in New Nahrin.


Miscellaneous Information

14.  OCHA is in close contact with United Nations Offices in Afghanistan
and will revert with further information, as it becomes available.

15.  OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions to be
used for immediate relief assisstance, in coordination with relavent
organizations in the United Nations system. For banking details please
contact the desk officers indicated below. OCHA provides donor governments
with written confirmation and pertinent details concerning the utilization
of the funds contributed.

16.  This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int. Maps and other information relating to the most
recent earthquake can be found on the Website of the Afghanistan
Information Management Service (AIMS) at http://www.hic.org.pk. The
Virtual OSOCC at http://www7.itu.int/virtualosocc/ also provides
information on the earthquake and can be used for information sharing
purposes.


Telephone: +41-22-91712 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:
  Mr. Ivo Freijsen, Mr. Anvar Munavvarov
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1695/1669

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 56
  (NYC)  Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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