OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Pakistan - Earthquake
4 November 2002


This Situation Report is based on information provided by the Office of
the UN Resident Coordinator, as well as media reports.

Situation

1.  Three earthquakes jolted the Northern Areas of Pakistan on 2 and 3
November, 2002. The first earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter Scale
occurred on 2 November at 6.33 a.m. local time (01.33 hrs GMT). This was
followed by another earthquake the same day at 8.23 p.m. local time (03.23
hrs GMT) measuring 4.7 on the Richter Scale. The third earthquake rocked
the area on 3 November at 12.33 p.m. local time (07.33 hrs GMT) and
measured 4.5 on the Richter Scale, as reported by United States Geological
Survey. The epicenter of all the three earthquakes lies 300 km Northeast
of Peshawar. In addition to the three earthquakes, the affected areas have
been experiencing tremors every 2-3 hours since the last quake.

2.  A total of 11 people have reportedly been killed in Diamer District
and over 50 people have been injured.  According to some media reports,
however, the death toll has risen to 17.  Four villages in Diamer District
are the most severely affected, namely Tata Pani, Muthat, Jalkot and
Raikot, which are located about 60 km Southeast of the city of Gilgit.
The number of people rendered homeless is estimated to be about 4,000, and
the number of houses damaged between 1,000 and 1,500.  The earthquakes
have triggered a number of landslides along the Karakoram Highway
resulting in the halting of traffic at several places. Heavy material
losses have been reported including the loss of hundreds of livestock.


National Response

3.  According to the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Islamabad, which
is monitoring the consequences of the disaster in consultation with the
Pakistani authorities, the Government authorities together with other
local assistance providers have the situation under control. The
Government has approved the allocation of PKR 3 million (approximately USD
51,317) for the provision of relief assistance to the affected population
and has sent seven days food ration along with 500 tents to the affected
areas. Army rescue teams, along with helicopters and several medical teams
from the Health Department have been sent to the affected area.  The cold
weather in the area is making the relief efforts difficult and the closing
of the main access road due to landslides is hindering access to the
affected areas. The Army rescue teams have already evacuated about 350
people by helicopters from inaccessible areas to safer places.

4.  In addition, Focus Humanitarian Assistance in Gilgit has provided 200
blankets, 20 tents, tarpaulin sheets and other shelter items to the
Northern Areas Administration for distribution to the victims.

5.  The most immediately needed items are tents, blankets and woolen
clothes.

6.  So far, the Government of Pakistan has not requested international
assistance.

7.  OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the UN Resident
Coordinator and will revert with further information as appropriate.

8.  This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int




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. Rudolf Muller / Ms. Marie Spaak / Mr. K. Quiding
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 3131 / 17 28 / 1769

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
  (NYC)  Brian Grogan direct Tel. +1-212-963-1143


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