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


This report is based on information provided by the Office of the UN
Resident Coordinator in Pakistan, the International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) as well as media reports.

Situation

1.  According to the Meteorological Department of Pakistan, an earthquake
measuring 5.5 on the Richter Scale, jolted the Northern Areas of Pakistan
on Thursday 21 November 2002 at 2.32 a.m. local time (21.32 hrs GMT, 20
November). The epicentre of the earthquake was 400 km Northeast of
Peshawar.  The earthquake was felt in Chileas, Astore and Gilgit sub
divisions of the Northern Areas. It was followed by a series of
aftershocks below 4 on the Richter scale. The tremblor also threw up a
massive dust cloud which reduced visibility to 30 meters. This earthquake
was preceded by a mild earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter Scale at
03.16 hrs GMT.

2.  A total of 23 people, including 18 children have reportedly been
killed by the tremors and over 100 people have been injured so far.  The
four villages of Tubling, Mushin, Dashkin and Harchu, in Diamer District,
located along the Karakoram highway, which links Pakistan to China, are
the most severely affected.  The earthquake also destroyed about 100
houses while another 1,100 are said to be partially destroyed, rendering
about 7,000 people homeless. Three successive earthquakes had already
shaken the same area on 2 and 3 November 2002 killing 17 people, injuring
65 and rendering 4,000 homeless. To date, the total number of persons
displaced by these earthquakes is 11,000.


National Response

3.  The Administration of the Northern Areas, assisted by the army, has
the situation under control. Relief operations have started on 21 November
from Gilgit and Islamabad. Relief goods, including 4,000 blankets and 500
tents are being trucked towards the affected area. However, the closing of
the Karakoram highway due to the landslides that occurred at the time of
the previous earthquake is hindering access. Furthermore, the dust cloud
mentioned above has hampered relief efforts by making it difficult for the
helicopters carrying supplies to land.  Army rescue teams have already
evacuated victims by helicopter from inaccessible areas to safer places.

4.  According to information from the IFRC, the Pakistan Red Crescent
acted immediately and provided the government with 150 tents, 2,000
blankets, 300 jumpers for males, 20 bales of used clothing for females and
1,000 pairs of woolen socks.

5.  A few NGOs are providing relief goods and UNICEF has sent jerry cans,
purification tablets and health kits to the area.

6.  The most immediately needed items are food, medical supplies, tents,
blankets and woolen clothes.

7.  The Government of Pakistan has not requested international assistance.

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

9.  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:
  Ms. Marie Spaak / Ms. Heloise Ruaudel
  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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