OCHA Situation Report No. 5
Pakistan - Rains / Snowfall
24 February 2005


This situation report is based on information received from the office 
of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Pakistan.

Situation

1.  After three weeks of heavy rains and floods in different parts of 
Pakistan, the situation in the southern and western parts of Balochistan 
has started to improve, while relief operations have been stepped up 
with better access to the affected areas. Rains and snowfall continue in 
NWFP, Northern Areas of Pakistan, AJK and upper parts of Punjab, where a 
number of villages remain cut off due to heavy snow and landslides.

2.  The death toll stands at 486 persons. In NWFP and the Federally 
Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA), some 2.8 million persons are affected 
in the six worst affected districts: Swat, Kohistan, Abbottabad, 
Mansehra, Shangla and Battagram. Some 140,000 persons are completely 
isolated in Kohistan, upper Swat, Shangla, major parts of Battagram, 
Kaghan area in Mansehra and Thandiani in Abbottabad, as roads are 
blocked due to heavy snow and landslides, which could take 1 to 3 weeks 
to clear.

3.  In Balochistan province, the coastal district of Gwader is the worst 
affected, where heavy rains have led to flooding and dam bursts. In 
Pasni town, 50,000 persons are affected, while an additional 20,000 are 
affected in other areas of Gwader and Lasbela districts.  The 
infrastructure in the affected areas, such as water supply and 
sanitation systems, electricity and road and communications networks has 
been seriously damaged. In some areas almost 80% of the crops and 
agricultural land has been lost. Experts from WHO and UNICEF have 
expressed a fear of outbreak of water-borne diseases and acute 
respiratory infections amongst the affected population. There is also a 
risk of malaria in the coastal districts.

4.  Latest reports indicate that 65 persons were killed in Azad Jammu 
and Kashmir (AJK) region. Neelum and Leepa Valleys in Muzaffarabad 
district and Forward Kahuta, Dhirkot and central Bagh in Bagh District 
have been more severely affected. Road as well as aerial access is not 
yet possible. Landslides and avalanches have been occurring frequently 
in various parts of AJK.

National Response

5.  According to local authorities in NWFP and FATA, the most urgent 
needs are as follows: road clearing equipment, food items, shelter and 
essential medical supplies.

6.  In Balochistan, the local government has started to provide water to 
the affected population. It should be noted that the UN, NGOs and the 
Government have responded quickly to the situation. Logistical support 
has been provided by the Pakistan Military Forces throughout 
Balochistan. The Military Forces also airlifted stranded persons to safe 
areas, as well as distributing food and other relief aid to the affected 
population. The Pakistan Army recently completed an operation rescuing 
3000 persons marooned in Pishin and Killa Abdullah districts in northern 
Balochistan.

7.  Currently, the Government of AJK, NGOs and the Pakistan Red Crescent 
Society have adequate supplies to meet the immediate known needs of the 
affected population.  Access is still a problem in the region and local 
authorities hope to field further assessment missions.

International Response

8.  The Government of Pakistan has not requested international 
assistance at this stage. However, the Federal Government has shown 
inclination to welcome help from bilateral and multilateral partners 
including the United Nations. The UN Rapid Assessment Missions to 
Balochistan, NWFP and the FATA have been completed and the findings were 
presented to the UN Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) meeting on 23 
February.  UN Agencies have been working in close collaboration with the 
national authorities and NGOs in distributing relief aid to the affected 
population.

9.  A Crop and Livestock damage assessment mission is being launched by 
FAO to Balochistan, NWFP and, weather permitting, AJK, to investigate 
the impact on food security needs as well as agricultural and livestock 
rehabilitation requirements.

10.  On the basis of available information, the UN Agencies and NGOs 
agreed that the Government's existing resources could address the scale 
of the emergency in AJK. However, they will continue to monitor the 
situation closely and will mobilize a Joint Rapid Needs Assessment 
Mission as soon as access permits.

11.  The details of the national and international response are attached 
in a separate excel sheet. Relief assistance Pakistan Flood 2005.

12.  OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the UN Resident 
Coordinator in Pakistan and will revert with further information as 
required.

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

Telephone: +41-22-917 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. Afia Ali Blasco
     Direct Tel. +41-22-917-1179

Press contact:
   GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs,  direct Tel. + 41-22-917 2653
   NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker,  direct Tel. +1-917-8921679

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