OCHA Situation Report No. 23
South Asia - Earthquake
16 November 2005


Pakistan

SUMMARY OVERVIEW

Casualty Figures

The official estimates of casualties from the Federal Relief Commission,
as of 14 November, 73,320 dead and 69,392 seriously injured.

Situation Update

- Given the imminent onset of winter, there is an urgent need to ensure
that assistance is in place, whether people decide to stay in place or
to move down.

- The delivery of assistance ? shelter, food and non-food items - to
populations living in remote villages at high elevations remains a major
priority.

- A mixed picture of population movement has emerged. The camp
population in the two larger camps in Batagram district has now risen to
6,080, while 50 new families reportedly arrive daily in self-settled
camps in Muzaffarabad.  At the same time, some 37,000 people in six
major settlements at the top of Serin Valley are not expected to
relocate before the onset of winter.

- Allai valley has been highlighted as a particular concern. Attention
is also being focused on pre-positioning of food to areas above the snow
line, especially to the Neelum, Jehlum, Allai and Kaghan Valleys, and
putting mechanisms in place to try and reach remote areas as regular
access diminishes.

- In lower valleys, there is an emphasis on improving conditions in the
camps, with a strong focus on ensuring suitable locations and capacity
given the potential movement of populations to lower valleys, supporting
camp management, providing essential assistance in all areas, but
particularly addressing the critical water and sanitation needs.

- The reported outbreak of acute watery-diarrhoea has been brought under
control, with less reported cases from the Old University camp in
Muzaffarabad. However, it continues to be a concern, particularly in
self-settled camps, as populations are increasing.

- Adequate water and sanitation facilities remain a critical component
of averting any major disease outbreak in the camps. One initiative to
improve these facilities is for Camp Management and Water-Sanitation
cluster counterparts in the field to train troops from the Pakistani
Military to support and implement key activities.

- According to FAO, 200,000 livestock have died as a result of the
earthquake, and effort should be made to save the rest. Storage
facilities for livestock feed is needed for livestock in order to
guaranty food security in the future.

- Priority areas for food distribution are Neelum Valley, Jehlum Valley,
Allai and Kaghan. The amount of food sent to Neelum and Jehlum Valley
and staffing for distribution has to increase significantly.

Funding

The UN Flash Appeal is currently 29.3% funded, including both US$120
million committed and US$40 million pledged against the requested US$550
million. While funding for the Appeal has risen slightly in recent days,
only 5% and 9% of respective requirements for the critical clusters,
Shelter and Water and Sanitation, have been met.


COORDINATION OVERVIEW

1. A joint mission between OCHA/UNEP and the Ministry of Environment
(MoE), focusing on the earthquake and subsequent relief operation's
impact on the natural resources (especially wood) of the
earthquake-affected areas, has been completed. The mission's findings
and recommendations have been presented to the Ministry of Environment,
relevant clusters and other counterparts.

2. The UN Early Recovery Framework, which has been prepared in
preparation for the Government's conference on reconstruction on 19
November, reflects activities essential to the transition from relief to
reconstruction, but also highlights on-going relief/recovery activities,
such as shelter provision.

3. Information management has improved with stronger links now in place
between HIC and FRC data management structures. Regular data and
information exchange, shared assessments and sharing of geographic data
will help build a more comprehensive picture. The HIC is also helping to
build FRC mapping capacity.

4. A total of 13 medical teams have been mobilized by the Ministry of
Health and WHO to provide primary health care to affected populations in
remote areas. WHO is providing essential health kits and appropriate
training to more than 200 voluntary community health workers mobilized
by the NGO NCHD to inaccessible areas.

Muzaffarabad Overview

5. People from the highlands are arriving and settling in the
self-settled camps in Muzaffarabad city.  There is an ongoing survey of
new camp-sites.

6. Increased coordination of water distribution through tankers between
the organizations and the army has been recommended.

Mansehra Overview

7. The District Coordinator's Office has reportedly provided
compensation payment for loss of family members or totally damaged
houses to approximately 12,000 beneficiaries in Mansehra district.
Concern has been expressed regarding populations whose houses are only
partially damaged yet still uninhabitable, as they are also in need of
compensation in order to rebuild. A survey of the spontaneous
settlements in Mansehra district is currently underway.

8. Joint Emergency Shelter and Camp Management cluster meetings have
been introduced to respond more effectively to cross-cutting issues.
Emergency Shelter and Camp Management cluster meetings are being
introduced in Balakot in order to better link operational agencies in
Balakot to counterparts in Mansehra, and to be closer to operational
partners in Balakot. Participation by the Pakistani Military at the
cluster working level is being encouraged.

Bagh Overview

9. Shelter material, food and health facilities that are limited on the
ground and are insufficient to meet the needs of the affected
populations of the area.

10. Information regarding priority areas above 5,000 feet, provided by
the Pakistani military, is being matched with information from the
agencies/NGOs to determine areas that have been partially or fully
covered, and areas that have not been reached.

Batagram Overview

11. Attention is required to assist people who are in need of shelter
and food, in particular, in the Allai Valley. In order to be prepared
for people descending from the highlands, the pre-positioning of stocks
in Bana has been recommended.

12. Populations in the two larger camps, Batagram 1 and Meira, continue
to increase. The army is still committed to assisting people in remote
villages to descend to lower levels before winter.

Batagram Coordination Overview

13. Coordination and information sharing amongst the humanitarian
agencies and with the local authorities is improving. Cooperation with
the Pakistani Military is effective.


EMERGENCY SHELTER CLUSTER

14. A growing number of NGOs are implementing the ongoing 'Winter Race'
operation. A total of 565 shelter kits have been delivered to high
altitude communities in the Neelum Valley to date, benefiting an
estimated 3,500 people. In addition, as of 13 November, the Pakistani
Military has built 800 shelters. Such complementary action remains
essential to address the needs in high-risk areas.

15. Shelter kits are being procured, transported and delivered for
onward distribution by helicopter to areas and villages inaccessible by
road at an altitude between 5,000 and 7,000 feet. Discussions and plans
are underway with the Pakistani Military, aiming to provide 120 teams,
to scale up distribution of shelter kits, and to improve coordination of
the provision of shelter by both the Pakistani Military and the
international community.

16. In Muzaffarabad, shelter cluster members have been encouraged to
take advantage of training/briefing opportunity with the IOM teams to
replicate similar initiatives in other areas. ICRC have distributed
non-food items to approximately to 200,000 people in Muzaffarabad, and
Neelum and Jehlum Valleys.

17. Air drops are a major concern in Neelum Valley, without proper and
organised distribution on the ground.

18. In Mansehra, the shelter cluster has completed the first phase of
who is doing what where information gathering exercise, collating data
from over 20 humanitarian agencies working in NWFP. Preliminary findings
have been presented to the military.  This information has made it
possible to identify gaps in geographical areas.

19. In Batagram, the shortage of winterised tents, blankets and quilts
is of great concern.

20. In Bagh, information provided by the military regarding priority
areas above 5,000 feet is being matched with information from the
agencies/NGOs to determine areas that have been partially or fully
covered, and areas that have not yet been reached.

21. The shelter cluster has obtained the following data from the
humanitarian community on emergency shelter items distributed and in
pipeline:

|-------------+--------+---------+----------+--------|
|             |        | Shelter |          | Iron   |
|             |  Tents | Kits    | Blankets | Sheets |
|-------------+--------+---------+----------+--------|
| Distributed | 12,329 |   1,250 |   76,650 |        |
|-------------+--------+---------+----------+--------|
| In pipeline |  7,137 |   4,500 |   86,316 | 78,200 |
|-------------+--------+---------+----------+--------|


LOGISTICS CLUSTER

22. In Muzaffarabad, the warehousing capacity has increased to eight
storage tents (5 WFP, 1 UNICEF and 2 inter-agency) erected onsite. Three
rubbhalls will be set up in Jehlum Valley. A total of 600 MTs of shelter
materials and non-food items have been prepared by the emergency shelter
cluster to be airlifted to Neelum Valley by British Chinooks, starting
on 15 November.

23. In Mansehra, WFP has offered free storage space for humanitarian
partners. Agency participation at the coordination meetings should be
strengthened to provide JLC with the require updates on NFIs, current
stocks, pipeline etc.

24. In Batagram, the main concern are road conditions and logistical
arrangements to Allai Valley.

25. In Bagh, a working-group within the logistics cluster will be formed
to conduct initial planning with regards to establishment of Forward
Area Supply Sites (FASS) and to tailor the "Last Mile" operation concept
to the needs in the Bagh District.


FOOD AND NUTRITION CLUSTER

26. In Muzaffarabad, establishment of warehouses and distribution points
are being finalised by NGO implementing partners, and delivery of a
total of 473 MTs of mixed commodities to warehouses in Chatter Klaas,
Lohar Garli, Ghari Dupatta, Barsala and Danna is completed. A total of
8.43 MTs of mixed commodities has been distributed to 180 families in
Neelum and Jehlum Valleys. Food distribution will continue from five
distribution points, targeting 150,000 beneficiaries.

27. In Mansehra, 5,000 children under 5 are receiving high-energy
biscuits (HEBs) through lady health workers. An additional number of
20,000 children are in need of HEBs.

28. In Bagh, there is a concern related to limited local transportation
from hand-over points to final destination for food distribution in
Haveli Tehsil.


HEALTH CLUSTER

29. After an intensive training course for 10 logisticians, the UN
Logistics Support System (LSS) is now fully functional at the two WHO
warehouses in Mansehra and Muzaffarabad as well as at the Ministry of
Health pharmacy at Abbas Hospital (AIMS) in Muzaffarabad.

30. In Muzaffarabad, cases of acute watery diarrhoea are still reported
from the Old University Camp, but the situation has stabilised. The
establishment of an effective rehydration treatment centre, clean
drinking water provision and hygiene messages had an immediate impact on
the number of diarrhoea cases in Muzaffarabad from 170 cases on 7
November to 20 cases on 12 November with no related deaths. Water and
sanitation installations in Thori Park camp are still to be completed.
The Department of Health and WHO have provided health educational
material in Urdu to NGOs for distribution in the camps.

31. In Mansehra, there is a specific need for female doctors,
orthopaedic and reconstructive specialists, and rehabilitative and
reconstructive staff. Epidemiological teams are continuing data
collection and analysis.

32. In Batagram, WHO has received cholera testing kits and cholera
treatment kits for 625 patients. Ministry of Health (MoH), in
collaboration with WHO and UNICEF, is conducting vaccination against
measles in Allai Tehsil.

33. In Bagh, one of the main concerns is the risk of disease outbreak
due to the poor sanitation facilities in the area. The Ministry of
Health has reported a shortage of regular medicines. Health
organisations that intend to initiate activities in Bagh, should liases
with the cluster before deployment in order to avoid duplication.


WATER AND SANITATION CLUSTER

34. In Muzaffarabad, a total of 1,081 latrines have been installed in
the camps. The main challenge is insufficient supplies of latrine
material. An agreement has been reached with manufacturing companies to
provide 200 latrines per day. Rapid inter-agency response to the
alarming conditions at the Old University Camp has included installation
of an additional water storage tank, construction of replacement
latrines and distribution of hygiene kits.

35. Although there are inadequate quantities of hygiene kit available,
20,000 hygiene kits are in the pipeline, and another 20,000 have been
ordered. Hygiene training programmes will be organized for local camp
managers to ensure hygiene promotion and distribution of hygiene kits.

36. Priority tasks have been identified to respond to the current water
and sanitation situation in the camps, as follows: (1) target the larger
population location; (2) active hygiene promotion targeting all the
camps; (3) effective monitoring of the water quality and quantity
provided by water tankers; (4) construction of latrines and hand washing
facilities; (5) formulating a routine supplies distribution plan.

37. In Batagram, there is a continued and urgent need to improve the
water and sanitations facilities ? to repair the water pipes and install
latrines.

38. In Bagh, limited water and sanitation activities are reported in the
rural areas of Bagh.  The latrine coverage is expected improve within
the coming week.


EDUCATION CLUSTER

39. In Muzaffarabad, UNICEF has handed over 20 school tents to the
Department of Education as an initial response for the re-opening of
schools as soon as clearing of rubble has been completed.

40. Schools are being established at the Thori Park and Mera Tanolia
camps.


PROTECTION CLUSTER

41. In Muzaffarabad, the key issue is to get an overview of the
situation of vulnerable groups, including children, single parents,
women at risk and victims of violence. Registration of vulnerable groups
has been introduced in 28 camps and community tent centres. The
situation of women and children, and their access to aid at distribution
points in the mountainous areas will be assessed in order to identify
possible protection gaps.

42. There is a need for care arrangements for unaccompanied children who
are discharged from hospitals, either to find foster families or to let
families in neighbouring tents have a special responsibility to oversee
the child's situation. Information to the communities about the
possibility for tracing support from ICRC ought to be strengthened.

43. In Mansehra, identification and registration of unaccompanied and
separated children is ongoing. Child friendly spaces are established in
all major camps.


CAMP MANAGEMENT CLUSTER

44. UN agencies are conducting a crash course on camp management for
Pakistani authorities to ensure appropriate living conditions for the
increasing number of spontaneous settlements in populated areas.

45. In Muzaffarabad, families from highlands continue to descend to the
city. To some of the self-settled camps, around 50 new families arrive
daily. Ongoing There are assessments to identify spontaneous camps that
should be closed/re-established. Due to the high number of acute watery
diarrhoea cases, movement of people from one camp to another will be
contingent on available clinic and necessary sanitation facilitates on
the site. Government authorities have decided to expand Thori Park camp
to accommodate more families.

46. In Mansehra, 1,000 tents, 3,000 plastic sheets, 3,000 blankets, 900
kitchen sets and 1,500 jerry cans were distributed by the UNHCR in the
upper valleys and existing spontaneous settlements, including
army-administered camps in the Mansehra district. UNHCR has completed a
preliminary identification of "who, what where".

47. In Batagram, the populations in the two larger camps, Batagram 1 and
Meira, continue to increase.

|------------+-------------+-------------|
| Camp       | 14 November | 10 November |
|------------+-------------+-------------|
| Meira      |       3,580 |       2,808 |
|------------+-------------+-------------|
| Batagram 1 |       2,500 |       2,201 |
|------------+-------------+-------------|
| Total      |       6,080 |       5,009 |
|------------+-------------+-------------|


EARLY RECOVERY CLUSTER

48. The recommendations of the joint OCHA/UNEP and Ministry of
Environment mission, assessing the earthquake and subsequent relief
operation's impact on the natural resources of the affected areas
comprise:

(1) identification of local solutions to supply the displaced people in
the tented villages with the appropriate energy/fuel and the stove type;

(2) promotion of multi-family cooking in tented villages/camps and
energy-saving practices in general;

(3) dissemination of improved fuel-efficient stoves and promotion of
energy saving techniques for energy-saving purposes;

(4) site selection and camp management should follow UNHCR's the
environmental guidelines;

(5) promotion of earthquake resistant houses for reconstruction

(6) assessment required for the artificial dam at Chakar in order to
define the flooding risk and to identify possible mitigation measures;

(7) satellite remote sensing of the damages of the whole
earthquake-affected area for proper planning of rehabilitation of the
infrastructure and for the future land-use and tenure of the area;

(8) involvement of the local forest service in the relief operation;

(9) repair of forest service infrastructure and deployment of sufficient
staff to the affected area.


INFORMATION/TELECOMMUNICATION CLUSTER

49. In Bagh, VSAT has been installed. PACTEC to establish internet cafe
at base camp for use of NGOs.


GENERAL INFORMATION

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

51. 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).

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

53. 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
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. + 1-917 367 5126


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