OCHA Situation Report No. 47
Pakistan - Earthquake
29 June 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

In keeping with the Exit Strategy, OCHA Office in Islamabad phases over 
today. OCHA would however maintain a limited presence in the integrated 
Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator's (RC) Office to coordinate, monitor 
and report on the relief component and provide advisory support on the 
synergies with the recovery phase. The relief component will comprise 
three priorities: i) the facilitation on contingency planning for 
monsoon, floods, landslides and coming winter;  ii) the relocation of 
population from 18 villages; and, iii) the provision of essential 
services in the residual camps. The relief Field Coordination, within 
the RC Office, will be done by the ex-OCHA National Humanitarian 
Officers in the Hubs.

The most recent humanitarian priorities are: (i) provision of essential 
services in residual camps; (ii) carrying out the return barrier survey; 
and (iii) monitoring relocation at the point of departure and arrival in 
the camps for the population from the at risk 18 villages.

SITUATION OVERVIEW:

Security

The overall security situation in the earthquake affected areas remained 
calm and quiet during the week. Due to upcoming general election, 
political activities like rallies in Muzaffarabad are noticeable. UNDSS 
is in contact with District Administration to receive the details of 
election rallies and advising UN Agencies accordingly.

IDP Returns and Residual Caseload

No return movement took place in Muzaffarabad last week (23 - 29 June).

The total vulnerable residual caseload (mainly landless) is 3730 
families, 19140 individuals. Total residual camps are 40 out of which 13 
camps are situated on governmental land and 27 are on private land which 
might create some problems in the future for the IDPs. Negotiations are 
underway between Camp Management Organisation (CMO) and the landlord for 
acquiring land on rent.

>From 18 villages proved to be lying in high-risk areas of landslides 
and floods, a total of 1054 families (700 families from Tehsil 
Muzaffarabad and 350 families from Tehsil Hattian) shall be relocated 
into the existing camps.

CMO has finalised and shared the relocation plan with the partner 
agencies. IOM and UNHCR are assisting the CMO in the process. 
Relocations have been delayed due to heavy rains and may be completed by 
4 July.

Missions

National Humanitarian Affairs Officers are present in Islamabad to look 
into the relief unit and how to foster strategic coordination within the 
integrated RC Office.

Resident Coordinator Office Setup

As per OCHA Exit Strategy, Muzaffarabad office closes down on 30 June 
2006. Assets were disposed off according to the instruction from 
Islamabad Office. The RC Office in Muzaffarabad will be headed by UNDP 
as the UN Area Coordinator. A National Officer from OCHA was included in 
the Relief Unit of RC's Office that would also provide advisory support 
to relief /recovery coordination mechanism.

WORKING GROUP UPDATE

WATER AND SANITATION

1. UNICEF has a plan to provide pipe water to 21 camps in Muzaffarabad 
to replace the tankering water from 1 July.

2. Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) in Muzaffarabad informed 
that during monsoon season water availability is reduced by 10% and 
sometimes leads to water shortage. Keeping this in view, agencies are 
requesting water through tankers.

3. UNHCR may provide water tanks to CMO and camps for additional water 
storage. Present storage capacity of water tanks in camps can sustain 
water for 1-2 days only.

HEALTH

4. The Working Group has prepared Cholera Preparedness Plan and 
completed the rapid assessment in the camps of Muzaffarabad.

EDUCATION

5. District Reconstruction Unit (DRU) called a meeting on June 26 to 
discuss and finalise the Annual Education Work Plan for the districts, 
Muzaffarabad and Nehlum.

FOOD AND NUTRITION

6. In Muzaffarabad WFP has completed food distribution of 278 MT, which 
constitutes one-month ration, 55.8 Kg/household, to 4826 families in 46 
camps.

PROTECTION

7. A Technical Advisory Group on Social Protection is being established. 
It will be headed by Deputy Chairman of ERRA. A number of members will 
be proposed for the Technical Advisory Group and meetings will be held 
once a month or as required by the chairperson.

8. It was reported that the displaced persons living in Capital 
Development Authority (CDA) quarters, G-6 Abpara are not willing to 
return to their areas of origin. It has been agreed that UNHCR and OHCHR 
would visit the CDA quarters to identify if there are any protection 
issues and understand the IDPs' concerns regarding their reluctance to 
return.

LOGISTICS

9. UNJLC ceases its operations on 30 June and it will no longer provide 
road updates past that date. Field offices in Muzaffarabad, Bagh and 
Mansehra will close, however, it will maintain its presence in Islamabad 
until 31 July. UNDSS has agreed to take on this responsibility and will 
send out regular road updates as of 1 July.

WEATHER AND ACCESSIBILTY

10. The weather remained pleasant after a few rains with all major 
routes open. Precaution needs to be taken while passing through Nehlum 
Valley following rains.

GENERAL INFORMATION

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

12. 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).

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

14. 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.

15. Regular news on Pakistan is available from IRIN via the website 
www.IRINnews.org and direct e-mail subscription. Agencies wishing to 
contribute news article suggestions, press releases and reports with 
IRIN should send them to the IRIN Asia office: IRINasia@IRINnews.org, 
Tel +90-312 454 1177.

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. +41-22-917-3171
  Mr. Guido Galli direct Tel. +41-22-917-3171-1159

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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