OCHA Situation Report No. 35
South Asia - Earthquake
3 February 2006


Pakistan

While the humanitarian community is confident that 'Winter Race' has to 
date prevented significant excess morbidity and mortality by sustaining 
the existing services being provided to the affected populations, it 
maintains caution and warns against over-optimism and complacency. 
Twenty-six UNHAS (including US and NATO) helicopters are currently 
operational, delivering aid and deploying rapid response relief teams to 
high altitude and low-lying areas. Distribution of food, tents and 
blankets, and other non-food items, (NFIs) continued undisrupted through 
the week, with particular attention on the delivery of warm clothes for 
children, and providing health services for the population as 
temperatures continued to drop.

The priorities of the humanitarian community for this reporting period 
include: (i) keeping the population warm and dry - with the ongoing 
distribution of corrugated galvanized iron (CGI) sheets and the 
provision of heating in family/communal tents, in school tents and 
hospitals and ensuring that safety measures are in place; (ii) improving 
the provision of water to all beneficiaries and the sanitation 
conditions in the camps; (iii) tightening health surveillance systems; 
and (iv) setting up return strategies to ensure that the population is 
fully informed about the imminent need to return to areas of origin.

SITUATION OVERVIEW:

Continuous efforts to combat potential deterioration in weather

As the winter continues, humanitarian agencies and beneficiaries 
actively prepare themselves for any deteriorating weather conditions, by 
enhancing training in drainage, draught exclusion (construction of low 
walls), and tent fixing (for high winds in soggy ground).

Since the completion of the first phase of 'Winter Race' on 15 December, 
the PakMil and the international community have increasingly re-focused 
their emergency and transitional shelter programmes to lower altitudes 
in advance of an encroaching snow-line. Delivery gaps will continue to 
be met above the snow line wherever needs become evident. The second 
phase of 'Winter Race' is ongoing, and will continue through to end 
February 2006.

High Altitude Assessment and Monitoring Teams (HATS) coordinated by OCHA 
are working together with the UNOPS High Mountaineering Teams (HMTs) to 
avoid duplication of efforts and to cover as much ground as possible 
especially in inaccessible areas. There are at least eleven HATs 
currently on the ground (affected areas); and UNOPS HMTs have been 
dispatched to various sites around Bheri and Upper Bheri assessing the 
needs and coverage of NFI for IOM. Of 17 villages covered only one 
irregularity in distribution was reported.

Needs of 'Under-50 Tent' camps

Fifteen interagency teams embarked on assessments of 'under 50-tent' 
spontaneous camps in all earthquake-affected areas of Mansehra district. 
Global Positioning System (GPS) devices were used for recording precise 
locations of the camps. OCHA will ensure that this is replicated in the 
other four hubs.

IOM, in collaboration with OCHA and HIC in Muzaffarabad, continue to 
conduct rapid assessments of urgent basic needs in such settlements, 
with the objective of promoting an interagency response. The assessment 
results are expected to be available within a week for the 70 identified 
camps. In Battagram agencies believe that the return of inhabitants of 
spontaneous settlements camps to their properties is due to the lack of 
assistance provided.

In Bagh, inadequate drainage and solid waste management 
practices/schemes in spontaneous camps remains a key concern. This will 
be addressed with community members.

Return of affected population to urban and rural areas

The modalities of return to urban and rural areas are being reviewed by 
the humanitarian community to ensure that beneficiaries are fully 
informed of the options available to them, as well as of their rights as 
a displaced population.  The main challenges identified from the onset 
are the slow and gruelling task of rubble removal from urban centres, 
and the provision of return packages to allow the rural population to 
sustain a living upon return.

Agencies continue to ensure that there is a coherent approach towards 
supporting the voluntary return process. In Battagram, a joint UN/PAK 
MIL/Civil Authority-led return process will focus on the 25,000 people 
in the planned camps in the Battagram hub, which includes camps in 
Shangla and Kohistan. It is anticipated that 500 people will be moved 
per day on a voluntary basis from the first week of March, if indeed 
camps are to be closed by 31 March. Meira camp will be the biggest 
challenge with over 18,000 camp residents.

In Muzaffarabad, the Camp Management Organization (CMO) will present 
plans for return in the coming week as agencies continue to express 
concerns on the planned closure of camps.

Discussions on return in Battagram concluded the following: (i) the 
planned return kit (especially the agriculture kit and shelter repair 
kit) will be the key incentive for populations to return; (ii) 
distribution points will be set up close to their villages of origin to 
ensure return; (iii) OCHA contacted German Agro Action, which is 
planning to start activities in the district and is keen to participate, 
and would be in the position to provide a first consignment just in time 
for the first returns.

Information Management:

Strategic Information Cell (SIC) Update: UNJLC, IOM (shelter cluster) 
and WHO have co-located information management staff in the SIC which 
has been established in the HIC office. HIC has dedicated a Data Officer 
to coordinate activities in the SIC.  The Protection Cluster is planning 
to reinforce their Information Management (IM) capacity to enable a 
staff member to be seconded to the SIC.

A draft Survey of Surveys was prepared during the week and is available 
on the website.  Work to improve accuracy and information is ongoing. 
The flow of information within almost all clusters has been charted. 
Areas for the HIC to reinforce WHO with mapping support have been 
identified and areas for improved efficiency in the processing of 
Shelter Cluster data have also been identified.

Planning for the joint IM mission to Mansehra is complete and awaiting 
response from OCHA Mansehra on timing.

Relief and recovery

The humanitarian community is preparing a funding appeal following the 
end of the current flash appeal, 31 March. This appeal is intended to 
carefully look into the consolidation of the emergency needs to further 
ensure a smooth transition into the recovery phase. Issues such as camp 
management, the return process, and the logistic support services in 
support of the affected populations and recovery as well as the 
continuation of air operations to assist the affected population will be 
covered in this appeal.

ERRA and FRC have agreed to create a transition team to oversee the 
process of ascent from relief to reconstruction and rehabilitation. This 
transition team will comprise of representatives from ERRA, FRC and the 
UN.

CLUSTER UPDATES

EMERGENCY SHELTER

1. The delivery of tents to date is reported as follows: FRC - 866,304 
tents, of which the Emergency Shelter Cluster (ESC) reports deliveries 
of 472,842.

2. 388,245 temporary transitional shelters have been constructed to date 
of which 247,176 are by PAKMIL. Although coverage above 5000ft is 
estimated to be 113%, the village-to-village assessments by the High 
Altitude Teams (HATs) indicate that there are some villages yet to be 
covered. In Battagram the shelter cluster is focusing on the gaps in 
such uncovered pockets, and completing ongoing deliveries elsewhere.

3. Bagh: IOM has completed distribution of 10,000 winterisation packages 
to families below 5,000 ft and 1,000 jackets to girls' school in rural 
areas. 100 carpenters have been employed to provide shelter-construction 
assistance to single-headed households, elders, the disabled and 
orphans.

4. 3.1 million CGI sheets have been distributed out of a total of 4.8 
million expected to be distributed by mid-February.

CAMP MANAGEMENT

1. The overall situation of camp management can be described as stable 
although the challenges as previously reported remain. Items distributed 
to date include 21,988 tents, 620,561 blankets, 83,476 plastic sheets, 
1,733 plastic rolls, 7,527 mattresses, 30,345 jerry cans, 20,291 kitchen 
sets, 209,212 bars of soap and 16,469 stoves/heaters.

2. The population in Namanpura planned camp (Bagh) has increased to a 
total of 147 families (748 individuals) as at 1 February. This increase 
(28 families) is mainly attributed to the relocation of families arising 
from the closure of two spontaneous camps. Efforts continue to increase 
the capacity of the camp from 250 to 300-350 families.

3. 70 'under-50 tent' camps have been identified in and around 
Muzaffarabad by the ongoing assessment teams. The total number of 
regular spontaneous camps (those with 50 tents and more and registered 
by the Camp Management Organisation (CMO) & UNHCR) is 75 with a total 
population of around 76,000. Following concerns raised by several 
agencies regarding GoP plans to close camps by 31 March, the CMO 
Commissioner promised that the government plans for closing/phasing out 
the camps will be ready and shared by next week.

4. In Battagram, agencies have begun informing camp residents about the 
return process, through national awareness raising campaigns; camp 
managers and UNHCR are also working on a public information campaign.

WATER AND SANITATION

1. WHO are working closely with the watsan cluster in Mansehra, to 
ensure safe water by making testing kits available and also by training. 
68 people suffered from diarrhoea as a result to unsafe drinking water.

2. Mercy Corps (MC) reported that rehabilitation of water supply schemes 
finished in 16 villages in Sirin and Konch Valleys. 400 latrines were 
built in the same area by MC and assessment done in 20 villages.

3. Hygiene promotion in camps is on the increase in Muzaffarabad, with 
18 MSF hygiene promoters in 11 camps and IRC covering the 4 bigger 
camps. There are currently 3064 latrines in the camps and 229 bathing 
facilities, with concerns that there is no space to build additional 
latrines.

4. UNICEF distributed 13,000 latrine slabs and 15,000 hygiene kits to 75 
villages in Muzaffarabad district, through local authorities and NGOs. 
The total number of people with access to latrines facilities in the 
camps and elsewhere is 130,000 people - an increase of 50,000 from the 
80,000 reported on January 17.

5. The number of affected people with access to safe drinking water 
amounts to 52% coverage (418,990 against the 'Winter Plan' figure of 
810,000), and the total number of people having access to sanitary 
facilities amounts to 78% coverage (214,060 against the 'Winter Plan' 
target of 275,000).

FOOD AND NUTRITION

1. As at 31 January, food has been distributed to 1 million people - the 
entire caseload assigned to WFP by the GoP. This figure does not include 
the 110,000 children in tented schools receiving a supplementary ration 
of high-energy biscuits (HEB) and dates, nor does it include the 4,000 
people in tented hospitals receiving full rations. (The deliveries from 
the hubs to extended delivery points from 23-29 January 2006 amount to 
4,120 MT, out of which 1,419 MT were delivered by air).

2. The after effects of the bad weather continue to be seen. In 
Muzaffarabad, road dispatches were halted for two days from the assembly 
hall as the distribution areas (camps in Hattian Bala and general food 
distribution (GFD) in Chakoti) were blocked due to landslides.

3. Helicopter operations for Bagh district were completed. A total of 
490MT of assorted food supply, benefiting 11,350 people in Bhedi Union 
Council, Bagh Tehsil for the month of January and February has been 
completed.

HEALTH

1. Acute respiratory infections (ARI) continue to contribute 
significantly to the overall consultations in the earthquake-affected 
districts, and remain a major concern for the health cluster. A total of 
24,134 ARI cases and 6 deaths have been reported to date.

2. 4,772 cases of acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) cases were reported 
between 22 and 29 January. A break down of AWD cases shows that in 
Muzaffarabad there was a decrease in the number of cases reported 
compared to the previous week, and this is attributed to the active 
hygiene promotion by humanitarian agencies.

3. The National Polio Immunization campaign that was carried out from 24 
- 26 January in the earthquake-affected areas, except in two districts 
in NWFP, is now complete. Final results will be shared in due course.

4. An outbreak of measles in Meira camp, Battagram was investigated by 
WHO CSR and followed up by UNICEF in Shangla. In response to the measles 
alert, WHO deployed seven EPI technicians together with UNICEF and the 
Ministry of Health (MOH). One case of suspected meningitis - a 10 
year-old boy - was referred to Abbotabbad Hospital, where WHO in 
Mansehra is following up.

EDUCATION

1. Of the 400,000 primary school level children in the affected areas, 
73,362 children (compared to 48,117 reported last week), have been 
enrolled in 677 schools (an increase in 124 schools in a week) with 
support from UN agencies and I/NNGO partners.

2. To date 2,400 tents, locally procured by UNICEF, have been delivered 
to the field (644 tents from China have been air freighted, and the 
remaining 5,856 are coming by sea freight). Other essential items such 
as school-in-a-box, textbooks, supplementary reading materials, 
blackboards, fire extinguishers, and school bags are also in the 
pipeline. Textbooks for AJK are being packed and delivered from 
Islamabad procurement of textbooks for NWFP is being processed. They are 
expected to be delivered within the next two weeks. Supplementary 
reading materials which arrived in the Islamabad warehouse will be 
packed into school size boxes and delivered. 465,000 school bags have 
been ordered, and are being delivered on a daily basis, as and when they 
arrive.

3. A School Structures subgroup is developing designs and a construction 
in process for primary schools, in coordination with ERRA, which 
maximizes functionality, flexibility and community involvement. The 
designs and experience with model structures will be disseminated to the 
wider earthquake affected areas for replication.

PROTECTION

1. Psycho-social support has been provided to 1,700 children through 
child-friendly spaces in Bagh, and to 954 women and children in 
Muzaffarabad, 290 women and children in Battagram and 12,100 women and 
children in Mansehra through child-/women-friendly spaces and community 
groups.

2. A subgroup focusing on gender issues has been set up under the 
protection cluster. Developments as they unfold will be communicated 
accordingly.

LOGISTICS

1. Since the start of the air operations, UNHAS has airlifted 11,895 MT 
of food items, 2,871 MT of non-food items and 21,976 passengers.

2. 20 UNHAS helicopters are currently operational and flying, weather 
permitting. In addition, UNHAS tasks 4 US and 2 NATO helicopters on a 
day to day basis bringing the total air assets under UNHAS tasking to 
26.

3. In Battagram, getting back the empty nets after Chinook airlifts 
remains a problem due to bad weather or mechanical problems for MI-8 
collecting the empty nets. This compromises the next day's performance 
as the nets have to be built and pre-positioned before the delivery the 
next day.

4. UNHAS has re-assessed the needs for helicopter support and has drawn 
up a new fleet projection and project extension until the end of 2006. 
These requirements call for helicopter support to be sustained at 
current capacity until the end of May. Thereafter, a reduction is 
envisaged to a cargo capacity of 100 tons per day and passenger flights 
at their current level for the rest of 2006. UNHAS funding is due to run 
out at the end of February if it continues operations at its current 
rate.  It costs approximately US$500,000 a day to run the helicopter 
operations.

5. The number of helicopters in country operating for the relief effort 
has increased from 90 to 91 as ICRC brought in a Kamov 32.

WEATHER AND ACCESSIBILTY:

1. In the last 10 days the snow cover has somewhat decreased since its 
maximum on 19 January. However several roads are still blocked due to 
landslides caused by the heavy rains and snow that was reported earlier. 
Many of the smaller roads in Allai valley have also remained closed 
because of landslides or bad weather.

2. There was very little rainfall this past week (Pakistani administered 
Kashmir), and no major snowfall is forecast for the coming week.

GENERAL INFORMATION

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

2. 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).


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

4. 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
  Mr. Guido Galli, direct Tel. +41-22-9173171
  Ms. Rebecca Richards, direct Tel.  +41-22-9171751

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. + 1-917 367 5126


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International             web: www.cidi.org
    Disaster Information         listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                               guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
South Asia Earthquake               www.cidi.org/incident/sasia-05j