IRIN
AFGHANISTAN: Five months on, quake relief moves to reconstruction
8 March 2006


[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United 
Nations]

ISLAMABAD, 8 March (IRIN) - Marking five months on from the day the 
massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck northern Pakistan, aid workers 
on Wednesday highlighted the daunting road ahead as relief turns to 
reconstruction in quake-hit communities as weather improves.

"The major challenges include keeping relief operations going until the 
end of this month, improving sanitation, especially in the smaller 
camps, and preparing for the return of Internally Displaced People 
(IDPs) on a voluntary and informed basis," Jamie McGoldrick, the United 
Nations Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan said in the capital, 
Islamabad.

More than 80,000 people were killed and 3.5 million people left homeless 
after the 7.6 magnitude quake ripped through the region on 8 October, 
just weeks before the start of the harsh Himalayan winter, creating one 
of the most challenging humanitarian operations ever.

Terming the emergency relief phase a success, McGoldrick said: "There 
has been no second wave of deaths, no massive population movement down 
the mountains, no severe malnutrition and no outbreak of epidemics."

Looking ahead, the UN official warned of continued risk of landslides as 
spring leads to snow melting and later in the year when the monsoon 
season sets in. "Road accessibility will remain a major challenge and it 
is expected that there will be a continued need for a minimum of five to 
six helicopters until at least September," he added.

As the deadline for the closure of temporary relief settlements at the 
end of March nears, food security, healthcare, land ownership and 
infrastructure reconstruction are emerging as the major challenges to 
sustainable returns, according to aid officials.

IRIN-Asia
Tel: +90 312 454 1177
Fax: +90 312 495 4166
Email: IrinAsia@IRINnews.org

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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