SITUATION
An historic opening of the Kashmir border, which separates Pakistan from India, has been scaled back from five to two crossing points. "Only two relief points were opened on November 7 along the Line of Control", Indian army spokesman Vijay Batra said.
India and Pakistan last week agreed to open five points along the LoC in the aftermath of the October 8 earthquake. India gave no reason for the decision not to open three of the posts, but sources explained that both areas are highly mined.
The openings at the LoC after nearly 60 years have been widely hailed as a major advance in relations between India and Pakistan. An Indian government official made it clear there would be no long queues of survivors or relatives waiting to cross over to meet relatives. Access would be strictly limited to relief operations.
In Indian Kashmir, 1,300 people were killed and more than 150,000 made homeless by the earthquake. Official Pakistani Government figures continuing to rise, with the death toll now reaching 73,276 and the number of injured in excess of 69,000.
Temperatures continue to drop in the Haveli Tehsil where AAI teams continue to operate within a short distance of the Line of Control. Temperatures vary between -- 2 and 15 degrees. Scattered showers and light snow have been observed in areas above 10,000 feet.
AAI RESPONCE
One month after the October 8 earthquake left almost 3 million homeless in the Kashmir region, AAI race against the weather and terrain to reach the injured, ill and those who are most vulnerable in the remote mountainous communities. Our efforts are slowed by poor weather, long and a damaged roads, as well as the terrain, which is mountainous and difficult to access.
Bhata- Kot
An AAI medical team has completed an assessment of Bhata-Kot, which is about 50 minutes drive north of Gugdar. Due to the treacherous road conditions no relief has been delivered to the village by the Pakistani Government or other sources. The closest relief had been received at Gugdar, which received building supplies, but no medical assistance.
Bhata-Kot has a damaged but useable dispensary, which services approximately 5000 people. According to the local population, their greatest needs are housing materials and medical care. The AAI medical team issued the local dispenser a Basic Emergency Health Kit and a supplementary supply of parenteral antibiotics and medications. AAI will continue to work closely with the dispenser over the winter months.
Mirch-Kot
A villager from Mirch-Kot attended the AAI base camp at Lasdana late on Monday night requesting assistance for two women who needed to be evacuated. A medical team drove into the valley and hiked the remainder of the way to the patients. One woman received medical treatment in her make-shift-home and the other was stabilised and transported to MST near Kahuta.
The Mirch-Kot dispensary was destroyed by the earthquake and will not be repaired before snow begins to fall in that area. On Wednesday, another team delivered a Basic Emergency Health Kit, a supplementary supply of parenteral antibiotics and medications, and a tent to serve as a temporary dispensary, until a more permanent structure can be built.
Bedhi
A follow up visit to Bedhi and further liaison with the local dispenser and military personnel confirmed that the army medical teams will be withdrawing from the area before it begins to snow. The military will leave two medics to assist the dispenser, who has now moved into a local school building. The dispenser will work closely with a military doctor over the next few weeks to treat as many patients as possible before the cold winter months. As there are currently no female medical providers in the area AAI will establish a much-needed female clinic in the area within the next 72 hours.
Khurshidabd (Kella)
The village and surrounding area of Khurshidabd has had no doctor since the earthquake. A full time dispenser is employed and operates from the town hospital. The hospital is in good physical condition, however due to lack of staff, patients who require in-patient facilities are transported to Kahuta Hospital, approximately two hours drive west of Khurshidabd. The hospital has a sporadic electrical supply and has not had running water since October 8. Most people had received regular vaccinations up until October, but the hospital now has no supply of medicines or vaccinations and is in need of resupply. A Basic Emergency Health Kit was given to the dispenser by an AAI team.
There is no major visible structural damage to the buildings, however locals expressed concern at the structural integrity of their homes since the earthquake and requested assistance with acquiring tents.
Hella
The town of Hella has a solid freestanding three-room building that is used as a first aid station, which services approximately 6000 people from the surrounding area. The building was not damaged by the recent earthquake and has sporadic electricity. Water is now available from a local spring. No medical supplies have been received at the first aid station since September and as a result, patients are now only receiving limited medical treatment. A Basic Emergency Health Kit was given to the Health Technician by AAI to assist with daily operations.
The Health Technician, who has 16 years experience as a health service provider, sees between 700 and 900 patients each month. The first aid station is a free service, which does not provide an in-patient facility. Vaccines are administered by the dispenser in Kella.
Kahuta
An AAI team established contact with the civilian and military authorities in Kahuta and dialogue was initiated to coordinate future activities. AAI discussed with the area commander, Brigadier Abid, future vaccine programs, our plans with the District Health Officer, relationships with local dispensers and AAI logistical issues. The possibility of a new base of operations in Kahuta was also discussed, as many of the roads in the Haveli Tehsil will be unusable during the winter months. Staff from AAI will meet with the Pakistani military again next week.
CONCLUSION
Exchanges with other local military commanders, MoH officials, NGOs and UN agencies will continue to ensure that the targeted and effective response by AAI is maintained as we quickly approach the coldest months of the year.
As AAI medical teams are still recovering injured patients from earthquake affected areas and evacuating them to higher levels of care, we are now beginning to work with the local dispensers and establishing good working relationships with them. We have commenced a program of reviewing the dispenser's skills, level of training and experience. Where needed, we are providing on-the-job training to the dispensers, vaccinators and Lady Health Visitors, while assisting medical providers with treatment to members of the local community and maintaining their medical supplies to a reasonable level.