Two months after the earthquake that devastated
Pakistan on the 8th of October, the death toll is estimated at 83,000.
The focus of a huge aid effort is on keeping survivors alive in freezing
mountains and preventing disease in crowded tent camps in the valleys.
With a bitter winter beginning, it is a daunting task keeping remote settlements
supplied with shelter and food.
Road links have been restored is many
areas. However initial snowfall has begun across the region and occasional
rainfall is also creating access difficulties. Helicopter sorties have
reduced because of the changeable weather, and road transport is hampered
in some areas.
Approximately 200,000 people are believed to have moved to formal and spontaneous camps in the affected areas. The massive influx feared by the authorities has not yet occurred, although there is a steady trickle of people moving down off the hills. A large-scale displacement may yet occur as the weather worsens.
The UN estimates that between 350,000 and 380,000 people remain at high altitude. Many community members have expressed a strong desire to remain near their homes in order to safeguard livestock, fields, and other assets, and are unwilling to relocate to camps for this reason.
The focus of the earthquake response evolved during November, shifting from immediate relief to medium-term measures that will enable people to survive the winter (December-February).
Shelter remains a key priority, although there are emerging concerns about food scarcity in some areas, particularly those regions above 5000 feet. Surveys indicate that up to 90% of the tents currently on the ground are non-winterised and technically unsuitable for cold weather.
While the UN is confident that many of these can be 'winterised' with insulation and plastic sheets, the emphasis is now on alternative shelter materials (i.e., corrugated, galvanised iron sheets, timber, and tools/implements).
Concerns initial response phase, consisting of emergency shelter, food, and non-food items, has been completed.
Most items for the second phase response have been delivered to Islamic Relief, Rural Development Project and Church World Service, our implement partners. Over half of the alternative shelter kits (corrugated iron sheets, tools, and other items) have been distributed, placing Concern in a commendable position vis-à-vis most other organisations at field level. Our alternative shelter packages have been well-received by the community; distribution is well underway.
Overall, both phases will support approximately 20,000 families (140,000 people). Of these, 2000 families (14,000 people) will receive alternative shelter packages.
Our thirds phase response, consisting of water sanitation initiatives in formal and non-formal camps in Pakistan controlled Kashmir and North Western Frontier Province, is also making good progress.
In Pakistan controlled Kashmir, 47 sites have been provided with latrines, water tanks, hygiene kits, waste disposal containers, and hygiene awareness training. These services will cover a target population of 20,000 families (140,000 people).
Strong field links have been established with UNICEF in North Western Frontier Province, who are now keen for us to replicate our water sanitation efforts at camps in Hattian and Haripur.