HIGHLIGHTS
- The Earthquake in Balochistan province has left 150 dead and 370 injured so far (government confirmed figure). National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports that 35,600 individuals (4,610 families) have been affected and 3,375 displaced mainly in the villages of Ziarat and Pishin districts.
- 47 aftershocks ranging from 3.5 to 4.7 on the Richter scale have been felt on 29 and 30 October 2008. Pakistan Metrological office reports that a series of aftershocks of the same frequency will continue for the next si- days. Due to continuing aftershocks, many people are sleeping outdoors in the cold at altitudes of 2,000 to 2,500 metres.
SITUATION
1. An earthquake of magnitude 6.4 has hit Balochistan province in south-western Pakistan on 29 October. According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter of the quake was in Chiltan mountains, 80 kilometers northwest of Quetta. The first tremor struck at 4:09 am local time (23:09 GMT) at a depth of 10 kilometer while the second one came at 5:15 am. The affected region is the mountainous area extending from Ziarat, about 110 KMs northeast of Quetta to Pishin, Qilla Abdullah to Chaman (border town along Afghan border). Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reports that the worst hit area falls within villages Khanozai and Topa Achakzai in eastern Pishin district and Wachun Kawas village in Ziarat district and possibly Harnai district (east of Ziarat).
2. Media and civil organisations are putting the death toll at 300 with over 1,000 injured. Government has confirmed 150 deaths and 370 injured so far. According to some reports, the casualty figure is likely to exceed 400.
3. The assessment conducted by Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BESP) reports that 11 villages in Ziarat district have been worst affected. These include: Waam, Khan Depo, Warchum, Speen Tangai, Gogeena, Jangian, Bar Maghzai, Ghoskai, Zargai, Ahmadoon and Mangai. The second most affected area is Tehsil Khanozai Pishin district. In the Tehsil, two villages Khushab and Negandeh are badly affected. The road from Khanozai to Lorali has been blocked due to landslide causing inaccessibility to Harnai in Sibi district.
4. The findings from the assessment shows that majority of the displaced population in the worst affected areas are living in spontaneous settlements (tents) and in cold weather under the open sky. There is an urgent need for emergency shelter items, food rations and NFIs. Tent villages with basic WASH and health facilities need to be established.
NATIONAL RESPONSE
5. In Ziarat, army and CAF troops are rescuing the survivors and have established 2 Relief Camps where over 300 people have been accommodated. Utility Stores Corporation will provide starting 1 November 10,000 food packets with stoves for the affected population.
6. PRCS assessment and relief teams are working in Ziarat and Pishin districts. Each team is composed of 2 officers and 15 volunteers. Two medical teams (composed of 2 doctors, 1 LHV, 1 motivator and dispenser with medicines) have treated 120 patients so far. The medical teams are operating from Rural Health Centre in village Kawas, Ziarat district. PRCS will provide food and shelter requirements for initially 4,000 affected families, which will be increased on needs basis. So far the PRCS Provincial Branch in Quetta has dispatched emergency NFI stocks for 300 families to Ziarat on 29 October. 200 tents have been distributed in village Waam, of Ziarat district. On 30 October, 725
tents, 1,800 blankets, 1,200 tarpaulin sheets, 996 quilts and 560 coal stoves have been dispatched on 13 trucks. The dispatch of NFIs for additional 2,000 families is being planned today.
INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
7. On 30 October, the Chief Minister of Balochistan has issued a press release requesting assistance from the international community for emergency interventions and rehabilitation and reconstruction works.
8. On 31 October, ICRC launched a preliminary appeal for nine million Swiss Francs (USD 7.7 million) to help the earthquake affected population in Balochistan.
9. The Government of Saudi Arabia has announced it will provide $100 million for Balochistan earthquake.
10. Télécoms Sans Frontières deployed a team of emergency telecommunications specialist on 31 October. TSF will run humanitarian calling operations so that those affected can give news to their family and ask for personalized assistance. TSF will also make sure rescue teams have sufficient communication means to respond to the disaster and communicate right at the heart of the affected area.
WASH
11. UNICEF reports that most of the water scheme sources (ground water, spring sources and water catchments) in Ziarat and Pishin districts have been affected by the earthquake due to land sliding which has resulted in water contamination. Approximately 12,000 people in Ziarat lack safe water supply. On 29 October, UNICEF in collaboration with Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) has initiated interventions to ensure safe drinking water for 12,000 people in Ziarat district. 5 Water Bladders (5,000 liters capacity), 2 water bladders (10,000 liters capacity) are being installed. 4 water tankers have been deployed for provision of continuous safe water supply. One major water supply scheme in Kawash village in Ziarat district was restored by PHED with the financial and technical support from UNICEF. This water scheme is now able to supply safe water to 8,400 individuals. UNICEF has started mobilizing supplies of latrine slabs, plastic sheets, and hygiene kits for 5,000 families. UNICEF and its implementing partners are planning immediate construction of 500 latrines.
HEALTH
12. UNICEF reports that most of the health facilities have been damaged in the affected areas of Ziarat and Pishin. There is risk diseases outbreak such as measles, diarrhea and ARI (acute respiratory infections) among the displaced population, especially young children. UNICEF and WHO, in coordination with Executive District Officer Health, are planning to start measles prevention campaign with vitamin A supplementation. In addition, mobile medical teams dispatched from UN agencies and health partners have started working in the affected areas. Rapid assessment of overall health situation and health facilities in Ziarat and Pishin districts has been completed by the Inter-Agency Joint Mission. The report will be compiled on 31 October. The UNFPA Mobile Service Unit (MSU) that was initially deployed at Malazazi in Pishin district has moved to Tehsil Khanozai in Pishin district.
NUTRITION
13. UNICEF nutrition reports that non availability of food and discontinuation of breastfeeding may lead to malnutrition among children making them more vulnerable to infectious diseases. In the Health Coordination Meeting chaired by Director General Health on 30 October, the health partners decided on several interventions. These include dissemination of key messages on infant and young child feeding practices, including breastfeeding, complementary feeding and hygiene & sanitation, and counseling mothers on breastfeeding; provision of high energy biscuits for displaced children and provision of women friendly spaces for lactating mothers.
EDUCATION
14. According to findings of the Inter-Agency Rapid assessment, 100 primary schools in Ziarat district and 28 primary schools in Pishin district are partially damaged. On 30 October, the Provincial Director of Education announced that all schools in the earthquake affected areas of Pishin and Ziarat will be closed for one week from 30 October. The disruption of education activities affects approximately 20,000 primary school children (11,500 boys and 8,500 girls) in Pishin and 3,845 primary school children (2,285 boys and 1,560 girls) in Ziarat district. UNICEF and the Department of Education are in the process of finalising plans to start educational services in the affected areas. The affected schools are being covered through UNICEF regular project activities in Pishin district. The interventions will include: repair/construction of damaged schools, provision of school supplies and learning materials. In Ziarat district, UNICEF assistance will cover repair and construction of school infrastructure, back to school campaign for 3,000 primary school children, provision of basic school supplies and learning materials for 3,000 primary school children, and psychosocial support training for 350 teachers.
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.