Pakistan: Earthquake OCHA situation report No. 4

HIGHLIGHTS

- The Earthquake in Balochistan province has left 166 deaths and 370 injured so far (government confirmed figure). National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports that 35,600 individuals (4,610 families) have been affected whereas the figures on displacement have increased to 7,000 individuals.

- According to the Inter-Agency Joint Assessment report urgent needs include 10,000 tents, 40,000 blankets, 20,000 quilts, 10,000 food packs, and warm clothing for one month in 7 villages (Wam, Ahmadon, Kawas, Tangian, Zarand, Gogai and Kahan) of Ziarat district.

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. According to the assessment from the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum, access is difficult but remains possible even in the most affected Union Councils, Kawas and Kutch on Ziarat district, and Khanozai on Pishin district. Communities have not yet started clearing the wreckage of their houses and people are sleeping outside their damaged houses due to continuous aftershocks. So far, only limited assistance has reached the affected population.

NATIONAL RESPONSE

3. As of 2 November, NDMA reports that 1,100 tents, 13,170 blankets, 7,281 food packs and medicine worth Rs 3.5 million (USD 43,750) have been distributed through PDMA Balochistan. NDMA has an existing stock of 7,000 tents, 116,600 blankets, 13,000 warm jackets, 12,000 plastic mats, 1,472 sleeping bags and 10,000 food packs. 13 helicopters are engaged in the relief operation and 10 C-130 carrying relief items to the affected areas.

4. An operational center has been established in Wam to ensure an effective coordination in Ziarat district. Four camps have been established in Wam (2 camps), Kawas and Orchun. Additional four camps are being established in Ahmadon, Gogai, Kawas, Tangain. The two camps in Wam are designed to accommodate 2,000 individuals whereas each of the remaining camps can accommodate 3,000 individuals.

5. In the affected districts, medical teams from the Department of Health, People' s Primary Health Care Initiative (PPHI) and Pakistan Army Medical Corps are providing health services. The Balochistan Provincial Government has deployed 19 medical teams with ambulances and medicines in the affected districts. According to the Provincial Health Department, there are enough medicines and medical staff to cope with the current situation. The health department has sent 10 vaccination teams to the affected districts to vaccinate children and women against measles and tetanus and to administer Vitamin A to children. UNICEF and WHO are providing logistics support for the vaccination activities.

6. The Provincial Government has requested logistic support and storage facility from the United Nations. This includes three storage facilities (two in Ziarat and one in Pishin with storage capacity of 10,000 MT each) and transportation of relief items to the affected areas. WFP is currently reviewing this request.

7. Three assessment teams from the Pakistan Red Crescent Society have identified 1,480 most vulnerable families in different villages of Ziarat and Pishin for the distribution of NFIs. The PRCS Provincial Branch in Quetta has dispatched 50 trucks of emergency NFIs for distribution to 2,000 families in Ziarat, using half of the initial NFI stock. The stocks include 2,000 tents, 14,000 blankets, 2,000 plastic sheets, 2,000 coal stoves, 2,000 kitchen sets, 4,000 jerry cans and 2,000 hygiene kits. 200 tents have been distributed in the village Wam, in Ziarat district. 500 tents have been distributed in the village Khanozai, in Pishin district. Two medical teams operating at Rural Health Centre (RHC) in Kawas (Ziarat district) have treated 270 patients.

8. As of 1 November, Balochistan Rural support (BRSP) has assisted 6,553 affected individuals. This includes provision of 59 pots (each pot contains 40 kg) of cooked food to 4,110 displaced people, first aid treatment to 493 injured people and assistance for the funeral 200 people killed in the earthquake. 250 food packages were provided to 1,750 individuals in the affected villages of Waam, Vurchan and Kawas; similarly 100 food packages were provided in Khanozai and Khushab in Pishin distrct. In Kawas and Kach, 183 sites were identified for the construction of pit latrines.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

SHELTER AND NFIs

9. UNHABITAT has concluded an assessment of the affected areas and report will be shared with the government and the humanitarian community in coming days.

10. UNHCR in collaboration with Relief International and local partner Tarqee Foundation will provide relief items for distribution to affected individuals in Torshar, Kharnai in Ziarat district. 450 tents, 1,000 plastic sheets, 1,300 blankets, 200 mats, 40 cooking sets and jerry cans were distributed on 3 November.

11. The Turkish Red Crescent is planning to establish 10 long lasting winterised steel shelter units. Each unit is designed to accommodate 12 families and consists of living areas, 2 bathrooms, 2 kitchens and 2 food stores. These units will be transported from Turkey by road.

12. Islamic Relief has distributed NFIs to 300 families in Kuch (Ziarat district). This includes nerox filters (utility cans), blankets and kitchen utensils.

13. PHF Joint Rapid Assessment reports that in addition to the winterised tents and blankets, basic tools (such as shovel, pick axe, spade, rubber bucket and ropes...) are needed for the affected families to remove the rubbles from their properties and recover part of their belongings. These tools will later be used for reconstruction of the houses. The PHF Joint Rapid Assessment was conducted in three Union councils: Kawas and Kutch councils in Ziarat district and Khanozai council in Pishin district.