"If we survive the winter we will rebuild
our homes in the spring"
Hassad Muhommed worries that the simple
shelter he and his neighbours built, will not protect his family during
the harsh winter months. His mountain village in Kalidrummond, Kashmir
was virtually destroyed by the earthquake 10 days ago, with approximately
80% of the homes now demolished. Freezing nights, rain, and hail signal
the fast approach of winter, which can cover these highland areas with
up to six feet of snow.
While a group of the men from this high mountain village discuss potential short term solutions to improve the temporary shelters, another group improve the burial plot of three adults and two children. Afsar Khan lost three family members when two of the family homes collapsed. He, along with every other member of the community worries that winter will arrive before adequate housing can be built for his remaining family.
Sufficient quantities of tents are simply not available these days to meet the needs of every family. The UN (United Nations) has reported that the worldwide supply of tents just doesn't meet the demand in Pakistan. While waiting for tents to arrive, Medair and ZOA are seeking alternative solutions by working with survivors to construct a suitable temporary shelter using locally and/or readily available materials. The most vulnerable families are too poor to afford the reinforced concrete homes that withstand the cold and earthquakes. Instead, they typically rely on the local stone, timber and mud to construct their vulnerable homes. A heavy roof of mud supported by timbers and rock results in a well insulated home, but collapsed easily during the earthquake. It is too late in the season to rebuild these homes, and the survivors do not have the cash to buy materials for quick construction (cement, roofing sheets, etc).
We are working in Rawalakot, an area highly affected by earthquake damage, to build prototypes of the basic shelters which can in turn be modified according to the needs and desires of those who will live in them. Metal roofing sheets, plastic tarpaulins, ground sheets and wooden beams, as well as mud and stones pulled from the debris will be used to construct a safer shelter that can quickly be assembled and meet the minimum requirements of the families, before the full onset of winter strikes in mid to late November. For less than 200 dollars, the shelter can be built in time for winter and the materials can be recycled next spring when permanent reconstruction of homes begins.
"If we survive this winter, we will rebuild our homes in the spring," one man told us. Others quickly affirmed they are not expecting a comfortable winter, and are resigned to "waiting out" the cold in simple shelters before they can rebuild. They are not willing to leave their homes or livestock for lower (and warmer) areas, and will do everything they can to stay in their home areas. We aim to provide the resources they need to wait out the winter in adequate shelters during the next 6 months, while preparing for the vast reconstruction needs of early spring.