Islamabad, 28 October, 2015
Overview
Following the magnitude 7.5 earthquake that struck Badakshan Province, Afghanistan on 26 October, relief efforts are underway in Pakistan with the Government leading the response. Currently there are 267 people reported killed in Pakistan with 220 of those fatalities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). In addition, 1,836 are injured with 1,656 of those injuries in KP. Damages and aftershocks are verified in other provinces, but KP remains the most severely affected. Government response efforts are taking advantage of humanitarian response facilities previously established by the World Food Program.
Emergency measures are in effect in all areas of KP and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
No major structural damages to health facilities are reported and all health facilities are providing emergency health assistance to people in need. Government sources report that 147 schools were damaged in KP. Mobile networks are largely restored. Surveys of bridges and other critical infrastructure are underway. Information regarding damage and casualties continues to be compiled as reports from more remote areas are received.
Government Response
The government is leading the response effort with overall coordination by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), and support from the military and civil society. Roads that were blocked or damaged (in some cases by dozens of landslides on the same road) have largely been cleared including the Chitral Road, the Karakoram Highway and the Skardu road. Disaster operation centers are activated in all affected provinces, and damage assessments are continuing. Heavy rains are expected in the coming week in Northern Pakistan and the earthquake affected areas. Therefore shelter, winterization, emergency health services, and water and sanitation support will be among the most immediate needs.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) – Search and rescue operations continue in KP. The Pakistan Navy Medical Team has deployed to Swat. Four relief camps have been established at Dir, Chitral and Bajour, and 26 distribution points are running in Upper/ Lower Dir, Chitral, Buner, Malakand & Bajaur. Two emergency medical teams are deployed to Mingora and Timurgara. One C130 aircraft was dispatched with 2500 MREs and seven tons of additional supplies. The Government of Punjab is also sending 95 trucks carrying relief goods consisting of tents, blankets, food hampers 10,000 each and 2,500 bags of wheat flour. The Provincial Disaster Management Agency of KP is distributing 2000 tents, blankets, and floor mats to affected families in Chitral, Shangla, Upper and Lower Dir, Torghar, Swat, and Malakand. One thousand food packages have been sent to Chitral district. The remaining families in Togh Sarai Camp are unaffected.
Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) – Bajur Agency was one of the most affected areas of FATA and the Government has provided 772 tents, 900 blankets, 500 floor mats, and 450 rations of cooked food. Financial compensation packages of PKR 60,000 to the families of dead, and PKR 10,000 to the injured are being provided. Kurram Agency has reported no deaths, but there are injuries and structural damages. Mohmand, Orakzai and Kurram Agencies have received 410 tents, 200 blankets and 200 floor mats. There are no reported damages in South Waziristan.
Pakistan Administered Kashmir – Two helicopters are working in Gilgit Baltistan area. The Gilgit Baltistan Disaster Management Authority has sent 500 tents and 500 blankets to Ghizer, Diamer and Nagar. Of the 12 killed, four were women, while of the 21 injured seven are reported to be women.
Punjab – According to PDMA Punjab, there were five fatalities as well as reports of partial damage to houses and injuries occurring in Mianwali, Sargodha, and Baakkar. Punjab Government announced Rs.500,000 will be given to each family of the deceased. The Chief Minister has directed relevant departments to carry out surveys to assess damages.
National and International Humanitarian Community
Although there has been no formal request for assistance from the Government to the national and international humanitarian community, UN and I/NGOs are in a state of readiness to respond to any forthcoming requests. WHO is liaising with the health authorities and monitoring the situation on the ground and is ready to provide emergency medicines and supplies. The World Health Organization (WHO) pre-positioned 3 trauma/surgical kits for the earthquake affected areas. Along with food items distributed yesterday to 1,320 people in Bajur by the World Food Program (WFP), additional food for 1,800 was dispatched. WFP also has stocks of 220 metric tons of High Energy Biscuits sufficient for 600,000 individuals for 5 days if required, as well as stocks for 100,000 families for 15 days of wheat, pulses oil and salt available for immediate relief response. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has 3,000 shelter kits available. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has a contingency stock of 5,000 tents. UNICEF has stocks of WASH supplies, family hygiene kits, latrine slabs, newborn kits and baby blankets. Resource mapping with the help of humanitarian partners is in progress.
The National Humanitarian Network is standing by with more than 100 trained volunteers, 10 vehicles from member organizations in KP. Information Sources: Government of Pakistan, NHN, United Nations