Highlights
The actual number of damaged and destroyed houses appears to be lower than initially estimated and currently stands at 799.
The Agency on State Material Reserves has been appointed by the Government to receive and distribute international assistance.
Many UN and non-UN agencies have pre-positioned food and non-food items in GBAO for immediate release.
World Food Programme, representing the UN in Gorno-Badakhshan, and FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance have conducted an initial rapid needs assessment in Rushon district.
A one-day donor mission is planned to Gorno-Badakhshan on 17 December using Aga Khan Development Network’s helicopter.**
Situation Overview
The Committee of Emergency Situations (CoES) briefed partners at a REACT coordination meeting on 14 December that the members of the Governmental damage and needs assessment team have been able to reach some of the isolated communities for the first time after the onset of the 7.2M earthquake on 7 December. According to the latest information from CoES, the number of destroyed and damaged houses is significantly lower than initially estimated, and stands as of 15 December at 799 houses. CoES explained that the initial figures that were provided on the damaged and destroyed houses and infrastructure were estimated based on phone communication with heads of many isolated jamoats due to lack of access to the areas by air or land. Now CoES can access many of the jamoats, they have been able to more accurately assess the number of damaged and destroyed houses. Hence, the number of people displaced is now estimated to be 4,794 – using an average of 6 people living in a household.
The weather has cleared up the last few days, which made it possible to reach many isolated communities in Bartang Valley. As of 15 December, at least 508 people (253 children (age to be identified) and 255 adults) have been evacuated to Rushon district center. The evacuated people are staying in school and pre-school facilities.