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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management Crisis and Emergency Management Newsletter Website |
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February
2006
Volume
10 - Number 1 |
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Pakistan Earthquake Relief Update by Ryan Alvis The October 8, 2005 Himalayan earthquake caused destruction in an estimated 15,000 villages in Kashmir Pakistan and parts of India, resulting is more than 87,000 deaths, 74,000 injuries and leaving 3 million people homeless. Refugee camps currently house 140,000 people and other aid is being provided, by helicopter, to the high-altitude villages nestled in the Himalayan Mountains. The priorities of the humanitarian effort are: keeping the population warm and dry; improving the condition of water and sanitation conditions; tightening health surveillance systems; and creating a strategy for returning refugees home. The onset of winter prompted a mass effort called “Winter Plan” to combat the sub-zero temperatures and substantial snowfall. Warm clothing, blankets, vital shelter materials, food and non-food items are being delivered by helicopter to the populace in high altitude areas. Phase One of “Winter Plan” was completed on December 15, 2005. Phase Two of “Winter Plan” began in January and continues through February as needs become evident in the lower altitude areas. A Health Cluster, chaired by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health, has been formed to continue health services once non-governmental facilities close down. These organizations are actively improving water and hygiene conditions by distributing water testing kits, thousands of chlorine tablets and deploying hygiene promoters. 4,772 cases of acute watery diarrhea were reported between 24-26 January, and since then latrine access has increased to 130,000 refugees. Other health concerns are the 24,134 Acute Respiratory Infections reported and the fifteen cases of clinically diagnosed measles. There are instances where disease is being falsely reported, and as a result, the Health Cluster plans to create a Reliable Disease Surveillance and Early Warning System. To prepare for the reconstruction and rebuild of communities, the Pakistan Government has begun a mass refugee registration at 80 camps. Teams from the Regional Relief Commissioner are visiting refugee camps to record the names of heads of household, family size, place or origin and vulnerabilities such as pregnant women, widows, orphans, or the disabled and ill. Each family receives a ‘family card’ which creates a clearer picture of the camp population. These cards will be helpful for future aid distribution and the transition to return home once winter ends. Since the start of air operations in October, helicopters have delivered a total of 11,895 tons of food items and 2,871 tons of non-food items. At this time, ninety-one helicopters from the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service and the International Commission for Red Cross are flying at a cost of $500,000 per day. Helicopters will be used throughout the rest of the year due to destroyed or blocked roads. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of funds, and The United Nations estimates it will need about $80 million dollars for the rest of 2006. Sources: www.who.org www.un.org www.reliefweb.int www.unhcr.org www.seattlepi.nwsource.com |