PAKISTAN - EARTHQUAKE: USAID/DART SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 ISLAMABAD 017557 SIPDIS STATE ALSO PASS TO USAID USAID/W FOR A/AID ANDREW NATSIOS, JBRAUSE DCHA/OFDA KISAACS, GGOTTLIEB, MMARX, RTHAYER, BDEEMER AID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA SOUTH ASIA RESPONSE MANAGEMENT TEAM SOUTH ASIA EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE DCHA/FFP FOR JONATHAN DWORKEN ANE DEPUTY ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR MARK WARD BANGKOK FOR OFDA SENIOR REGIONAL ADVISOR TOM DOLAN KATHMANDU FOR OFDA REGIONAL ADVISOR WILLIAM BERGER ROME PASS FODAG GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH NSC FOR JMELINE EUCOM FOR POLA/J3/J4/J5 BRUSSELS FOR USAID PLERNER NEW YORK FOR TMALY SECDEF FOR SOLIC/PKHA, USDP/J3 JOINT STAFF WASH DC FOR J3/J4/J5 HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE FOR J3/J5 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID AEMR ASEC MASS ECON KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN - EARTHQUAKE: USAID/DART SITUATION REPORT 16: UPDATE ON FOOD SITUATION REF: ISLAMABAD 16643 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. In October 2005, the USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) reported that preliminary assessments by the UN World Food Program (WFP) estimated more than 2.3 million Pakistanis in need of food assistance per reftel. At that time, several NGOs suggested this figure was too high, but more recent assessments and field work by WFP, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock (MINFAL),support the original WFP estimate of at least 2.3 million people requiring food aid as a result of the October 8 earthquake. ¶2. Since November 9, the USAID/DART Food For Peace Officer (FFPO) has been assessing the food aid needs of earthquake- affected populations in consultations with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Attache, Government of Pakistan (GOP), WFP, UK Department for International Development (DFID),and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Currently, the amount of wheat in country is adequate to meet food needs until April 2006. WFP requires additional support, however, to cover the associated costs of food distributions through April. The USAID/DART, in collaboration with the US Mission, continues to work closely with the GOP, donors, WFP and other UN agencies, ICRC, and NGOs to address food issues, and prevent any breaks in the pipeline in the coming months. End Summary. -------------- FFPO Assessment Trip -------------- ¶3. Since November 9, the USAID/DART Food For Peace Officer (FFPO) has been in-country assessing the food aid needs of earthquake-affected populations in Pakistan. To obtain information about the food, agriculture, and livestock situation on the ground, the FFPO reviewed the recently completed joint MINFAL/FAO report, quote Assessment of Damage to Crops and Livestock Sectors Due to Earthquake unquote. In addition, the FFPO conducted field assessments and coordinated closely with the USDA Attache, the GOP Federal Relief Commission's (FRC) food cluster, WFP, DFID, and ICRC. ¶4. On November 15, the UN undertook an extensive assessment of the major earthquake relief hubs to determine the food security situation and assistance needs over the coming months. The FFPO accompanied the WFP Special Envoy for the earthquake disaster, DFID disaster assessment expert, UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) Head, and WFP Head of Logistics for the earthquake disaster response. The team visited WFP operational centers in Abbottobad, Mansehra, Batagram, Muzaffarabad, Garhi Habibullah, and Balakot. WFP cooperation with the GOP Military and local authorities was good and the WFP implementing partners responsible for food distribution, although still setting up their operations, were beginning to receive and distribute food aid. The FFPO noted that after initial start-up difficulties, the WFP logistics operation was becoming more efficient. The USAID/DART will remain engaged to ensure that WFP operations continue to improve as assets grow and relations with other responders to the earthquake relief effort are consolidated and harmonized. ¶5. During the field visit, the FFPO observed that the GOP is providing compensation, as promised, to those who have lost their homes or family members during the earthquake. As reported septel, death compensation is 100,000 Pakistan Rupees (approximately USD 1,666),while assistance for housing losses is 25,000 Rupees (USD 416). In Balokot, residents have begun receiving 3,750 Rupees (USD 62) per month as a tent compensation for those who are in tented villages following the earthquake. Officials expect that persons displaced will be able to use this subsidy to purchase food and necessities. -------------- The FAO/MINFAL Livestock and crop assessment -------------- ¶6. Completed in early November 2005, the FAO/MINFAL assessment results are consistent with the earlier WFP/UNICEF earthquake assessment, which found 3.5 million people affected by the earthquake. Of this number, FAO/MINFAL indicated that 2.3 million people were homeless and in need of additional food and material assistance. This number has also been accepted by the GOP. In the hardest hit areas, up to 50 percent of livestock was lost and 95 percent of all animal shelters destroyed. Up to 75 percent of the maize crop, 50 percent of the wheat crop, and more than 30 percent of the rice crop was lost, as well as substantial animal fodder. According to FAO/MINFAL, direct and indirect losses to crops, livestock, and irrigation infrastructure were more than USD 440 million. Prior to the earthquake, six of the nine affected districts were already among the most food insecure parts of Pakistan. As the winter progresses, livestock losses will likely increase due to exposure and a shortage of fodder. Earthquake victims are widely reported to be asking for assistance with shelter for their livestock. ¶7. The GOP, WFP, and ICRC are responsible for ensuring that the 2.3 million affected persons receive food. WFP is responsible for the 1 million most inaccessible beneficiaries, ICRC has targeted another 150,000 in the Neelum Valley, and the GOP is tasked with assisting the remainder in accessible areas and major urban centers. ¶8. According to all indicators, Pakistan has enough wheat this year to meet needs countrywide. Assuring that the wheat reaches the vulnerable and homeless, however, may present a challenge. Of the 2.3 million earthquake victims identified as requiring food aid by the various assessments to date, WFP's caseload of 1 million for the next 6 months will require nearly 102,000 MT of food aid, including 76,000 MT of wheat. Regardless of how the wheat is procured-even if donated-it will still require considerable financial inputs to mill, transport, store, handle, and distribute. Presently WFP has resources to process and deliver 16,000 MT. WFP requires additional support to cover associated costs of food distributions. Transport cost of delivering food aid to earthquake victims is significant, due to the need for helicopter support to reach up to 200,000 people in mountainous and inaccessible areas. -------------- USDA Wheat contribution -------------- ¶9. To date, USAID/OFDA has provided more than USD 8.9 million to WFP for humanitarian air operations, logistics, and administrative support. USAID/FFP has provided WFP with 2,880 MT of PL Title II food assistance valued at more than USD 3.4 million. On November 21, USDA offered Pakistan a USD 12 million wheat contribution, assuring adequate supplies to meet the needs of WFP's 1 million caseload until April 2006. The USAID/DART will continue to assess conditions during the winter to determine food needs after April. ¶10. USDA's contribution of USD 12 million will cover costs for an estimated 46,000 MT of bulk wheat, plus the cost of shipping to Karachi. The donation will not include port charges, handling and transport from Karachi, milling, fortification, storage, or final distribution to beneficiaries. Instead, these costs will have to come from donor contributions to WFP's Emergency Operations (EMOP) appeal for the Pakistan earthquake. ¶11. According to WFP's latest resource update, the EMOP for 1 million beneficiaries over 6 months calls for 101,501 MT of food aid at a cost of nearly USD 26.5 million for food, and a total cost of more than USD 55.8 million, including food and all associated costs. As of November 18, the EMOP has received approximately USD 21.1 million against its appeal, leaving a shortfall of more than USD 34.7 million. As of November 20, WFP is reaching 845,000 beneficiaries, including the ongoing operation for 200,000 Pakistanis in the most difficult to reach areas of the earthquake zone before the onset of the winter snow. -------------- Conclusion -------------- ¶12. Developing a clear picture of food aid needs for the population affected by the Pakistani earthquake and coordinating an appropriate response is an ongoing challenge. Presently, sufficient wheat exists in country to allow WFP to draw down its needs. The USDA offer of a USD 12 million contribution, replacing wheat used by WFP for immediate distribution, provides reassurance that WFP operations will continue beyond the winter. USAID/FFP is also working on sending 2,600 MT of vegetable oil for WFP distribution. With these two contributions in place, the WFP pipeline will be healthy. WFP has funding to cover operations until the end of 2005, but does not yet have the necessary funds to cover associated costs, including road transportation and distribution, to continue its obligation through April 2006. The USAID/DART, in collaboration with the US Mission in Pakistan, continues to work with the GOP, donors, UN agencies, ICRC, and NGOs to address this urgent HQ UEUCO AIHIGN GEFO J3/J5 EO. 1258: N/A TGS: EAID, AEMR, ASEC, MASS, ECON, KMDR, KPAO, OIIP, OPRC, PGOV, PREL, PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN - EARTHQUAKE: USAID/DART SITUATION REPORT 16: UPDATE ON FOOD SITUATION issue, and prevent critical food shortages in the coming months. CROCKER