Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ISLAMABAD17557
2005-11-28 13:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:  

PAKISTAN - EARTHQUAKE: USAID/DART SITUATION REPORT

Tags:  EAID AEMR ASEC MASS ECON KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK 
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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
-------

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