Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ISLAMABAD17621
2005-11-29 14:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:  

PAKISTAN - EARTHQUAKE: ONGOING NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR

Tags:  EAID AEMR ASEC MASS ECON KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ISLAMABAD 017621 

SIPDIS

STATE ALSO PASS TO USAID
USAID/W FOR A/AID ANDREW NATSIOS, JBRAUSE
DCHA/OFDA 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: ONGOING NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR
RELIEF EFFORTS

REF: ISLAMABAD 16837

-------
SUMMARY
-------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ISLAMABAD 017621

SIPDIS

STATE ALSO PASS TO USAID
USAID/W FOR A/AID ANDREW NATSIOS, JBRAUSE
DCHA/OFDA 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: ONGOING NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR
RELIEF EFFORTS

REF: ISLAMABAD 16837

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. With the onset of winter, relief activities are moving
into a critical stage where the needs of the earthquake-
affected populations must be met efficiently and quickly.
The difficulty of this task has been exacerbated by the
changing climatic conditions, which are significantly
altering the number and locations of people moving into
tented camps. Field reports indicate the need to improve
the distribution network for relief commodities, the
winterization of tents, and sanitation conditions in the
growing camps. The USG continues to play a vital role in
meeting Pakistan's requirements for earthquake relief and
recovery. DOD services and excess commodities have been
vital and will continue to be critically needed as winter
sets in.
End Summary.

--------------
Federal Relief Commission (FRC) Update
--------------


2. In early November 2005, the USAID Disaster Assistance
Response Team (DART) analyzed requirements, supply, and
pipeline for relief commodities to determine critical
shortfalls, per reftel. This exercise drew available
information from the latest FRC documents, USAID

implementing partners, US Military, and the UN.


3. Unlike previous versions, the latest November 26 FRC
report did not provide an update on needs, but focused on
what relief communities had provided thus far. Although the
report contained flaws and was incomplete, the update gave
humanitarian agencies an opportunity to refine information
on their contributions. The difficulty for the FRC in
undertaking a gap analysis has been exacerbated by recent
changing demographic and climatic conditions, which affect
the number and location of people moving into spontaneous
and planned tent camps and, consequently, relief
requirements.

--------------
USAID Field Reports of Gaps
--------------


4. With the first snowfall in earthquake-affected areas on
November 27, the requirement for detailed information on
evolving needs is becoming more urgent. Although the
available information is incomplete, the DART has been able
to draw the following conclusions:


5. Shelter: At this time, sufficient tents appear to have
been distributed, but according to the International
Organization for Migration (IOM),only 15 percent are
winterized. Following the snowstorm on November 27, a
report from the Sirin Valley indicated that many of the
tents had fallen. In addition, there continues to be a
shortage of large-sized tents that could be used for
dormitory style arrangements. Size, quality, and
winterization remain top priorities for this commodity.


6. Shelter Commodities Pipeline: Shelter commodities such as
corrugated galvanized iron (CGI) sheets are available in
Pakistan although prices in-country have increased and
quality is variable. In addition, shelter commodities can
be procured regionally. One NGO has opened up a supply
chain of CGI sheets from Dubai and report that it takes
approximately one week from order date to clearance of
customs in Karachi. At an NGO coordination meeting convened
on November 24 by the DART, eight organizations discussed
the possibility of pooling together to submit group orders
to assure a smooth flow of reasonably priced, high quality
shelter materials from Dubai, India, or China.


7. Water and sanitation: Sanitation, particularly in camps,
is an increasingly critical issue because of the onset of
winter, the lack of appropriate shelter, and the resulting
movement of people from the hills into spontaneous and
planned tent camps. Sanitation problems are not only a
matter of constructing latrines, but are strongly related to
camp management and education. Effective camp management
and education programs would allow organizations to site
sanitation areas in the correct location, as well as teach
camp residents the appropriate use of sanitation facilities.


8. Logistics: Several USAID-funded NGOs report increased
landslides and slippery roads in the Neelum and Allai
valleys because of the recent rain and snowfall. Seven
roads are currently impassable at various points, totaling
35 kilometers, and the conditions will worsen as winter sets
in. Regarding airlift, UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS)
states that present funding levels of USD 38 million have
secured operation of current air assets through April
(thirteen MI-8s and two MI-26 helicopters). This falls
short of their USD 99 million goal, which would provide 22
MI-8s and 5 MI-26 helicopters for 6 months.


9. Field reports indicate that food availability is
sufficient at this time, but difficulties remain in the
distribution network. As winter worsens, and if there is an
increase in the movement of dwellers into camps, it will be
more difficult for the FRC to track the critical commodity
needs of the affected popultion.

--------------
DOD'scriica ole
--------------


10. Although civilian air support has increased in recent
weeks, DOD air assets remain the backbone and most reliable
component of the Pakistani military logistics chain. With
the onset of winter, already significant humanitarian needs
in earthquake-affected areas of Pakistan will likely
increase and logistics will be even further constrained.
The adverse effects of snow and rain on relief supply
distributions and the unpredictability of movements of
populations will require strengthened transportation and
logistics networks. Given this outlook, it is clear that
DOD plays a key role in the earthquake relief operation. DOD
services and excess commodities have been vital and will
continue to be critically needed as winter sets in.

--------------
DART Response Actions
--------------


11. USAID has provided more than USD 18 million in
alternative shelter activities and winterization of tents to
eight NGOs, assisting an estimated 420,000 beneficiaries.
Further, the DART is planning to provide an additional USD
4.5 million for critical shelter activities. To address
water and sanitation problems, the DART has already provided
USD 1.16 million to four NGOs for activities that will
assist 97,000 beneficiaries. In addition, the DART is
committing approximately USD 3 million to address water and
sanitation problems in spontaneous and planned tent
communities in Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) and Northwest
Frontier Province (NWFP). The DART is continuing to program
its resources to address changing needs as they arise.

CROCKER