Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ISLAMABAD3656
2008-11-20 13:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
USAID/OFDA PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE SHELTER UPDATE
how-toO 201320Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0271 AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY BANGKOK IMMEDIATE AMCONSUL KARACHI IMMEDIATE AMCONSUL LAHORE IMMEDIATE AMCONSUL PESHAWAR IMMEDIATE USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE INFO NSC WASHINGTON DC SECDEF WASHINGTON DC JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 003656
AIDAC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PGOV PK PINR PREL PTER
SUBJECT: USAID/OFDA PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE SHELTER UPDATE
-------
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 003656
AIDAC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PGOV PK PINR PREL PTER
SUBJECT: USAID/OFDA PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE SHELTER UPDATE
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. On October 29, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake in
Balochistan Province of Pakistan caused significant
damage to the traditional mud and timber houses,
primarily affecting Ziarat and Pishin districts, with
some damage also reported in Harnai district.
Different assessments produced a range of estimates of
the number of houses damaged or destroyed, including
the Government of Pakistan (GOP) military estimate of
2,000 houses and the U.N. Multi-Cluster Rapid
Assessment Mechanism (MCRAM) finding of approximately
7,600 houses. The GOP, local groups, and humanitarian
organizations immediately responded by providing
emergency relief supplies, including blankets, tents,
and plastic sheeting. While some humanitarian
organizations plan to provide winterized tents, most
are focusing on the provision of transitional
shelters, which are generally built from locally
available materials that can be reused to construct a
permanent structure.
2. The USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team
(USAID/DART) quickly determined that shelter was one
of the primary humanitarian needs in the aftermath of
the October 29 earthquake, and focused resources on
contributing to the response in the shelter sector.
The USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance
(USAID/OFDA) shelter specialist provided technical
assistance to GOP agencies and humanitarian
organizations, while USAID/OFDA provided immediate
shelter support through tents, blankets, and plastic
sheeting distributed by the International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC),Save the Children (SC)/US, and
Relief International (RI). USAID/OFDA is working
closely with NGO partners to provide timely and
appropriate transitional shelter, in line with the
shelter cluster and the GOP National Disaster
Management Authority (NDMA) shelter strategies, to
help affected populations survive the winter season.
End Summary.
--------------
SHELTER SITUATION
--------------
3. On October 29, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake in
Balochistan Province of Pakistan caused significant
damage to the traditional mud and timber housing
stock, which are the predominant form of housing in
the region. Ziarat and Pishin districts were the
hardest hit by the earthquake, with some damage also
reported in Harnai district. Different assessments
produced a range of estimates of the number of houses
damaged or destroyed, ranging from the GOP military
estimate of 2,000 houses to the U.N. MCRAM finding of
approximately 7,600 houses. The Balochistan Rural
Support Program (BRSP) reported that more than 10,000
houses were damaged, but indicated that the assessment
considered every house with any cracks in the mud
walls or roofs as structurally unsafe.
4. Part of the difference in the housing numbers
lies in varying definitions of what constitutes a
house in the affected areas, where many extended
families live in compounds with multiple rooms facing
a courtyard. Humanitarian organizations participating
in the shelter cluster agreed on a standard of one-
room shelter units meant to house an individual
family. Therefore, each nuclear family in the
extended family is to be provided a one-room
transitional shelter. Different organizations also
use different estimates of family size, but generally
agree that nuclear families in the affected areas are
large, ranging from 7 to 10 persons.
5. Based on the initial assessment results,
including the BRSP assessment, the shelter cluster
identified a need ranging from 10,000 to 17,000 such
one-room units to provide transitional shelter for
populations to survive the regionQs harsh winter
season, after which the GOPQs rebuilding programs are
meant to begin. The chairman of the GOPQs NDMA has
specifically requested that humanitarian organizations
provide transitional shelter using more permanent
materials to meet medium-term shelter needs. The NDMA
indicated that shelter was the first priority, and
that all affected populations should be out of non-
winterized tents by the beginning of the winter
season, with winterized tents only used if necessary.
On November 17, USAID/OFDA staff received reports that
the NDMA is planning to take on an increasing
coordination role, assigning each humanitarian
organization providing transitional shelter to a
specific affected location, a role often carried out
by the shelter cluster.
6. The GOP, humanitarian organizations, and a
variety of local groups have already distributed
approximately 14,000 non-winterized tents as of
November 10, according to the NDMA, as well as plastic
sheeting, blankets, and other relief supplies meant to
meet immediate shelter needs. Other humanitarian
organizations, such as the Salvation Army, Oxfam,
SC/UK, and the American Red Cross, planned to provide
winterized tents. On November 10, the NDMA estimated
that approximately 2,500 winterized tents had been
distributed or were in the pipeline to be distributed.
7. However, most humanitarian organizations
providing shelter assistance are now supporting
winterized transitional shelter, built from locally
available materials that can be reused to construct a
permanent structure. The International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has
pledged to construct at least 2,000 transitional
shelter units in coordination with the Pakistan Red
Crescent Society. The Turkish Red Crescent is setting
up 10 winterized container structures designed to
accommodate up to 120 families. Islamic Relief is
providing 200 transitional shelter units, while the
organization Islamic Hands is also providing 200
units. USAID/OFDA is planning to support non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) to build
approximately 700 winterized transitional shelters.
The International Organization for Migration, the U.N.
Human Settlements Program, and BRSP have built a
demonstration shelter in Quetta, comprised of bamboo
roof framing, corrugated galvanized iron (CGI)
sheeting, plastic sheeting, and bags filled with sand
and dirt. USAID/OFDA plastic sheeting provided by RI
was used in the Quetta model. The organizations plan
to build similar demonstration shelters in affected
communities and rapidly implement a larger-scale
building program.
--------------
USG RESPONSE
--------------
8. On November 5, the USAID/OFDA shelter specialist
arrived in Pakistan, and immediately traveled to
earthquake-affected areas in Balochistan Province to
conduct a shelter assessment and meet with
representatives from the GOP military, provincial
authorities, and humanitarian organizations.
Following the initial assessment, the shelter
specialist met with a number of humanitarian
organizations and government agencies in Islamabad to
help provide technical support for the emerging
shelter strategy, building on experience from the 2005
earthquake response. On November 10, the shelter
specialist participated in the initial meeting of the
shelter cluster, chaired by IFRC.
9. USAID/OFDA has contributed USD 1 million to help
ICRC to provide immediate humanitarian assistance,
including shelter and emergency relief supplies. As
of November 13, ICRC reported providing 690 tents and
1,475 blankets in Ziarat District and 150 tents, 345
tarpaulin sheets, 330 blankets, and 186 mats in Pishin
District. ICRC is also providing food, health, and
water sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) assistance.
10. On November 6, to help meet immediate shelter
needs, USAID/OFDA airlifted 530 rolls of plastic
sheeting, valued at approximately USD 260,000
including transport, from the USAID/OFDA warehouse in
Dubai to Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan
Province. The shipment was received by RI, with
logistical support from RIQs local partner the Taraqee
Foundation. RI has distributed the plastic sheeting
to villages in affected areas of Pishin and Ziarat
districts through a network of local organizations.
The sheeting should benefit at least 26,500 people by
improving wind and water proofing of non-winterized
tents provided by other humanitarian organizations and
the GOP. The sheeting can also be reused in
transitional shelter.
11. USAID/OFDA also provided USD 100,000 to SC/US to
locally procure additional plastic sheeting. SC/US
has distributed the 4,000 sheets to affected
populations in Ziarat District, along with tents and
emergency relief supplies provided by SC/UK.
12. To date, USAID is the only major donor focusing
on providing winterized transitional shelter.
USAID/OFDA is planning to provide at least 700
winterized transitional shelter units through NGO
partners to earthquake-affected households in Ziarat
and Pishin districts. Together, the NGOs will provide
transitional shelter to an estimated 6,600 people.
13. The NGOs are pursuing a self-build approach,
where the NGOs will hire local craftsmen to build
demonstration shelters in the community, and help
train affected families to build a shelter sufficient
for at least the winter. The NGOs are consulting with
local communities on appropriate shelter design using
locally available materials, as well as participating
in the shelter cluster, now based in Quetta. NGO
designs include a roof made from CGI sheeting, with a
timber framework and an exterior made from plastic
sheeting backed with insulative materials. While
unable to visit the initial NGO transitional shelter
models due to security considerations, the USAID/OFDA
shelter specialist has worked closely with the NGOs on
the shelter design to ensure that it is earthquake-
resistant, low cost, and meets the international
SPHERE shelter standards.
14. USAID/OFDA is also supporting complementary cash-
for-work and water, sanitation, and hygiene programs,
in conjunction with the transitional shelter programs.
Cash-for-work programs will provide for skilled labor
support for shelter construction, and help to inject
needed currency into the local economy. The NGOs will
also help affected households to rebuild communal
latrines damaged or destroyed by the earthquake. Such
latrines are largely used by female members of the
household for increased privacy and safety, and
therefore address important protection concerns from
the community.
--------------
CONCLUSION
--------------
15. The USAID/DART quickly determined that shelter
was one of the primary humanitarian needs in the
aftermath of the October 29 earthquake, and focused
resources on contributing to the response in the
shelter sector. The USAID/OFDA shelter specialist
provided technical assistance to GOP agencies and
humanitarian organizations, while USAID/OFDA provided
immediate shelter support through tents, blankets, and
plastic sheeting distributed by ICRC, SC/US, and RI.
USAID/OFDA is working closely with NGO partners to
provide timely and appropriate transitional shelter,
in line with the shelter cluster and the GOP NDMA
shelter strategies, to help affected populations
survive the winter season.
PATTERSON
AIDAC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PGOV PK PINR PREL PTER
SUBJECT: USAID/OFDA PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE SHELTER UPDATE
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. On October 29, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake in
Balochistan Province of Pakistan caused significant
damage to the traditional mud and timber houses,
primarily affecting Ziarat and Pishin districts, with
some damage also reported in Harnai district.
Different assessments produced a range of estimates of
the number of houses damaged or destroyed, including
the Government of Pakistan (GOP) military estimate of
2,000 houses and the U.N. Multi-Cluster Rapid
Assessment Mechanism (MCRAM) finding of approximately
7,600 houses. The GOP, local groups, and humanitarian
organizations immediately responded by providing
emergency relief supplies, including blankets, tents,
and plastic sheeting. While some humanitarian
organizations plan to provide winterized tents, most
are focusing on the provision of transitional
shelters, which are generally built from locally
available materials that can be reused to construct a
permanent structure.
2. The USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team
(USAID/DART) quickly determined that shelter was one
of the primary humanitarian needs in the aftermath of
the October 29 earthquake, and focused resources on
contributing to the response in the shelter sector.
The USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance
(USAID/OFDA) shelter specialist provided technical
assistance to GOP agencies and humanitarian
organizations, while USAID/OFDA provided immediate
shelter support through tents, blankets, and plastic
sheeting distributed by the International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC),Save the Children (SC)/US, and
Relief International (RI). USAID/OFDA is working
closely with NGO partners to provide timely and
appropriate transitional shelter, in line with the
shelter cluster and the GOP National Disaster
Management Authority (NDMA) shelter strategies, to
help affected populations survive the winter season.
End Summary.
--------------
SHELTER SITUATION
--------------
3. On October 29, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake in
Balochistan Province of Pakistan caused significant
damage to the traditional mud and timber housing
stock, which are the predominant form of housing in
the region. Ziarat and Pishin districts were the
hardest hit by the earthquake, with some damage also
reported in Harnai district. Different assessments
produced a range of estimates of the number of houses
damaged or destroyed, ranging from the GOP military
estimate of 2,000 houses to the U.N. MCRAM finding of
approximately 7,600 houses. The Balochistan Rural
Support Program (BRSP) reported that more than 10,000
houses were damaged, but indicated that the assessment
considered every house with any cracks in the mud
walls or roofs as structurally unsafe.
4. Part of the difference in the housing numbers
lies in varying definitions of what constitutes a
house in the affected areas, where many extended
families live in compounds with multiple rooms facing
a courtyard. Humanitarian organizations participating
in the shelter cluster agreed on a standard of one-
room shelter units meant to house an individual
family. Therefore, each nuclear family in the
extended family is to be provided a one-room
transitional shelter. Different organizations also
use different estimates of family size, but generally
agree that nuclear families in the affected areas are
large, ranging from 7 to 10 persons.
5. Based on the initial assessment results,
including the BRSP assessment, the shelter cluster
identified a need ranging from 10,000 to 17,000 such
one-room units to provide transitional shelter for
populations to survive the regionQs harsh winter
season, after which the GOPQs rebuilding programs are
meant to begin. The chairman of the GOPQs NDMA has
specifically requested that humanitarian organizations
provide transitional shelter using more permanent
materials to meet medium-term shelter needs. The NDMA
indicated that shelter was the first priority, and
that all affected populations should be out of non-
winterized tents by the beginning of the winter
season, with winterized tents only used if necessary.
On November 17, USAID/OFDA staff received reports that
the NDMA is planning to take on an increasing
coordination role, assigning each humanitarian
organization providing transitional shelter to a
specific affected location, a role often carried out
by the shelter cluster.
6. The GOP, humanitarian organizations, and a
variety of local groups have already distributed
approximately 14,000 non-winterized tents as of
November 10, according to the NDMA, as well as plastic
sheeting, blankets, and other relief supplies meant to
meet immediate shelter needs. Other humanitarian
organizations, such as the Salvation Army, Oxfam,
SC/UK, and the American Red Cross, planned to provide
winterized tents. On November 10, the NDMA estimated
that approximately 2,500 winterized tents had been
distributed or were in the pipeline to be distributed.
7. However, most humanitarian organizations
providing shelter assistance are now supporting
winterized transitional shelter, built from locally
available materials that can be reused to construct a
permanent structure. The International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has
pledged to construct at least 2,000 transitional
shelter units in coordination with the Pakistan Red
Crescent Society. The Turkish Red Crescent is setting
up 10 winterized container structures designed to
accommodate up to 120 families. Islamic Relief is
providing 200 transitional shelter units, while the
organization Islamic Hands is also providing 200
units. USAID/OFDA is planning to support non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) to build
approximately 700 winterized transitional shelters.
The International Organization for Migration, the U.N.
Human Settlements Program, and BRSP have built a
demonstration shelter in Quetta, comprised of bamboo
roof framing, corrugated galvanized iron (CGI)
sheeting, plastic sheeting, and bags filled with sand
and dirt. USAID/OFDA plastic sheeting provided by RI
was used in the Quetta model. The organizations plan
to build similar demonstration shelters in affected
communities and rapidly implement a larger-scale
building program.
--------------
USG RESPONSE
--------------
8. On November 5, the USAID/OFDA shelter specialist
arrived in Pakistan, and immediately traveled to
earthquake-affected areas in Balochistan Province to
conduct a shelter assessment and meet with
representatives from the GOP military, provincial
authorities, and humanitarian organizations.
Following the initial assessment, the shelter
specialist met with a number of humanitarian
organizations and government agencies in Islamabad to
help provide technical support for the emerging
shelter strategy, building on experience from the 2005
earthquake response. On November 10, the shelter
specialist participated in the initial meeting of the
shelter cluster, chaired by IFRC.
9. USAID/OFDA has contributed USD 1 million to help
ICRC to provide immediate humanitarian assistance,
including shelter and emergency relief supplies. As
of November 13, ICRC reported providing 690 tents and
1,475 blankets in Ziarat District and 150 tents, 345
tarpaulin sheets, 330 blankets, and 186 mats in Pishin
District. ICRC is also providing food, health, and
water sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) assistance.
10. On November 6, to help meet immediate shelter
needs, USAID/OFDA airlifted 530 rolls of plastic
sheeting, valued at approximately USD 260,000
including transport, from the USAID/OFDA warehouse in
Dubai to Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan
Province. The shipment was received by RI, with
logistical support from RIQs local partner the Taraqee
Foundation. RI has distributed the plastic sheeting
to villages in affected areas of Pishin and Ziarat
districts through a network of local organizations.
The sheeting should benefit at least 26,500 people by
improving wind and water proofing of non-winterized
tents provided by other humanitarian organizations and
the GOP. The sheeting can also be reused in
transitional shelter.
11. USAID/OFDA also provided USD 100,000 to SC/US to
locally procure additional plastic sheeting. SC/US
has distributed the 4,000 sheets to affected
populations in Ziarat District, along with tents and
emergency relief supplies provided by SC/UK.
12. To date, USAID is the only major donor focusing
on providing winterized transitional shelter.
USAID/OFDA is planning to provide at least 700
winterized transitional shelter units through NGO
partners to earthquake-affected households in Ziarat
and Pishin districts. Together, the NGOs will provide
transitional shelter to an estimated 6,600 people.
13. The NGOs are pursuing a self-build approach,
where the NGOs will hire local craftsmen to build
demonstration shelters in the community, and help
train affected families to build a shelter sufficient
for at least the winter. The NGOs are consulting with
local communities on appropriate shelter design using
locally available materials, as well as participating
in the shelter cluster, now based in Quetta. NGO
designs include a roof made from CGI sheeting, with a
timber framework and an exterior made from plastic
sheeting backed with insulative materials. While
unable to visit the initial NGO transitional shelter
models due to security considerations, the USAID/OFDA
shelter specialist has worked closely with the NGOs on
the shelter design to ensure that it is earthquake-
resistant, low cost, and meets the international
SPHERE shelter standards.
14. USAID/OFDA is also supporting complementary cash-
for-work and water, sanitation, and hygiene programs,
in conjunction with the transitional shelter programs.
Cash-for-work programs will provide for skilled labor
support for shelter construction, and help to inject
needed currency into the local economy. The NGOs will
also help affected households to rebuild communal
latrines damaged or destroyed by the earthquake. Such
latrines are largely used by female members of the
household for increased privacy and safety, and
therefore address important protection concerns from
the community.
--------------
CONCLUSION
--------------
15. The USAID/DART quickly determined that shelter
was one of the primary humanitarian needs in the
aftermath of the October 29 earthquake, and focused
resources on contributing to the response in the
shelter sector. The USAID/OFDA shelter specialist
provided technical assistance to GOP agencies and
humanitarian organizations, while USAID/OFDA provided
immediate shelter support through tents, blankets, and
plastic sheeting distributed by ICRC, SC/US, and RI.
USAID/OFDA is working closely with NGO partners to
provide timely and appropriate transitional shelter,
in line with the shelter cluster and the GOP NDMA
shelter strategies, to help affected populations
survive the winter season.
PATTERSON