ActionAid have been instrumental in Pakistan ever since they first set their office up there 15 years ago. After the onset of the Earthquake, confusion and chaos ruled across the north of the country. Aid was being delivered left, right and centre with little co-ordination from the Government or UN. ActionAid set up four field offices and was one of the few organisations to win acclaim for its work during that time. They’re also one of even fewer to continue working in the earthquake areas long after everyone else has gone home. As we move into the third year since Pakistan’s worst disaster in history, the organisation’s second year on the job gives a rare insight into people’s lives.

August – September 06

ActionAid’s four field offices in Mansehra, Batagram, Bagh and Muzaffarabad were kept busy as monsoon rains took lives amidst the squalor of temporary shelters that people now call home across Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PAK), and North West Frontier Province, lying adjacent to the West.

“The “most immediate needs” of the community were addressed by distributing prefabricated shelters among the vulnerable families in Bagh and Batagram.”

“Keeping in view the high ratio of females in the quake hit zone, training and capacity building in the livelihood sector has been continued, especially for women.”

September – October 06

Getting people back in work and earning is an absolute priority. One year after the Oct. 08 earthquake, survival is still difficult. Vital training provided to locals in Bagh, computer literacy taught to people in Muzaffarabad and structural repairs continued. Grumblings from local religious leaders about working women threatened progress.

“…100 masons and carpenters were trained in the construction of earth quake resistance construction in Bagh. Bagh office is in the process of identifying new areas for livelihoods rehabilitation and restoration. In Mansehra people will be trained as masons, carpenters and plumbers in Islamabad…”

October – November 06

Health centres opened in all 4 areas proving extremely effective and two ambulances since donated. After surveying local needs, latrines were purchased for local homes and livestock shelter materials also provided. Water pumps and community centres were requested by locals and quickly provided. Facilities provided to communities to utilise their recently taught skills such as milling and sewing.

“One year after the earthquake people are still living in tents as many didn’t get compensation to rebuild their homes.”

“During the reporting month, over 5000 patients were treated in all health centres in all four areas. The percentage of children was 51%, men 35% and women over 60%.”

“…men and women community organizations requested that 27 water hand pumps in Union Councils Oghi and Shamdhara, Mansehra be provided. … In Muzzafarabad women who had learnt skills … demanded a crafts and designing centre…

“Even after one year of the earthquake, unavailability of both skilled and unskilled labours causes delay in the reconstruction process. The rise in the rates of skilled and unskilled labour has also aggravated the situation of the poor communities.”

November – December 06

As winter descends, shelters, latrines and stoves provided to hundreds of freezing families. Diarrhoea outbreaks keep health centres busy, where 10,000 people are treated that month. Gyne camp arranged at local request.

“The government has not allowed reconstruction since it fears another quake could strike at any time. The shelters of the earth quake affected people neither offer protection from snow nor from rain. They have been through this since 8th October, 2005. It is like a disaster again, suffering constantly.”

“…vulnerable families were provided CGI, PGI and Lasani Sheets last month. These families were living in shelters which were only covered with cloths or tarpaulin sheets since last year.”

“To enhance the capacity of staff and local communities in the earth quake affected areas, in Muzaffarabad, Two days community midwifery training was arranged…”

January – February 07

“Thousands of quake ravaged people are still living in tents and transitional shelters on both mountains and plains in NWFP and AJK quake hit regions.”

“Conversion of prefabricated shelters into permanent shelters is an immediate need of the communities living in high altitude areas of Bagh, Battgram, Muzaffarabad and Mansehra. … 260 families … are living in these improved shelters.”

“The community centres were constructed as hubs and training centres for women. In this connection, kitchen gardening and vocational trainings were carried out in Mansehra and Muzaffarabad.”

March – April 07

Rains hamper progress. Families moved from landslide prone area. Prefab shelters, kitchens, tarpaulin and warm clothing handed out. Government (ERRA) claims 98% compensation payments have been made completely false. Many homes stand half built for lack of money and labour.

“180 prefabricated shelters, bedding, tarpaulin sheets and warm cloths have been distributed to the 256 vulnerable families in different villages of Bagh.”

“In Bagh and Battagram work on water supply schemes is progressing with slow pace due to heavy rains. However water tank has been completed in Goryar and for main pipe line, digging for 2000 feet pipe has been completed.”

“In Muzaffarabad, 115 fruit plants were distributed among the vulnerable community members of 29 villages, 1500 fruit plants were distributed among 115 right holders.”

May – June 07

Wheat harvesting and rice sowing slow down rehabilitation work somewhat. Skilled labour in short supply; training ongoing to improve the situation and get people back in work. Water supply scheme repair continues. Proposal for 3 vocational centres approved. Reconstruction of educational institutions in “cold storage.”

“Education sector has been deliberately placed in cold storage by the government in the post earthquake scenario. Most of the schools have been resumed in temporary shelters or tents. Moreover the quality of education remains a big question mark for the communities. Stationary materials have been provided to six schools for starting fare-price shops in different parts of Battagram. In Muzafarabad locations for construction of 5 child-friendly schools have been finalized with community participation.”

“Mobile Saw and crush machines were provided to CBOs which are not only creating livelihood opportunities for the persons operating these machines but also providing basic constructional material at comparatively low prices to the people who are constructing their houses.”

June – July 07

Delays in finalising plans for the new town of Bagh is preventing construction of people’s homes. Political instability in Pakistan and event at Red mosque causing some tension for female staff members working in the field. Ongoing: sanitation assessments, water supply schemes, community training and weekly progress assessments.

“The summer heat is at its peak these days with temperature escalating to 45 degree centigrade coupled with the high humidity due to monsoon. Hot weather has increased problems for common people living in prefabricated shelters. In this regard 247 fans were provided to prefab owners…”

“Similarly assessment of 300 families has been completed for shelters and cash grants in all four UCs in Battagram. Most of these families are those who had migrated after the earthquake and now, returned to their villages.”

“Three training workshops for electricians were completed in Bagh and interestingly four women also participated in these trainings. Furthermore, trainings for masons/carpenters have been delayed due to bad weather. Three vocational centres have been started in villages Makhdoom-Kot, Channat and Kotera.”

July – August 07

Monsoon delaying progress, however, conversion of prefabricated homes into permanent shelters now underway with 500 conversions assessed. Community centres act as hubs for skills training, particularly for women. Seven more under construction. Work started rebuilding community schools in Mansehra, Battgram and Muzaffarabad.

“…political instability took aside the subject of earthquake affected people’s rehabilitation and created unreliable security situation all over the country. Battgram Office was closed and the field activities were postponed for a couple of weeks due to critical law and order situation in the area.”

“Apart from the above mentioned activities, keeping in view the high ratio of females in the quake hit zone, the training and capacity building in the livelihood sector has been continued especially for women.”

“During the reporting month, the Health Centre in Battgram was burnt due to internal community conflicts that affected field activities in the area.”

Final thought

A lot of work continued unabated each month, such as community training, water supply regeneration schemes, school construction and health development. What I’ve described above is an extremely brief summary of the seemingly impossible task of redeveloping people’s lives from day one, but one that inspires the heart in its resilience to look to the light and give hope to millions through its effort.

ActionAid’s Response

• 21 Health Centres fully operational treating 10,000 people per month
• 8 ambulances servicing affected areas
• Strong focus on livelihood training to accelerate the recovery process
• Development of women’s rights and abilities to pressurise the government and improve their lives.

www.actionaid.org/pakistan

Source: http://www.actionaid.org.uk/100158/south_asia_earthquake.html

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 20th, 2007 at 10:01 am and is filed under Earthquake, General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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