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Following the earthquake, the Government of
Pakistan mobilized its available resources, mounting massive search,
rescue and life-saving operations involving the Pakistan Army and
volunteers, who rescued many people. This was coupled with and
supported by the relief efforts of the international community, which
has concentrated initially on increasing the provision of aid, getting
access to more people, as well as facilitating medical evacuation and
the provision of camps for people who voluntarily move.
Over 100 international organizations including: the United Nations,
international organizations, international search and rescue teams,
NGOs, EU, NATO and bilateral partners, immediately poured into the
country. Hundreds of thousands of metric tons of relief items have been
donated. Helicopters, airlifts of tents, blankets, foodstuffs and
medical teams have been arriving. Local regional and global stocks of
winterised tents were virtually exhausted within days. Each day reveals
more needs, it is clear that the response provided so far still require
more resources.
Access to people in need is still a major concern. The majority of
roads and bridges were destroyed, not just blocked, and the subsequent
more than 1,000 aftershocks have caused numerous landslides. As a
result, thousands of people have been cut off in several mountain
valleys and have still not been reached. With winter arriving,
thousands of injured, dehydrated and undernourished survivors,
sheltering in the fields in makeshift shelters or in the open air in
temperatures below zero, are likely to die unless they can be reached
before harsh winter starts.
Since the Flash Appeal was issued on October 11, 2005, field
assessments have been analysed, operations commenced, and the scope and
size of this disaster has become clear. It has quickly become evident
that this disaster is much larger than first assumed, hence the
requirement to update this Flash Appeal.
By October 25, 2005, US$ 68 million had been committed to the UN and
its partners and further US$ 35 million had been pledged. The Flash
Appeal now requires US$ 549,585,941 for six months. Sixty percent of
overall increase in requirements is due to the extraordinary logistical
requirements imposed by the inaccessible terrain. The provision of air
support is required now to move aid before winter. In-kind
contributions at the disposal of the UN will be counted against the
appeal, reducing the unmet cash requirements.
Water and Sanitation:
In the urban areas all water and sewage networks have been destroyed,
and in several cases the treatment plants have also been severely
damaged. Rural communities largely depended on gravity flow schemes and
while the sources remain intact, the networks have been destroyed.
Communities that can not reach the sources have migrated down into
valleys. A similar level of disruption has occurred with sanitation.
After the earthquake, the effected population’s migration in search of
food or water had also created a great demand for sanitation. The first
priority is those who are in the high mountains and may be cut off by
snow during winter (about 250,000 people). The next priority will be
given to the camps including spontaneous settlements (as high as
500,000 people). In urban areas priority is also given to the repair
and rehabilitation of water and sanitation infrastructure in order to
restore services as quickly as possible.
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