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Pakistan
earthquake: from rubble to recovery in two years 4 October 2007 Recovery and reconstruction have replaced survival and seeking relief as the focus for the people of northern Pakistan two years after the devastating earthquake, which killed more than 73,000 people and made over 3.5 million homeless. For the first winter in two years since the quake the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are able to focus fully on recovery activities and not have to mount an emergency relief operation for quake-affected communities. This time last year, the PRCS and the International Federation were gearing up for a massive ‘winter assistance programme’ with tens of thousands of people facing a second winter without sufficient warm shelter. The operation was a success with more than 18,000 families in remote areas provided with tonnes of materials and relief items to help them cope with the Himalayan winter. Over 1.1 million people have now received emergency relief assistance from the PRCS and International Federation. While life is still hard, the vulnerability of affected people has been reduced with most back in their villages and rebuilding their lives. The PRCS and the International Federation, having dealt with the relief challenge, are going ahead with recovery projects such as reconstruction, livelihoods, health care, improving water and sanitation, and increasing communities’ resilience to disasters. To ensure the job is done properly, the International Federation earthquake operation is being extended another year through until 2009. The PRCS, International Federation and other Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners are undertaking 42 reconstruction projects of public facilities. By the end of 2007, 25 school and medical facility projects will be underway. All projects are aimed to be completed in late 2008 or early 2009. PRCS Secretary General Khalid Kibryia says the reconstruction of facilities such as schools and medical centres is in keeping with the National Society’s community-based focus. “We have gone to sites and talked to communities, various stakeholders in the area to ensure that when we reconstruct a particular facility it meets the requirements of the community. There cannot be any white elephants,” he says. Recovery work continues across other areas. Nearly 90,000 people have improved access to water through repaired or rebuilt water supply schemes and the PRCS and the International Federation will increase that total to 160,000 by mid-2009. Mobile health teams continue to reach up to 2,000 people a week in far-flung villages and will continue that support until the health infrastructure is re-established. Over 9,000 families have received livelihoods support and thousands more will be assisted over the next two years under the operation. Head of the International Federation Pakistan Delegation, Azmat Ulla, says underpinning everything is improving the resilience of communities and increasing the capacity of the PRCS to help the most vulnerable. “Whether it be hygiene promotion activities to communities in Balakot or training for the PRCS national disaster response team, it’s imperative all sectors in Pakistan emerge stronger following this disaster if we are to feel the job has been done,” said Ulla. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: In Islamabad: John Tulloch, Communications Coordinator Tel: + 92 300 555 4505 In Geneva: Media Service Duty Phone Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 185 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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