At one year mark, winter preparations for Pakistan quake survivors underway

(New York: 7 October 2006): As winter approaches, work continues to ensure the survival of those affected by last year's massive earthquake. The 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck South Asia on the morning of Saturday 8 October 2005, totally devastating parts of northern Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. The epicentre of the earthquake was located 95 kilometres northeast of the Pakistan capital Islamabad.

The final death toll was over 73,000, with some 69,000 injured. In total 3.5 million people were affected, and 600,000 houses were lost. Thanks to the efforts of the Government of Pakistan, the Pakistan Army, other militaries, donors, the United Nations, national and international NGOs, civil society, and individuals, the relief phase met with overall success. A 'second wave of death' was averted. Mortality rates returned to almost pre-disaster situation within one month. No cases of malnutrition were reported.

"One year later, the emergency, life-saving effort went better than we had feared, but transition to recovery is taking more time than we had hoped," said Jan Egeland, United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator. From the start, the Government and the aid community have recognized that full scale reconstruction and recovery would take many years. While many people still do not have their homes rebuilt, basic services are being expanded, and most families have some form of temporary shelter. Only about 35,000 internally displaced persons remain in camps, and efforts to prepare for the upcoming winter are underway to upgrade and replace the tents there and to provide for several thousand families who may move down from the higher altitudes.

There is also concern about access to people living in remote locations above 5,000 feet and along the lower valleys. United Nations air operations will be re-established in November for four critical winter months, which will allow some access to areas of concern, especially the Allay, Kagan, Leepa and Neelum valleys.

To this end the United Nations is seeking $45 million for winter operations, including helicopters; so far about two-thirds of that sum has been made available.

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 892 1679; Kristen Knutson, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 9262; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570.