US embassy cable - 05ISLAMABAD17623

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ISLAMABAD 017623 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE ALSO PASS TO USAID 
USAID/W FOR A/AID ANDREW NATSIOS, JBRAUSE 
DCHA/OFDA GGOTTLIEB, MMARX, RTHAYER, BDEEMER 
AID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA 
SOUTH ASIA RESPONSE MANAGEMENT TEAM 
SOUTH ASIA EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE 
DCHA/FFP FOR JONATHAN DWORKEN 
ANE DEPUTY ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR MARK WARD 
BANGKOK FOR OFDA SENIOR REGIONAL ADVISOR TOM DOLAN 
KATHMANDU FOR OFDA REGIONAL ADVISOR WILLIAM BERGER 
ROME PASS FODAG 
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH 
NSC FOR JMELINE 
EUCOM FOR POLA/J3/J4/J5 
BRUSSELS FOR USAID PLERNER 
NEW YORK FOR TMALY 
SECDEF FOR SOLIC/PKHA, USDP/J3 
JOINT STAFF WASH DC FOR J3/J4/J5 
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE FOR J3/J5 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID, AEMR, ASEC, MASS, ECON, KMDR, KPAO, OIIP, OPRC, PGOV, PREL, PK, Earthquake 
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN - EARTHQUAKE: ONGOING NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR 
RELIEF EFFORTS 
 
REF: ISLAMABAD 16837 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1. With the onset of winter, relief activities are moving 
into a critical stage where the needs of the earthquake- 
affected populations must be met efficiently and quickly. 
The difficulty of this task has been exacerbated by the 
changing climatic conditions, which are significantly 
altering the number and locations of people moving into 
tented camps.  Field reports indicate the need to improve 
the distribution network for relief commodities, the 
winterization of tents, and sanitation conditions in the 
growing camps.  The USG continues to play a vital role in 
meeting Pakistan's requirements for earthquake relief and 
recovery.  DOD services and excess commodities have been 
vital and will continue to be critically needed as winter 
sets in. 
End Summary. 
 
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Federal Relief Commission (FRC) Update 
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2. In early November 2005, the USAID Disaster Assistance 
Response Team (DART) analyzed requirements, supply, and 
pipeline for relief commodities to determine critical 
shortfalls, per reftel.  This exercise drew available 
information from the latest FRC documents, USAID 
implementing partners, US Military, and the UN. 
 
3. Unlike previous versions, the latest November 26 FRC 
report did not provide an update on needs, but focused on 
what relief communities had provided thus far.  Although the 
report contained flaws and was incomplete, the update gave 
humanitarian agencies an opportunity to refine information 
on their contributions.  The difficulty for the FRC in 
undertaking a gap analysis has been exacerbated by recent 
changing demographic and climatic conditions, which affect 
the number and location of people moving into spontaneous 
and planned tent camps and, consequently, relief 
requirements. 
 
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USAID Field Reports of Gaps 
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4. With the first snowfall in earthquake-affected areas on 
November 27, the requirement for detailed information on 
evolving needs is becoming more urgent.  Although the 
available information is incomplete, the DART has been able 
to draw the following conclusions: 
 
5. Shelter: At this time, sufficient tents appear to have 
been distributed, but according to the International 
Organization for Migration (IOM), only 15 percent are 
winterized.  Following the snowstorm on November 27, a 
report from the Sirin Valley indicated that many of the 
tents had fallen.  In addition, there continues to be a 
shortage of large-sized tents that could be used for 
dormitory style arrangements.  Size, quality, and 
winterization remain top priorities for this commodity. 
 
6. Shelter Commodities Pipeline: Shelter commodities such as 
corrugated galvanized iron (CGI) sheets are available in 
Pakistan although prices in-country have increased and 
quality is variable.  In addition, shelter commodities can 
be procured regionally.  One NGO has opened up a supply 
chain of CGI sheets from Dubai and report that it takes 
approximately one week from order date to clearance of 
customs in Karachi.  At an NGO coordination meeting convened 
on November 24 by the DART, eight organizations discussed 
the possibility of pooling together to submit group orders 
to assure a smooth flow of reasonably priced, high quality 
shelter materials from Dubai, India, or China. 
 
7. Water and sanitation: Sanitation, particularly in camps, 
is an increasingly critical issue because of the onset of 
winter, the lack of appropriate shelter, and the resulting 
movement of people from the hills into spontaneous and 
planned tent camps.  Sanitation problems are not only a 
matter of constructing latrines, but are strongly related to 
camp management and education.  Effective camp management 
and education programs would allow organizations to site 
sanitation areas in the correct location, as well as teach 
camp residents the appropriate use of sanitation facilities. 
 
8. Logistics: Several USAID-funded NGOs report increased 
landslides and slippery roads in the Neelum and Allai 
valleys because of the recent rain and snowfall.  Seven 
roads are currently impassable at various points, totaling 
35 kilometers, and the conditions will worsen as winter sets 
in.  Regarding airlift, UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) 
states that present funding levels of USD 38 million have 
secured operation of current air assets through April 
(thirteen MI-8s and two MI-26 helicopters).  This falls 
short of their USD 99 million goal, which would provide 22 
MI-8s and 5 MI-26 helicopters for 6 months. 
 
9. Field reports indicate that food availability is 
sufficient at this time, but difficulties remain in the 
distribution network.  As winter worsens, and if there is an 
increase in the movement of dwellers into camps, it will be 
more difficult for the FRC to track the critical commodity 
needs of the affected population. 
 
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DOD's critical role 
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10. Although civilian air support has increased in recent 
weeks, DOD air assets remain the backbone and most reliable 
component of the Pakistani military logistics chain.  With 
the onset of winter, already significant humanitarian needs 
in earthquake-affected areas of Pakistan will likely 
increase and logistics will be even further constrained. 
The adverse effects of snow and rain on relief supply 
distributions and the unpredictability of movements of 
populations will require strengthened transportation and 
logistics networks.  Given this outlook, it is clear that 
DOD plays a key role in the earthquake relief operation. DOD 
services and excess commodities have been vital and will 
continue to be critically needed as winter sets in. 
 
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DART Response Actions 
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11. USAID has provided more than USD 18 million in 
alternative shelter activities and winterization of tents to 
eight NGOs, assisting an estimated 420,000 beneficiaries. 
Further, the DART is planning to provide an additional USD 
4.5 million for critical shelter activities.  To address 
water and sanitation problems, the DART has already provided 
USD 1.16 million to four NGOs for activities that will 
assist 97,000 beneficiaries.  In addition, the DART is 
committing approximately USD 3 million to address water and 
sanitation problems in spontaneous and planned tent 
communities in Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) and Northwest 
Frontier Province (NWFP).  The DART is continuing to program 
its resources to address changing needs as they arise. 
 
CROCKER