Updated 4 November 2008
In the early hours of 29 October 2008, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake shuddered Balochistan province in South-Western Pakistan. A series of aftershocks followed the first tremble, leaving people terrified in this rugged and mountainous region of the country.
About 35,600 people have been affected by the quake, among which 3,375 have been displaced and over 250 lives claimed by this quake thus far; it is difficult to assess right now how many more have been killed as local infrastructure is weak, making it difficult to reach the various villages and cities by local transportation.
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province in terms of area. Although the region is rich in natural mineral resources and natural gas, it is the most sparsely populated and poorest in terms of development and social indicators. Most of the ten million or so inhabitants who reside in the rugged and water scarce Province of Balochistan are tribal nomadic herders or fruit farmers.
Map Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs - ReliefWeb
OCT 29: A NEEDS ASSESSMENT
When the earthquake first hit Balochistan, The World Federation contacted its partnering agency in Pakistan, the Hussaini Foundation to gain a better understanding of the extent of the damage that had taken place as well as the impact the quake had on the lives of the people there. The Hussaini Foundation had already begun assessing the needs of the local population in Balochistan the moment the earthquake struck. However, Relief efforts encountered a setback when a second earthquake struck the area almost 12 hours later at about 5pm followed by at least four major aftershocks including one that measured 4.5 on the Richter scale.
Most relief workers have so far been able to reach only those villages that are located close to main roads while many remote areas remain inaccessible.
Balochistan is situated on a known fault line. Whilst many of the homes here were constructed of mud, other four-story high buildings were also not resilient enough to withstand the power of an earthquake. Most of the houses and buildings in this region are reported to have collapsed and are the main cause of the deaths in the area. With winter on the horizon, there is an urgent need for tents, blankets, food items and drinking water.
A Mosque damaged by the Earthquake
NOV 2: MOBILISING AID FOR THE VICTIMS
The initial evaluation reported by the Hussaini Foundation suggested that those brothers and sisters who were affected by the quake needed to be helped. Both food and shelter were of paramount importance at this time. Although there are other aid agencies also working in the region to provide relief to the victims, the mountainous terrain and the weakened infrastructure make it that much more difficult for these few organisations to provide aid to the numerous villages widely spread throughout the region.
The World Federation is working in partnership with the Hussaini Foundation to help the victims of last Tuesday’s earthquake. Our initial response will be to send and distribute food, water and other basic necessities by road transportation to some of the affected areas.
NOV 4: FIRST DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD ITEMS TO VICTIMS
On 4 November, the Hussaini Foundation has arranged for the first truckload of food items to be dispatched for distribution. The cost of each truck (including food, water and transportation costs) is approximately GBP £4,000 / USD $8,000 per truck.
PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE 2008, BALOCHISTAN FUND
The World Federation has now opened the Pakistan Earthquake 2008, Balochistan Fund. Donations received through this appeal will be spent on providing aid including food, water and other basic necessities to the victims of the 29 October 2008 earthquake.
Shan-E-Abbas Hassam, the Assistant Secretary General for Relief & Economic Development explained The World Federation's response: 'We were saddened to hear about this earthquake in Pakistan, where many of our brothers and sisters live. We are working with Hussaini Foundation with the aim of helping as many of the deserving as possible. At present we are working with our partners there for the provision of basic necessities, sent in by road and we will keep the community informed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.'
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