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Pakistan |
Disaster Assistance at a Glance
Recent Disaster Declarations:
Earthquake
OFDA Response:
Emergency relief supplies, emergency relief activities
OFDA Preparedness:
Capacity building, climate forecasting, disaster preparedness, drought preparedness, flood mitigation
Latest OFDA Report:
Pakistan Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #5 (87kb PDF)
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Earthquake, 10-31-2008
On October 29, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck 80 miles northwest of Quetta, Balochistan Province of southwestern Pakistan, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that 47 aftershocks of greater than magnitude 3.5 followed the initial earthquake. On November 1, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported that Government of Pakistan (GOP) figures and preliminary field assessments indicated the earthquake had killed more than 160 people and injured approximately 500 others. Humanitarian organizations expect the death toll to rise as assessment teams reach affected areas. On November 1, the GOP National Disaster Management Authority reported that the earthquake had displaced up to 7,300 individuals, damaged more than 2,000 houses, and affected 35,600 people in villages in Pishin and Ziarat, the most-affected districts. Interagency assessments indicated urgent needs for emergency shelter, blankets, warm clothing, food, and water among displaced populations.
On October 31, U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson issued a request for USAID/OFDA disaster assistance due to the effects of the earthquake. In response, USAID/OFDA allocated $2.5 million for humanitarian assistance, including $100,000 for purchase and delivery of plastic sheeting for emergency shelter and $1 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross for the provision of emergency assistance, including emergency health care, shelter, relief commodities, and water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions. In addition, USAID/OFDA deployed a four-person USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team to Pakistan to assess humanitarian needs and work closely with the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, USAID/Pakistan, and humanitarian partners to target USAID/OFDA funding and facilitate USG humanitarian assistance.
Localized Conflict, 08-19-2008
Since early August 2008, renewed fighting between the Government of Pakistan (GOP) and militant groups in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Bajur and Mohmand, displaced at least 50,000 local residents into Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP). According to the NWFP relief commissioner’s office, some internally displaced persons (IDPs) were sheltering with relatives and friends, while others were staying in camps. As the provincial government had used resources to respond to recent flooding in Pakistan, current resources were insufficient to address the humanitarian needs of IDPs. On August 18, the GOP’s National Disaster Management Authority requested international assistance in response to the growing humanitarian emergency.
On August 19, U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson issued a disaster declaration due to the increasing conflict and resulting IDPs in Pakistan. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through USAID/Pakistan to Save the Children/Pakistan for non-food relief items for affected populations in NWFP. The USAID/OFDA Acting Regional Advisor assessed the situation in Pakistan. USAID/OFDA staff in Washington, DC, and Kathmandu, Nepal, in coordination the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and USAID/Pakistan, continued to monitor the situation.
Floods, 08-07-2008
Since the onset of the monsoon season in July through early August 2008, flooding affected populations throughout Pakistan. In total, the flooding killed 40 people, according to the GOP. In Rajanpur District of Punjab Province, flooding affected 11,000 families, displaced a large part of the district’s population to other areas of the district, and damaged rice and cotton crops. In Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP), rising floodwaters displaced approximately 175,000 people, damaged or destroyed 12,000 houses, damaged infrastructure, and negatively affected populations’ livelihoods. In the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, floods affected two villages.
In early August 2008, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad reported that the GOP and Pakistani army began rescue and relief operations. According to the U.N. Resident Coordinator, the provincial government in NWFP requested urgent national and international humanitarian assistance to meet needs of the flood-affected population.
On August 7, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Peter W. Bodde issued a disaster declaration due to the effects of the flooding. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through USAID/Pakistan to Save the Children/U.S. for non-food relief items for flood-affected populations in NWFP. USAID/OFDA staff in Washington, DC, and Kathmandu, Nepal, in coordination the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and USAID/Pakistan, continued to monitor the situation.
Cyclone, 07-01-2007
On June 23, 2007, Tropical Cyclone Yemyin intensified near the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan provinces in southern Pakistan. As of July 10, high winds, heavy rains, and flash flooding had killed 245 people and displaced an estimated 207,400 others. According to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, flood waters severely disrupted commercial and port activities in the city of Karachi. Initial estimates indicated widespread damage to cotton and cash crops in Sindh Province, extensive loss of livestock, and infrastructure and livelihood losses to the fisheries industry.
On July 1, 2007, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Anne W. Patterson requested that OFDA provide humanitarian assistance on behalf of the U.S. Government to those affected by the cyclone in Pakistan. In response, OFDA provided more than $390,000 to Mercy Corps to procure and distribute emergency relief commodities to 90,000 people in affected areas. The contribution included $50,000 under the Ambassador’s Authority.
For information on additional USAID disaster responses in Pakistan, please see OFDA Annual Reports.
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