Earthquake 2015 update – 3
October 28, 2015 A 7.5-magnitude catastrophic earthquake devastated northern parts of the country as harsh weather and rugged terrain hampered rescue efforts. Officials confirmed 266 deaths but feared that the toll could go up as many areas remain inaccessible. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) says at least 11,389 houses were damaged in the affected areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province being the worst-hit. Damages and Losses Area Deaths Injured Houses Damaged Khyber Pukhtunkhwa 220 1,656 10,586 FATA 30 59 300 GilgitBiltistan 10 31 436 Punjab 04 98 61 AJK O2 12 06 Sindh 0 0 – Balochisan 0 0 – 266 1,856 11,389 While the National Disaster Management Authority on Tuesday confirmed 248 deaths, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which was the worst-hit province of the country, said 208 people had been killed and 1,518 others injured in 22 districts. PDMA said 8,453 houses had been damaged and 113 schools flattened.
Earthquake 2015 update – 2
October 27, 2015 At least 248 people are confirmed dead in the aftermath of a massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake which hit northern Afghanistan and Pakistan on Monday. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) says at least 1,665 are injured across Pakistan. Rescuers on Tuesday rushed to deliver relief aid to victims of a massive earthquake that hit northern Afghanistan and Pakistan, killing at least 275 people over a wide swath of mostly mountainous terrain. In Pakistan, 248 people were confirmed dead After hectic efforts, the Karakoram Highway has been opened for all types of traffic, the ISPR has said. The FWO and army engineers cleared all 45 slides which were created due to earthquake, the statement added. Meanwhile, the ISPR added, Lowari top has also been cleared and Dir-Chitral road is open for all types of traffic flow. Damages and Losses Area Injured Death Houses Damaged Khyber Pukhtunkhwa 1486 202 3952 Gilgit Biltistan 30 09 90 Punjab 78 05 44 AJK 12 02 06 FATA 59 30 300 Sindh 0 0 – Balochisan 0 0 – 1665 248 4392
Earthquake 2015 update -1
October 26, 2015 A massive earthquake has hit most parts of Pakistan. It was around 2:09 PM today when a powerful earthquake of 7.5 Richter scale with epicenter in Hindu Kush jolted major parts of the country. The death toll has reached up to 200 and could climb in coming days because communications were down in much of the rugged Hindu Kush mountain range area where the quake was centered.Chitral, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Peshawar, Bajur, Charsada, Batagram, Bannu, Buner, Shangla, Kohistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK are the most affected areas. As there are some unconfirmed reports that glaciers have slided down along with boulders from the mountain tops affecting communications and road infrastructure in chitral and upper Dir. The adjoining areas which are inaccessible due to poor infrastructure and due to unexpected snow and rains have further aggravated the situation in assessing damage in upper parts of swat (Kalam ,utror , Mahodand and adjoining valleys) and in Dir the border regions of Barawal Bandai, and sheringal valleys of upper Dir . Large scale damage to houses is also reported in Bajour region of FATA (Nawapass area bordering Afghanistan).Damages to infrastructure and houses yet to be confirmed.
Aawaz Mobile Aaghi Centre launched by the SPO in Peshawar
SPO Peshawar has launched Aawaz Mobile Aaghi Centre in District Peshawar, via press conference at Peshawar Press Club. Aawaz District Forum Coordinator, along with SPO and Aawaz District Forum members, launched the mobile van and briefed the media about the mobile initiative. Aawaz Mobile Aaghi Centre (MAAC) on its launch, facilitated more than 50 visitors in UC Haryana on various services offered by the government. Moreover, PSM are being aired in the Mobile Aaghi Centre. Mobile Centre offers a range of services to the community, which includes information about government departments such as Health, Education, Zakat, Police Assistance, Scholarships, Utility Services, Political Participation, Birth Registration, CNIC, Death Certificate, RTI etc. Mobile Aaghi Centre also offers internet service as well as newspapers (in Pashto, Urdu, English languages) for reading on daily basis. Apart from all these services Mobile Aaghi Centre also provides recreational and sports opportunities to local children.
“Have We Built Back Better ?” SPO marks 10th Anniversary of October 2005 earthquake
To commemorate the tenth anniversary of the devastating earthquake (EQ) of 8th October 2005, the national NGO Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) convened a gathering of writers, poets, columnists, civil society activists, human rights defenders, development professionals, non-government organizations and networks, United Nations and Government representatives, Boy Scouts, foreign diplomats, international NGOs and the media at its office in Islamabad. Guests were greeted with a running slide show, video clips, banners, placards and handouts of memories of the EQ, and the unprecedented response in terms of rescue, relief and early recovery efforts of civil society.
Training on Freedom of Information (FOI), District Budget Tracking, Advocacy for Practice
The Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) is implementing a one year project titled “Enhancing Capacities for Transparent and Accountable Local Governance ” from March 31st, , 2015 under Citizen’s Voice Project (CVP) grant -07 funded by USAID in District Malir, Thatta and Badin. The project envisioned to build the capacity of the Politicians and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and local politicians in the field of Freedom of Information (FOI), District Budget Tracking and Advocacy for Practice. Under this Project SPO Karachi Office has organized two trainings on the above theme on 17-19 September and 30 September-2nd October, 2015 at Karachi wherein the representatives of CBOs from Thatta, Badin and Malir-Karachi districts were invited.
Consultation meeting on Local Government’s constitutional protection through amendment in Article 140-A and Article 32 of Pakistan’s Constitution
Islamabad, 10 September 2015: A national consultation on constitutional protection of Local Governments was organized by AAWAZ program consortium partners, namely Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO), Aurat Foundation, Sungi, and South Asia Partnership Pakistan (SAP- PK), on 10th September, 2015, at Margalla hotel. The dialogue was the continuation of AAWAZ program’s ‘AAWAZ Utha’ campaign on Local Governments strengthening. Apart from civil society members, prominent legislators particularly members of Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms attended the consultation. The parliamentarians spoke and pledged to support the move of a constitutional amendment in the 140-A of the constitutional providing time frame to hold Local Government elections. Legislators regarded the dialogue a timely initiative of the AAWAZ program as the Committee on Election Reforms is likely to submit the recommendations to the National Assembly on strengthening local governments in Pakistan. Prominent of the parliamentarians included Senator Mohsin Laghari, Independent, Senator Farhat Ullah Babar, PPPP, Senator Mian Ateeq, MQM, Ms. Naeema Kishwar, MNA-JUI-F, Senator Sitara Ayyaz, ANP, Ms. Maliha Khan, MPA-KP Assembly, Ms. Anisa Zeb Tahir Khali, MPA, QWP, KP Assembly, and Dr. Araish Kumar, former MNA from minorities.
Flood Situation 2015 Update – 11
Issued at:19:00 September 3, 2015 Summary of Damages/losses Serial Provinces Deaths Injured Houses Damaged Villages Affected Population Affected 1 Balochistan 16 34 1,176 Being Assessed 69,976 2 Khyber Pukhtunkhaw 104 123 4799 Being Assessed Being Assessed 3 Punjab 58 11 3096* 586 463,902 4 Sindh – – Being Assessed 3203 1,001,696 5 AJK 26 05 408 17 – 6 Gilgit Baltistan 10 21 812 286 35,717 7 FATA 14 13 424 19 900 Total 228 207 10,715 4,111 1,572,191 * Figure revised by NDMA
Flood Situation 2015 Update – 10
Issued at:19:00 August 27, 2015 Summary of Damages/losses Serial Provinces Deaths Injured Houses Damaged Villages Affected Population Affected 1 Balochistan 16 34 1,176 Being Assessed 69,976 2 Khyber Pukhtunkhaw 100 117 3,977 Being Assessed Being Assessed 3 Punjab 58 11 17,137 586 463,902 4 Sindh – – Being Assessed 3,163 975,470 5 AJK 26 05 408 17 – 6 Gilgit Baltistan 10 21 812 286 35,717 7 FATA 14 13 424 19 900 Total 224 201 23,934 4,071 1,545,965