2005-10-20

Hilfe für Pakistan

Gerhard Payr über Unterstützungsmöglichkeit

Von 1992 bis 2000 habe ich in einem großen Natural Resource Management Vorhaben der GTZ (Gesellschaft für technische Zusammenarbeit) im Sirantal in der NWFP von Pakistan gearbeitet. Nach Schließung des Vorhabens initiierte ich mit meinen jungen pakistanischen Kollegen eine NGO "Haashar Association", die sich seither weiter um die Bergbauern in einem Kerngebiet des Sirantales kümmert. Seit 2004 Unterstützung durch UNDP/GEF und ADA. (Austrian Development Agency). Die ADA Mittel werden über Ecohimal abgewickelt; ich fungiere dabei als weitgehend ehrenamtlicher Projektleiter. Ich arbeite per internet und fahre alljährlich für etwa ein Monat ins Projekt. Dieses ist hervorragend angelaufen und nunmehr, nach dem Erdbeben ist alles kaputt. In der Anlage befindet sich ein Kurzbericht von Haashar. Mehr über Haashar siehe deren Homepage www.haashar.org

Ich habe in Villach beim Bündnis für eine Welt ein Spendenkonto eingerichtet:

Erdbebenhilfe Pakistan, Bündnis für eine Welt, BKS, BLZ 17.000; Konto 850 - 653348

Diese Spenden werden von Haashar abgewickelt werden. Haashar ist voll mit den Nothilfsmaßnahmen im Sirantal befaßt. Ich kümmere mich derzeit intensivst um die Vorbereitung weiterer, bereits grundsätzlich zugesagter Rehagelder von ADA befaßt. Es geht vor allem um die Vorbereitung des Wiederaufbaus der Häuser und anderer Infrastruktur.

Report by Mohammad Shoukat, Coordinator Biodiversity Project, HAASHAR Association

Updated: 13.10.2005

Dear Friends,

The number of people affected due to earthquake in all areas of Upper Siran is not exactly known till now. The most effected areas are detached from main and accessible roads. Land sliding caused interlocking of these people. The causalities are generalized and no specific village can be pinpointed as main affected village. Problems are severe in areas without any access roads in comparison to areas where people are living closer to the roads. Habitations near forests and upper reaches of the mountains need especial attention.

We at HAASHR are doing whatever we can. Most of our staff and board members have lost their relatives, friends and neighbors. Our field offices and main office is also damaged. Since the earthquake, we tried to do some work for the people and facilitate others.

Yesterday we carried out rapid assessment of the main project area where we are focusing for UNDP – GEF , ADA and Carinthia Project. The general and specific information is written below.

General information about the overall project area

Upper Siran valley in Hazara Division of NWFP spaced over 641 square kilometers. The population of the valley is around 150,000 people.

General information about project area

The greater project area covering three Union councils namely, Saccha, Jabbori and Bhogarmang,. Over 50, 000 people are affected due to earthquake in which around 25,000 in Jabbori, 13,000 in Sacchan Kalan and 15,000 people of Bhogarmang area.

General information about major activities area/ demonstration area

The project area is comprises of Methal, Hafizabad and Bandodhar villages. There are 22 hamlets and around 4000 people live in the area. The total village area is 573 hectars whereas forest area is 241 hectars. Generally the area is extremely rugged and steep due to which little of the area is under terraced agriculture. Maize is the only crop in the area which was about to be harvested at the time of this catastrophe. Widespread poverty and joblessness was the top social problem in the past. Most of the people are tenants and others owning the little land they cultivate.

Latest update about earthquake in Methal and adjoining areas

The area becomes ruin in general. 99 % of the people have lost their houses and just a few GT Sheet houses are in some good shape. Access roads have vanished and people are living under the open sky and fighting with cold weather, hunger and diseases. Food stuff is buried and unusable. There is severe shortage of food since the earthquake. On account of location none of the food supply reached in the area. The main link road of Jabbori is also closed due to heavy land slides. Till now 250 people are conformed dead, 73 are missing, 15,00 injured. No medical assistance has yet reached to this area.

Drinking water supply schemes damaged, infrastructure like schools and dispensaries are no more there too.

Due to earth quake heavy land sliding is everywhere and most of arable land is lost. About 75 % of livestock have been lost. Almost all poultry farms established under Carinthia are gone.

Short term aid measures urgently needed

In the short run tents to provide shelter to local population inclusive of innocent and injured children are required along with food stuff, blankets and warm cloths.

Long term rehabilitation measures

Massive rehabilitation is required in the long run to sustain lives in these secluded areas where too little attention has been paid.

There is a loss of a generation in quake affected area. Therefore well planned efforts spanning over seven to ten years would be required for long term rehabilitation and development.