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In view of the disaster prone nature of Sungi’s working
areas, the disasters management program is committed to provide humanitarian
assistance to vulnerable sections of the society. The prime focus of the
program is to enhance awareness and strengthen local skills and capacities
to promote disaster sensitive development. The program support partner
communities in formation of civil society groups/forums mat various levels
which help in better coordination and avoid duplication of resources and
efforts in humanitarian/relief operations. In addition, these forums are
instrumental in carrying out community based social audits of relief and
rehabilitation program.
The program primarily supports the affected communities
in rebuilding physical assets, reviving livelihoods and revitalizing economic
assets. For this purpose, the program has adopted a multi pronged approach.
Under the shelter/housing component the program assists local communities
by providing adequate and appropriate shelters. To restore the partners’
livelihood system at local level, the program has initiated various initiatives
such as; cash for work, reviving micro business by enhanced access to
micro finance; developing and enhancing entrepreneurial skills through
vocational skills training etc. Rebuilding natural assets remains an important
feature of Sungi’s disaster management program. The program accords
special attention towards very poor and marginalized groups such as landless
farmers, women headed families etc. by providing them temporary shelters
for the livestock, seeds, diversifying cropping pattern and other technical
inputs.
Being a rights based organization, the program proactively
carried out advocacy initiatives towards influencing disaster related
policies and legal frameworks. The ultimate objective is to promote people’s
friendly institutional and legal arrangement to protect vulnerable groups
such as orphaned children, women etc.
On the 8th of October, 2005, a high intensity earthquake (7.6 on the Richter
Scale) struck the South Asian region. Areas hit by the earthquake include
the capital Islamabad , the North West Frontier Province and the Azad
Kashmir region. The jolts that occurred injured and killed thousands of
people and caused severe financial and personal losses to survivors. Thousands
have been left destitute, and an immense feeling of misery is prevalent.
Some of the worst affected areas include Abbottabad, Mansehra and Battagram
(in the Hazara division) and Shangla (in Swat.) Similarly, Muzaffarabad,
Bagh and Rawalakot in Azad Kashmir have also been hit badly.
The earthquake was followed by a series of aftershocks,
and tremors continue sporadically even after a week. During the first
48 hours alone, there were about 161 prominent aftershocks which caused
a great deal of panic. Many rushed out of their homes leaving their offspring
behind, and this resulted in heavy casualties amongst children. A very
large number of casualties also occurred in schools, colleges and offices.
Due to the enormous magnitude of the disaster there have
been widespread casualties reported. The current number of deaths stands
at about 30,000 and injuries up to 70,000. Because of the remoteness of
many of the affected areas, reports of casualties remain sketchy, and
there are fears that the death toll could rise. According to a rapid assessment,
out of a total population of 3.3 million from the four worst affected
districts, 75% (2.5 million) people have been affected. The table below
indicates the district-wise statistics.
| Earth
Quake Affected Population in all the Districts
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Description
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Unit
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Districts
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Total
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Abbottabad
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Battagram
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Mansehra
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Muzaffarabad
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Total
Population |
Persons
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910,000 |
321,000
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1,204,000
|
880,000
|
3,315,000
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|
Affected
Population |
Persons
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546,000
(60%) |
256,000
(80%) |
903,000
(75%) |
792,000
(90%) |
2,497,000
(75%) |
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