News & Updates

Balochistan Earthquake - 29th October 2008

Northern Balochistan was jolted by a series of earthquakes measuring 6.5 at Richter scale in the last week of October 2008. Ziarat, Harnai and Pishin districts were most affected districts by the earthquake among the 7 other affected districts. The disaster resulted in 163 deaths, 375 injured, more than 9,000 houses destroyed or partially damaged according to the assessment of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). As per UN joint assessment McRam report 68,200 population has been affected. The infrastructures for health, education, sanitation and drinking water were destroyed and thus making life difficult for the residents of the areas. Here is a glimpse of sector wise damages:

• Health: According to WHO, 5 out of 57 health facilities are partially damaged in Pishin, while 18 out of 38 health facilities, 2 BHUs damaged, 3 civil dispensaries collapsed, 2 RHCs, 6 BHUs and 1 CD are irreparably damaged in Ziarat,
• WATSAN: 50 major water supply schemes in both Pishin and Ziarat districts have been damaged according to PHE,
• Education: 198 primary schools, 22 middle and 8 high schools damaged in Pishin while in Ziarat 131 primary schools have been damaged according to UNICEF,
• Livestock: According to BRSP and Livestock department assessment, 50% of cattle sheds collapsed or damaged in both districts;
• Agriculture: As per the sources of Agriculture department; 30% of apple crops have been destroyed or fallen to the ground, 50% of local fruit stores collapsed, 60% tube-wells partially or completely blocked or damaged in both Pishin and Ziarat.

In the wake of the disaster, BRSP teams comprising of more than 130 staff and 35 vehicles reached the affected areas on October 29 and 30th, 2008 and optimized both its human and material resources to respond to the disaster. Initially, BRSP provided 400 meter of white cloth for coffin, cooked food to 616 families in Ziarat and 135 families in Pishin district. BRSP conducted an assessment of the damages and losses within 48 hours of the earthquake and presented the findings to the Govt. of Balochistan. BRSP adopted a three pronged strategy for its strategic response to earthquake. First, BRSP focused on ensuring a smooth coordination among Govt. and relief organizations. Secondly, it strived to strengthen the distribution mechanism through formation of committees at district, union council and village level which ensured community participation in the entire process of distribution. Similarly, BRSP supported Govt. of Balochistan in establishing Emergency Information and Coordination centers in Ziarat and Pishin in order to avoid overlapping and to ensure the delivery of services and resources.

BRSP joined hands with Govt. of Balochistan in its holistic response in the sectors of food distribution, health, shelter, WATSAN, nonfood items and livelihood.

• BRSP Response to Balochistan Earth Quake
  (PDF File: 94 KB)
• Preliminary Assesment of Earthquake Devastation in Balochistan - Report
  (PDF File: 9.70 MB)
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