Pakistan earthquake

The South Asia earthquake struck Pakistan hard on 8 October, 2005. The damage was huge with thousands killed, many more injured, and several million homeless. The UN refugee agency had stockpiles of life-saving supplies and operational capacity on the ground where it has worked for 25 years, caring for Afghan refugees. UNHCR immediately started distributing urgently needed tents and blankets from its Pakistan warehouses. Then, a massive airlift from UNHCR's global and regional stockpiles around the world got underway flying in urgently needed tents and shelter materials. On the ground aid workers struggled around the clock to overcome awesome logistical challenges. Funds from government and private donors have been dangerously slow to emerge.

It took a good two weeks before the true scale of the October 8, 2005 Himalayan earthquake became apparent. The estimated death toll from the quake – which measured around 7.6 on the Richter scale – climbed inexorably from 10-15,000 during the first day, to more than 50,000 (and still climbing) after the first two weeks. Although India was also badly affected, the vast majority of casualties occurred in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir – where the epicentre was located – and parts of neighbouring North-West Frontier Province (NWFP).

As the Pakistani and Indian governments, as well as local and foreign aid agencies, rushed to dig out survivors, treat the injured and provide for the homeless, each day brought a greater realization of the sheer magnitude of the destruction: an estimated 15,000 villages affected; some larger towns such as Muzaffarabad and Balakot virtually flattened; more than 3 million homeless; 75,000 or more injured – including many who had still not been seen, let alone treated, two weeks after one of the most devastating earthquakes in recent history shattered a tranquil Saturday morning in this remote and stunningly beautiful mountain region.

The UN refugee agency has traditionally played a very minor role – if any at all – during natural disasters. Its mandate is for refugees – the product of deliberate persecution or war – with a recently expanded role for people displaced within their own countries by similar man-made causes. More Details>>