Earthquake Emergency Respond – Pakistan
On September 24, 2019, a powerful Earthquake jolted different areas of Pakistan, particularly Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The magnitude of the earthquake was 5.8 at a depth of 10 km.
According to the initial reports, 37 casualties and more than 579 injuries reported to DHQ hospital.Severe damages caused to infrastructures, including houses, buildings, electricity poles, and roads. The main road from Mirpur to Jatalan was damaged, causing vehicle accidents on the streets. The electricity supply and means of communication were disrupted. As per the initial report, Mirpur and Jatalan Jatlan & Sahang in District Mirpur is most affected by the earthquake, with almost 2 kilometers of Jatalan Road in Kashmir sinking in the quake. Roads, bridges, houses, plazas, and roads were damaged. The 14-kilometer highway from Kharri Shareef towards Jatalan was severely affected by the earthquake. Commercial areas are also closed, and the electricity supply was also suspended after the quake. Information and communication systems are delayed due to damaged infrastructure. The survivors require tents,blankets, health facilities including general medicine services, ultrasound and x-ray machines, and food items, including flour, sugar, ghee, and rice. The Government has declared an emergency in all the hospitals in Mirpur district. According to the local district authority, the damage is widespread over all three districts of the Mirpur division, including Mirpur, Bhimber, and Kotli 1.
Aftershocks still often occur with small intensity. As of September 24, 2019, there have been two recorded aftershocks. Due to aftershocks, most people are in a state of heightened sensitivity and are experiencing some level of distress.
Project Goal
To provide immediate lifesaving relief to those affected by the earthquake in Jatalan and Mirpur.
- An Immediate lifesaving needs for the one month of the affected population.
- Affected communities regain a sense of normalcy, stability, and hope through psychosocial intervention.
- Provide 180 Shelters to 180 families/ Households in the form of tents.
- 100 Safe Water Supplies/ sources are rehabilitated to ensure 800 of people have access to safe drinking water services.
- Two portable x-ray machines, one ultra-sound machine, and medicines are provided to Department of Health to provide immediate health care to 1,000 of patients.
- 4 psychologists are deployed in the district to provide psychosocial assistance to the affected people including children & women.
- 3,500 people receive cooked food for the first three days of the earthquake.
- Provision of Ambulance to the Department of Health to ensure life-saving services to 500 patients in one month.
