|
Situation
Analysis Report October 18th
Balakot – The Scouting Trip by: Suhaib Masud Kiani
A small group of volunteers (5 young doctors and around 4 helpers)
and Myself left Islamabad for Balakot on morning of Saturday, October
15 after collecting a handful of relief equipment (medicines and
tents).
As we approached Balakot, there were only a few signs of damage
(some demolished houses, landslides on the mountains etc) which
started mainly around 5 kms before the town. Nothing prepared us
for the scale of the damage at the town, where virtually 95% of
the buildings have been reduced to rubble and upto 70% of the population
is feared to be dead and trapped. The road beyond Balakot (which
was the best and most scenic roads in the country) is now non-existent
with huge landslides and large sections torn away. Some of the main
towns up the road have also been completely destroyed (Kawai, Kaghan
and Paras etc). We were told that Kaghan town (which was 45 minutes
on up the road) now is a tough 3 days walk away. For various reasons,
we could only spend two days there and got back Sunday night.
The Situation
The good part is that the atmosphere in Balakot is generally calm,
there are no security hazards and the local people are demonstrating
tremendous composure and resilience. Furthermore things appear to
be improving by the day, with more help arriving (relief goods,
Army units, medical teams, volunteers etc) and better coordination.
I was assured by the Doctors that there are no immediate health
hazards, as long as one takes basic precautions like using bottled
water. That's about it for the good part.
§ The scale of the tragedy and the full picture of the
situation still cannot be ascertained, as no one has reliable information
let alone the full picture. A UN team assessed that this is much
bigger than the Tsunami, our gut feel was that we are at the tip
of the iceburg and the real effort is just starting.
§ There is an acute shortage of doctors and medical support.
Though we saw French Rescue and Polish Medical teams camped there
and small Malaysian and Korean teams had just arrived…. one
UNICEF volunteer team went into the valley and there are Army medical
teams operating in the valley…. we were repeatedly told by
locals that no one has reached their villages (some in the immediate
vicinity of
Balakot) and surely the towns and villages further up (Kaghan in
particular) had not gotten any significant medical help.
§ The medical teams are mainly based in Balakot and only treat
patients which come to them either through helicopter drops or carried
by the locals on beds and piggy-backs. The helicopter operations
appear to be limited, subject to weather conditions and at times
distracted by movement of VIPs (and also celebrity artists)
§ It seemed that within the city and in the immediate vicinity
the injured appear to have been treated….. but every-time
we told ourselves that, we saw new patients being carried in across
the hills….and the numbers were not decreasing (even after
seven days).
§ There is an alarming need for tents and people are very
desperate for even plastic sheets which can help them create temporary
shelters. We had people literally begging us to give them tents,
plastics, something or anything for shelter (it was very painful
to deal with these requests with people with families out in the
rain for a week)
§ The Army and some NGOs are distributing tents but as yet
even the immediate vicinity has not been covered and there are long
long ques at distribution points….. The remote villages and
main towns in the valley have received no tents as yet from what
we understood.
§ There are a number of NGOs working on the ground, most of
which need to shift their focus away from throwing things to people
out in the city to focusing on the remote areas. It appeared that
the people who are running around collecting stuff have now piles
of relief goods while others have nothing. To be they either need
to have door to door delivery or careful screening (which we found
to be painfully difficult at times).
§ From what we saw and heard, EDHI Foundation and the
religious party NGOs (JI, JUI etc) were doing genuine work. They
have sent teams up into valley and are also helping and coordinating
in clearing the rubble and burying dead bodies.
§ the Army is the only body who at have an act (even though
it
may just be coming together and that too slowly). The appointment
of Commanders for each Area and holding of coordination meeting
with all NGOs (both done in last two days) was the need of the hour
and will hopefully assist in coordination and implementation.
§ We did not come across any effective representation of the
Local, Provincial or the Federal Government. The only exception
was the Motorway Police and a fumigation unit which was spraying
some potent disinfectant across the town.
§ Sadly enough, we did not come across any on-the-ground
official representation from the corporate sector…even though
from the news papers and word-of-mouth reports one would expect
to see some of the big names there… most of which are probably
the only ones capable of financially and physically making a difference
(by themselves if not collectively).
What little we achieved…
The medical team assisted the local Army medical unit in treating
patients at the make shift hospital and made trips around the city
to treat patients at their homes. We were able to set up a small
base/medical camp, thanks to cooperation of the Pakistan Army field
ambulance unit. The camp has a decent supply of basic medical equipment
(basic medicines, advanced antibiotics, plasters, syringes
etc.) and is currently manned by one doctor and two helpers. The
camp is being used to coordinate relief efforts in and around Balakot
with supplies being sent every alternate day. We distributed around
30 tents to selected deserving locals, along with some clothes,
food and blankets etc.
What we could not manage was to take the medical team up into the
valley, despite repeated efforts. On Sunday, the medical team were
to be dropped by helicopter at a forward Army camp, however limited
helicopter availability due to bad weather and a helicopter crash
in the morning did not allow us the opportunity. On account of the
tricky weather, lack of proper gear and logistical support despite
our emotions we could not take on the challenging prospect of entering
the valley on foot.
What we felt is needed…
In light of our limited experience on the two day scouting trip
and observations of other activities around us, were able to come
off with the following thoughts for immediate and future action
through the KASB Foundation platform (realizing that not everything
is possible, but nothing is impossible either):
§ Volunteers - Appeal for volunteers (Doctors, medical and
general staff at all levels) to come forward for medical and general
relief efforts
§ Tents - Make shift tents to be prepared through
plastic/parachute materials available. We were able to find some
sources in Rawalpindi at PKR 1800-2000 per piece.
§ Care Packs - Preparation of Survival/Care Packs consisting
of 1 blanket, 1 plastic sheet, light-weight high-energy foods.
§ Mobile Teams - Putting together self sustaining mobile teams
of 5 to 10 people with 1 to 2 doctors to go into the valley. Member
should be equipped with a waterproof jackets, sleeping bags, tents,
torches and food supply for 3/5 days. The team could engage volunteers/locals/labourers
to assist carrying medical and relief equipment.
§ Forward Camps - Movement of teams to be coordination with
the Army commanders and focused on setting up of forward camps around
existing Army locations as focal points for relief efforts. (key
target locations Kawai and Kaghan)
§ Airdrops - Tents and Care Packs to be provided directly
to
the Army helicopter units for delivery and distribution to remote
locations.
§ Labour Engagement – Engagement and basic training
of daily
wage laborers based in Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Abbotabad, Mansehra
etc. to carry relief goods and securing supply chains to forward
locations
§ Tent Sourcing – Fast Track Efforts to source tents
in China,
Iran, India etc and speedy delivery possibly through courier
§ Corporate Effort– Approach large corporates (public
and
private sector) for initiation of on-the-ground relief efforts by
the companies themselves. Focus on companies with field and logistics
experience, management expertise, adequate manpower and where possible
in-house medical teams.
In the end…
In the end, we would like to thank the people who contributed in
such a timely manner for our humble effort and all the people who
physically, emotionally and spiritually supported us (even though
it would be enough to mention the prayers that we heard on the spot
from people walking away with tents). I would here particularly
thank all the people from abroad for their heart felt support, payers
and encouragement, without which probably we would not have gotten
past our doorsteps. Your continued support would be essential in
future as well.
Having said that, I would like to express my humble view to all
my fellow Pakistanis that although this is an international catastrophe
which should supposedly be handles by the Government, the nature
and scale of the problem is such that any/all practical and effective
solutions will essentially be local ones, achieved through individual
efforts. We would be as delusional placing reliance completely on
foreign support and the Government/Army's efforts as we would be
in asking for a divine intervention. They say God only helps those
who help themselves. Let it not be said tomorrow that we were incapable
of seeking His help, lets make sure we do today what we can.
Kindly let me know if anyone is interested in volunteering or assisting
in our ongoing relief efforts, or can assist us in putting us in
touch with people who would like to volunteer. Please also feel
free to send me your thoughts, suggestions and views. Many thanks
for listening.
Best Regards,
Suhaib Masud Kiani
|
