Population Council Projects | Earthquake Vulnerability Assessment: Pakistan 2005

PROJECT
Earthquake Vulnerability Assessment:
Pakistan 2005–06

The 8 October 2005 earthquake left devastation in the northern areas of Pakistan with 80,000 dead, 100,000 injured, and an estimated 3 million people displaced or homeless. Most of the latter were moved to tented camps set up by the government and relief agencies. Others moved to tents erected wherever homes were inhabitable. A survey of the tented camps was commissioned as a prerequisite for the government and relief agencies to provide effective aid to these people and to develop a viable rehabilitation plan.

To gather in-depth information on individuals, researchers in the Population Council's Islamabad office carried out a survey of all camps containing ten or more tents. The main objective was to locate and assess the size of the most vulnerable populations. As time was of the essence, the survey design was completed quickly. The fieldwork began 4 January 2006 and took just 28 working days to complete despite the harsh terrain and weather conditions. Data were collected on more than 45,000 families and 250,000 individuals.

The earthquake created a large number of disabled people, orphans, widows, and single parents. These groups generally are more vulnerable in situations of distress. The results of the vulnerabilities assessment survey will provide baseline information to the government and aid agencies. The data will help to develop more focused and efficient rehabilitation plans that cater specifically to the needs of the diverse group of people affected by the earthquake.

Location

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Pakistan

Duration

December 2005–March 2006

Population Council researchers

Zeba A. Sathar, Arshad Mahmood

Non-Council collaborators

Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education

Donor

United Nations Children's Fund

United Nations Population Fund