Press Room > Oxfam Ireland Press Release

Euro 5.8 million program planned: Water an increasing concern

Aid waiting to be loaded onto the plane flying out to Pakistan. Credit: Ruth Thompson/Oxfam

Oxfam's emergency response is now well underway with a planned initial budget of Euro 5.8 million . Oxfam Ireland has already committed an initial Euro 100,000 from its emergency fund towards this immediate relief effort, and we hope to raise over €100,000 from the Irish public.

Assessments teams have now reported back from Indian and Pakistan administered Kashmir. Shaista Aziz, an Oxfam aid worker who has been part of the assessment mission to Pakistan-administered Kashmir said, "Shelter remains an urgent priority but getting clean drinking water is an increasing problem in many areas." In response to these assessments Oxfam has already bought 4,000 tents, material for 8,000 temporary shelters, and thousands of blankets. Much of this was delivered to the affected areas last Saturday, the day of the earthquake. Oxfam is sourcing a total of 60,000 tents, which will accommodate 300,000 people whose homes have been destroyed. Delivery of supplies to the affected areas is difficult because of landslides in the mountainous terrain. Oxfam is using Pakistani military helicopters where possible, and donkeys where roads are blocked.


"As well as shelter, we have growing concerns about clean water supplies. We are, therefore, flying out a team of specialist water experts and engineers from around the world to help assess both the water and sanitation situation, and also to help coordinate the international response in this area. Without clean water there is a risk the death toll could mount further . More money will be needed to fund this operation. " said Michael O'Riordan, Oxfam Ireland's Humanitarian Programme Coordinator.


Oxfam Ireland is accepting donations via our shops throughout the country, online at www.oxfamireland.org or lo-call
1890 60 60 65 (Republic of Ireland) and 0845 303 0337 (Northern Ireland)

Oxfam has been working in Pakistan since 1973 and in India since 1951. We have a record of responding to natural disasters in both countries including the July 2005 floods in Pakistan, the December 2004 Tsunami in South India and the January 2001 earthquake in Gujarat. We work in partnership with local organizations who work day-in-day-out on community development projects and our response to this disaster is grounded in our already strong relations with communities.


As part of our long term commitment to the people of the area, our emergency response will be aimed also at helping them rebuild after this disaster. Oxfam will continue to work even after the current spotlight is no longer there.


EDITORS NOTES

INDIA
Oxfam's local partner organizations in Indian administered Kashmir provided shelter and food to victims of the earthquake on the day it happened. An Oxfam team is in Indian administered Kashmir to provide assistance and to assess what further help is needed. In Indian administered Kashmir over 600 people have died and around 100,000 people have been severely affected by the earthquake. The worst affected districts are Baramula and Kupwara in Srinigar and Poonch in Jammu. In Baramula the town of Uri and 57 villages are at least 80% flattened.
We will be supporting at least 20,000 people affected by the earthquake in India. Oxfam is procuring blankets, plastic sheeting and food supplies for those affected. Oxfam engineers will also be providing water tanks. Snow fall will come shortly to Kashmir so we are also arranging for winterized tents to be flown in from Delhi. We are coordinating our response with other aid organizations and with the government.

PAKISTAN
In Pakistan Oxfam partner organizations responded immediately to the disaster and Oxfam has now flown in additional support personnel from the South Asia region and from the UK.
The most affected areas are Abbottabad, Manshera, Ballakot, Battagram, Shangla and Khoistan in North West Frontier Province and Bagh, Rawala Kot and Muzzafferabad in Pakistan administered Kashmir. Public infrastructure has been badly damaged and many roads have been blocked by landslides.
We will be supporting 300,000 people in Pakistan. Oxfam is already organizing plastic sheeting, winterized tents, blankets, hygiene kits, water jerry cans and winter clothing. We are working with local partners and many volunteers.


For more details, interviews in the field with Shaista Aziz, Oxfam Aid worker, or interviews with Michael O'Riordan, Oxfam Ireland's Humanitarian Programme Coordinator, please contact Claire Guenard on (01) 672 7662 or 087 23 97094