Report of Projects of UOL Relief in Flood Hit Areas
Community Service of University of Lahore
Community service is not new to The University of Lahore (UOL). It has been at the forefront of providing emergency relief and rehabilitation during times of natural disasters since 2005. During the earthquake in 2005 and during the IDP crisis in 2009, UOL team with the help of hundreds of student-volunteers started a much needed aid plan. We played a constructive relief and rehabilitation role for 2005 earthquake victims in Balakot as well as for the IDPs of Swat. The rehabilitation and rebuilding role is still being carried out in those areas and UOL is supporting some schools as well as providing community health-care over there. The University of Lahore not only provided food and medicines to the affected people then, but also successfully helped in rebuilding homes for the earthquake victims. During the floods of 2010 which were declared the ‘flood of the millennia’, University of Lahore kept up with its past tradition and started a Flood Relief Campaign within a few days after the disaster. They undertook a preliminary assessment of the situation by surveying different areas. The team then worked round the clock to formulate a plan of action to facilitate the flood victims. The University itself allocated 5 million rupees for the purpose of relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims
It was felt that the time was ripe to launch the relief program under a separate department to do all the philanthropic work and to execute the required relief plan. Thus UOL Relief came into being as a project of the University of Lahore. Headed by the Pro Rector Mr. Nasir Mahmood, UOL Relief has been able to reach millions of people in far flung areas ever since.
We feel proud to say that the effort of UOL Relief is purely voluntary. The University of Lahore staff and students assist UOL Relief by volunteering their time, presence and logistics for the aid work. The University Of Lahore (UOL) has the services of hundreds of student-volunteers for the execution of its aid plan. These students are young and energetic and can access unreachable far-flung areas. Unlike many NGOs, our volunteers do not ask for any compensation and work as philanthropists. This enables us to focus the efforts and 100 % of the funds for the relief work. This collective effort has made it possible for us to help the community in times of disaster.
The way we work
UOL Relief owes its success to the systematic and well planned work done by its volunteers. Before we embark for the relief work, we mobilize and utilize all resources for proper planning and its execution. The first and foremost emphasis is laid on the safety and security of the team of volunteers. For this purpose only, the help of influential locals is sought beforehand.
Our plan of action consists of:
- Choosing and surveying the disaster-affected area
- Visiting the shelters and destroyed townships, hamlets and villages
- Registering the affected families
- Purchasing of relief goods
- Packing the supplies for each family unit into food packets
- Direct distribution of relief goods
- Planning for the construction of houses according to the area and its geography
- Direct supervision of all building projects
Survey Methodology: The main objective of our survey is:
I. To analyze an overall situation of areas hit by calamities
II. To assess immediate needs of affected population
III. To provide instant information for strategic decision making for a swift emergency response
Due to the nature of emergencies UOL Relief conducts a research survey at the community level. A community is simply defined as a collection of households living together in a shared geographical space. A community could thus be a village, a neighborhood, a hamlet or a group of households living together as a unit in a displaced persons camp.
As several villages and hamlets are hit during natural disasters or the times of crisis, the information about such areas is acquired from people displaced to nearby areas. Some areas which are inaccessible by vehicle are surveyed after a long walk or a hike for a minimum of 15 minutes up to 8 hours.
UOL Relief team consists of student volunteers grouped as follows:
- Survey Team
- Registration Team
- Purchasers
- Packers
- Distributors
A team of surveyors visit various shelters and hamlets to identify families and individuals for extending immediate help. The task of surveyors is also to assess the needs of the affected people. Moreover, the team also verifies the number of families, the number of family members per family and household for registration.
The Registration Team fills detailed forms for registering each family. The whole data is then fed into the computer for cross referencing. At each stage of registration, care is taken for accuracy and authenticity of data about each family. After final verification, Ration Cards are made and distributed among the people.
The Purchasers try to buy the basic provisions for each family locally to avoid heavy transport cost. The detail of provisions we donate to the affected people is listed below:
- 1. Standard Food Packs
- 5 kg Rice
- 20 kg Flour
- 4 kg Daal
- 2.5 kg Ghee
- 250 g Tea
- 2 kg Sugar
- 500g Salt
- 150 g Red Chili Powder
- 2 Bath Soap
- 2 Kitchen Soap
- 2 Laundry Soaps
- 2. Kitchen Utensils
- 3. Stoves
- 4. Beddings
- 5. Clothes
- 6. Shoes
- 7. Tents
- 8. Tarpals
The team of Distributors distributes Family Packs to each family after signing the ration cards. The family packs are distributed on site.
All the teams continuously work in parallel and in harmony for the effective disbursement of provisions to the disaster victims.
In this way we make sure that only the most deserving people in far flung, out of reach areas, are targeted and then helped for an initial period of one to three months. After this period we start working for their rehabilitation to bring some order in their lives. We encourage self-help when working with communities. We aim to reach out to as many deserving people as possible and then to help them take responsibility of their own lives.
Flood Relief Efforts
The scale of current disaster has affected at least 20 million people across the country with loss to their homes, crops and livestock. These have been termed as the worst flash floods of the century and have caused havoc in all the provinces. Gigantic efforts are required now to provide the victims with shelter, clean drinking water and food, besides essential medicines to ensure that no epidemic hits the flood-wrecked area.
The initial relief effort of UOL team focused on sustaining the hungry people. The major challenge posed now is the resettlement and rebuilding of their homes, schools, health centers and infrastructure so that they can return to their normal life.
UOL Relief has several ongoing projects in four localities that were devastated by floods. The areas under our relief scheme are:
- Charsadha District ( KPKW)
- Rajanpur District (PUNJAB)
- Chilas District ( GILGIT BALTISTAN)
- Skardu District ( GILGIT BALTISTAN)
Flood Relief Activities in Charsadha District
Charsadha is 17 miles from Peshawar located in the west of the Khyber-Pakhtoonkhaw and is bounded by Malakand District on the north, Mardan district on the east, Nowshera and Peshawar districts on the south and the Mohmand Agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas on the west. This district has one of the most fertile lands in Khyber-Pakhtoonkhaw. The total area of the district is about 996 square kilometers (243753 acres).
There are three rivers flowing in Charsadha: the River Jindi, the Kabul River, and the Khiyali River. The Khiyali River brings waters from Swat and Dir; these are the main water bodies in and around Charsadha that have wreaked havoc there. The three rivers then merge and join the Indus River.
According to our surveys, hundreds of thousands of people were awaiting relief; even 10 days after the calamity left them shelter less.
Heavy monsoon downpour and bloated rivers of Swat, Kabul and Jindi overran hundreds of acres of land in Khyber-Pakhtoonkhaw, swamping the districts of Nowshera, Charsadha, Swat and rural Peshawar. Several villages and hamlets were washed away by the strong current. According to official statistics, around 1,400 people were killed and close to two million affected by the floods.
More than 27 villages were destroyed in the Umerzai and Utmanzai areas of Charsadha, displacing a vast population. As floodwaters recede, villagers were seen scavenging through knee-deep mud to salvage whatever was spared by the overflow, in their flattened homes.
The people took shelter in Government schools and colleges.
Fortunately the death toll was not too high but people lost their granaries, their livestock, their houses, everything. While many people were fortunate to be sheltered in the schools, many villagers could not find any shelter.
Many survivors are lived in the village graveyards situated on a mound. Afghan refugee camps in Utmanzai were also affected by the flood.
Little government aid trickled in, since the calamity hit the area.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhaw is already struggling to rehabilitate hundreds of thousands of people displaced by militancy. Because of the surrounding Agencies (Malakand, Bajour, Mohmand and Khyber) not many people visit Charsadha for security reasons. Its remoteness, poverty and now this calamity has made the people very vulnerable and helpless.
Due to the above mentioned circumstances we felt that this was the area that needed our immediate attention.
Food Distribution in Charsadha
The University of Lahore UOL Relief delivered a much-needed emergency assistance in Charsadha District (Khyber Pakhtunkhaw). Our team effort helped overcome the initial hardships faced by the victims by providing relief to over 3500 families in the form of food and utensils in the following localities of Charsadha District. (Add Dates August 2010)
- Charsadha City
- Sardhery
- Utman Zai
- Nowshehra Kallan
- Tangi
- Umer Zai
- Nisatta
Medical Camps in Charsadha
According to a report by W.H.O: waterborne, airborne and vector-borne diseases, including acute diarrhea, measles, malaria and acute respiratory infections, are threats due to overcrowding, lack of hygiene and breakage in waterlines. More than 250,000 cases of diarrhea and about 270,000 of skin diseases have been reported so far…
UOL Relief organized two medical camps in Nisatta, Charsadha after a survey in this locality. The people of Nisatta had severe skin problems and the children and the elderly had serious health issues. The team for medical camps comprised of:
- General Physician
- Pediatrician
- Gynecologist
- Pharmacist
- Skin Specialist
- Student volunteers
All medicines worth of 300,000 Rs were given free of cost by University of Lahore (UOL) itself. These medicines were bought from Mardan. Apart from this, a bulk of medicines was donated by a donor from Lahore.
Clothes Distribution
UOL Relief distributed clothes to hundreds of people in Nisatta, Charsadha. These clothes were collected, ironed and packed neatly by students in UOL according to size and gender. Some new clothes were also donated to UOL by various people before Eid Ul Fitr.
Water Filtration Plant
The University of Lahore bought and installed a water filtration plant in Nisatta. It was bought from So-Safe. It has a capacity of 4000 liters per hour. Total cost is Rs. 500,000.
Housing projects
After a painstaking survey in various localities with the help of the local elders, UOL Relief organized house- building projects in Charsadha. The Union Council of Nisatta was chosen for this purpose. A total of 25 houses are being built in the village Dera Bubak in Nisatta, Charsadha. Each house includes 1 room, 1 kitchen, 1 bathroom and 1 veranda. (See picture). The time frame to complete these houses is 4 to 6 weeks. The status of various phases of this project is as follows:
- map and design of each house is complete
- pre fabricated roof for all 25 houses has been procured from Mardan
- door panels (chowkath) for all 25 houses have been bought from Rawal Pindi
- Kikar wood for windows and doors have been purchased from Okara
- windows and doors are being prepared in Lahore
- cement for 10 houses has reached Charsadha
- masons have been hired for construction
The ongoing construction of 10 houses will finish by end of December, 2010.
Flood Relief Efforts in Rajanpur District
Background Information
Rajanpur District is located in the extreme southwest part of Punjab, Pakistan with a geographical span of 12,319 km2. It is one of the only two districts of Punjab located west of the river Indus. The land is sandwiched by river Indus on one side, while the Suleiman Mountains range on the other. According to the National Census Report 1998, it had a population of 110361 and current estimated population is 149534 persons. Rajanpur district is divided into three Tehsils, Jampur (19 Union Councils), Rajanpur (14 Union Councils), Rojhan Mazari (08 Union Councils) and a vast belt of provincially administer tribal area (PATA) and in all 44 Union Councils (UCs). Flash floods caused by hill torrents in Rajanpur district in last week of July, 2010 devastated at least 131 villages leaving around 15,055 people homeless and 162,000 acres of cotton fields ruined. A report compiled by the district coordination office stated 1,000 houses have been completely washed away while 976 have been partially damaged due to the floods. The floods were triggered by the Kaha Sultan torrent, which reached a peak flow of 80,000 cusecs, and the Chachar hill torrent, where the water discharge rose to 18,000 cusecs. The floods have hit the Jampur Tehsil the worst, though it has badly affected other two Tehsil as well.
Rajanpur was named by a warlord Makhdoom Sheikh Rajan in 1772-73. It remained a small and little known village located on the road from Dera Ghazi Khan (Punjab) to Sukkur (Sindh) until 1862. In that year, Mithankot, a relatively larger and more prosperous town located southeast of Rajanpur, was completely destroyed by floods. Resultantly, the administrative offices of the British government were moved from Mithankot to Rajanpur, because of its being located at a safer distance from the river. Many prosperous Hindu Aurora merchants and traders also shifted from Mithankot to Rajanpur. It became a municipality and the Tehsil headquarters in 1873.
Agriculture
The agriculture of Rajanpur depends solely upon canal irrigation since rainfall is negligible in this region. The five rivers of the Punjab meet at the locality of Wang near Mithankot; hence these rivers provide water for irrigation as well as for domestic usage. The rainfall occurs during the monsoon (July–September). Occasional heavy rainfall causes flood in this region, but such floods are rare. In Rajanpur flood water came from Kaha Sultan and Chachar torrent (rivulet).
Geographical features
Rajanpur is also playing the role as the connector of the three provinces of the Punjab. It is the last district of the Punjab in south-west; in the West it is bordering with Dera Bugti of Baluchistan Province; in the South-West, it is bordering with the Kashmore of Sindh province. So its geographical importance becomes highly sensitive for the Punjab. Rajanpur is located in the Rod Kohi areas which are the potential areas threatened by hill torrents.
Economy
Rajanpur is a commercial and industrial centre in Dera Ghazi Khan Division. It is connected with the rest of the country through rail and road including the other industrial hubs such as Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Faisalabad. Industries include fertilizer, cosmetics, glass manufacturing, cotton production and processing, flour mills, sugar and oil mills. Cotton production in Punjab Province starts from this area. Mangoes and oranges are two main fruits of this city. Cottage industries include ginning, pottery/clay products, agricultural machinery, handicrafts, and embroidery.
Flood Devastation
The unprecedented floods of 2010 devastated huge areas of Rajanpur District. In August due to the heavy rains flash floods started and Rajan Pur district was badly affected by these flash floods. Several villages were inundated due to widespread rains in Koh-e-Suleman Mountains and around that caused hill torrents. In Rajan Pur flood water came from Koh-e-Suleman Mountains, Indus River and Chachar torrents (rivulet). This flood water hit the different union councils of Rajan Pur. Hundreds of houses damaged fully and partially and inhabitants were left homeless under open sky. The displaced people sought shelter in streets and other public buildings in and around their chaks (villages).
The Rajanpur city was left disconnected from rest of the country for seven days after torrential rains and floods cut off all the land routes. Hundreds of people were stranded in floodwaters and thousands of families became homeless.
Several people including children were killed as flash flood swept them away in.
Dozens of villages were submerged and over 0.4 million people were displaced.
Destruction to Crops
Rajanpur district is famous for cotton and sugarcane crop, although wheat and rice is cultivated as well. Their current crop is damaged at large scale. The flood badly affected the about-to-ripe cotton crop. The cotton crop on over 100,000 acres has been affected in Rajanpur alone. The Kharif crops cultivated on thousands of acres were destroyed. This year, however, the floods destroyed the reserved seeds as well. More than 323,938 acres of harvested land has been destroyed.
Destruction to Irrigation system
The agriculture of Rajanpur depends upon canal irrigation in some areas of Rajanpur. People and livestock also use canal water for drinking. The floods caused serious damage to the irrigation system.
Destruction of Livestock
The livestock has suffered considerable loss due to floods.
The affected people face critical condition and will suffer economically for at least one whole year. According to affectees this flood is larger than the one, some 40 years ago. Thus, there is an urgent need for reconstruction of houses along with non food items (NFIs) including Quilts, bedding, mattresses and winter clothing.
Work executed by UOL Relief
UOL Relief extended help in the major Tehsils of Rajanpur District. These include
- 1. Rajunpur Tehsil
- 2. Jampur Tehsil
- 3. Rojhan Tehsil
- 4. Fazlpur Tehsil
- 5. Kot Mithan
UOL Relief has finished the disbursement of the following, in flood hit areas of Rajanpur District
- Food distribution (10,000 packs)
- Clothing for women ( 1000 suits)
- Mosquito nets ( 2000)
- Tents (300)
- Water filtration plant (2)
- Hand pump (1)
- Non-food items
Proposal for Rajanpur building projects
We propose to construct 1000 houses in Rajanpur District.
- The first phase of 250 houses has begun.
- Procurement for roof material of 250 houses has been done. Inshallah, these will be complete for living by the end of December
- Design of the houses has been decided. These will be mud houses with steel girders. The intense summer heat does not allow the cement construction. Moreover these houses will be built on self-help basis by the locals.
- Water filtration plant needs to be installed here
Flood Relief Activities in Northern Areas of Pakistan
District Diamer (Chilas)
Diamer District is one of the six districts of the Northern Areas of Pakistan. It is the district in which the Karakoram Highway enters that territory from the North-West Frontier Province. The capital of the district is Chilas.
Diamer District is bounded by Astore District in the east, by the North-West Frontier Province in the southwest (separated by the Babusar Pass or Babusar Top), Neelum District of Azad Kashmir in the south, the Ghizer District in the north and northwest, and the Gilgit District in the north and northeast.
- I. Village of Tato
After working in Charsadha and Rajanpur, UOL Relief turned its attention towards the devastation caused by flash floods in a very remote area of Pakistan that still lies unnoticed and abandoned by the Government of Pakistan and the news media.
The University of Lahore (UOL) Relief Team visited the area after getting a distress call from a local member of the community named Qari Rehmat Ullah
You may kindly note that The Trekking Team of UOL has been to the area many times in the past and has developed strong ties with the community there.
The village of Tato is located in the Himalayas near the foothills of Nanga Parbat. This village lies along the Raikot Nala which emerges from Raikot Glacier. This year due to unusually heavy monsoon rains, the Nala caused immense damage to the village of Tato, which already is a very poor community.
The terrain to Tato Village is very tough. Not many people can reach this area because of the dangerous jeep road at a very steep and high altitude. The meager earnings by the locals are made only during three months in a year as jeep fare and porterage.
Tato Community Background
Tato Village is famously known as the ‘Jeep Stop’ for all expeditions going to Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat Base camp. Their livelihood depends on livestock, agriculture and small time tourism. The flash flood has destroyed all these sources of sustenance.
The village of Tato was severely hit during the earthquake in 2002. The extent of abandonment from the government of Pakistan can only be gauged by the fact that the buildings destroyed during that time still lie wrecked and desolated. This year however we want the world to hear about their plight and we want to help them rebuild their washed -away village, which exists no more.
Importance of Tato Village
The population of this village is approximately 1500. The community here moves with the change in seasons. Approximately 100 households have a permanent home at Tato. Their crops are sown and harvested on the slopes at Phantori near Fairy Meadows and Jale at Tato. However, their livelihood depends on having permanent winter and summer abodes from Bayal to Gunar Farm for timely migration during heavy snowfalls. They can only bring down their livestock from grazing grounds at high altitudes to lower areas once the crops have been completely harvested there. This is done on fixed dates during the year when the whole community shifts lower during winters.
The Village of Tato plays a central role in these migrations for the survival of the whole community and their livestock during harsh winters. This year’s flash floods have destroyed this infrastructure and have created havoc in their way of living. The survival of the community depends on timely help and extended effort from all philanthropists.
Our aim is not only to rebuild the infrastructure for this poor community but also to uplift their standard of living.
Damage Report
The poor villagers of Tato face a terrible fate without any external help.
- The flood has destroyed their ripe crops and has brought tons of debris rendering the lands useless for future. They are too poor to reverse this devastation.
- The winter abodes of around 30 families have been completely destroyed.
- The animal shelters for winters have been totally wrecked, threatening the lives of their most prized asset: livestock
- The water supply system for domestic and agricultural usage has been badly destroyed.
- The temporary Basic Health Unit that served both animals and humans has also vanished due to these floods.
Relief Effort by UOL Volunteers
To bring immediate relief to these poor people we organized the disbursement of tents, tarpals, food and other items that included flour, rice, Daal, ghee, sugar, tea, dates, spices, washing and bath soaps, clothes and beddings. A team of volunteers set out for help even before the Karakorum Highway opened for travel.
The survey team met all the displaced families living in tiny abodes scattered in the harshest areas all over the mountains. Their proposal for rebuilding is based on the first hand information collected by our team members.
Proposal for Rebuilding and Uplifting of Tato Village
- One room with a kitchen, washroom and veranda houses: Immediate measures must be taken for rebuilding homes for the poor villagers. We plead you to help us in this cause. House construction is necessary as the winter is approaching and it is difficult to live in a tent. The temperature here drops below zero degree.
The cost of one house has been estimated to be Rs.75,000/-
- 2. The restoration of the water supply system must take place with immediate effect.
- During the flash floods the water channel was destroyed completely and the water supply to Jale at Tato was suspended.
- Water is now being supplied to around 22 families and their fields on a self help basis which is only temporary
- The irrigation system for agriculture depends on the revival of this water supply system.
- The restored water system will also supply water for domestic purposes.
To repair the water channel we need:
- Water tank built with stones and cement (size 4x4x4) and a three inch plaster on the inner wall
- A 6” pipe of 200’ length
- Metal wire to hold the pipe structure
The total cost will be approximately Rs.275, 000
- Rebuilding Primary School: The uplifting of the community for long term prosperity can only be done through education. The community elders are aware of this and are keen for a proper school system for the children. This is a good sign of self-help considering their level of poverty. In this regard we would like to draw your attention to the following facts:
- There was one Government Primary School from Class 1 to 5 in Tatto Village. This school was sanctioned in 1975 by the government and was constructed in 1979.
- This School building was initially destroyed in 2002 earthquake and was never built again by the government.
- The only teacher present now teaches the children under a huge walnut tree year round. During snow or rain he takes the children to the mosque.
- Initially two teachers were appointed by the government there: one was Mohabat khan (55 years old who doesn’t know a word of English) and the other one never showed up.
- The previous school building had 4 rooms, 1 kitchen and a bathroom. There was a wall only on the back side
- At present approximately 45 boys and 25 girls are enrolled
- As there is no school building presently, the female students study in the evening at the teacher’s house. After the construction more girls will be encouraged to go to school and the number of female students will increase
- Some students have to go down the mountains just for education purposes.
Beneficiaries of the school are the families (around 50) who live in Tato village year round. Other families who migrate to Tato in summers go to their houses in Gunar Farm in winter for their children’s’ schooling or to Chilas.
There is no tuition fee for studying in this school. Students purchase their own books. They do not wear any uniforms.
Cost of construction for the school is Rs. 900,000/-
The annual running cost of the school is approximately 100,000 Rs that include the salary of an additional teacher and uniforms for the students.
- Basic Health Unit: Immediate measures are required to rebuild the Basic Health Unit for the community and for their animals for the following reasons:
- The first Animal Hospital was built in 1992-93 by the government,
- It had three rooms ( insulated ) and a bathroom
- It was destroyed in 2002 earth quake
- Two persons were appointed officially as grade 1(Mr. Shakoor Ahmed) and (Mr. Zarmast Khan) grade II dispensers.
- This vet nary hospital building was used by the dispensers to treat the people and to store few medicines which the government sometimes provided them on demand.
- One chokidar and one sweeper were also appointed but they never showed up.
- No doctor was ever appointed.
- After the destruction of the hospital the staff started to work from home.
- A vetnary hospital was constructed in Jale at Tato in 2005 consisting of three rooms, a store, and a washroom. It also had boundary walls with a gate.
- The flash floods of 2010 destroyed this only health facility in the area
- The nearest available health care centers are in Chilas or Gilgit which are several hours ( 6-8 hrs) away from Tato
Estimated cost of basic health unit is Rs.250, 000/-
In the light of the above mentioned facts and analysis, we plead to all donors to help us alleviate the plight of poor people of Tato and to help us eradicate problems of health care and education from that area once and for all.
We are the voice of hundreds of poverty ridden villagers who have destroyed livelihoods and threatening weather conditions working against them.
Time is running out in this land of forgotten…
On Going Projects at Tato
The water channel has been restored and running, Alhumdo lilla.
Construction of two houses is in process. The rest of construction is postponed due to cold weather and snow till March 2011
The construction is postponed till March 2011
This has been postponed till March on account of severe weather.
- II. Village of Gas Bala
This village is also located near Chilas. It is a low lying area. The winter is not as severe as in Tato.
Ongoing Projects at Gas Bala
We are constructing 48 houses at Gas Bala. The houses are being built with wood and stone. According to the weather conditions and requirement of the area the wood is used as supports for stone in making the walls. This also works as ‘shocks’ during earthquakes to reduce destruction and death. The main difficulty that is faced during construction projects is the movement of wood. By law the wood cannot be moved or transported without prior permission from the DCO or the relevant authority in the area. However UOL Relief has been successful in this after very hard work. The following has been done for rebuilding of houses in Gas Bala:
- Map and design has been finalized for the houses. It includes 1 room, 1kitchen, 1 bathroom and a verandah
- Phase 1 of construction is on going. The foundation work is being done for all the houses. It will finish by the mid of December, 2010.
- 210 cubic feet of wood is needed per house. It has been purchased from Chilas. We are in the process of transporting this wood to Gas Bala.
- Carpenter and mason has been hired
- The wood-cutting apparatus has been arranged
The estimated cost for each house is 95,000 Rs.
- III. Niat Valley, Chilas
During our relief work in Chilas /Tato area we were contacted by the flood affected locals of Niat Valley. According to our survey we found out that this was the worst hit area in Diamer District to be affected by the recent floods. Till October 29, 2010 there was no government help for these poor people as confirmed by the following report:
Dawn.com “Our people are still stranded in valleys in Diamer district three months after the floods. They are without food and shelter. The provincial government has not taken any substantial steps for their rehabilitation”.
The locals said that Niat valley was completely isolated due to closure of roads, urging the authorities to take immediate steps for opening the road.
Due to the above mentioned reasons and the remoteness of this area, UOL Relief has decided to extend help to people of Niat Valley.
Location: Niat Valley lies in the Himalaya Mountain Range. Niat Valley is situated along Niat River. This river joins Thak River that emerges from Babusar Top. Both these rivers eventually flow into River Indus near Chilas. . Its elevation is about 7,400 ft.
Water in Niat River comes from several mountain streams coming from either side. There are 46 settlements near the banks of Niat River out of which 24 are badly damaged by the flash floods. Niat was badly affected by the flash floods on 27 July. The only road leading to Niat was washed away. This road remained closed and this area was completely cut off. No one came to help them so the people of Niat joined hands and on a self help basis, worked on the road. The road reopened after 3 months on 28th October. UOL Relief team was there on October 29 immediately after the road opened.
Weather: In summer it is pleasant, and in winter snow falls around 2’ to 8’. The area is going through heavy deforestation.
People: Some People living here came from Kashmir around 500 years ago. Other local tribes who are the first inhabitants of this area have a major hold in Niat Valley. The Kashmiri community still does not have any ownership rights there.
People live in Niat Valley all year around and do not migrate, even in winter and heavy snow. They do not have any alternate settlement elsewhere.
Structure of the house: The local houses are made of wood and stone in the same manner as in Tato
Literacy rate: It is a very poor community. There is no school for girls here. Most of the people do farming or work as daily laborers. Very few people are in police and army due to very low literacy rate.
Major Crops: The land over here is very fertile. Corn, potato, Lobia, Peas and fruits (grapes, apple, pomegranate, walnut, pears, and apricot) are grown here in abundance.
Damage by the flood:
In Niat Valley the settlements of Lomar and Khaat are the worse hit.
The population in Niat Valley is around 40,000. In the recent flash flood 20,000 people are affected in terms of
- Housing: 74 houses are completely destroyed and washed away and several partially damaged
- Water Channels and water supply: 11 main water sources are destroyed which were the life- line for irrigation as well as domestic purposes.
- River Embankment: The total length of repairable embankment on River Niat is 1500 ft out of which 1200 ft is totally washed away and needs to be rebuilt. The remaining 300 ft needs repair. g
- Water Mills: These are used for grinding wheat and corn to make flour. All of these 11 were destroyed
- Mosque: 1 mosque was totally destroyed. 1 Mosque and madrassa were partially destroyed. 60 students used to do hifz and dora-e-hadis (only for boys) there.
- Animal Shelters: Uncountable animal shelters were destroyed
- Fields: Fields of 900 families were destroyed
Importance of Rebuilding
- 1. Reconstruction of Water Channel and drinking water supplies: Due to the floods the water channel and water supply were destroyed. There were two types of damages to these water channels. Some of them have been completely destroyed at their source called ’Sur Bund’, while other channels have been damaged due to landslides and erosion as well. Most of the fields are already destroyed and the remaining of the fields will become arid due to the non availability of the water. If water channel are not repaired, they cannot cultivate these lands next season.
a. Drinking Water Supply at Gusher Village (Niat Valley) :The Village Gusher has no clean water for domestic use. The drinking water supply was totally destroyed due to which they have to go 800m to 1000m down the mountains to fetch the water from the river. This village consists of 500 households. As winter is approaching, it will almost become impossible to bring water in 3 to 8 feet of snow.
Requirement for Gusher Village
i. 300 Feet main supply pipe of 2 Inch thickness.
ii. 1500 Feet of pipe of half inch thickness.
iii. HD Polyethylene Food Grade pipe needed to withstand the temperatures from -33 degrees in winter to +55 degrees in summers.
iv. Group of approximately 20 house hold to be provided with one tap water connection.
We have estimated the cost for restoration of the water supply at Gusher around 185,000 Rs.
b. Water Channel for Chota Jail: Total 40 families live here. The channel is 2 km long and only needs repairs at some spots. They require 400 ft of 6 inch pipe for repair. Estimated cost is Rs. 207,500/-
c. Water Channel for Losh Nalla (lower):There are 250 families living in this vicinity with 5000 fields. They need to repair the ‘surband’ with a length of 300 feet. Estimated cost is Rs.41,250/-
d. Water Channel at Quistar: Total 200 families will benefit from water channel repair here. It is essential for providing water for irrigation to 3000 fields. Requirement is 800 ft new ‘Surband’. Estimated cost is Rs.110,000/-
e. Water Channel for Jacchan:350 families live here and cultivate 3000 field. 1000 feet surband needs repair.Estimated cost is Rs.137,500/-
f. Water Channel for Lomer: 300 ft of pipe needed. Estimated cost is Rs. 232,000/-
- 2. Water Mill: All water mills in 18 km area are destroyed as they were located on the river banks. Food is stored in the form of grains and it needs to be grounded before use so every house hold needs to have this facility. They have managed to renovate one water mill in Gusher village. Some people have to travel 10 to 12 km to get this grinding of grain done. They have to wait for hours in long queues and sometimes they have to wait for one whole day even to wait for their turn. The water mill grinds, one monde of grains in one hour.
Requirements for the mill:
- Room 12X14
- Wood for pipe
- Grinding stone
A site has been chosen by our survey team in Village Shimat for making a water mill for 6 to 8 villages. Estimated cost is Rs.80,000/-
- 3. Embankment: If the Niat River embankment is not repaired on time then the livelihood of the poor people of Niat Valley is threatened. In the absence of this embankment the water can cause heavy damage to their fields.
The total cost for this project is estimated to be Rs.1,000,000/-
We plead to all donor organizations and individuals to step forward and join hands with UOL Relief in helping the poor people of Niat Valley.
Flood Relief work in Skardu District
Thalley Valley
Situated amidst towering snow clad peaks with heights varying form 1,000 to 8,000 meters, a remote but picturesque & panoramic area in Baltistan needs our immediate and timely attention. Its unmatched beauty has been a reason for many of University of Lahore Trekking Team’s visit in the area. Due to these trips a close and strong affinity was developed with the locals of this area. Thus in response to yet another distress call from a local guide named, Mohammad Ali Abduhu, our surveying team went to Skardu to assess the damage caused by the recent flash floods.
The plight of this poor community is heartbreaking….
Baltistan, also called ‘Little Tibet’, is situated in the heart of the great Himalaya and Karakoram ranges and is the source of mighty Indus River that falls into Arabian Sea. Baltistan consists of six major valleys: Skardu, Ghanche, Shigar, Kharmang, Roundu, and Gultari.
The ruined settlements we visited after the floods is in Ghanche District which is the easternmost district of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
The capital of Ghanche District is Khaplu. This region is the coldest place within Pakistan also called the "Third Pole"with temperatures reaching below -20 °C in the winter. Some of the towns in the district are Balghar, Dubla Khan, Doghani, and Lunkha.
Our main concern is to re-establish the infrastructure of Khusho village in Balghar.
Main rivers in this district are the Shyok River, the Hushe River, and the Thalle River. The Thalle Nala in Balghar emerges from the base of Shimshak Peak (5609m),
This water source is known as Thalle Nala because of the famous Thalle pass which connects it with Shigar valley. There are approximately 22 permanent settlements around this Nala with total population of around 10,000 according to 2002 census.
The villages near Thalle River have been wiped out during these floods. The waters brought nearly 8 feet of debris consisting of rocks and stones, leaving all the abodes and agricultural land in complete ruins.
There is no record of such destructive flood in the living memory of Thalle people.
Khusho Village Habitat
The villagers of Khusho in Balghar live in unique housing structures that are built to bear the harshness of the climate in the coldest of months. They have animal housing and storage on the ground floor of each house and their living quarters are on the first floor. The houses are built with unbaked clay bricks and wood with thatched reed roofs. The village of Khusho has approximately 50 households
The people of this area earn their living through labor and agriculture
- Laborers get 200 Rs per day
- The cash crops in this area mostly consist of potato and wheat
- They also sell dry fruits consisting of apricots and walnuts
Destruction Assessment
The torrents of flood water rushed continuously in the area for more than a week causing unimaginable damage to the habitats and vegetation in that area.
- 1. Village housing
The houses in many hamlets suffered a variety of damage. We have categorized the destroyed houses after a detailed survey in the following manner:
- Category A: Totally washed out houses that have been completely vanished, with no trace of any habitat.
- Category B: Houses filled with 4 to 8 feet of rubble consisting of boulders and rocks on the ground floor. Most of the houses are under tons of mud, stones and big boulders. The displaced families, currently living in tents, are trying to obtain some usable wood for reconstruction.
- Category C: Partially destroyed houses which either collapsed on their foundations or which have lost the first floors. There are some houses which are intact but due to cracks in the walls and unstable roof are not fit for living anymore.
- 2. Water Channel
The life-line of this area was four water channels that provided water for irrigation, animals and domestic use. The main water channels brought water for miles, from the Thalle River. The most important feature of one of the water channel was that it was built at a higher altitude along the river banks. This channel distributed water to all the agricultural fields. Unfortunately this water channel was also destroyed due to land sliding and huge bank erosion. At least 1500 feet of the channel needs to be rebuilt for the sustenance of agriculture in that area.
For domestic purposes water was brought from another stream and was stored in a reservoir. Houses were provided water through weather-proof rubber pipes from this reservoir. Both these sources of water are not there any more.Their livelihood is greatly threatened due to lack of proper water resources.
- 3. Agricultural fields and crops
The rushing waters brought in tons of debris. This caused enormous damage to the river bank. The river bank erosion resulted in muddy water gushing and spreading over agricultural lands. The crops and fields were all wiped out due to this. Today, only rock, mud and tons of stone are found over the fertile lands. The land is not fit for cultivation anymore.
Intended Plan of Action for the Relief
Housing Projects: Immediate measures must be taken to help the villagers in building their houses before the commencement of snow season around December. Currently most of them are living in tents. Unlike people in other mountain areas, the community of Thalle does not have separate winter and summer settlements. They have no where to go during the harsh winter season. This year in particular there survival is threatened greatly….
We have started the construction of 24 houses. As these houses are two stories, we have managed to construct the ground floors of 6 houses. The rest of the houses are planned for construction. Cost of each house is Rs. 90,000.
Re-building of Water Channels: It is imperative for the survival of the Thalle community that water channel is restored to regulate the water supply system for irrigation. Two water channels and one drinking water supply scheme is being restored. For domestic purpose the water reservoir tanks need rebuilding and water pipes need to be installed.Cost of these projects is Rs. 328,500.
Renovation of School Building: The school in Khusho needs renovation. The walls, windows, doors and furniture of this school have been damaged due to the rubble brought by rushing waters. Measures must be taken to restore this building by replacing broken doors and windows. New furniture is required to establish proper class rooms. The school children have been studying outdoors. They will not be able to continue this during harsh winter.
University of Lahore Flood Relief Team aims to reach out to as many remote villages as possible. These far flung and remote villages are an epitome of unheard miseries. We are completely overwhelmed by their plight and plead their case to all philanthropists. Let us not leave them unattended at the mercy of nature .
