November 05, 2008	Wednesday	Ziqa'ad 6, 1429

RAWALPINDI, Nov 4: The United Nations human settlements programme, Habitat, has completed an assessment of the earthquake-affected areas of Balochistan and will soon present its report to the government and humanitarian organisations.

The organisation says that the provincial government needs three storage facilities -- two in Ziarat and one in Pishin -- each with a capacity to store 10,000 tons of relief goods.

The Balochistan government has sought logistic support and storage facilities from the United Nations and the World Food Programme.

According to the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum, access is difficult but possible even in the most affected union councils of Kawas and Kutch in Ziarat and Khanozai in Pishin.

The PHF says that in addition to winterised tents and blankets, basic tools such as shovel, pick axe, spade, rubber bucket and ropes are needed to remove the rubbles. The assessment was conducted in the union councils of Kawas, Kutch and Khanozai.

A new United Nations assessment report says the affected villages of Wam, Ahmadon, Kawas, Tangian, Zarand, Gogaoi and Kahan urgently need 10,000 tents, 40,000 blankets, 20,000 quilts, 10,000 food packs and warm clothes for one month.

The report estimates that 30 per cent of fruits on trees and ready-to-market fruits have been damaged. The average fruit production of Ziarat is 50,000 tons and that of Pishin over 85,000 tons.

According to the UN estimate, 35,000 to 40,000 domestic animals, excluding poultry, have been affected by the earthquake. Livestock is the second major source of livelihood and contributes to 40 per cent of household income.

The report calls for temporary and transitional shelters to protect the remaining livestock from the onset of cold weather, disease outbreak and attack of predators and parasites. In addition, affected animals need to be provided with nutritious feed and medicines to survive.