ISLAMABAD, Nov 14: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said it has deployed mobile teams to fix water- and sanitation-related problems at relief camps in response to reports of an outbreak of diarrhoea in the earthquake-hit areas.

“Camps and makeshift shelters take people out of their natural living environment and can be very stressful,” said UNHCR’s Michael Zwack, who heads the UN camp management cluster. “In crowded conditions and with few basic services, health problems can easily arise. We are trying to reach as many camps as possible to prevent the outbreak of diseases.”

In organized camps in Balakot and Battagram; Unicef, Oxfam and the Taraque Foundation have already set up water points, latrines and bathrooms. But hygiene standards are harder to ensure in hundreds of makeshift camps scattered across the remote mountainous region.

Efforts continue to map these camps and identify their most pressing problems, including the need for clean drinking water, latrines, etc.

The UNHCR and Unicef are sending staff to show the Pakistan army, NGOs and the residents themselves how to decongest the camps and clean them up.

“It’s a simple, hands-on approach,” said site planner Melesse Tegegne. “We cover site planning and camp management to ensure there’s enough space between tents, and that latrines are not too close to the tents or water points so as to avoid contamination.”

Pakistan has sought advice from UNHCR on the technical aspects of camp management and on operational issues like services, and has decided not to move people in until all the services are functioning, even on a minimum basis.

Responding to the request, a UNHCR mobile team has started buying wooden panels and other materials to set up latrines at the camp. Eight emergency latrines were initially ready at Ghazi Kot. Swiss NGO Terres des Hommes will take over long-term construction while Unicef will provide drinking water. Another 100 UNHCR tents are on their way to supplement the 98 pitched at the camp.

The refugee agency said it needed $18 million by the end of this month to fund its activities. So far it has received only $6.8 million in cash and pledges.