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Home > 7.6 Quake Rocks Pakistan, India, Afghanistan Pakistan Quake: The Long Rebuilding Process Begins
More than 17,000 children were killed by the quake and tens of thousands injured. Surviving children witnessed the horrors of classmates, parents and relatives killed or injured. Estimates are that 10,000 to 15,000 children were orphaned. Family members are caring for virtually all of these orphans, says UNICEF’s Pakistan director. World Vision’s Response Thanks to donors’ generous support, World Vision was able to provide aid quickly, distributing relief supplies such as water, medicines, and basic household goods. In anticipation of the oncoming cold season, our relief team also distributed winterized shelter materials to give families protection against the harsh Himalayan winter. According to UNICEF, as a result of measures like these, winter’s “greatest challenge” was met. An estimated 1.6 million children were protected from winter’s cold, and no outbreaks of epidemics occurred. Quake Aid: Transition to Rebuilding With the 60 displacement camps in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP) officially closed as of March 31, World Vision’s earthquake response has transitioned from relief operations to rehabilitation and recovery. Two-thirds of the funds raised on behalf of quake survivors are earmarked to assist the massive voluntary return of displaced children and their families as these families move from the government relief camps. These funds are also being applied toward rebuilding livelihood infrastructures, including housing, schools and clinics. Rebuilding Phase: Emphasis on Children A top priority for World Vision’s rebuilding efforts is also helping quake-displaced communities to restart education by establishing temporary schools before permanent construction begins. World Vision has key expertise in safeguarding children who are in harm's way as a result of natural disasters like the Pakistan quake. This is why the organization’s child protection team also plans to continue moving select “Child Friendly Spaces” to the locations where families have returned. “In this next phase we are preparing children to focus on their future,” explains Siān Platt, World Vision’s child protection coordinator. “Creative activities will help them to use the skills they acquired after the earthquake in their familiar, but radically changed, living environments.” In addition, the organization is exploring ways for adults to restart livelihoods in agricultural production and animal husbandry. Plans to generate cash-for-work, contract employment, and skills training opportunities for the informal sector, such as masonry, are also being laid. World Vision anticipates that it will spend $48 million over three years in relief and transitional programs to meet Pakistan quake survivors’ needs. World Vision’s Involvement in Pakistan World Vision has worked intermittently in Pakistan since the 1980s. Our program has expanded in the past three years, particularly in the Northwest Frontier Province that was hard-hit by the quake. In this region, we have helped communities recover from a previous earthquake as well as floods, severe snowstorms and landslides. In addition, World Vision has rehabilitated 100 schools and 25 health clinics as well addressed chronic poverty in the area. With 19 staff on the ground when the quake struck on October 8, World Vision's staff contingent grew to more than 100 relief workers, medical personnel and child protection specialists. World Vision has, to date, airlifted or shipped hundreds of tons of emergency supplies, valued in the millions (excluding freight costs of $584,000) into the earthquake-affected regions of Pakistan's North West Frontier. Additionally, World Vision has supplied trucks, generators, warehouses and shelters, pharmaceuticals, medical kits and supplies (including orthotics) as well as thousands of tool, shelter and winterization kits. The groundwork is currently being laid to begin rebuilding pre-earthquake World Vision sites. Why We Are Helping Motivated by our faith in Christ, and as a demonstration of God's unconditional love for all people, World Vision serves the poor in many places such as Pakistan. |  | 1-888-511-6548 : P.O. Box 9716 World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.
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