South Asia earthquake
On 8 October 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale hit the Indian sub-continent. An estimated 80,000 people were killed, and 2.8 million people were made homeless.
Concern is now implementing a three year rehabilitation programme in North West Frontier Province, one of the poorest in Pakistan. The focus is on improving the fundamentals of long term development: housing, healthcare and the tools necessary for economic development. In addition, Concern is working with communities to encourage their participation in the decision making processes, increasing their understanding of environmental management and improving levels of preparedness in the event of further emergencies.
As with all of Concern's work, the organisation focuses on the poorest people in the poorest communities. Over the next three years, Concern will implement a comprehensive and environmentally sustainable programme, which will include:
- Preparation and planting of thousands of acres of land
- Implementation of a livelihood strategy
- Construction of over 2,000 animal sheds
- Distribution and rehabilitation of latrines
- Establishing clean water supplies
- Reconstruction of irrigation channels and roads
- Distribution of housing materials
- Establishing an education programme on hygiene and primary health issues
Concern will also continue to work closely with local NGO partner, Rural Development Project (RDP) to implement the rehabilitation phase and provide technical assistance and programme funding.
- Nature's Fury: An exhibition of photographs of the earthquake in Pakistan by Shahidul Alam
Concern Worldwide commissioned Shahidul Alam to travel to Pakistan to visit two of the provinces that suffered the greatest destruction and loss of life, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and North West Frontier Province. Shahidul’s pictures reveal the devastation caused by the earthquake, and the resilience and determination of the people affected as they begin to rebuild their lives.
- One year on: photographs of the earthquake in Pakistan by Shahidul Alam
Shahidul Alam visited Pakistan immediately after the devastating earthquake in October 2005. The award-winning Bangladeshi photographer returned to the country one year later to see how life has changed for the people affected by the disaster.
- 'Gori' Goes East
Lyndall Stein, Director of Concern Worldwide UK, travelled to Pakistan a year after the earthquake to find out how Concern has been helping survivors to rebuild their lives. (31 Oct 2006)
- The Life in the Day
Ann McFerran writes The Life in the Day that was October 8th 2005 for Shazia Abbasi, 26, when she lost both her husband, Aashiq Hussain, an office clerk, and her six year old daughter, Mehreen. (12 Oct 2006)
- Interview with Mubashir, earthquake coordinator
Listen to Mubashir Ahmed, Coordinator for the Earthquake region in Pakistan on the work Concern have done in the area (10 Oct 2006)
- Khushnaz and her family are still living in tent one year on
Khushnaz Mehmood, eight years old, beams shyly, as she tells us that living in a tent is really not too bad. With her sister Marie, ten, she welcomes us into their family’s tent which is in the middle of what was once Muzaffarabad's most beautiful park, where families used to walk and children played. Now, nearly one year after the earthquake it is still crammed with tents in which live extended families of up to 16 people in a very confined space. (02 Oct 2006)
- One year ago an earthquake of 7.6 struck Pakistan
The earthquake that struck Pakistan on the morning of October 8, 2005 left widespread destruction in its wake, killing at least 73,000 people, severely injuring another 70,000, and leaving 2.8 million people without shelter. (02 Oct 2006)
- Concern's Response to the earthquake in Pakistan
Concern focused its response to the earthquake on the districts of Muzaffarabad and Mansehra, the places worst affected by the disaster. (01 Oct 2006)
- Concern's plans for earthquake region
Concern is focussing its recovery and rehabilitation programmes in Mansehra, the worst hit district in North West Frontier Province. Working with Mansehra based organization HAASHAR Association, the major focus will be working directly with affected communities to help them back to sustainable and independent living. (01 Oct 2006)
- Fazila Bibi, nearly one year from the earthquake tells us of her experience
Ann McFerran writes "A Life in the Day of Fazila Bibi", who lost fours of her sons during the earthquake in Pakistan, almost one year ago. This appeared in the Sunday Times October 1st. (01 Oct 2006)
| 20/11/2005 | Radio | Naoise Kavanagh, Concern's communication officer, talks to Orla Barry from Pakistan (Windows Media Player) |
| 16/10/2005 | Article & Radio | Himalayan Winter Threatens Millions of Quake Survivors |
| 13/10/2005 | Article & Radio | Race Against Time in Pakistan's Mountain Villages |
| 13/10/2005 | Article & Radio | Pace of Massive Relief Effort in Pakistan Speeds Up |
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