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The road in the Kaghan Valley beyond Kawai has
been blocked since 8 Oct. Based upon inputs received from the local
Nazim of the Kaghan Valley
(Mr Junaid Qassim – Nazim Balakot), the Pakistan Army was tasked to
prepare for a huge influx of Kaghani Earthquake survivors who would
flock down to seek relief and shelter once the Kaghan Valley Road
was opened to any form of traffic. Large flat patches of land, ideal
for the setting up of tented villages, are scarce in the narrow
mountainous valleys. Hence, a site was identified at Jabba, 5Km
ahead of Athar Sheesha and 16Km short of Balakot. The land is
Government property and falls under the NWFP Government’s Jabba
Fisheries project
A final KLWT need assessment team comprising of Mr. Jawad Khan & Dr
Ayaz Khan was undertaken on 2 Nov to evaluate the suitability of the
site including other related matters. Furthermore, after our
experience at the Jalalabad Park tented community in Muzzafarabad,
it was clear to us that proper sanitation facilities, access to
clean drinking water, proper administrative control, provision of
basic health care, etc. were mandatory pre-requisites for any tented
village that KLWT would contribute to.
After meeting with Brig Ulfat (CC Log, 1 Corps) in Mansehra and
further meetings with Brig Khattak (Brigade Commander 107 Brigade)
in Showal and Lt Col Atif (CO, 21 Horse & Bessian Tented Village) in
Bessian, we visited the Jabba Farms site. We were informed that the
Jabba Tented Village would not only be a Model tented village but
also the largest tented village in the area. It would primarily
cater for the earthquake survivors from Kaghan Valley. After
obtaining details of the planned layout and information on the other
participating NGOs (UNHCR, Unicef, OXFAM, Medicin du Monde), from
the responsible officer on
ground (Maj Salman), we decided that based upon the information we
had been provided, participating in the Jabba Tented Village would
be a worthwhile contribution towards the relief effort and was in
keeping with our requirements. We had a detail inspection of
the physical site where our tents would be pitched and were
satisfied with the groundwork being done.
On night 2 / 3 Nov, 20 of KLWT relief volunteers got the tents
marked and packed at the KLWT relief centre in Islamabad.
Transportation was arranged for the immediate delivery of the tents.
The 250 tents were marked, packed and loaded overnight so that the
convoy could leave at dawn for Jabba before the start of Eid ul Fitr
holidays. Dr Khan Nawab Khan from UK accompanied the delivery
trucks to Jabba.
The tents were delivered to the army representatives of Jabba Tent
village, Maj Saparas, Maj Shiraz and Lt Hamza.
Jabba tent village was again visited on 9 Nov by a team of 3 KLWT
volunteers to check and assess the overall living condition.
Following observations were noted:
- The tent village had
improved medical and sanitation facilities.
- The overall layout of the
tent village was improved which included making a play area for children.
- The tent village had capacity to house over 400 families and this
could be enhanced if required.
- The overall organization
and management of the camp was entirely to the satisfaction of all NGOs working in the camp including UN,OXFAM and Medicin du Monde.
KLWT team extend
their deepest thanks to all who contributed in their own ways and
helped us in achieving our mission of providing tents before Eid ul
Fitr!
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