Through JDC, the North American Jewish Community Aids Earthquake Survivors in Kashmir

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Press Release November 21: $100,000 Programmed For Projects in Pakistan and India

November 7, 2005

The October 8th earthquake that devastated parts of Pakistan and India caused over 73,000 deaths, with hundreds of thousands injured. The winter is fast approaching, and priority needs include winterized shelter for over 3.5 million people. However, many hard-hit rural communities remain out of reach due to landslides and damage to infrastructure, and there is fear of a second wave of deaths due to insufficient food, medical care, and adequate shelter.

To date, JDC has raised over $115,000 to aid the earthquake victims. JDC is working with Catholic Relief Services in Indian and Pakistani-controlled areas of Kashmir. This work builds upon JDC/CRS partnerships carried out in India following the December 2004 tsunami, and in Argentina, through which the nutritional needs of poor children are being addressed. JDC is also working with its long-time partner, International Rescue Committee, to provide winterized family bedding kits to remote areas of Musaffarabad District, Pakistan.

Winterized Shelter for Pakistani Quake Survivors

Reports indicate that earthquake-affected families in Kashmir want to return to their villages, close to what remains of their homes and communities. In partnership with Catholic Relief Services/Pakistan, JDC will provide winterized shelters to affected families in Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP), near their original homes. These rural villages are particularly vulnerable as they are small and difficult to access, and they are scattered over large distances, often several hours away from main roads. Before the earthquake, most families worked small fields and relied on income from migrant labor.

JDC will cover the costs of 142 semi-permanent family shelters that will each house 8-12 family members. Because winterized tents are in short supply, JDC and CRS will build semi-permanent, vault-shaped winterized structures, made from locally available materials, when tents are not available. The partners are also working with families to repair or rebuild a ‘core’ house (1 or 2 rooms) with salvaged materials from damaged homes that can serve as the start of permanent houses when time and resources permit.

Complementary items required for thermal comfort and security such as stoves, blankets, bed mats, and lanterns will also be provided.

Winter Supplies Save Families in Pakistan

With JDC assistance, IRC is providing 840 family bedding kits for a total of 5,000 direct beneficiaries in Muzaffarabad district, Azad Kashmir. This is an area that has not received assistance from other aid agencies.

Psychosocial Care through Recreation

Children are always among the most severely affected groups following disasters. They must deal with the loss of parents, siblings, and friends, and at the same time, the disruption caused by the loss of homes and the closure of schools. Everything that promotes consistency and normalcy is gone.

A partnership with Catholic Relief Services/India is allowing JDC to assist school-aged children in 10 villages of hard-hit Baramulla district in Kashmir. Psychosocial support through supervised recreational activities is taking place, facilitating the healing process and restoring a sense of control and community. We have seen the results of similar work with children following the Tsunami disaster, and how prompt intervention can make a huge difference in the speed and level of children’s emotional recovery.

JDC support provides recreational supplies such as bats, balls, crayons, dolls, art supplies, musical instruments and other locally available, culturally appropriate materials to 20 activity centers.

Facilitating the Return Home

A JDC partnership with All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (DMI) is enabling earthquake survivors to return home and resume family life. Lost household items, such as cooking utensils, clothing, and bedding, are being replaced for 400 families residing in the Salamabad and Nowpura villages of Baramulla district, and Kalgai village, Uri district, Kashmir, India.

DMI, a partner in JDC’s Tsunami response, has a successful track record of work in Kashmir, including the provision of training in organizational capacity-building, participation in the Geographical Information System, and conducting food security needs assessments in partnership with the World Food Programme.

To contribute to JDC’s non-sectarian earthquake relief efforts, please send a check to: JDC: South Asia Earthquake Relief at JDC: South Asia Earthquake Relief, P.O. Box 321, 847A Second Avenue, New York, New York 10017, donate online or call 212-687-6200.