Background and Objectives:
In October 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, struck Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan. It is estimated that more than 40,000 people lost their lives, 3,000,000 people were rendered homeless, and about 75 per cent of the houses, commercial units, health facilities and administrative buildings were severely damaged.

The humanitarian community responded very rapidly, bringing essential relief to affected families. The inaccessibility to some of the worst hit areas and harsh winter conditions made the relief operation an extremely difficult task. UN-HABITAT provided winter shelter including materials and tools to 7,000 occupants of 1,000 communities. Kits of tools and materials are reusable in permanent shelters.

Activities:
The main activities include:

• Selecting the most vulnerable beneficiaries.
• Conducting training workshops on the construction of the winterised shelter for field teams and communities.
• Providing building assistance for durable shelters and disseminating information on earthquake resistant building techniques.
• Identifying approximately 20 individuals who are responsible for supporting others, especially extremely vulnerable families such as women-headed households.

Results:

• Beneficiaries were identified based on damage and need surveys conducted in each village.
• A total 1,141 winterized housing units constructed in Siran Valley and Machiara.
• A basic guideline for safer construction developed and assistance provided to 25,000 beneficiaries.