12th October, 2005

From Quake Help Wiki

Minutes of the Meeting

The meeting was held at 14:00 Hrs on 12 October 2005 at UN Emergency Response Center (UNICEF Office). Representatives of the UN agencies, EU, GOP and International NGOs, attended the meeting. The meeting was chaired by the Resident Representative of UNDP, Mr. Jan Vandermortel.

Agenda:

• Security/Accessibility
• Update on Cluster Setup
• EU Activities
• GOP Needs
• Any other Business

'Discussions:'

• The head of the UN Security Agency briefed the participants on the accessibility to the highly effected areas. He informed that the roads from Abbotabad to Manshera to Batagram are open for heavy vehicle. The road from Manshera to Muzaffarabad and road from Manshera to Balakot are now open. The road from Islamabad to Muzaffarabad through Muree is also open as are the roads from Muree to Bagh and Rawalakot. The direct road from Islamabad to Rawalakot is also open. As far the security issues, he informed that frequent looting has been reported on the road from Manshera to Batagram. The IG police (NWFP) is insisting that all foreign missions should be escorted. He further informed that these lootings are carried out by people who are in desperation of need but not life threatening.

• Mr. Andrew of the United Nations briefed the participants on the UN/NGO Cluster setup. Nine main clusters have been formed through which all humanitarian relief activities are to be focused. These groups are in the areas of Health, Nutrition, Water/sanitation, Emergency Shelter, Reconstruction, IT/Communication, Logistics, Camp Management, Protection and Education. These cluster groups will meet on daily basis under the managing agencies and identified group leaders. The heads of the clusters will also meet on daily basis to coordinate inter cluster activities. The minutes and activities of these cluster groups will be collated and posted on the UN web site.

• The UNDP RR informed the participants that the United Nations has asked donor agencies for an amount of 270 million dollars funds to be released as an emergency fund for the relief efforts.

• The US military personnel informed the participants that at the moment eight US CH53 helicopters are operational in the sector, two more will be available tomorrow and additional two H60 helicopters will be made available by Friday. UNOPS official informed that at the moment one helicopter is working in the sector and additional one will be made available tomorrow and two more will be made available later.

• Mr. Haoliang Xu, UNDP DRR informed the participants the UNDP has setup a website for the UN emergency response center to help in information sharing between the various acting agencies, NGOs and GOP to ensure a coordinated and effective response in the effected areas. He urged the participants and agencies to provide all information on their activities and operations including Assessment Reports, list of supplies and donations, Photographs of the effected area. He also informed that Action Map has been contacted and they will provide all related maps, which will also be available on the web.

• EU representative appreciated UN efforts of coordination through the development of the website and offered assistance in strengthening the coordination efforts. He informed the participants that primary search and rescue team to arrive at the various sites from almost all EU countries. He suggested that the EU would be approached to increase its participation in the relief sector.

• Mr. Imtaiz , Joint Secretary from PM Secretariat informed the participants on following GOP needs for the five relief staging areas in Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Balakot, Rawalakot

• and Mansera:
  • 50,000 Winter Tents
  • 1 Million Blankets
  • First Aid kits
  • Typhoid Medicines
  • Antibiotic syrups for children
  • Disinfectants for dead bodies
  • Water purification and sanitation
  • Cooked/ready to eat food

Meeting adjourned at 2:45 Next meeting is scheduled at the same place and same time.

---

Download the above as a pdf file (Right click and save target as) 179121545489979246213485 3462372322596670144841