One year on and the memory and impact of the devastating earthquake that hit Pakistan in October, 2005 is still alive in the hearts of the earthquake affectees. Even though international aid came in to address this emergency situation survival is still an effort for the vast majority. Life has neither become better nor returned to normal for the earthquake affectees.

A sizable number of government schools collapsed in the earthquake resulting in hundred of casualties. Keeping in mind, ERP provided 480 desks and benches in 11 government schools in Mansehra. Special care was taken to ensure that earthquake resistant and good quality furniture was provided to these schools.

In order to facilitate and assist in rehabilitation of destroyed livelihoods, 100 chicks were distributed in Kakliout village in Muzaffarabad. One month computer training for the students was completed in Muzaffarabad as it was the demand of the students. The total number of participants in this training was 20 of which 12 were men and 8 women. Before the training, it was hard to find computer literate person in Muzaffarabad city. The computer training would make the certified students to get good job and train other students.

Cash grant was distributed to families in Battgram. Materials were provided to shopkeepers to reestablish their shops for their living. Up to date a total of 67 shops have been repaired in UC Hill, Battgram. Families were also provided materials for the construction of animal shelters in Battgram. Furthermore, sheets were provided to a total of 31 community members in Allai, Battgram.

Accessing in rehabilitation of destroyed livelihoods and improving access to the alternative livelihood opportunities in the earth quake affected areas, 100 masons and carpenters were trained in the construction of earth quake resistance construction in Bagh.

Bagh office is in the process of identifying new areas for livelihoods rehabilitation and restoration. In Mansehra people will be trained as mason, carpenter and plumber in Islamabad through National Rural Support Programme (NRSP). This is a month long course and will end in the middle of October 2006.

To enhance the capacity of staff and local communities in the earth quake affected areas, the final follow up workshop on Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) was held in Hoterari in Muzaffarabad. Twenty seven participants comprising 5 men and 22 women participated. The outcome of this event was that the community would be able to know the participatory approach. It also would help in the assessment of the area. Above all, it would help the marginalized and deprived community members to be empowered and they would be able to participate in decision making.

At the community level staff is regularly interacting with the communities in order to strengthen the community level organizations.  In this connection a weekly meeting was held with local CBOs in Battgram to develop Village Development Plan (VDP) and initiate planning for the future.  
 

A meeting was held with the officials of Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation (ERRA) in Islamabad. A number of people from all four field areas turned up for the event including the Policy and Gender focal persons. This provided an excellent opportunity for the men and women from the community to talk to the government on a one to one basis.

All four field offices along with Balakot and Jaba tentage camp were visited by international media team to highlight the issues after one year on of the earth quake areas. There were tears in eyes and sadness on faces when the team interviewed the women who had lost their sons and had not found the dead bodies since than. "I am sure that my son has been taken for treatment to foreign countries and I would be able to see him soon" the mother replied and almost many mothers, who have not found the dead bodies of their children, have the same feelings and thoughts in Jaba tentage camp.

• Even after one year of the earthquake unavailability of both skilled and unskilled labours causes delay in the reconstruction process. The rise in the rates of skilled and unskilled labour has also aggravated the situation of the poor communities.
• The landless and tenants face immense problems regarding the reconstruction of their houses and they are the most ignored. With winter fast approaching and a lack of basic amenities, the situation could become very hazardous for them.
• Religious leaders in Bagh have demanded that NGOs should not recruit women and those that are working should leave their jobs. Furthermore eight members' committees consisting of four religious scholars, a retired army officer and three other local members have put forward 16 points agenda to all organizations so that avoid any mishap or inconvenience to the organization working in Bagh. The first demand is "list of local ladies should be provided to the committees and ladies should be immediately removed from the job". ERP gives utmost priority to the security of staff. Similarly they have been told to take precautions however the situation at present is not as such to warrant hibernation.
• Though the Government of Pakistan claims to have developed a contingency plan for winter it has not yet disseminated and shared that. The communities too are not aware of any such policy. As winter approaches any such effort needs to be expedited.
• Costs of transporting material to high altitude areas are very high. As such the communities are unable to reconstruct their homes which are leading to desperation and bitterness in the communities.