Because of the immense earthquake that happened in the northeast area of Pakistan last October, around 80,000 people died and over 3 million people lost their homes. Habitat for Humanity Japan has started an assistance project funded by the Japan Platform in Balakot district of Mansehra province, one of the most quake-affected areas.
In the field, quake victims have been rebuilding their new houses since the spring; however their efforts have not fully been materialised due to the lack of materials to cut timber, available from surrounding mountains as well as from the collapsed houses. They cut by maul in temperatures over 40℃. Some villages have sawmill machines, but they are mostly fee-based services making victims’ lives more difficult. Such situations slow the development of housebuilding and lack of timber-cutting uniformity causes additional delays. Now, the monsoon season is approaching with its heavy rains, which are followed by the winter season. To prevent victims from the rains and inclimate weather, and to alleviate future damages by the potential of recurring earthquakes, free sawmill service is in great need.
In Balakot, a project coordinator of Habitat for Humanity Japan is currently on site implementing a project in the cooperation with Habitat for Humanity in Pakistan. Habitat for Humanity is in action with full use of tractors and sawmills, targeting places where assistance is usually not available, such as the mountainous areas. Thanks to the efforts of the local staff as well as local people’s cooperation, we provide service for up to 10 families (6-70 people) a day.
Eight months have already passed since the earthquake. Although it seems that the attention of the international community has turned away from Pakistan, perhaps partly owing to the earthquake in Indonesia, Pakistan’s reconstruction still has a long way to go and a longer-term commitment is required. Habitat for Humanity will help the future of Pakistan along with the people in Balakot through sawmill assistance as well as building emergency shelters which were destroyed in the earthquake.