Post-Earthquake Rapid Livelihoods Assessment

Livelihoods Support Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

On 8 October 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, with its epicentre located 19 km northeast of Muzaffarabad, struck the northern areas of Pakistan and India. An estimated death toll over 80,000 was reported. Most buildings in the affected area had poor earthquake resilience. Seventy per cent of houses have been destroyed, and the remaining 30 per cent are severely damaged. The latest estimates indicate that around 3.2–3.5 million people have been affected by the disaster and are in need of assistance, including winterized shelter, heating, medical care, food, and water and sanitation facilities.

A rapid participatory assessment was conducted by an FAO Livelihoods Adviser in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Muzaffarabad, during the period 27–31 October 2005. The objective was to provide some qualitative information on how the earthquake has affected people’s lives and livelihoods. The survey was conducted in one of the areas most affected by the earthquake in Muzaffarabad and Bagh Districts. Baseline data from previous Participatory Rural Appraisals conducted in 1995 has been extensively used in this assessment.

A summary of the agro-ecological zones (AEZs) shows that the area affected falls mainly within AEZ 2, although part of AEZ 1, the Lower Neelum Valley, is also affected. Characteristics of the zone and sub-zones are described. A description is made of how people made a living prior to the earthquake, and what they needed to sustain those livelihoods. The major importance of livestock, and in particular the buffalo, is highlighted.

In addition to loss of life, there has been a huge depletion in the assets and capital – social, human, physical, natural and financial – that people need to help them make a living. Some of these losses are outlined and the implications analysed. There are signs that people are already developing coping strategies to help fill the gaps caused by these losses, and some of these are described. A few case studies have been included to illustrate how lives and livelihoods have been devastated.

Section 9 deals with how livelihoods can best be supported at this crucial time, through a description of priorities proposed by people themselves in recent surveys and interviews. The priorities include drinking water, shelter for the family, shelter for livestock, work and income, food and fodder for winter, terrace and irrigation rehabilitation, seeds and fertilizer, and long-term loans.

Finally, Section 10 offers steps to ensure that people’s livelihood priorities are met as rehabilitation measures are implemented. These include recommendations in the following areas:

targeting the poorest;
cash for work;
livestock enterprises;
livelihoods diversification and enterprise development;
cropping to get the land back into shape;
rural finance; and
migration.

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For more information:

The United Nations Emergency Response, Pakistan