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India: Kashmir Interim Shelter Programme, District Poonch - Activity update 24 Jan 2006

Countries
India
Sources
SEEDS
Publication date


Activity Update
With 40 days of collective efforts of our partners and individuals from all walks of life SEEDS completed 404 shelters for the Earthquake affected families on 27th Dec, 2005 in Poonch District, Jammu and Kashmir. The shelters were completed a week ahead of the first winter snowfall. 40 villages and several wards in Poonch City were covered under the Kashmir Interim Shelter Programme.

Village
Shelters Completed
Ajote
11
Arai
3
Atoli
2
Azamabad
4
Bader Balnoi
18
Baila
7
Bandi Chechian
4
Bedar
1
Bhremgalla
2
Chamber Kanari
6
Chella
5
Dalan
2
Dara Dullian
6
Degwar
2
Degwar Maldiyan
8
Degwar Terwan
1
Dhangri
7
Dunnu Gam
30
Gagrian
15
Gulpur
35
Jhullas
32
Karmara
5
Kasalyian
7
Khari
30
Khari Dharamsal
8
Khari Karmara
23
Kunian
1
Loran
1
Mandhar
2
Naker Kote
1
Nangali Sahib
1
Noona Bandi
1
Noor Kote
1
Plera
1
Poonch City(Wards)
90
Qasba
10
Rajpura
2
Saral
3
Sawjian
12
Shahpur
5

Soon after the completion, a need assessment team left for Poonch on 6th January. The team comprised of psychologist, structural engineers and media professionals.

Our project monitoring team was also a part of the entourage.

The interaction with the beneficiaries, community members and people involved with the project highlighted several aspects which were both learning's and appreciation for such a timely initiative.

Some of the key observations were:

PSYCHOLOGICAL

Post traumatic stress symptoms (like sleep difficulties, anxiety, and helplessness) are much distinct among families/individuals who haven't received shelters compared to those who have received shelters or those whose houses have not been damaged

Overall it's observed that the community in Poonch has strong coping skills. This can be attributed to the adverse condition (located in Indo-Pak border, it's vulnerable to militant activities and also shelling between armies of both countries) they have been exposed to in the past.

PROJECT MONITOR AND IMPLEMENTATION

Project implementation with respect to design, mobilization of labour and material was done in accordance to SPHERE standards. The project was completed on time, just before the winter extremes.

The project team (masons, carpenters and contractors) were pleased to be a part of such a humanitarian effort. The beneficiaries received the shelters with no apprehension and even had plans to convert them into permanent shelters with little improvisation.

STRUCTURAL AND DESIGN ASPECTS

An insulated ceiling was observed as the most pressing need as value addition to the existing structure.

The pitched roof design has performed as expected in the winter snowfalls.

Following this assessment, the insulation work for the ceilings was immediately initiated. Currently our team is working in the site and the task will be completed by the 30th of this month. The other requirements like toilets, kitchens and painting the structure will be taken up subsequently.