Forbidden quake zone victims aided by World Vision
Damage to mountain villages in the Himalayan foothills was found to be extensive – in some cases total - but until now little knowledge of these communities was available. Tribal leaders in this forbidden area approached ODC, which has many years’ experience of tribal communities in Afghanistan, to reach agreement to allow aid distribution in this sensitive region. Fiercely independent and suspicious of outside agencies, no Western contact has been recorded within this area since a British and Indian army left in 1891.
Fiercely independent and suspicious of outside agencies, no Western contact has been recorded within this area since a British and Indian army left in 1891 ODC, supported by World Vision launched the urgent aid distribution programme after identifying 13,098 households in the area which have received little, or no help since the October earthquake. The most urgent need identified is for shelter and the first distribution to almost 2,000 people took place at the village of Kotkhay, in the heart of the Black Mountain tribal area.
Frank Lyman, World Vision’s Operations Manager in Mansehra, North West Frontier Province, said: “We have prioritised 5,799 quake-affected families of Hassanzai and Akazai tribes in this forbidden land who need essential items such as building materials, building tools, warm clothes, tarpaulins and bedding. Distribution in collaboration with ODC will continue in the coming weeks. It is hoped to reach as many people as quickly as possible.” World Vision has met with other INGOs in Mansehra to further develop plans to assist the Black Mountain people. Lyman is looking into possibilities to distribute hygiene kits to fight disease and medicines as well as food.
We have prioritised 5,799 quake-affected families of Hassanzai and Akazai tribes in this forbidden land who need essential items such as building materials, building tools, warm clothes, tarpaulins and bedding The aid operation has the endorsement of the five tribes in Kala Dhaka, which have governed the region independently for centuries. It is forbidden territory to outsiders and no reliable maps exist - except those of British Army officer Col Wylly who documented an army expedition of 1888. World Vision has access to these original army maps, which have been used to cross into uncharted mountain passes.
Lyman added: “International aid agencies have been trying to enter the area. But without the agreement and invitation of the Lloya Jirga (tribal leaders) it carries risks of armed attack. These people would have preferred to carry on without help and maintain their independence. Negotiations have taken time, patience and diplomacy to win their trust through ODC. It is the only organization authorized to distribute aid – and World Vision is offering its full support with trucks and commodities to meet the need immediately.”
World Vision’s Andy Goss is the first Western journalist to report from the forbidden tribal area and has special permission from the tribal leaders to visit their communities, meet their families and tell their story.
Fiercely independent and suspicious of outside agencies, no Western contact has been recorded within this area since a British and Indian army left in 1891 ODC, supported by World Vision launched the urgent aid distribution programme after identifying 13,098 households in the area which have received little, or no help since the October earthquake. The most urgent need identified is for shelter and the first distribution to almost 2,000 people took place at the village of Kotkhay, in the heart of the Black Mountain tribal area.
Frank Lyman, World Vision’s Operations Manager in Mansehra, North West Frontier Province, said: “We have prioritised 5,799 quake-affected families of Hassanzai and Akazai tribes in this forbidden land who need essential items such as building materials, building tools, warm clothes, tarpaulins and bedding. Distribution in collaboration with ODC will continue in the coming weeks. It is hoped to reach as many people as quickly as possible.” World Vision has met with other INGOs in Mansehra to further develop plans to assist the Black Mountain people. Lyman is looking into possibilities to distribute hygiene kits to fight disease and medicines as well as food.
We have prioritised 5,799 quake-affected families of Hassanzai and Akazai tribes in this forbidden land who need essential items such as building materials, building tools, warm clothes, tarpaulins and bedding The aid operation has the endorsement of the five tribes in Kala Dhaka, which have governed the region independently for centuries. It is forbidden territory to outsiders and no reliable maps exist - except those of British Army officer Col Wylly who documented an army expedition of 1888. World Vision has access to these original army maps, which have been used to cross into uncharted mountain passes.
Lyman added: “International aid agencies have been trying to enter the area. But without the agreement and invitation of the Lloya Jirga (tribal leaders) it carries risks of armed attack. These people would have preferred to carry on without help and maintain their independence. Negotiations have taken time, patience and diplomacy to win their trust through ODC. It is the only organization authorized to distribute aid – and World Vision is offering its full support with trucks and commodities to meet the need immediately.”
World Vision’s Andy Goss is the first Western journalist to report from the forbidden tribal area and has special permission from the tribal leaders to visit their communities, meet their families and tell their story.
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