Baluchistan, Brief Introduction Baluchistan, the largest province of Pakistan and divided into 27 districts; most of its land is barren. The majority of the rural population lives in scattered hamlets. The weather in the province is very cold during especially this time of the year. The province of Baluchistan has a history of earthquakes. In 1935, an earthquake of 7.6 magnitudes on the Richter scale struck Quetta, killing approximately 30,000 people and destroying most of the city. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the temperatures in Ziarat and Pashin drop to between -1 and -4 degrees centigrade in the night at this time of the year. Though the skies will remain cloudy for the next 48 hours, no rains are predicted in the province for the next seven days. 1.1. Location, History and Geography 1.2. Rivers, Streams and Climate 1.3. Language, Tribal Culture and Ethnic Distribution 1.4. Marriages, Dresses and Festivals UGOOD Response to Baluchistan Earthquake In the early hours of 29th October 2008, two powerful earthquakes have claimed more than 1500 lives in the province of Baluchistan. The first tremor of magnitude 5.2 on richer scale was felt at 4:40 am (Pakistan standard time) while a second tremor of magnitude 6.4 on richer scale occurred at 5:33 am (Pakistan standard time). So far, reports of destruction have been received from Ziarat, Pashin, Qila Saifullah and Harnai districts. The epicentre of the earthquake was 70 kilometres north-east of the provincial capital Quetta and 25 kilometres east of Ziarat. More casualties are feared while several aftershocks have already been recorded. Several mud slides have also been reported. According to UGOOD Survey reports, many areas have been cut off and communication lines have been disrupted. The Social Sector, provincial government and military are carrying out assessments and relief work. The overall extent of the damage caused by the earthquake has not been made clear. Currently, the UGOOD has sent out an Assessment Survey Team to the affected areas with the support of the Local and Non-Profit Organizations. According to the UGOOD Assessment Report the immediate needs are as follows: Tents Blankets Dry Food Items Medicines Sleeping bags Electricity/Gas Heaters CGI Sheets The Damage Estimated: More than 1500 have lost their lives 6,000 Houses destroyed Average number in one house 15-25 45,000 people became homeless There were more than 300 aftershocks after the major destruction. Destruction rate 100% · The provincial government has declared a State of Emergency in the province. Chief Executive of UGOOD Mr. Syed Ishtiaq Gilani said on Thursday, while briefing the newsman at UGOOD head Office in Islamabad that the relief goods from the UGOOD for the Emergency Relief and rehabilitation of the Baluchistan earthquake victims are on the way to affected districts of Baluchistan UGOOD sent out four Trucks of Emergency Relief Goods with the help of an Associate NGO Human Aid Focus-HAF on early morning of Wednesday the 5th November 2008. The trucks contained tents, bedding, blankets, dry food items, cloths and medicines for the disaster hit areas of Baluchistan. Mr. Gilani further briefed the UGOOD future strategy for the victims of the Baluchistan earthquake areas; he explained the UGOOD three phase strategies as UGOOD has successfully implemented the same Three Phase Strategy in Kashmir and NWFP earthquake hit areas with the help of local communities and associates Organization. UGOOD Three Phases Strategy appended below: I- Emergency Relief II- Rehabilitation and Reconstruction III- Sustainability UGOOD setting up Relief Camps to help the victims of Baluchistan Earthquake On 1st November 2008, UGOOD has set up Relief Camps at G-11 Markaz and another one at F-6 Islamabad with the collaboration of an associated NGO Human Aid Focus. The Camps have been set up to collect as much donations as possible for the victims of the earthquake that devastated many parts of Baluchistan. The camp is not only helping UGOOD to collect donations for the victims of earthquake ,but it is also providing a platform to the ordinary citizen of every level to join hands with UGOOD and contribute as much as they can for helping out the people in distress. Syed Ishtiaq Ul Hassan Gilani along with a team of doctors would be travelling to Quetta and setting up an Emergency Medical Camp in the second week of November. He said that " We at UGOOD aim to help maximum number of victims through these Camps and more than 200 volunteers have joined UGOOD to support and facilitate us in Islamabad and all over the Baluchistan. This incredible response is encouraging in a sense that it shows that our youngsters are motivated to contribute their efforts for any humanitarian cause"