CASA’s RESPONSE:
CASA’s senior programme staff landed in Leh and met with our implementing partners on 10thAugust 2010, as the flight services resumed after the disaster, to carry out the damage assessment and identify the gap areas for intervention in coordination with the district government authorities. After the initial assessment and participation in coordination

meetings organized by the Government authorities and Sphere India, CASA decided to distribute essential relief items such as Pressure Cooker, Kitchen Utensils, 5 heavy woolen blankets, Solar lantern with mobile charger, and Hygiene kits. These items have been procured and are being transported for distribution.

Apart from this, CASA through its implementing partner, Mountain Himalayas Forum has also sent out a team of Disaster Mitigation Task Force to the other affected areas which have not yet been reached by  the Government or  any NGO/INGO so far to carry out the damage and need assessment. Information on such villages will be shared with the Government and NGOs/INGOs.

There is also a dire need for taking up shelter reconstruction work in the valley as many have lost their houses and are in need of shelters. The winter season with harsh temperature of minus 30 degree Celsius makes this intervention all the more essential. There is also a strong consensus between some of the NGO’s on ground that this is a priority area of work which should be implemented using a low cost common house design being developed by the Shelter Committee of Sphere, India in consultation with the beneficiaries using locally available and appropriate material under and owner driven reconstruction framework. CASA proposes to construct 100 such houses before the onset of winter.