Pakistan Earthquake Zone One Year Later

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan, Oct. 6, 2006 — -- Hanif Tanuli's home was destroyed in the massive earthquake that hit northern Pakistan one year ago. The earthquake killed more 73,000 people.

Now Tanuli has a sturdy new roof over his head that was built with American money. He laughingly says his house is "too warm," even though he knows he is one of the lucky ones. About 100,000 others face the coming Himalayan winter without a home.

Last year foreign governments pledged almost $7 billion to rebuild this shattered region. Long lines of people waited for hours for construction money. But bureaucratic delays, logistical challenges and the sheer number of needy people have impeded progress.

One year later, approximately 30,000 people still live in tent camps while another 70,000 face yet another Himalayan winter without permanent shelter.

The earthquake left 3 million people homeless a year ago, and the biggest challenge for aid groups trying to help people living at high altitudes has been getting the building materials up there.

Several months ago, USAid and other groups shifted their focus to opening the roads. Aid worker Mir Mohammed Mirzad recalls, "Everyone was saying please make access for us." Across a region the size of Maryland, thousands have been hired to dig out avalanches and shore up river banks.

Across Kashmir and northern Pakistan, children are back in school, but most of their classes are still held in tents. In a place where so many perished, memories of that terrible day continue to haunt them.

"One year later, I am reminded that I lost my mother. My sister and brother are still in a hospital far away from our village," said 8-year-old Safina.

Many public buildings, like the Doctors Without Borders hospital here, still operate from temporary shelters. There have been creative solutions, like this hospital, which was built from 70 merged truck containers.

Pakistan's government has asked for patience, saying it will take time to make sure new building is done well, and some people are satisfied with that.

Ibrar Ahmed an earthquake victim, says he is happy because the government is "building a new house, stronger than the one before."

For people like Ahmed, rebuilding is an essential part of the healing.