Pakistan Earthquake Response Heatsheet Thermal-Blanket Initiative Final Report, May 18, 2006 Background A massive earthquake centered near Balakot, Pakistan in October 2005 destroyed millions of homes, caused nearly eighty thousand fatalities, and left the population of the Northwest Frontier and AJK provinces in a potential humanitarian crisis. The initial needs of survivors were dictated by shelter and health concerns and the ability to survive a harsh Himalayan winter that includes heavy snowfall, severe cold and potential for landslides and aftershocks. The response of the international community and the Pakistani government was immediate with relief supplies being rushed in from around the globe under the coordination of UN agencies, national governments, and international and national relief and development agencies. Mercy Corps’ ability to respond in Pakistan was greatly enhanced by the strong response of private donors who contributed more than $5 million to the effort. In addition, the disaster fostered interest and donations from thousands of new private donors. The response of individuals augmented approximately $8 million of donated foundation, corporate and institutional funds, allowing Mercy Corps to launch a full scale relief effort in Pakistan. The Mercy Corps Pakistan relief effort included distribution of critical emergency supplies and materials. A significant element of this effort was the manufacture, acquisition, air shipment of “Heatsheet” thermal blankets, which were distributed to displaced Pakistani earthquake survivors. The Heatsheet Project was a unique partnership between private donors and corporate partners. It was initiated and facilitated by Mr. Richard Berger of Seattle, Washington, a private individual and Mercy Corps donor whose unique contribution and talents made this project a success. Mr. Berger had been deeply moved and troubled by reports of Pakistani children suffering from the cold in Pakistani camps. He took the initiative to study and evaluate different available emergency materials, specifically mylar-coated “survival blankets.” He identified a waterproof, two-person blanket called “Heatsheets” and manufactured by AFM, Inc. The Heatsheets weigh only three ounces each and provide warmth and temporary shelter for two people. Mr. Berger then contacted Matthew Schwartzberg of Mercy Corps' Material Aid Department to explore a potential partnership. Working with the Material Aid Department, Mercy Corps’ Pakistan Response Team endorsed the project, and Mercy Corps arranged to acquire a substantial number of the blankets, airlift and import them to Pakistan, and distribute them appropriately. AFM, Inc. CEO, David Deigan generously donated the majority of the manufacture cost of the Heatsheets and created a special design uniquely suited for application in remote Pakistani settings.
Final Report, May 18, 2006 Background A massive earthquake centered near Balakot, Pakistan in October 2005 destroyed millions of homes, caused nearly eighty thousand fatalities, and left the population of the Northwest Frontier and AJK provinces in a potential humanitarian crisis. The initial needs of survivors were dictated by shelter and health concerns and the ability to survive a harsh Himalayan winter that includes heavy snowfall, severe cold and potential for landslides and aftershocks. The response of the international community and the Pakistani government was immediate with relief supplies being rushed in from around the globe under the coordination of UN agencies, national governments, and international and national relief and development agencies. Mercy Corps’ ability to respond in Pakistan was greatly enhanced by the strong response of private donors who contributed more than $5 million to the effort. In addition, the disaster fostered interest and donations from thousands of new private donors. The response of individuals augmented approximately $8 million of donated foundation, corporate and institutional funds, allowing Mercy Corps to launch a full scale relief effort in Pakistan. The Mercy Corps Pakistan relief effort included distribution of critical emergency supplies and materials. A significant element of this effort was the manufacture, acquisition, air shipment of “Heatsheet” thermal blankets, which were distributed to displaced Pakistani earthquake survivors. The Heatsheet Project was a unique partnership between private donors and corporate partners. It was initiated and facilitated by Mr. Richard Berger of Seattle, Washington, a private individual and Mercy Corps donor whose unique contribution and talents made this project a success. Mr. Berger had been deeply moved and troubled by reports of Pakistani children suffering from the cold in Pakistani camps. He took the initiative to study and evaluate different available emergency materials, specifically mylar-coated “survival blankets.” He identified a waterproof, two-person blanket called “Heatsheets” and manufactured by AFM, Inc. The Heatsheets weigh only three ounces each and provide warmth and temporary shelter for two people. Mr. Berger then contacted Matthew Schwartzberg of Mercy Corps' Material Aid Department to explore a potential partnership.
Working with the Material Aid Department, Mercy Corps’ Pakistan Response Team endorsed the project, and Mercy Corps arranged to acquire a substantial number of the blankets, airlift and import them to Pakistan, and distribute them appropriately. AFM, Inc. CEO, David Deigan generously donated the majority of the manufacture cost of the Heatsheets and created a special design uniquely suited for application in remote Pakistani settings.
Using his network of business and personal contacts, Mr. Berger established a fundraising campaign that ultimately raised over $125,000 for the project. Mr. Berger also approached various shippers in an effort to reduce or eliminate the high cost of shipping blankets to Pakistan. These discussions resulted in an extraordinary commitment and contribution by DHL Express to provide free air shipping services and logistical support. This contribution permitted Mercy Corps to make maximal use of donated funds and to reach the greatest number of earthquake victims.
Project Description In November 2005, the first shipment of 27,000 Heatsheets arrived in Pakistan. Project managers included the blankets as a part of distribution of shelter survival kits. Blankets were distributed by Mercy Corps teams and distributions included training on how to use the blankets safely and effectively.
Mercy Corps staff describing and demonstrating the use of Heatsheets to a group of community members near Mansehra, Pakistan. (December 2005) Mercy Corps staff/distribution teams established best uses and practices for the blankets and provided instruction to all recipients. Within a few weeks survivors were using Heatsheets in a variety of effective ways, some of which were initially unanticipated. Uses of blankets:
• School children and teachers took blankets into tent schools and used them as mats for sitting and on the floor to keep their feet warm.
• Blankets were placed on the walls, floors and ceilings of temporary shelters and tents for insulation and to reflect heat.
• Heatsheets were used as sleeping mats within tents and shelters, and as additional layers in combination with traditional cloth blankets.
The cultural acceptance of Heatsheets was high and as is noted above the additional uses for blankets created demand that matched the supply provided through the initiative. In the later stages of the program blankets were distributed directly to school children through the Mercy Corps social revitalization programs. The compact size and weight of the blankets allowed them to be easily incorporated in relief kits and allowed recipients to easily transport them to schools, or other locations for use.
School children carried Heatsheets in backpacks and used them to sit on and as mats in tent schools. (Above) Impact and Results As of May of 2006, nearly 120,000 Heatsheets have been received in Pakistan. Distribution continues with the latest blankets being provided to displaced families now returning to their homes from camps and urban areas. Funds raised for this project were also used to offset distribution costs, allowing minimal impacts on other relief and emergency activities. With distribution of approximately four Heatsheets per family the project has impacted an estimated 30,000 families. The blankets provided critical warmth and comfort to families struggling to survive the winter. About 30,000 Heatsheets remain and are being distributed gradually to returning families. Mercy Corps also intends to maintain a stockpile of about 15,000 Heatsheets for use in remote rural communities in the winter of 06/07.
Heatsheets were used to line the walls of many temporary shelters to provide heat reflection and insulation. Mercy Corps first observed this at a family’s shelter in Sirin Valley, and later introduced the practice in other regions. (February 2006)
