An earthquake of magnitude 6.5 Mb was recorded by the seismic monitoring network which struck Ziarat and surrounding areas on 29th October, 2008. The epicenter of this earthquake was 30.612oN and 67.436oE.

The earthquake was Located at a distance of,
• 40.0 km NNW of Ziarat (Balochistan)
• 60.0 km NE of Quetta (Balochistan)
• 124 km NNW of Sibi (Balochistan)
• 100 km ESE of Chaman (Balochistan)

280 people were killed and 15000 people were injured due to this devastating earthquake. Village named as “Wam” was completely destroyed and about 150 people lost their lives 4 in this village and thousands became homeless. Ziarat city comparatively remained safe and loss of lives a nd properties were not as much as found in Wam and its surrounding areas near Ziarat town.

Activity in the region have not calm down completely as aftershocks are still continuing. Another significant earthquake that struck the area merely 12 hours later at about 04:32 pm with magnitude 6.4 Mb, followed by at least four significant aftershocks including one measuring 4.5 Mb on the Richter scale.

Most of the casualties were from two villages built on steep slopes in the outskirts of the Ziarat town. The victims were from outlying villages, whose mud houses were destroyed by the tremors, which triggered landslides of rocks and boulders while people slept in their beds.

The second most affected area was Tehsil Khanozai of District Pishin where more than 1000 houses were damaged. In this Tehsil, two villages like Khushab and Negandeh were badly affected. Maximum landslides were observed near Khanozai. Although the city of Ziarat was relatively safe but some nearby villages have been completely destroyed and many homes were buried in landslide triggered by the quake. The worst 5 affected villages in Ziarat include Waam, Khan Depo, Warchum, Speen Tangai, Gogeena, Jangian, Bar Maghzai, Ghoskai, Zargai, Ahmadoon, Mangai.

A survey team after this Ziarat earthquake of 6.5 Mb from Hussaini Foundation was sent to earthquake affected areas for The survey team visited the affected area like Khanozai, Ahmedoon, Kach, Wam, Kan Depot, Kawas, Ziarat and Zandra areas.

Afterwards, Mr. Abbas Badami and Mr. Hassan Abullo visited Quetta on 4th Nov. 2008 to 6th Nov. 2008 to distribute the following relief items to Ziarat effectees;

1- Wheat floor
2- Baby milk
3- Ghee/cooking oil
4- Sugar
5- Snacks/biscuits

The HF representatives had the opportunity to meet Mr. Dilawar district Nazim, Ziarat. Maulana Mansoor member JUIP, Maulana Hiditullah camp incharge, Dr. M. Suleman Qazi Pro. Cor. Officer UNFPA.

The relief goods were handed over to Maulana Mansoor chief controller of ration in Ziarat. The ration was distributed in two locations Kandal camp and Chulniyar camp.

HF with partnering Friends Trust has initiated 7 schools in Sindh and the first school building has been recently completed in rural city of Ranipur. The school is operational from new session-2010. It is expected that remaining projects will be completed in four years time.

Beggars Enclave Project.

In partnership with SELAVIP, HF has initiated 40 houses for the poorest of poor to help them out of miseries. The project will be completed by September-2010.
Hussaini Foundation is working with SELAVIP (Latin American, Asian and African Social Housing Service) Chile South America for constructing 40 houses for poorest among poor in the vicinity of Badah town in the district of Larkana Sindh. These one room houses with a toilet will be allocated to 40 families of Jogi caste who have been residing in Badah for the last three decades in straw huts. Most of them work as laborers in the town. 422 members will be provided shelter along with provision for mosque and a school.

SELAVIP has provided initial funding of US$ 18000 and the rest will be contributed by the Hussaini Foundation from local sources.
Project layout had been approved by SELAVIP and Community Development Team of Hussaini Foundation under the supervision of Altaf Bhojani and Ali Anwer have commenced work at site. It is expected that the project will be complete by the end of September at a cost of US$ 40000.