The
Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall have witnessed first-hand
the recovery efforts being carried out by the International
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Pakistan.
The Prince, who is also President of the British Red Cross,
saw livelihoods and health activities during a visit to the
remote quake-affected town of Pattika in Pakistan-administered
Kashmir.
The Royal couple also visited a basic health unit, supported
by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), where
they met patients, lady health workers and Pakistan Red Crescent
staff and volunteers.
More than a million quake survivors have received assistance
from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies and the Pakistan Red Crescent since the disaster struck
on 8 October, 2005.
The combined resources of the entire Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement have also provided medical care to half a million people,
via outlets such as health units, mobile health teams, field
hospitals and support provided to government-run medical facilities.
During their visit, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall
wandered down Pattika’s dusty main street, still lined
with piles of rubble – a reminder of the destruction,
which killed over 1,600 people in this town alone and injured
1,600 more.
They were also shown a herd of cattle, which are being prepared
for distribution to assist families as part of the livelihoods
recovery programme. By the end of the year, 2,000 dairy cows
and calves are expected to be distributed among families in
100 villages in Pakistan-administered Kashmir’s Neelam
Valley.
The Prince, a keen farmer himself, chatted at-length with locals,
who have been receiving animal husbandry training through the
ICRC and the Pakistan Red Crescent.
Sir Nicholas Young, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross,
who accompanied the couple on their trip said The Prince’s
visit was much more than a symbolic one.
“We are delighted The Prince and The Duchess have come
to Pakistan to recognise the courage and resilience of the millions
of people whose lives were devastated by last year’s earthquake,”
said Sir Nicholas. “From the moment the earthquake struck,
the whole Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and especially
Pakistan Red Crescent staff and volunteers, have been working
directly with the affected communities.
“One year on, their continued presence in these disaster-prone
areas is helping create communities that will be better prepared
to,withstand and recover from natural disasters… We know
from experience that recovery on this scale will take many years,
but the Red Cross and Red Crescent is committed to being there
for the long term,” he added.
Sir Nicholas, along with the International Federation’s
head of delegation, Azmat Ulla, and the ICRC’s deputy
head of delegation, James Reynolds, introduced The Prince and
The Duchess to Pakistan Red Crescent staff and volunteers, including
National Society Chairman, Saeed Ahmed Qureshi.
Pattika is typical of many of the quake affected areas –
remote and vulnerable to natural disaster. As Sir Nicholas noted,
“we are right in the heart of the earthquake here”.
The British Red Cross has been the largest National Society
donor contributing to the respective quake operations led by
the International Federation and the ICRC, which both support
the Pakistan Red Crescent.
Thanks to the generous support of the British public and the
UK government’s Department for International Development,
the British Red Cross has, to date, contributed £18 million
(CHF 42.8 million / $ 34.2 million USD) to the combined operations.
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The
Prince of Wales talks with British Red Cross Chief Executive,
Sir Nicholas Young (centre) and the International Federation’s
head of delegation in Pakistan, Azmat Ulla, during the
Royal visit to the quake-affected town of Pattika in Pakistan-administered
Kashmir. (p14873)
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The
Prince and a Pakistan Red Crescent staff member with people
from the community of Pattika, who are receiving animal
husbandry training before they are given cows and calves
as part of the Red Cross and Red Crescent livelihoods
programme. (p14877)
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The
Duchess of Cornwall meets local women from families that
will soon receive cows and calves as part of efforts to
help them recover their livelihoods. (p14878)
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