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South
Asia earthquake: Red Cross Red Crescent releases emergency funds Geneva, 8 October 2005 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is releasing an initial amount of 200,000 Swiss francs to support victims of a devastating earthquake (7.6 on the Richter scale) which struck the region bordering Pakistan, northern India and Afghanistan today. Thousands are feared dead and injured, trapped under rubble as aftershocks continued to shake cities and villages across the region. The epicenter was located in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) immediately dispatched three assessment missions in the early afternoon, local time, two to the north western frontier provinces and one to Pakistan-administered Kashmir to assess damages and the needs of victims. In Islamabad, where two blocks of apartment buildings collapsed on hundreds of people, the PRCS deployed ten ambulances to transport the injured to hospital. Pakistan Red Crescent volunteers and medical staff are providing assistance on site and the PRCS blood bank is supplying blood to hospitals. “The situation is still unclear since telecommunications are very bad and landslides have been reported, destroying roads and other infrastructure. We may face major logistical challenges because of the mountainous nature of the terrain and because of the power of the earthquake,” explains Federation Director of Operations, Susan Johnson. “We are placing emergency assessment, coordination and response teams on standby, to fly in as quickly as possible, as soon as we are requested to do so.” For its part, the Indian Red Cross Society is also assessing the situation, in collaboration with the government. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: ISDN line available In New Delhi: Bijoy Patro, Information Officer, Tel: + 91 11 26 85 86 71/+ 91 98 102 841 96 In Geneva: Marie-Françoise Borel, Information Officer, Tel. + 41 79 217 33 45 Siân Bowen, Manager, Media Unit, Tel: + 41 79 217 33 88 Media Service Duty Phone (Out of hours), Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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