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South
Asia earthquake: Red Cross Red Crescent deploys international emergency
teams to Pakistan 10 October 2005 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is mobilizing several emergency teams to Pakistan, to support Red Crescent relief operations for victims of the devastating earthquake which struck the region bordering Pakistan, northern India and Afghanistan on 8 October. All eight members of the Federation’s first coordination team are expected to be in Islamabad today, while a second team will be dispatched today. These teams include experts in logistics, shelter, disaster relief coordination, telecommunications, health, water and sanitation and information. In addition, several emergency response teams, which will include field hospitals, will be leaving for Pakistan this week. “It is obvious that this is a humanitarian disaster of enormous proportions, with tens of thousands of people dead and injured, and millions left homeless. We are mobilizing emergency teams as quickly as possible, in coordination with our partners, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations and other NGO’s, to bring essential assistance to the survivors,” underlines International Federation Director of Operations, Susan Johnson. In Pakistan, according to government figures, the death toll is expected to reach 40,000 while thousands are reportedly still trapped in the debris of collapsed buildings and homes. The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has mobilized hundreds of volunteers and carried out needs assessment in Manshera, Balakot and Batagram in the north western frontier provinces (NWFP) as well as in Rawalakot and Bagh in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Three truck loads of tents, blankets, food and medicines were distributed today in Manshera and Balakot in the NWFP. Three PRCS medical teams are on their way to Pakistan-administered Kashmir and eleven truck loads of tents, blankets, food and medicines will be dispatched there within a day or two. The PRCS has also launched national fund raising and blood donation campaigns. In India, according to government sources, the death toll has reached 1,000 as more remote villages are accessed. The Indian Red Cross is dispatching 20,000 blankets and 1,400 tents from its headquarters while local Red Cross officials are conducting assessments in the affected areas. Indian Red Cross branches in Jammu and Kashmir have distributed 1,000 blankets and 500 kitchen sets and some 400 Red Cross first aiders are engaged in search and rescue as well as in relief operations in the affected areas of Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla and Uri. Dozens of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies from around the world are mobilizing delegates and relief goods in response to the Federation’s preliminary emergency appeal launched yesterday, for 10.8 million Swiss francs (€6.95 million/US$ 8.4 million). Funds will be used to provide some 30,000 families with food, tents, mattresses, blankets and cooking sets. Teams from many National Societies, including the Turkish Red Crescent, the Japanese Red Cross (medical team), the Iranian Red Crescent Society (medical, relief and search and rescue dog teams) and the United Arab Emirates Red Crescent, are already in the field and have flown in relief goods with their delegates. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: Bijoy Patro, Information Officer, New Delhi 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 / + 41 79 416 38 81 Siân Bowen, Manager, Media Unit Tel: + 41 79 217 33 88 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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