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Red
Cross Red Crescent appeals for more than 70 million Swiss francs for
victims of South Asia earthquake 12 October 2005 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is increasing its preliminary appeal to more than 70 million Swiss francs, in order to bring assistance to some 150,000 families (750,000 people), victims of last Saturday’s devastating earthquake which hit the northern parts of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. The funds will be used to provide food, tents, blankets, cooking sets and health care to survivors. “We are particularly concerned about the great numbers of injured people and homeless who are living out in the open with little food and insufficient access to clean water. We must move very quickly to get essential items, such as winterized tents, stoves and warm clothing, as well as health care, to the survivors,” underlines Susan Johnson, the International Federation’s Director of Operations, in Geneva. “In view of the growing size of this operation, we are looking at mobilizing additional resources, such as health structures, water purification plants and more helicopters and vehicles.” The Federation has established its logistics base in Islamabad, and the coordination team is in place, with additional delegates arriving today. The different modules and staff of the field hospital supplied by the Finnish and Norwegian Red Cross Societies have arrived. In the next few days, it will be deployed in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, under the coordination of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Two basic health care units, provided by the German, Japanese and Spanish Red Cross will support the hospital and provide primary care and triage. Two additional basic health care units, provided by the French and Spanish Red Cross Societies are being deployed to Pakistan. Two water and sanitation units, from the Austrian, German and Swedish Red Cross Societies are being mobilized as well as 40 Norwegian Red Cross trucks. The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) is continuing its emergency operation in the affected areas. It has deployed a dozen medical teams, staffed by doctors and volunteer paramedics, to provide first aid, curative and referral services. They are also evacuating injured to Islamabad and Rawalpindi and assisting with rescue efforts. The PRCS blood bank is providing blood to health infrastructures. Today, the PRCS is mobilizing 23 trucks for Pakistan-administered Kashmir and to the North West Frontier Provinces, loaded with food, tents, blankets and clothing. In Islamabad, the PRCS continues its search and rescue operation at the site of the collapsed apartment buildings where dozens more people are still believed to be trapped under the rubble. PRCS teams are also pursuing assessments, with support from Federation staff. The Indian Red Cross Society is continuing its distributions of food and other relief items. Yesterday the Jammu and Kashmir branch distributed five tonnes of dried food rations while Red Cross first aiders are still engaged in search and rescue as well as in relief operations in the affected areas of Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla and Uri. 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 Marie-Françoise Borel, Information Officer, Geneva Tel: + 41 79 217 33 45 / + 41 79 416 38 81 Siân Bowen, Manager, Media Unit, Geneva 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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