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Plummeting
temperatures threaten lives of survivors one month after the earthquake
in Pakistan 7 November 2005 The death of thousands of earthquake survivors in northern Pakistan can be prevented this winter if adequate aid supplies continue to be delivered to remote mountain communities, says the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. To date, one month after the devastating 8 October earthquake, the International Federation has provided some 80,000 people in isolated areas with shelter and blankets, but further funds are urgently required to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands as temperatures continue to drop daily. “The death toll may rise considerably over the course of winter from totally preventable causes, such as injuries and exposure to cold because of lack of appropriate shelter,” said Markku Niskala, Secretary General of the International Federation, as he visited the earthquake-struck areas on 6 and 7 November. “But less than half the money we need to help the people of Pakistan has been received from the international community.” So far only 40% of the 152 million Swiss francs the International Federation appealed for (USD 117 million or EUR 98 million) have been secured. At the best of times, the affected population lives in a harsh environment in mountainous terrain. They have strong coping mechanisms, but have lost everything in the earthquake. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is striving to provide them with the means to survive through winter. With temperatures forecasted to plummet to -15°Celsius in the highest settlements in coming days, the urgency of that task is even more imminent. “This is one of the most complex relief operations ever. Our operation has been able to overcome many of the problems caused by bad weather, landslides, aftershocks and generally difficult terrain, but these problems will worsen with the onset of winter,” said Niskala. “I am appealing to people and governments around the world to support us in this humanitarian work.” Red Cross Red Crescent relief distributions continue to gain momentum despite the harsh conditions and difficult terrain. Small jeeps, mules and sometimes people are used to carry relief items up the mountains to remote villages, and the International Federation has started airlifting relief teams by helicopter to isolated villages in northern Pakistan to provide basic necessities to vulnerable and remote communities. Some 11,000 tents, 11,000 tarpaulins and 80,000 blankets have already been distributed by International Federation/Pakistan Red Crescent teams to mountain areas around Balakot, Batagram, Gahri Habibullah and Mansehra. More than 27,000 people have received medical care from Red Cross Red Crescent medical teams and field hospitals, and some 20,000 people have been ensured access to clean water in Batagram, Maira and Balakot. The Pakistan Red Crescent has distributed some 7,500 tents and 47,000 blankets, and provided medical aid to more than 16,000 people. “Right now, shelter and health care are our key priorities. This operation is about saving lives,” said Jahandad Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society. “Nonetheless, even though we are still at the emergency phase, we are already looking to a longer term recovery plan and how we can meet the needs of the affected people, including getting livelihoods established and providing appropriate shelter”. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: Solveig Olafsdottir, Information Delegate, Islamabad, Tel: + 92 300 555 4525 Arzu Ozsoy, Information Delegate, Islamabad Tel: + 92 301 524 9672 Marie-Françoise Borel, Information Officer, Geneva Tel: + 41 79 217 33 45 / + 41 79 416 38 81 Aoife Maceoin, Information Officer Geneva Tel: +41 79 308 9830 / +41 22 730 4381 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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