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Pakistan:
Red Cross Red Crescent scaling up relief efforts as harsh winter sets
in 18 January 2006 In response to harsh winter weather in Pakistan, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, together with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), is urgently scaling-up its relief efforts to help earthquake survivors. The emergency relief programme has been extended to assist an additional 35,000 people. Distributions are ongoing with a special focus on the villages in the Allai Valley and Kohistan where little aid has arrived because of access problems. Three months after the Pakistan earthquake, the situation on the ground continues to be critical for survivors and relief workers alike. The extremely cold weather is making living conditions very difficult. Torrential rains and heavy snowstorms hamper the relief efforts, as the main roads regularly become inaccessible due to frequent landslides. Illnesses exacerbated by the cold, such as flu and pneumonia are on the rise. “We have increased the number of response teams from eight to twenty,” explains Jahan Dad Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society. “The teams have been working for the last four weeks to reach a further 35,000 extremely vulnerable people, so that they have adequate winterized tents and other shelters with safe heating stoves, which can help them cope with temperatures regularly reaching minus 15 degrees Celsius”. In addition, 158,000 people have received medical care from Red Cross Red Crescent medical teams and in field hospitals. Meanwhile 40,000 people have also been ensured access to clean water in Batagram, Maira and Balakot, which is a vital way to avoid the spread of potentially deadly water-borne diseases. The efforts of the Red Cross Red Crescent to date have been considerable. In excess of 48,000 tents, 336,700 blankets, 91,400 tarpaulins, 11,800 sleeping bags, 142,200 quilts, 43,700 jerry cans, 37,000 family kitchen sets, 35,500 family hygiene sets and 19,600 stoves have been distributed to those in need. Despite these figures the International Federation will continue to intensify relief efforts. In all 510,000 people have so far been provided with emergency relief by land using 1,500 trucks, and by air through 171 flights in the areas of Balakot, Batagram, Garhi Habibullah and Mansehra as well as in the remote areas of Kohistan and Allay Valley. Shelter against the winter remains the International Federation’s priority and where possible it aims to assist people to remain in their villages if they so desire. The International Federation and PRCS will continue to distribute winterized tents to the lowland areas and shelter repair kits to communities remaining in higher mountainous terrain. “People suffering from the cold weather and trying to survive this harsh winter is the reality we have to cope with. Heavy rain and snow falls are not only making conditions very difficult for people but are also hindering our efforts. Hundreds of Red Cross and Red Crescent workers and volunteers are speeding up activities to reach as many families as possible and cover their immediate needs, such as kitchen equipment, basic building tools and warm clothes. The International Federation is thankful to the donors who have supported its appeal to enable this response”, concludes Azmat Ulla, the International Federation’s Head of Delegation in Islamabad. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: Arzu Ozsoy, Information Delegate, Islamabad Tel: + 92 301 524 9672 / Sat. +88 216 89856286 Marie-Françoise Borel, Information Officer, Geneva Tel: + 41 22 730 43 46 /+ 41 79 217 33 45 Duty phone (Out of Hours) Tel: + 41 79 416 3881 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 183 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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