As thousands of people left homeless
after the recent earthquake in Pakistan face harsh conditions, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is providing winter shelter to up to 6,000 families.
Three strong
earthquakes struck Baluchistan early in the morning of 29 October. More than 68,000 people have been affected, with their houses being destroyed or severely damaged. The British Red Cross has made a
£150,00 contribution to the Movement's emergency response.
Temperatures at this time of year in the affected region drop to between 1 and 9 degrees centigrade during the night. Many people
are taking refuge in unsuitable accommodation and are exposed to the harsh winter conditions.
Pascal Cuttat, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) head of delegation in Islamabad,
said: ''Our priority is providing shelter as winter sets in. Because of continuing aftershocks, many people decided to sleep outdoors, at altitudes of 2,000 to 2,500 metres.''
Red Cross
response
Immediately after the tremors hit, the ICRC and Pakistan Red Crescent provided medical supplies to local health facilities. An ICRC surgical and medical team was also
deployed to treat the injured.
So far, emergency relief has been distributed to nearly 6,000 families, including tents, tarpaulins and blankets, along with food and essential household items.
An ICRC tracing team is also helping people who wish to locate or communicate with missing loved ones.
The onset of winter and lack of shelter is now the focus of government and humanitarian
organisation activities. Pete Garratt, British Red Cross relief operations manager, said: "Our experience of responding to the Pakistan earthquake in 2005, showed us that providing adequate temporary
shelter quickly is essential for meeting humanitarian needs during the winter months."
More about the Red Cross working in Pakistan
A donation from our Disaster Fund has been made in response to this crisis. Contributions to the Disaster Fund will not be used directly in response to this disaster, but will be used in response
to other emergencies in the future.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2008 The head of a destroyed statue lies on the ground in a garden in Hanwang town of earthquake-hit Mianzhu county, Sichuan Province, June 12, 2008, ...
