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| October 10, 2005 | Monday | Ramzan 5, 1426 |
Relief operation going apace: Safdar
PESHAWAR, Oct 9: Corps Commander of Peshawar Lt-Gen Safdar Hussain has said that army has launched relief operation on a massive scale in areas affected by Saturday’s devastating earthquake in the NWFP, which is going apace.
He was talking to journalists at Peshawar airport on return from a visit to quake-affected areas in the province.
The corps commander said he had sent three battalion, six big and three small helicopters and five medical teams to the stricken areas which were fully participating in the relief effort.
He said more troops and equipment would be sent for rescue operation. He added that people were in a state of fear due to continued aftershocks and were not ready to go back to their houses.
He said army teams were providing medicines, food items, tents and blankets to the affected people on a priority basis.
President Pervez Musharraf, the corps commander said, had also expressed satisfaction during his visit over arrangements made by the army in the NWFP.
He said relief operations were in progress in coordination with civilian authorities in almost all the affected areas.
The corps commander said that helicopters had made three sorties on Sunday to Balakot and shifted people to safe places.
He said that according to an estimate, average loss would be around 15 to 20 per cent. However, he added, this loss in Balakot and in some other areas was around 40 to 50 per cent.
He appreciated the spirit of local people for carrying out relief work. Although people were in a state of terror and shock, they were fully cooperating with army and civil administration in the rescue effort.
JOLTS: Terrified people spent Sunday night under open sky as the provincial metropolis continuously received frequent jolts after the devastating earthquake. A large number of people including female and children were seen sitting outside their houses in open parks and roads in different localities of the city. An aftershock in the midnight and at around dawn further terrified the people and those who were sleeping rushed to reach the open places.
Special prayers were held and religious scholars advised people to seek mercy from Allah.
PRCS: The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has allocated Rs80 million for the quake-hit people, said a press release here on Sunday.
It was decided at a meeting presided over by PRCS Chairman Jahan Dad Khan at its headquarters.
Mr Khan said that the society has mobilized all its resources to provide relief to the people affected by the devastating earthquake.
More funds would be provided after assessment, he said, adding that the PRCS had contributed Rs30 million while Rs10 million by the NWFP chapter and Rs40 million was provided by Baitul Maal to the PRCS for earthquake-affected people.
The immediate need of the victims was tents, food and medicines and the relief items were being sent to the affected areas in the NWFP and the AJK and Northern Areas.—APP
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