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| October 18, 2005 | Tuesday | Ramzan 13, 1426 |
Focus supports quake victims
ISLAMABAD, Oct 17: Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS), an agency affiliated with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), has mobilized volunteers and resources in response to the widespread destruction following the earthquake which struck several parts of Pakistan.
Focus is conducting search and rescue operations and distributing relief items to families in the affected areas of Muzaffarabad and other remote regions.
The agency is using four AKDN helicopters — two have been flown in from Tajikistan, and the other two are regularly based in Islamabad.
The four helicopters have made numerous trips into the affected areas, carrying relief items. On their return journeys to Islamabad, the helicopters are carrying survivors who required urgent medical assistance.
AKDN agencies, including Aga Khan Health Services and the Aga Khan University Hospital, have sent teams of doctors to provide emergency medical assistance to survivors.
HOAP FOUNDATION: Helping Oppressed and Powerless (HOAP) Foundation is participating in the relief and rescue operations in the earthquake-stricken areas of Mansehra, Azad Kashmir, Balakot and other parts of Kohistan.
The Foundation in a statement here Monday said it has set up base camps at Kotbala and Jabri. It said that the foundation has already launched relief and rescue operations in Machi Pood, Mari and Dari etc., and plans to extend its operations in Majuri and Allai areas. About 200 volunteers of HOAP distributed 50 truckloads of food items, blankets, beds, warm clothes, utensils etc to the quake-stricken people. Ambulance service is being provided to the injured and a team of 20 doctors is providing treatment to the injured persons.
SAUDI-PAK: Saudi-Pak Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company has donated Rs10 million towards President’s Relief Fund for the earthquake victims.
According to a press release of the bank, in addition, the employees of Saudi-Pak Commercial Bank, Saudi-Pak Leasing Company and Saudi-Pak Insurance have also donated their one-day salary in the President’s Relief Fund.
CBR: The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) and its field formations have taken a number of relief and statuary measures to alleviate the sufferings of the October 8 devastating earthquake in NWFP and AJK.
According to a CBR statement, besides depositing a cheque for Rs5 million in the President’s Relief Fund, CBR Earthquake Relief Cell, in coordination with its field formations, have dispatch 32 trucks of relief goods. Out of them, 27 trucks have already been received at Abbottabad Relief Centre.
ICI, PTA: ICI and PTA presented a cheque for Rs20 million to Federal Minister for Privatization Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh on Monday for earthquake victims.
The minister urged the business community to come forward with open heart and help those who have been affected badly by the recent natural calamity. He hoped that more than 900 local business groups reached by the cabinet committee for fund raising would make their significant contribution without any delay to overcome the miseries of the people of the areas.
ALPINE CLUB: Alpine club of Pakistan is taking part in the search, rescue and relief measures being provided to the earthquake affected persons of NWFP and Azad Kashmir.
Four rescue teams have already been dispatched to these areas. Now in the wake of current situation and providing relief measures to the affected people in inaccessible areas, services of volunteers trained in the art of climbing are urgently required.
The ACP appealed to the trained members of the club to immediately report in the club office at Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan sports complex (Near Aabpara) Islamabad or contact phone No. 0300-9754837, so that they may be attached with army relief camps for providing relief measures in the non-accessible mountain areas.
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