ISLAMABAD, Nov 2: The United States has called for a multi- faceted strategy to deal with the post-earthquake situation in Pakistan and said its Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) would stay in Pakistan for relief operations much longer than normal earthquake response.
“The relief phase is far from over and relief efforts must not stop even after the commencement of reconstruction phase”, a top US official said while talking to Dawn here.
He said the US would continue to bring in planes full of humanitarian supplies for the quake-stricken people. “We hope other donors also get this point,” he remarked.
Replying to a question, he said some more US helicopters currently being re-assembled in Bagram would reach Pakistan soon. He said that the silver lining that could be seen in the aftermath of the earthquake was that there was an opportunity to tell the people how to build better, using new building materials.
The US official underlined the need of bringing local people into the process of implementing a comprehensive development agenda so that reconstruction could rapidly take place. He said the USAID had a big programme in Pakistan which was still working hard on projects un-related to the earthquake. He said it would now remain actively involved in a long-term reconstruction programme.
He said, “We found after Tsunami that the US Congress could be very generous” adding that the American people and the US corporate sector was also very generous. He pointed out that at an initiative taken by the US President Mr George W. Bush, heads of Citibank, Pfizer, Xerox, General Electric and United Parcel Service (UPS) had agreed to raise funds for the quake-hit people of Pakistan.
He said if not all, some of them were expected to attend the International Donors Conference to be held in Islamabad on November 19.
The US official underlined the need to work very quickly saying that the Himalayan winter could be very severe.
Our reporter adds: The US contribution to the earthquake relief efforts in Pakistan includes $156 million for relief and reconstruction. The US remains committed to keeping the flow of supplies into the affected areas, and will continue contributing to the relief effort as long as it takes.
Airlift Support: 24 military helicopters are taking part in relief operation and have so far made over 1,300 sorties to the affected areas; transportation of over 2,100 tons of international relief supplies, including tents, cots, blankets, water purification equipment, halal meals and medical supplies; over 3,900 injured victims evacuated; air force C-17 and C-130 cargo aircraft and contractor flights have been hauling the much-needed relief supplies and specialized gear to sustain air operations and equipment to open roadways blocked by landslides. To date, US military airlifts have delivered almost 4,000 tons of meals, water, tents, blankets, medical supplies to be distributed to the affected areas.
Over 950 emergency management personnel are currently in Pakistan to assist with the relief efforts. This includes USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team members, US military personnel from the Disaster Assistance Centre, surgical hospital staff, engineers and construction crews.
A Level 3 mobile army surgical hospital is in Muzaffarabad, with capacity for 80 beds. Other capabilities of the unit include advanced trauma life support and an operating room, with specialties in paediatrics, ob/gyn, ortho and general surgery and emergency medical care. To date this unit has treated 143 patients and performed 28 surgeries.
A “Sea-Bee” construction battalion from the US Navy has been operating in the Muzaffarabad area, clearing roadways and collapsed buildings and preparing sites to establish temporary schools for children affected by the earthquake.
