ISLAMABAD, Nov 3: Over 90 per cent earthquake victims want to stay back at their respective villages during the winter despite huge devastation, says a survey report.

The survey was conducted by a non-governmental organisation, Pattan Development Organization, at Balakot on Oct 23 and 24.

Majority of the affected persons said that they did not want to shift anywhere as they could not bring their cattle to tented villages.

A spokesman for Pattan said that a total of 182 men were interviewed and 88 per cent said they lived in their own village while 12 per cent said they lived somewhere else. Similarly, 93 per cent people said they wanted to live in their own village while seven per cent showed their willingness to move to some other place.

Most of the victims, during the survey said that their intention to stay back depended on further external support. Tents, blankets and plastic sheeting would not protect them from a harsh winter, they said.— Staff Reporter