UN paints bleak picture for quake victims: Non-winterised tents of no use
By Baqir Sajjad Syed
ISLAMABAD, Nov 7: United Nations on Monday painted a bleak picture of days ahead for the quake victims with snow expected in certain areas within next 24 hours. “Procurement of inferior quality tents by different agencies could make things more difficult for the survivors,”, said UN Assistant Resident Representative Zafar Iqbal.
Talking to this reporter, he said most of the tents being procured through different sources were substandard and not adequate to withstand the bitter Himalayan winter.
“It is unfortunate that many people are just playing the numbers game while providing shelter to the victims and are ignoring the fact that the non-winterised or substandard tents may be of little use to the victims once the winter fully sets in,” he said.
Met department has forecast snow over high mountains, above 7,000 feet, in Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh, Chikothi, Abbotabad, Balakot, Mansehra, Batagram, Kohistan, Shangla, Kaghan, Naran and adjoining areas within next 4-5 days making the living conditions more difficult in these areas. Areas above 9,000 feet are expected to get snow within next 24 hours.
Mr Iqbal said the start of snow would make the relief work more challenging and enhance pressure on the workers. Inclement weather over the next week may hamper the relief operation, he feared.
The UN is expecting that the areas above 9,000 feet may be completely cut off by the end of this month affecting some 200,000 persons.
The UN on Monday said $42.4 million were needed immediately to help the quake victims this month. The amount required for barely 30 days is aimed primarily at helping an estimated 200,000 people living in quake stricken high ground in affected region, which is likely to be the first to suffer from the onset of winter.
An earlier UN flash appeal for $550 million had drawn a poor response from the international community and so far only pledges and donations worth $133 million have been made, which constitutes less than 25 per cent of the actual requirement. The assistant representative cautioned that if the donations situation did not improve immediately, the UN may be forced to scale down its operation.
He reiterated that the relief phase would have to be extended till April and sustained assistance was needed for the victims during this period, warning a greater catastrophe.
Exposure to extremities of weather, Mr Iqbal said, has already resulted in outbreak of diseases particularly respiratory infections.
Speaking about the UN’s role, he said, it would be more focussed on relief and recovery, extending to about 6-8 months, and would partly take part in rehabilitation. The reconstruction, the UN official said, would be undertaken mainly by Pakistan government in collaboration with donors and institutions like World Bank.
