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| November 11, 2005 | Friday | Shawwal 8, 1426 |
Donors say Pakistan need $5.2 bln for quake-hit areas ISLAMABAD, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Multi-lateral donor agencies estimate that Pakistan needs $5.2 billion for relief operations and reconstruction works in earthquake devastated areas.But for now, the United Nations says it has received funds and solid commitments worth only 15 percent of the total $550 million it is seeking for emergency relief operations. Salman Shah, financial adviser to Pakistan's prime minister, said Friday the World Bank and the Asian Development bank estimated that the country needs $3.5 billion for reconstruction of infrastructure. "We also need more than $90 million to revive livelihoods lost in the quake," Shah told a news conference in Islamabad. "These costs are in addition to the $1.6 billion the U.N. has estimated will need to be spent on relief efforts." So far $2.4 billion has been pledged, most of it bilaterally, from around the world, but Shah said not all of these pledges have been realised into cash. "Lots of these pledges are for goods and services and logistics purposes," he said. "The relief operation is also financed by part of these pledges and commitments." The ADB and World Bank assessment report on damages and needs said the loss of public and private assets was estimated at $2.3 billion. Private housing, with damages calculated at over $1 billion, suffered the most extensive damage. Damage and losses to the transport, education, agriculture and livestock sectors also amounted to close to $1 billion.(Posted @ 20:25 PST)
Kyrgyzstan sends 10 tons of relief goods KARACHI, Nov 11 (APP): Kyrgyzstan has sent 10 tons of relief goods for the people of the earthquake affected areas. The relief goods consist of tents, blankets, woollen clothes and other required items. The Government of Kyrgyzstan had earlier sent 10 tons of relief goods(Posted @ 20:22 PST)
WB approves $200-M supplemental, and additional support of $270-M For quake relief WASHINGTON, Nov 11 (APP)- Describing the need for assistance in the earthquake hit areas of NWFP and Azad Kashmir as "very urgent" and "grave", Dina Umali-Deininger, World Bank acting Vice President for South Asia region, Thursday said the WB on its part was extending generous help to Pakistan to tide over the tragedy. "The loss of life and destruction of infrastructure is just unimaginable," she stated this in her address to a large fundraiser gathering held at the World Bank. Referring to the assistance extended by the WB, the official said besides the $470 immediate support, the Bank approved earlier Thursday a $200 million supplemental financing for the Government of Pakistan. "An additional support of $270 million is expected to be presented to the Board shortly- some time next week."(Posted @ 20:16 PST)
Army Engineers complete work on five crossing points Rawalpindi, Nov 11 (APP): Army Engineers have completed road links at the five crossing points on the LoC earmarked for opening as agreed between the governments of Pakistan and India. This included mine clearance, track construction and preparation of approaches as well as exit and launching of bridges on water obstacles. Army Engineers prepared a one and a half kilometer long track at Titrinot-Poonch crossing, completed a bridge at Chiliana, completed a track and set up an improvised foot bridge at Chakoti, constructed a one kilometre long track and lifted mines at Haji-Pir-Khoja Bandi-Uri crossing and constructed a half kilometre track at Sehra-Lechial crossing. LOC crossing at Madarpur-Titrinot-Poonch and Chakoti-Uri have already been completed while the third crossing point at Tithwal will be opened on Saturday, November 12. Opening of Jhelum Valley road up to Chakoti is a significant achievement.(Posted @ 20:12 PST)
Hectic relief, rehabilitation operation continues in quake hit areas ISLAMABAD, Nov 11 (APP): Despite poor visibility and bad weather army helicopters made sorties for affected areas and dropped food supplies and evacuated some injured from the far flung areas of Azad Kashmir. Relief goods including food items, tents and tarpaulins are being carried forward from relief camps in the Neelam Valley for distribution among affectees in the area. About 95 sorties were undertaken to transport relief goods in Neelam and Jhelum valleys and Quila area.(Posted @ 19:58 PST)
Harsh winter, more rain in earthquake affected areas forecast ISLAMABAD, Nov 11 (APP): Met Office warned Friday that harsh winter has begun in the earthquake affected areas and all these areas are in the grip of a wet spell, which is expected to continue during the next 24 hours. Due to this weather system more thunderstorm rain and snow over the high mountains (about 8,000 ft) is expected on Saturday in Muzaffarabad, Rawlakot, Bagh, Chikothi, Abbottabad, Balakot, Mansehra, Batgram, Kohistan, Shangla, Kaghan, Naran and adjoining areas. The prevailing wet spell will be followed by a cold wave which is expected to grip these areas on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.(Posted @ 19:50 PST)
Pregnant quake survivors may face life-threat: UN ISLAMABAD, November 11 (PPI) Over 17,000 earthquake-affected women in Pakistan are expected to give birth in the next two months, an estimated 1,200 will face major complications and about 400 will require surgical assistance, the United Nations said Friday. The United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA) has warned that the health and safety of these pregnant women and adolescent girls are in jeopardy due to the shock and trauma they suffered in the October 8 quake. The harsh living conditions and their very limited access to basic health services and emergency obstetric care could make it worse. UNFPA is providing clean delivery kits, caesarean section kits, emergency supplies and much-needed surgical equipment to health centers and referral facilities as part of the United Nations' coordinated response. Nine UNFPA mobile clinics continue to offer medical assistance to affected communities in two hard-hit districts, Mansehra in NWFP and Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir. Over the past week, UNFPA staff has treated over 10,000 patients and performed more than 80 deliveries. One woman with labour complications was flown along with a female doctor to the hospital in Muzaffarabad, where she safely delivered a healthy baby boy. UNFPA Representative in Pakistan France Donnay has cautioned,however, that additional funds will be required to adequately care for the thousands of women who will need medical assistance in the coming months.The UNFPA has asked donors for dollars nine million to support reproductive health and dollars one million for hygiene supplies, as part of the UN-led consolidated humanitarian appeal for Pakistan.(Posted @ 18:58 PST)
Army Engineers open Jhelum, Kaghan valley roads Rawalpindi, Nov 11 (PPI) Army engineers have opened roads in Jhelum valley and Kaghan valley, the ISPR said in a statement Friday adding that all roads in the earthquake affected areas have been opened except some Neelum Valley roads. Opening of Jhelum Valley road upto Chakoti is a significant achievement , it said. Kaghan Valley road has already been opened for light traffic. Now an all out effort is being made to establish road link in Neelum Valley. Presently 14 Engineers Battalions are employed for reopening roads in earthquake affected areas of Azad Kashmir, removal of dead bodies and rubble from city and to help civil administration and locals in reconstruction of office buildings and houses, it added.(Posted @ 18:54 PST)
Education top priority in quake hit areas: AJK Education Minister ISLAMABAD, Nov 11 (APP): AJK Minister for Education Chaudhry Muhammad Aziz Friday said about 80 percent educational institutions had started functioning in tents. He said the government was releasing funds for rebuilding of the quake ravaged buildings of schools and colleges and every effort was being made to bring academic activities into full gear.(Posted @ 18:42 PST)
Vice Chief visits Chinari and Muzaffarabad AWALPINDI, Nov 11 APP:Vice Chief of Army Staff General Ahsan Saleem Hyat Friday visited earthquake hit area of Chinari and Muzaffarabad, reviewed measures for relief and rescue operations, met quake victims and enquired about their problems. He assured them full support of Pakistan Army in provision of shelter, food, medicines and other relief items. General Ahsan Saleem Hyat also met the troops deputed at the forward locations and appreciated their resolve to serve the earthquake affectees.(Posted @ 18:38 PST)
President Musharraf chairs meeting to review relief operations ISLAMABAD, Nov 11 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf on Friday chaired a meeting to review the pace of ongoing relief operations as well as reconstruction and rehabilitation in the earthquake affected areas of NWFP and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was briefed on the forthcoming International Donors Conference to be held in Islamabad on November 19. The President and the Prime Minister of AJK and Chief Minister NWFP gave inputs on the relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation process, while Secretary Economic Affairs Division and Chairman Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) made detailed presentations on the various options being considered for the process of reconstruction and rehabilitation in the earthquake affected areas.(Posted @ 18:28 PST)
140 Australian troops on mercy mission in quake affected areas ISLAMABAD, Nov 11 (APP): About 140 Australian troops will spend three months in earthquake ravaged areas of Pakistan providing medical care to the victims.The $20 million task, known as Operation Pak Assist, will begin later this week. It will focus on the hard hit and freezing mountain region around Muzaffarabad, Australian newspaper 'The Advertiser' reported. The deployment will include four Blackhawk helicopters and about 40 air crew and support staff. Another 60 medical personnel will also be deployed in the affected areas.(Posted @ 18:22 PST)
PM hopes SAARC summit to promote relations in region ISLAMABAD, Nov 11 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Friday said Pakistan as current chairman of SAARC has made sincere efforts to make the organization more effective for the promotion bilateral relations in the region and to fight poverty effectively. Talking to newsmen at Chaklala air base, before leaving for Dhaka to attend 13th SAARC summit), the Prime Minister said there is also need to resolve bilateral issues so that the resources and energies of the member countries could be utilised for development. He hoped there would be more cooperation in resolving these issues. He said he would also highlight the concerns and challenges being faced by Kashmiris to the leaders of the SAARC member states during his bilateral meetings with them during the summit.(Posted @ 17:08 PST)
Army starts construction of weather resistant shelters for quake- affectees PESHAWAR, Nov 11 (APP): Army Engineers have completed construction of 44 shelters made of corrugated galvanized iron (CGI) sheets in the quake struck areas to provide proper cover to the survivors from the rain, snowfall and severe cold weather. According to ISPR press release Friday, work on 36 more shelters is nearing completion. The Engineers are also engaging locals and providing them requisite knowhow about building shelters made of CGI sheets to further speed up the exercise before the weather gets worse. The areas where Army Engineers have constructed shelters for quake survivors include Maira, Shanglai and Banna hill in Batagram, Shachan Kalan and Munda Guchha in Shinkiari and Shawal Najaf, Hungrai Sarash, Jabri and Lari in Balakot. Due to harsh weather the number of displaced persons in tent villages at Garhi Habibullah, Balakot, Battagram, Battal, Mansehra, Jabba and Shinkiari is continuously increasing and it has now crossed 21000 figure. More than 4000 tents have been pitched in 28 tent villages to accommodate the quake survivors. Meanwhile, Army Engineers have constructed 70 meters ramp for Baily Bridge at Hassa area of Balakot while work on restoration of water supply schemes in Mochi Pura area is in full swing. Bad weather hampered air operation and only 31 sorties were flown on Friday from PAF Base Chaklala and Mansehra to drop 41.533 tons of relief goods. Eleven trucks loaded with tents blankets, quilts, tarpaulins and ration were delivered at Garhi Habibullah, Balakot, Shinkiari and Batgram areas while another 25 trucks carrying relief goods were dispatched from PAF Base Chaklala and Havelian railway station to the affected areas of the province.(Posted @ 17:04 PST)
PM announces to start national volunteer enrolment campaign ISLAMABAD, Nov 11 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Friday launched an "enrolment drive" in connection with National Volunteer Movement and urged all segments of the society to work with missionary zeal for the rehabilitation of quake victims and reconstruction of affected areas. Speaking on the occasion he expressed the hope that with the cooperation of Pakistan Army, United Nations, NGOs, the Pakistani nation and foreign as well as local volunteers the government would be able to provide quick relief to the earthquake victims in their rehabilitation and reconstruction. The Prime Minister said a task force of psychologists and psychiatrists headed by MNA Riaz Fatiana has been formed to provide counseling to the traumatized people. He said more than sixty countries have sent relief workers to Pakistan to help the affectees.(Posted @ 16:46 PST)
Police baton-charge Pakistan quake survivors MUZAFFARABAD, Nov 11 (AFP) - Police baton-charged around 250 earthquake survivors in Muzaffarabad who were protesting against orders to vacate a squalid makeshift camp on Friday. A number of the demonstrators were arrested as they marched through the city centre , police chief of Azad Kashmir, Shahid Hassan said. "They were ordered to leave the temporary camp because it was set up in the middle of the city and it did not have any proper sanitation or waste disposal facilities," Hassan said adding that the decision was taken after an outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea this week in Muzaffarabad's main tent camp and a number of other spontaneous settlements. Several hundred people were struck by the illness. (Posted @ 15:40 PST)
U.N. prioritises Pakistan aid, sickness spreads MUZAFFARABAD, Nov 11 (Reuters) Aid agencies are prioritising help for Pakistani earthquake survivors, focusing on high-altitude communities, but that is leaving others vulnerable as sickness spreads, a U.N. official said on Friday. "The big concern is now that because of the limitation of the resources we have, we are prioritising and trying to reach the population living in remote highlands," Rashid Khalikov, U.N. aid coordinator said in Muzaffarabad. "But in the meantime, we do not have enough resources to take care of those who are in the lowlands. Their vulnerability also increases dramatically," he said. Helicopters we have now can fly up to November with the money we have. With the pledges we have for the logistics, they may be operational until the end of December. But these pledges have still to be converted into contributions," he added.(Posted @ 14:35 PST)
Half of South Asia quake dead were likely children: UNICEF MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan, Nov 11 (AFP) Children likely make up half of the 74,000 people who died in the South Asian quake, the United Nations said Friday, confirming fears that the disaster had claimed a "lost generation." "We estimate that half of the death casualties were children, but many more were injured," UNICEF representative for Pakistan Omar Abdi told the Integrated Regional Information Networks, a UN-funded news agency. "The data hasn't been registered yet. But half of the population of Pakistan is under 18 so we would estimate out of those people who have died, half of them are children," Abdi added. Local government figures show that around 17,000 students alone died while there were many other young people who were not in school at the time. Nearly four-fifths of all schools and public buildings collapsed in the quake, he added. Women were badly hit by the quake as well as the young, he also said. (Posted @ 10:40 PST)
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