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| November 23, 2005 | Wednesday | Shawwal 20, 1426 |
President launches National Volunteers Movement ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf launched the National Volunteers Movement (NVM) Wednesday to make a coherent use of the countrywide spirit of volunteerism in rebuilding quake-damaged areas, as world pledges for reconstruction assistance rose to US dollars 6.1 billion dollars. "I am confident that with organized participation of volunteers, the government and the armed forces, we will improve the lives of quake survivors and demonstrate our commitment to transparency and organization through effective implementation of reconstruction strategy" he declared. "All information about execution of the strategy and utilization of funds will be available on the web site, which is to go online shortly - the entire process will be transparent and coherent," Musharraf said after Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz announced that international donations had touched US dollars 6.1 billion.(Posted @ 19:35 PST)
U.S. firm donates extreme weather shelter to earthquake survivors ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C.Crocker and Alaska Structure founder Richard Hotes Wednesday inaugurated a hospital complex, school and 117 family unit tent structures in Puthian. The donation was made by Alaska Structure, an American private company based in Washington State. These extreme weather structures, valued at $4.2 million, will advance relief and recovery for earthquake survivors in the remote village of Puthian as the Himalayan winter sets in.(Posted @ 19:25 PST)
Church of England leader visits quake-hit Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (AFP) The Church of England's most senior cleric, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was in Pakistan Wednesday to see the aftermath of the massive South Asian earthquake, officials said. Rowan Williams arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday, the British High Commission said, and visited a camp on the outskirts of the capital Islamabad Wednesday for refugees left homeless by the October 8 disaster. Williams met President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday and was due to hold talks with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz later Wednesday. "I hope to learn about the things being done to transfer aid to people in the direst of needs," Williams said in a statement. "This is also a very important time for Pakistan's faith communities, the good relations between Christians and Muslims in many parts of the UK and in Pakistan provide a platform for building further and for eradicating mistrust and misunderstanding," he added. (Posted @ 15:13 PST)
Australia pledges extra 37 million dollars in Pakistan quake aid DHANI, Pakistan, Nov 23 (AFP) Australian Prime Minister John Howard Wednesday announced a further 50 million Australian dollars (37 million US) in aid for earthquake victims in Pakistan. Howard gave details of the extra relief as he visited Australian troops helping survivors in Dhani, a village near the devastated Kashmiri city of Muzaffarabad. "I am pleased to announce that Australia will provide a further 50 million (Australian) dollars for victims of the calamitous October 8 earthquake in Pakistan, to provide relief for the winter and for reconstruction in the longer term," Howard told reporters. Australia has already donated 10.4 million US dollars for quake aid. (Posted @ 15:01 PST)
Turkish private sector to provide 1500 pre-fabricated house to quake victims ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): President of Saadat Party of Turkey Recai Kutan Tuesday said Turkish private sector would provide 1,500 pre-fabricated houses for the victims of October 8 earthquake in NWFP and Azad Kashmir. Talking to newsmen after meeting Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz he said these houses would be provided in the worst hit areas of Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Rawalakot. These would be ready within two to three weeks and cost Euros 500,000.(Posted @ 10:00 PST)
Aid pledges for quake victims must be fulfilled immediately: UN ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP): The United Nations said Tuesday the aid pledges made at the donors' conference last week should be fulfilled promptly in view of the urgent needs of earthquake survivors.In a statement on its website, the UN said: "We remind donors that with winter fast approaching and life-saving resources scarce, tens of thousands of earthquake survivors face death, hunger and disease, as well as prolonged displacement and homelessness.'' The UN and international aid agencies have said their relief operations, which mainly involve using helicopters to supply aid to survivors because many roads are impassable, may be halted unless more aid is received, it added. The UN said last week that less than 30 percent of the $550 million it requested in emergency aid has been provided. An estimated 2.3 million people will need food aid at least until April according to the latest UN assessment. Relief agencies are trying to meet the needs of 2.1 million people scattered across the region, the world's most mountainous area, the statement said.(Posted @ 09:50 PST)
US Govt to help in quake relief operation, establish more schools in FATA: Ryan Crocker PARACHINAR, Kurram Agency (APP): US ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C Crocker addressing a tribal jirga here Tuesday said the US is helping the devastated earthquake victims of NWFP and AJK and would continue its cooperation till the complete rehabilitation of the affected people. He also said that the US government would help establish a network of schools in FATA.(Posted @ 09:45 PST)
U.S committed more funds for quake stricken areas ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP): The American Defense Department is nearly doubling its funding for earthquake relief operations in Pakistan. The added military commitment is part of a larger overall U.S. aid package for relief and reconstruction, now $510 million. This includes $300 million in assistance from USAID and at least $100 million in private contributions, American Forces Press Service reported. An estimated 1,200 U.S. personnel and 23 helicopters are currently supporting relief operations in Pakistan. So far, U.S. helicopters have flown more than 2,500 sorties, delivered almost 4,300 tons of relief supplies and transported almost 17,000 people, including more than 4,300 who needed medical attention. In addition, more than 178 military and civilian cargo airlift flights have delivered almost 1,900 tons of humanitarian aid, medical supplies and equipment. U.S. humanitarian aid supplies delivered so far include mthan 360,000 blankets, almost 13,000 sleeping bags, more than 3,500 tents, 5,000 water containers, almost 121,000 halal meals, 600 heaters and 18 pallets of medicine.(Posted @ 09:40 PST)
China to consult Pakistan for further aid for quake victims, says FM spokesman BEIJING, Nov. 23 (APP): China will consult the relevant departments how to provide more aid to Pakistan in the aftermath of the October 8 Earthquake, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said Tuesday." We are prepared to realize our pledge made at the international donors' conference in Islamabad last Saturday, providing $300 million soft-term loan to Pakistan for executing reconstruction projects in the affected areas early as possible," he said.The concessional loan would fund the repair of Karakoram Highway, the provision of health and educational facilities in Balakot, and the establishment of a network of seismic stations throughout Pakistan. Last Tuesday, before leaving Balakot, the China International Search and Rescue (CISAR) donated its medical facilities worth US$60,000 to the local authorities.(Posted @ 09:30 PST)
Moderate quake hits India's Andaman Islands NEW DELHI, Nov 23 (APP/AFP) - A moderate earthquake has hit parts of India's Andaman islands, the meteorological department in New Delhi said.The tremor measured 5.0 on the Richter Scale and was felt in the north Andaman islands at 5:49 pm local time (1219 GMT) on Tuesday. No further details were immediately available.(Posted @ 09:20 PST)
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