November 23, 2005	Wednesday	Shawwal 20, 1426

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MUZAFFARABAD, Nov 22: A Britain-based Kashmiri trader has launched a project for rehabilitation of homeless survivors of last month’s earthquake. Mr Sher Alam, doing business in Blackburn (Lancashire) for the past 35 years, told newsmen here on Tuesday that his project was aimed at providing shelter to the destitute who had not received any aid so far.

“It is my earnest desire to provide shelter to maximum number of people so that they can fight chilling cold in fast approaching winter season,” he said.

Mr Alam said he had been surveying the worst-hit areas with some friends from his hometown of Dadyal (Mirpur) so as to get first-hand knowledge of survivors’ requirements.

“Unfortunately, I have also heard complaints in some areas that donations or relief goods sent by philanthropists were not fairly distributed,” he said, urging NGOs and individuals to distribute money or relief goods by themselves instead of assigning the task to third persons.

“It will ensure proper delivery of relief goods or cash to the deserving people”, he added.

Replying to a question, Mr Alam said his plans included construction of settlements, each comprising at least 50 tin-roof houses and a mosque, in mountainous areas, particularly in the valleys of Neelum and Jhelum.

He also offered to bear the expenses of orphans and urged the government not to send these children out of Kashmir.

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