|
|
|
| November 25, 2005 | Friday | Shawwal 22, 1426 |
Work speeded up to build shelters for survivors
PESHAWAR, Nov 24: Pakistan Army engineers working in cooperation with NGOs have stepped up construction of shelters for in quake-affected areas of the NWFP to complete a large number of units before snow starts falling and the weather becomes severely cold.
According to an ISPR press release issued here on Thursday, three different types of shelters are being constructed in areas of high altitude. These include shelters made from pre-fabricated material, fibre glass and corrugated galvanized iron sheets.
Plywood and thermo-poles are being installed to keep normal temperatures inside the shelters in extreme cold weather. Engineers are providing necessary training to volunteers and locals.
The Pakistan Army has also made arrangements for transportation of ready-made fibre-glass shelters.
Five Engineers Battalions are presently busy in construction work and have so far constructed 2,049 shelters at various locations in Battagram, Balakot, Shinkiari and Garhi Habibullah while construction work on 2,521 more shelters is near completion.
Army engineers have up till now received 10,112 corrugated galvanized iron sheets from the Engineers Directorate in the General Headquarters while 16,282 sheets have been donated by non-governmental organizations.
Army engineers removed 120 trucks of rubble from the tehsil headquarters building and a market in Balakot city. Some 20 damaged shops were also demolished in the city.
The doctors of Army Medical Corps are providing medical assistance round the clock. A 240-member contingent of the US Army is also extending healthcare facilities to victims at Shinkiari.
Pakistan Army Aviation Helicopters flew 71 sorties from the Main Operational Base Mansehra to various locations in quake-hit areas dropping 3.9 tons of relief goods, including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, quilts, rations and medicines. Eight sorties with 8.44 tons of supplies were flown from the PAF Base Chaklala to the affected areas of the NWFP. United Nations MI-26 and MI-8 helicopters also carried out 16 sorties carrying 34 tons of rations, eight tons of blankets and 4.3 tons of mattresses and kitchen items to Jared, Rashang and Tanoor Bala.
As many as 71 trucks loaded with 8,563 tents, 1,330 blankets and quilts, 26.55 tons of ration and six tarpaulins were dispatched to Chattar Plain, Garhi Habibullah, Balakot, Shinkiari, Battagram, Darband and other areas.
Army rescue parties delivered 52,685 kilograms of relief goods, 550 tents and 1,997 blankets. Some 839 tents, 1,906 blankets and 146,198 kilogram food items were handed out at distribution points established by the Pakistan Army.—APP
|
|
|
|
