January 30, 2006	Monday	Zilhaj 29, 1426

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RAWALPINDI, Jan 29: Sustained involvement of media, NGOs and psychiatrists is required to bring the quake-affected people back to normal life.

This was the point speakers dilated upon at a seminar on ‘Role of media, NGOs and psychiatrists in national disaster’ held at Institute of Psychiatry, Rawalpindi General Hospital, on Saturday.

Head of RGH Institute of Psychiatry Dr Farid Minhas said there was a long way to go to accomplish the task of rehabilitating the quake-affected people.

A small fraction of the affected persons would continue to suffer, he said, adding that they would need care for a longer time.

Committed and dedicated individuals and groups from the civil society are needed to mitigate the miseries that haunt the victims, Mr Minhas said.

He said after initial shock and state of denial, the affected people would face problems while involving themselves in routine activities. It is here where they need support, education and sympathy from organized groups of the society such as media, NGOs and doctors, he added.

Dr Khalid Saeed said only orchestrated and sustained efforts involving all civil society organs could provide psycho-social relief to victims affected by a disaster of such magnitude.

Right information is the core element to help the affected people restart their lives, he said, adding that the rumour- mongers were hampering the rehabilitation work.

Saying that the disaster was a divine punishment to the victims for their misdeeds increases the agony of the affected people, he said, adding that positive use of religion could play an important role in alleviating their sufferings.

Dr Khalid said charities should be given to the affected segments while keeping their self-esteem intact.

Dilpazeer Foundation Director Safia Dilpazeer said children were the worst affected group and it was an obligation of the society to bring their smiles back.