ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: Efforts by International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to support winterization plans of the Camp Support Team and the government are ensuring solid structures, a better living condition and protection of displaced people in earthquake-affected areas.

In less than four weeks, 10 IOM construction teams, each comprising three carpenters and four labourers, have built nearly 250 tent shelters made of wood and bamboos and roofed with corrugated galvanised iron (CGI) sheets in Chattar Kalas and Agro Tech Industrial Area camps in Muzaffarabad district.

By the end of last month, IOM joined the endeavours of the Camp Support team, consisting of government’s camp management organisations, the UNHCR and Norwegian Refugee Council, following a request from Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) to speed up the winterization process.

With the financial assistance from American International Group Disaster Relief Fund (AIG DRF), IOM formed 10 construction teams which effectively and efficiently contributed to efforts to accelerate winterization process for the people still living in camps this winter.

The tent shelters, having structural and material support from the Camp Support Team, are providing protection to the people against harsh weather conditions like heavy rains, snowfall and strong chilly winds.

Previously it was really dangerous to light a fire in the tent, but now in this tent shelter I can do this to keep my family warm and dry during the cold weather, said Ghulam Mohammad living in Agro Tech Industrial Area camp with his wife and two sons for over a year.

According to Mohammad, he is unable to go back home in Makri Bela village, three kilometres from the camp, because a landslide following the earthquake swept away his house and land.

At least 6,500 families are still living in camps across the 38,000 sq km region devastated by October 2005 earthquake, killing nearly 75,000 people and affecting 3.4 million others.