April 10, 2007	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 21, 1428

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CHITRAL, April 9: In the absence of a helicopter operation, the relief initiative for the avalanche-hit areas of Chitral has been badly affected, with heavy snowfall rendering all roads leading to the area unmotorable.

Soon after the avalanche devastated the villages of Washich, Momi and Garam Chashma, the provincial and federal governments had sent relief goods for the victims in three C-130 planes.

From the airport, the goods were transported to the affected areas with the help of two army helicopters and one Aga Khan Foundation helicopter. The helicopters made 15 sorties.

Victims say that flour was the most sought-after item where relief goods were concerned but the total quantity supplied was only 8,000kg. At least 2,000 kg of flour still needs to be transported to the affected areas.

The residents of Washich village held a protest demonstration in Chitral and expressed their dissatisfaction over the quantity of relief goods received so far. The village is situated at a distance of 170km from Chitral city. It will take about three to four weeks to clear the roads so that further relief goods could reach the village.

The residents of all affected villages said their sustenance depended on flour and it was not possible to grind wheat as water mills remained shut in winter. They said that instead of tents they required flour and kerosene.

They said they could not live in tents in the severe weather and they were sharing rooms with their relatives not hit by avalanches.

The victims said their relatives had exhausted their stock of food and now they too were facing starvation.

All this was corroborated by the DCO of Chitral, Kamran Rehman, who after visiting the affected regions said that tents were not being used by the people. He said what the people required most was edibles, especially wheat, flour, rice and cooking oil.