ISLAMABAD, Aug 5: A Saudi relief agency on Tuesday announced to build 20 schools in the quake-hit area of Azad Kashmir.

Regional Director Saudi Public Assistance for Pakistan earthquake Victims (SPAPEV) Dr Khalid M Al-Othmani told reporters that the project would cost $1.5 million and complete within three months. “The condition of the schools functioning in tents needs an immediate attention, and we are extending our cooperation in this regard,” he said. Read Foundation, a chain of educational institutions in AJK, would run the 20 schools, he said.

The Saudi Public Assistance for Pakistan earthquake Victims has recently completed a housing project in Balakot area to resettle the displaced families of Red Zone. The project cost $18.5 million,” Dr Khalid pointed out.

He said the organization had provided 230,000 blankets, 150,000 quilts, 12,500 winterized tents, 4 million riyals medicine, stoves, 100,000 food packets containing sugar, pulses, ghee, oil, rice, flour bags, etc., and thousands of polypropylene sheets for the affected persons.

The SPAPEV has also handed over a huge quantity of relief aid worth millions of riyals to different organisations including International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO), KHubaib Foundation, Al-Khidmat Foundation, Read Foundation, Erra, National Volunteer Movement (NVM), Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), AJK and NWFP governments for distribution.

It also provided two million dollars to Unicef for construction of five basic health units in AJK and two million dollar to NWFP for the purchase of flour bags which had already been distributed among the quake survivors.

The organisation has also provided $0.7 million to Read Foundation for school books, uniform, stationery, and other necessary material for education purposes.

Furthermore, the organisation also provided two shelter-schools including stationery and other essential material for educational purposes for the children of Kotli Sattian, Murree and the project was completed at a cost of Rs0.5 million.