ISLAMABAD, Oct 15: The Joint Action Committee — a coalition of 85 Pakistani non-government organizations (NGOs) — has been mobilized to provide relief to the quake-affected people since October 10.

The JAC secretariat is located in the Islamabad office of Sungi Development Foundation. Till Saturday, a large number of supplies have been sent to Abbottabad, Mansehra, Balakot, Battagram, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot and Shangla districts by the committee and its partner NGOs from all over the country.

A total of 25 vehicles, consisting of 10 large and 15 mini- trucks have been sent to the affected areas. The supplies includes 3,500 blankets, 2,582 tents, 2,000 kg rice, 5,000 kg flour, 200 cartons of milk, 500 cartons of juices, 440 bags of clothes along with medicines.

A team of professionals has been posted in Abbottabad, Muzaffarabad and Islamabad, who are working round the clock while district cells have been established in these locations.

So far needs-assessment work has also been carried out in 38 union councils in the affected areas.

The secretariat is working round the clock as a collection and dispatch centre. All items are sorted and sent out to the field offices through transport, which is either arranged by philanthropists or hired by the secretariat.

The JAC has requested the citizens of Rawalpindi and Islamabad for donations in cash and kind for the affected people of the NWFP and AJK.