ISLAMABAD, Oct 18: Italian Ambassador Dr Roberto Mazzotta on Tuesday said his country and the international community were committed to participate in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the earthquake devastated areas in the northern Pakistan.

“Reconstruction of the quake-hit regions is going to be a difficult task, given the dimension of the catastrophe. Italy is part of this tragedy as an Italian citizen also lost his life in the calamity,” he told the press on a return from a tour of the quake-affected Balakot and Mansehra with a team of Italian media.

Ambassador Mazzotta noted that reconstruction requires lots money and resources and said “the international community and Italy have shown their willingness to help”.

“It is one thing to watch it on TV and another to see the devastation, population’s dismay and their needs on the spot. I was very much touched to see the empty look in the eyes of the victims,” the ambassador said.

He visited Italian representatives of the Red Cross and Civil Defence Department at Mansehra where they have established a medical camp. Balakot was avoided because of lack of space and chaos there.

“Mansehra was the best choice where all the injured were coming. We are coordinating with other aid organizations like World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO) etc and Pakistan government,” the ambassador said.

“There are lady doctors to treat injured women and their children. The team of 25 people is doing a fantastic job. They established their camp in less than two days which can accommodate 250 patients.

“Another camp with 500 beds will be set up within a week”, said the ambassador. A full fledge camp hospital with labs and x- ray units and relief items was being flown to Pakistan soon.

Response from the Pakistani people and the willingness shown by the international community to help the needy had been remarkable and he lamented the negative reports regarding distribution of relief goods. Jackals were unfortunately part of every society and it was a sad reality. However the general public had made amazing contributions.

“Globalization has also a very important role in assisting countries in need. It shows the capacity of the world to respond in short time to situations of needs like Tsunamis and earthquakes”, the ambassador added.

Dr Mazzotta said that damage was in terms of tourism, buildings and economic but fortunately agriculture was spared. “Although tourism has been destroyed, this gives Pakistan the chance to develop tourism at a much advanced level and in rebuilding their capacity.

Asked where Pakistan could do better in terms of relief work and rescue operations, the Italian ambassador said, “I am not an expert but we in Italy have been dealing with volcanoes and earthquakes for centuries and Italian experts are here to assist. Nonetheless the army is doing a fantastic job. They are working everywhere on landslides, distribution of relief goods and building tent villages.”