PESHAWAR, Nov 7: The head of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) Dr Nasim Ashraf has said that every possible action would be taken for timely rehabilitation of earthquake victims in Mansehra district.

Dr Ashraf, who is also minister of state, gave the assurance to inhabitants of tent villages established by the commission at Ghazi Kot Township, Devli Jabbar and Balakot on Eid day.

After offering Eid prayers in Ghazi Kot Township Mosque, Dr Ashraf distributed Eidi, sweets, food rations and blankets among 600 families who were affected by last month’s earthquake, according to a press release.

Dr Ashraf said the NCHD was planning to initiate construction of mud houses for the earthquake victims soon after the Eid. “We are in close contact with various construction companies and the decision in this regard will be made soon after Eid,” he said. “Although the current resources are not enough to meet the needs of the sufferers, we are still trying to generate more funds for the affectees,” he added.

Speaking about the work of NCHD staff in Mansehra district, he said the data verification of the dead and injured schoolchildren and teachers and damaged schools was in progress.

The data will be completed after Eid, according to Dr Ashraf, as most of the schools will reopen from Nov 10. Most of these schools will be opened in tents to facilitate the children and save their time, the NCHD chief said.

The NCHD is currently operating a free medical camp in Jabbar, where hundreds of patients receive a check-up daily and are provided with medicines. Another medical camp has been established in Mardan in collaboration with the district government.

Meanwhile, in a briefing to the minister of state and NCHD chief, the district general manager of NCHD in Mansehra, Riaz Hassan Khan said that dozens of schools will be made operational soon after Eid in tents.

“We are currently waiting for the compilation of the data, which is in its final stages. The feeder teachers have already been mobilized for teaching in these tent schools, which will be made operational by Nov 10,” Mr Riaz said.

On the eve of Eidul Fitr, Mrs Nasim Ashraf distributed bangles, henna and sweets among the children of the tent villages. She also visited the district headquarters hospital and meet the injured children. She also inquired about their health and distributed Eidi among them.