QUETTA: The UN Refugee Agency provided 500 emergency tents and thousands of core relief sets to the provincial government on Monday for families affected by the earthquake that struck Harnai area of Balochistan on Oct 7.

The emergency supplies were handed over to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority of Balochistan for the purpose.

The earthquake left more than two dozen people dead and hundreds injured. Hundreds of houses were also destroyed or damaged in the calamity.

“We stand in solidarity with people of Balochistan who have been generously hosting Afghan refugees for over the last 40 years. With winter approaching, our hope is that these emergency supplies can support Pakistan’s efforts to assist the households affected as they recover from this natural disaster,” said Noriko Yoshida, the UNHCR’s representative.

The UNHCR’s work in Balochistan aims to support refugees and the host community and the agency’s projects continue to support schools, clinics, and livelihoods shared by refugees and the host community.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Abrar Ul Haq chaired a meeting of the society’s officers at national headquarters to review the relief and rehabilitation operation being carried for Harnai earthquake victims.

Mr Haq lauded efforts of volunteers of the PDMA, health departments and several other departments for relief and rehabilitation operations in the quake-hit area.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2021