MUZAFFARABAD, Nov 24: UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres has said that the UNHCR will continue to extend every possible assistance for rehabilitation of quake survivors. He was talking to media at the UN camp here on Thursday.

He said that millions of people had been suffering due to the catastrophe. “Our hearts are very sad. The suffering of humans is more distressing than destruction”.

About Pakistan’s role in accommodating the Afghan refugees, the UNHCR chief said Pakistan had been showing generosity as millions of Afghan refugees had found home in Pakistan for a long time. “Now this is time for the international community to pay back to Pakistan in these hours of distress.”

Responding to a question regarding quake victims, he said: “What are we trying to create is conditions for them to go over the winter without another tragedy. That is our commitment, our concern and every body is working together to fulfil this task,” he added.

Referring to pledges made by international donors, he said the most important thing was that the pledges materialized as quickly as possible”.

Earlier, a five-member delegation led by the UNHCR chief and accompanied by the federal minister for SAFRON, attended a briefing at the local UNHCR camp.

They were informed about the relief activities by UN agencies. Incharge of relief operation in Muzaffarabad Brig Iftikhar Ahmed thanked UN agencies for extending full cooperation in meeting this gigantic challenge. Mr Guterres went round of the UN compound and met UN aid workers.—APP