PESHAWAR, Nov 26: Tents, warm clothing, food and medical assistance are now reaching people of Palas Valley, where hundreds of families have been rendered homeless following last month’s massive earthquake. The people of the locality are taking control of the relief work and trying to help restore communication.

The authorities are making efforts to provide shelters and reopen roads, bridges and bridleways through the valley, so that people can be reached for food and medical assistance.

Money raised through BirdLife International’s Palas Earthquake Appeal is being channelled directly to a dedicated local bank account for maximum effectiveness. Around 500 winter shelters are needed to protect families from sub-zero temperatures and snow that can reach 4-5 metres deep.

The shelters have built-in cooking ranges and can be lined with earth, vegetation and other materials for insulation.

The road into upper Palas Valley was blocked by rockfalls during earthquake and after-shocks. Though short, it provides a vital bridge for distribution of relief supplies.

The arterial bridleways which thread their way through the valley have been severely damaged and skilled engineers will clear the debris and repair tracks across precipitous rock faces. These tracks provide valley residents with access to supplies and medical help.

A great part of local trade depends on ‘non-timber forest products’ such as mushrooms, honey and herbs. Mushrooms and medicinal herbs provide 50 per cent or more of household income.

Rab Nawaz, who runs the joint BirdLife-WWF Pakistan Palas conservation and development programme and also takes care of World Pheasant Association affairs, says people quickly returned to gathering these products after the effects of earthquake lessened.

The organization also played important part in organisation and distribution of relief supplies and its networks of local expertise have played a vital role in focusing relief efforts of UN and international government agencies and NGOs.—PPI