ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: The United Nations said on Wednesday it was ready to feed 1.3 million earthquake survivors through the winter, but called for more money to maintain helicopter airlifts needed to reach remote areas. The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) is leading efforts to provide emergency food to 400,000 people who can only be reached by air, double the previous target figure of 200,000, the UN said in a statement.

In addition to those only reachable by air, the WFP has also accepted responsibility for 600,000 people who can be reached by land — including 250,000 living in camps — as well as 150,000 children in tented schools.

Another 150,000 children under five and nursing and pregnant mothers who will receive WFP food aid.

The UN said that airlifting food supplies to the survivors in mountain villages in Pakistani-administered Kashmir was the “most challenging logistical operations the agency has ever faced.”

“With better information and more surveys, we now believe that up to 400,000 people can be reached only by air in high villages where access roads are blocked by landslides,” WFP Executive Director James Morris said.

“To help the people in areas only accessible by air, we will have to fly in 6,000 tons of food a month. Our helicopters will be more vital than ever and sustained donor support will be absolutely essential,” he added.

“Roads have already begun to become impassable because of slick conditions and rock or mudslides. The worse the conditions become on the ground, the more heavily we will rely on our helicopters.”

The WFP is still seeking 115 million of the 182 million dollars required for its emergency operations in quake-devastated areas.

In addition to the 1.3 million people aided by WFP, the Pakistan government will provide assistance to three million people and the International Committee of the Red Cross will help 150,000 others, the UN said.

The UN launched a flash appeal for 550 million dollars of emergency aid but says it has only received 41 per cent of the funding after two months.—AFP