ISLAMABAD, Nov 30: Around 35,000 quake-affected people of Chilas and Astore valleys of Diamer district still lack adequate medical facilities.

In a press release, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported an increase in the cases of pneumonia due to the exposure of the people to the sub-zero temperature.

The PRCS, quoting Dr Pehlwan of district hospital, Chilas, said that most of the 12 quake-affected villages, had only two doctors to attend to a large number of people.

It said that though it was using all available resources to facilitate the people, the efforts did not match the extent of the need. The society claimed that it had dispatched relief goods worth Rs1.6 million in coordination with the cabinet division of the government of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, social activist Dr Ghulam Abbas Astori urged the government and the NGOs to provide all out assistance to the quake-hit people of Diamer district. Mr Abbas extolled the relief and evacuation services of the army personnel they provided to the affected people.

He asked the government to arrange accommodation for the shelterless families and make alternative arrangement to save the people from the harsh weather.

Mr Abbas said that due to road blockade the people were facing shortage of essential goods and forced to live in the open.

He urged the international community to extend all out assistance to the quake-affected people.