US $ 211.2Mln received so far, says Pakistan Relief Commissioner
PakistanTimes.net Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The government has so far received only $211.2 million out of total $2.46 billion committed by the international community and donors for the relief and reconstruction efforts in the earthquake-affected areas, Federal Relief Commissioner Maj-Gen Farooq Ahmed Khan said here on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference, he said the government had already received Rs 6.092 billion out of Rs 6.1 billion committed by people in the country. He said the relief goods had reached all the earthquake-hit areas while all the roads in NWFP had been reopened.

Maj-Gen Farooq said that the Neelum Valley road had also been reopened except a five-kilometre patch at Nosehri. He said besides opening all the roads in the quake-hit areas of NWFP, telecommunication service had been restored in all the affected areas while electricity and water were being supplied in 75 per cent of the affected localities. "With the opening of all roads, the relief goods are reaching the Kaghan Valley, Neelum Valley, Allai and other areas," he said.

The federal relief commissioner said the Utility Stores Corporation had been directed to establish its outlets in the quake-hit areas. Responding to a question, he said an international organisation had estimated 86,000 deaths while the official death toll was over 73,320 that could rise. "Those suffering serious injuries are 69,392 while 58,986 are being provided medical treatment for diseases and other minor problems," he said.

Medical Cover

Almost 649 patients had undergone amputation after their wounds developed gangrene. He said the government would look after another 450, who had been paralysed, and for this purpose three rehabilitation centres were being set up at Mansehra, Islamabad and Muzaffarabad. He said the target of distributing 500,000 tents among the quake victims would be achieved by the end of this month. "Every family will have at least one tent by the start of next month," he said.

Maj Gen Farooq said around 460,000 tents had already been distributed while another 230,000 tents were in the pipeline. "About 100,000 extra winter bedding and heaters are being ordered to meet any demand," he said.

He said they were not stopping any party or group from directly delivering relief goods to the people in the affected areas. He said one of the top priorities of the relief efforts at the moment was to ensure that medicines including immunisation reach people. He said those disabled by the earthquake would not be discharged from hospitals and the Social Welfare Ministry would be responsible for their rehabilitation.

The relief commissioner said that the Wapda Colony at Hattian had been converted into centre for orphans, destitute and widows and some 200 of them had already been shifted there. To a question, he said the camp management in certain areas was not up to the mark and people were being sensitised about management of these camps. He said that efforts were being made to maintain hygienic conditions in camps to avert any outbreak of diseases.

Break-up of Relief Goods

Giving break-up of relief goods distributed so far, Maj Gen Farooq said over 3,000 tons of medicines, 60,432 tons of rations, 462,418 tents and quilts, 3,706,847 blankets and over 7,000 tons of other relief goods had been handed over to the affected people. He said that 48 tent villages had been established in AJK and 17 in NWFP with a total of 9,819 tents accommodating some 32,678 people.

Besides, he said, 20 tent schools having 89 teachers and 1,108 students had been established in AJK and 27 such schools with 6,576 students and 196 teachers had been established in NWFP.

He said that nine units of army engineers had constructed around 1,000 shelters while another 380 shelters were under construction. Commenting on a report, the relief commissioner said nobody was being asked to leave the H-11 tent village.●