BREAKING NEWS: Earthquake in Pakistan

[SSAAD]

An email that was forwarded to me about someone's own experience during the EQ:

Its basically a letter written by one of the sisters in Pakistan to a friend/relative in Romania:

My dearest xxxxx,

What you want me to do is awfully difficult as thoughts and images are flashing thru my mind. More importantly I want to forget that ill-fated day of the earthquake, the likes of which I have never felt before. But I will try to convey to you my feelings and stories of some of the others who have suffered terribly.

Samir and I awoke early that Saturday, he to play Play station and I had to do laundry. I knew it was about a quarter to nine. I was standing when suddenly I felt the cold marble floor beneath me start to move. Simultaneously, there was a deep, loud rumbling sound as if coming deep from somewhere inside the earth. It sounded deafening to my ears. And then everything started to rattle and shake. This entire concrete house I was in was shaking so fiercely that I thought it was the end of time. I collapsed to the floor in a shock and started praying Inna lillahi wa inna alaihi rajioon. Samir began to scream earthquake and urged me to move. I couldn’t. I was paralyzed with fear. I knew my husband rushed out of the room and my daughter ran out of the room screaming. We were all in our pajamas. Abid’s voice was like cold water splashed on me, and they literally dragged me with them down the stairs. The stairs were shaking horribly, we couldn’t get down fast enough. I grabbed some clothes that were meant to be ironed to cover myself. My daughter shrieked that she couldn’t go out in her nightie. If it hadn’t been for Abid, we would have been more concerned about our modesty than our lives. We ran out of the house. I could hear things crashing inside.

I don’t know when I had started to cry and kept begging Allah to make this stop. I kept asking Him for forgiveness and I couldn’t stop crying. My legs were barely holding me. The children were terrified. We could see the chandeliers and fans swinging, like a child’s swing when it is abandoned by the child. The Earthquake wouldn’t stop…it kept going on endlessly. It seemed like a lifetime until it stopped. All the time I kept thinking what will happen to my children if this house collapses. Where will we go? We have no money with us and we are dressed in PJs We didn’t even have our car keys on us.

Finally it stopped. I walked in. My vases, decorative plates, candle stand were all shattered. The chandeliers were still swinging; the fan had dislodged from its regular spot. We were terrified and tentatively went up the stairs. We changed our clothes crying all the while. Our legs wouldn’t hold us. Then my driver called me on the cell phone. He was hysterical. I asked him if he was alright. His concern was for us. Right at that moment I felt it! The generosity of spirit that is so familiar in every one of my people. He told me Margalla Towers had collapsed. We used to live there 2 years ago and had friends still living there. We rushed there. Please note that this within a span of 5 minutes of the EQ. We got to Margalla within 10 mins. It was a devastating sight and absolutely terrifying. My children were crying as their Quran teacher lived there and they were so worried about her.

Already the army helicopters were landing there; the police was controlling traffic; ordinary citizens had rushed in to help with the rescue as the army jawans had arrived. To say that the government didn’t care is a gross misrepresentation of facts. Everyone was lending a hand. We were unable to get near the apartments as the police had set up blockades so that emergency vehicles could reach the injured. We rushed away to enquire about other family members.

When my driver finally got home to us, he was almost shell shocked, covered in blood and dust, and had an injured leg. Abid wanted to take him to the doctor. He refused saying his need was nothing compared to the others. I know of many others like him, the army jawans who are working round the clock in relief ops, rescuing children from the debris all over the north of Pakistan; the Air Force doctors who have no idea when the day turns into night and vice versa and the navy whose hospitals are overflowing with the injured and maimed. Oblivious to their own need, hungry and thirsty in the month of Ramadan doing everything to save lives just to please Allah. They are our unsung heroes, who have laid down their lives for us. They don’t ask for anything in return, they don’t do this for self glorification; the media is in fact cruel enough to encourage negative propaganda against them.

How dare they? How dare the media try to play God and pass judgment on these men. They should do their job with justice and help out instead of criticizing these men and spreading mischief in the world. Don’t anyone criticize my countrymen. Our hearts bleed for our brothers and sisters who have lost everything; their families, their homes, their livelihood…everything!

The need of the hour is to get together and overcome this test that Allah has sent upon us. Lets see how many affluent nations stand by us, the poor innocent people of Pakistan. We who still have our homes have opened the doors for the homeless. People are assisting every which way they can. Even children are giving away their clothes, toys, pocket money down to the last rupee. Go to the hospitals, they are thronged with volunteers…under 17. Don’t ask about the adults. We have people trying to load trucks and go to far flung areas in the mountains, where even under normal circumstances there is no access.

Don’t criticize us for the looting that is taking place. It is a matter of survival for most people. Its easy to say “what a nation of thieves” when you are safely ensconced in your safe and beautiful homes. Don’t forget New Orleans after Katrina..and THAT is the richest nation in the world. Feel for my people. They are homeless. One man told my husband and I quote “ Sir, a man can lose all his worldly possessions, he can go hungry and so can his children. But how can I explain to you my destitution and helplessness with no shelter over my head. What do I tell my children. I am their father, I am supposed to provide for them”

Right after the EQ came the rain and hail bringing with it a sharp plunge in the temperature. In the village of Buffa, old and young spent the night outdoors. It was cold and raining. The wrath of God seemed unleashed upon the as the hail stones started falling, cold and hard like a slap in the face. For the children the nightmare had just begun. They desperately need tents, warm clothes, and blankets. One mother wailed that the dead were better off than the living.

[masood]

We all talk of getting aid from here and there and complain about who is not giving what. We do need all the help we can get, but nobody says that we cannot do it ourselves as well. We need external help with what we cannot provide ourselves such as technology and machinery but the resolve has to come from us.

apart from immediate short term concerns about shelter, food and medicine, what is it what we cannot do ourselves from pakistan? Why can't we raise enough money to rebuild the devastated lives of our brethren. remember, they are not apart from us but a part of our body. Just like we tend to our injured body till healed, why can't we raise funds ourselves till their lives have some semblence of stability though it will take a generation or two to get life bakc to normalcy there . We don't have to raise the money all at once. The reconstruction will take years. Can't we raise a few billion dollars worth in rupees? We ( as in people) don't lack the resources or the money. so instead of whining about what is being pledged for us, let us change our tune and declare with confidence that we are upto the task and we shall overcome.
I know that most people here and elsewhere will say that right now the sympathy factor is high and everyone in Pakistan is doing their bit but soon people will forget and let the affected people languish and eventually abused. Well, let's pledge not to let that happen.

[MohammedA]

Daily Times - Site Edition Thursday, October 27, 2005


Up to 2.2m children severely affected

* 1,500 metric tonnes of sewage entering environment daily
* More than 120,000 children wait for aid

By Ghafar Ali

PESHAWAR: The lack of treatment for many of the October 8 earthquake victims combined with water shortage and poor sanitation facilities and deteriorating weather conditions will increase fatalities in the coming days.

Official earthquake casualty figures have risen dramatically in the past few days, with the official estimated death toll reaching nearly 54,000 with over 75,000 injured and an estimated 3.3 million people left homeless. As critically injured patients in remote mountain villages fail to reach or be reached by medical help, they remain vulnerable to the dropping temperatures, without shelter or food.

According UNICEF statistics, approximately 1.6 to 2.2 million children are severely affected and are at particular risk, facing a deadly combination of cold, malnutrition and disease. More than 120,000 children are as yet un-approached in mountain villages.

The UN agency called for the continuing need for emergency medical and surgical care and the evacuation of critically injured patients alongside efforts to combat tetanus, wound sepsis and gangrene among badly injured patients. Although more than 2,500 patients have been evacuated from the NWFP alone, field hospitals must be set up in remote areas for emergency surgical care.

UNICEF officials said measles poses one of the greatest threats to child survival in emergency situations, especially when immune systems have been weakened by exposure and malnutrition. There is concern over an expected outbreak of measles in Balakot and Battagram. With routine immunisation programmes disrupted, there are now huge challenges in terms of cold chain maintenance, vaccination teams and logistics. The prevention of an outbreak of disease among the affected population is another bridge to be crossed.

With the collapse of water and sanitation systems, there are currently some 4,000,000 individuals defecating in the open which means 1,500 metric tons of sewage is entering the environment each day, placing communities at high risk of an outbreak of infectious disease.

Heavy rains have resulted in the flooding of tents and thousands of people, especially children are damp, cold and exposed to the elements, placing them at high risk of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI).

For the pregnant women in the affected areas, the organisation of essential obstetric care and Emergency Obstetric and Neo-natal Care (EMONC) services for complicated cases is a top priority for UNICEF, to save their lives and those of the newborn children.

The fund’s mid to long term health concerns include managing emotional and physical trauma, particularly for children, the rehabilitation of physically handicapped children, the rebuilding of damaged health facilities and the recruitment of key medical staff.

Immediately following the earthquake, the UNICEF conducted rapid assessments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the NWFP. As a result, the UNICEF immediately dispatched field missions to the two affected areas.

In response to the multitude of critical health issues, UNICEF is providing essential drugs to one million people for 3 months, cold chain equipment to support the vaccination of 4 million children and is setting up 4 basic health units in partnership with the Aga Khan Health Services in Araja near Bagh, Dupatta Garhi and Garhi Habibullah in AJK and Battagram.

It has also provided 1.2 million Tetanus vaccinations for injured children and adults, facilitating a training programme for nurses on post-operative wound care in collaboration with a German medical NGO at the district headquarter hospital in Mansehra, training pharmacy staff at Mansehra District Hospital and coordinating with PIMS hospital and the UN Field Coordination in Muzaffarabad and Mansehra for the helicopter airlift of critically ill children.

The fund is supporting the Health Ministry in setting up a system to track children and other patients who have been evacuated from the affected areas and providing warm sweaters to children to mitigate ARI. For the prevention of disease outbreak, UNICEF has prepared micro plans for measles immunisation campaign, vaccinators have been identified and mobilised and others are being trained as vaccinators in Mansehra and Muzaffarabad. They are mobilising the community to support vaccination efforts in Kala Dhakka, in the tribal areas of the AJK, providing guidelines on immunisation to all partners in the UNDAC Health Cluster so that the vaccination teams can coordinate with them in the field and they are providing Vitamin-A supplements to 300,000 children.

[zia ul haq]

Asalaamo-a-laikum.


Update on the earthquake in Pakistan

24 Oct 2005

The death toll is now over 53,000 with 75,000 critically injured.

Relief operations have been accelerated in earthquake-hit areas.

Several tonnes of food, tents, blankets and medicines are being sent to the quake-hit areas by helicopters from Chaklala Airbase.

A tent village comprising 200 tents has been established in Muzaffarabad city.

Around 10,000 survivors have been accommodated in tent villages of Garhi Habibullah, Shinkiari, Batagram and Balakot sectors and are being provided with meals, medicines and other facilities.

A total of 30,000 tents and 300,000 blankets were dispatched to affected areas of AJK and NWFP, while over 3,000 tents and 68,000 blankets are available at PAF Base Chaklala.

Over the last 24 hours, nine vehicles of relief goods were distributed in district Shangla in NWFP.

72 helicopter sorties undertook relief and rescue operations, evacuating 104 casualties and transporting 10,610 kg of relief goods in Batgram, Kala Dhaka, Balakot, Alai Shinkiari, Battal, Chattar Plain, Serian, Sanghai, Bunja, Jured, Kaghan, Naran and Ghari Habib Ullah.

Army Engineers have launched a Bailey Bridge (BB) on Sairi Nullah near Hattian Bala in Jhelum Valley which can sustain one way heavy traffic.

Intense efforts are underway to open Ellahi Road in NWFP which was once opened but re-blocked after yesterday’s aftershock.

Muzaffarabad has 100% electricity and 80% water supply restoration.

Tonnes of relief goods were dropped by military aircraft and helicopters to inaccessible areas including Neza Pir, Forward Kahuta, Sarari and surrounding areas in Bagh valley.

PIA has flown around 400 tonnes of relief cargo from London, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow to Pakistan. PIA plans to fly 220 tonnes of relief assistance to Pakistan this week.

Schools in earthquake affected areas will start functioning next week.

Several serious patients continue to be shifted to hospitals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Federal Government Services Hospital (Polyclinic Hospital) is providing medical treatment to 1,333 earthquake-victims including 433 children. Polyclinic has been receiving around 100 patients per day and has so far operated on 443 patients.

1,300 medical teams were providing medical relief to the earthquake-hit areas of the NWFP.

At Mobile Surgical team in the Government College Bagh, 38 minor and 2 major operations were performed, while 486 outdoor patients were provided necessary treatment.

In District Rawalkot, 24 minor and 2 major operations were performed by doctors and paramedics while 315 patients were treated and provided necessary medication.

Various volunteer medical teams have also set up field hospitals in far flung areas of District Bagh and Rawlakot.

Pakistan has received over 15,000 doses of anti-tetanus globulin (ATG) required for injured patients who have already contracted the tetanus infection.

3,000 foreign aid missions have so far reached Pakistan bringing medical and paramedical teams, rescue and relief workers, field hospitals and tents.

The UNHCR has brought 15,000 tents, 220,000 blankets, 68,794 plastic sheets, 500 plastic rolls, 31,840 kitchen sets, 2,000 stoves and 5,000 lanterns. The agency appealed the international community for an additional US $ 22 million to manage temporary camps for displaced people.

[zia ul haq]

Update on the Earthquake in Pakistan

26 Oct 2005


The death toll is now 53,932 while the number of injured is 77,625.

The government has set aside RS 75 million for immediate disbursal to injured patients from the quake-hit areas presently admitted in the civil and military hospitals of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

A special cell has been set up in the Prime Minister Secretariat to monitor and improve relief activities.

The earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation authority will assess damages and will work under a seven member council with the Prime Minister as chairman.

A village consisting of 500 tents equipped with all basic facilities including water, electricity, sanitation, education and health has been established in Langra near Havelian, Abbotabad.

59,381 tents and 481,805 blankets were dispatched to quake hit areas.

10,778 tonnes of rations and 574 tonnes of medicines were distributed.

Helicopters have so far made 2,956 sorties for transporting injured and relief goods.
The United States is sending six more helicopters to Pakistan.

Two major roads in Muzaffabad and Bagh have been opened. Army engineers were 17 km away from Chakoti and had cleared a total of 39 km up to Hatian Balla last evening.

The army has established a mule track in Neelum Valley up to Dewian. All other roads in Mansehra and Balakot sectors have been opened for all types of traffic.

In Bagh and Rawlakot, several roads have been opened for all types of traffic.

Besides, providing financial support, a number of foreign countries have sent relief goods amounting to 2,100 tons, including food, medicines, cloth, water, and miscellaneous items. This is in addition to relief supplies including 34,536 tents and 336,760 blankets.

A number of NGOs and international agencies are also providing relief. These include ICRC teams from Belgium and Holland, FAO/IFAD, 11 French NGOs, Medicines Sans Frontiers, NATO, OIC, Swiss Agency for International Development Cooperation (SDC) and Geneva Humanitarian Assistance Coordination.

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will help the Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education in tracing the families of the unattended children.

At present over 810 doctors and paramedics from friendly countries are active in the quake affected areas.

The Armed forces' medical teams made up of 125 doctors and 350 paramedics have spread out in the quake-stricken region. The Military Hospitals at Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Murree, Jehlum, Kharian, Mangla, Lahore, Gujranwala and Karachi have been providing medical treatment to the critically injured people evacuated from the quake zone.

Almost 21,250 injured were evacuated to these hospitals by the helicopters of Army Aviation and from friendly countries.

From Punjab and Sindh around 1,000 volunteer doctors and paramedical staff are working in quake-afflicted areas. The Government has imported around 250,000 doses of anti-tetanus and measles vaccines.

A camp has been set up to treat women and children. A group of twenty five volunteers will be trained and dispatched to the worst hit areas.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has handled 465 landings of international relief flights at Islamabad Airport since Oct 9.

Five pre-fabricated steel structure schools will start functioning in Balakot and its surrounding areas from 28th October. 20 more schools will start functioning in November.

Three of the six mobile companies operating in the country have launched their services in Muzaffarabad and other parts of Azad Kashmir.

Efforts are being made to hold an International Conference in Islamabad assessing and finalizing plans for recovery and reconstruction.

The Pakistani Meteorological Department will hold a three day international conference on "Earthquake Processes and Seismic Hazards".

Khushhali Bank is launching a rehabilitation programme worth Rs. 3 billion for the people of quake-hit areas to start new businesses and for expansion of existing businesses. 500,000 people of the affected areas should benefit from this scheme.

[zia ul haq]

The article below appeared in the LA Times last Sunday, 23rd October.

Time to help an ally in need

Pakistan is desperate for aid after a killer quake. The U.S. should seize the chance to assist a country on the front lines of the war on terror.

By Anatol Lieven and Rajan Menon
ANATOL LIEVEN is a senior fellow at the New America Foundation. RAJAN MENON, also a senior fellow at the foundation, is a professor of international relations at Lehigh University, Pennsylvania.
October 23, 2005
THE OCT. 8 earthquake that crushed northern Pakistan has given the Bush administration a chance to repeat its successful response to the tsunami in Asia: Deliver substantial assistance, save lives and have a major political impact.
What the administration did then — after initial criticism for pledging a paltry sum of aid — was morally commendable. It was also strategically astute. If success in the struggle against terrorism requires that the United States win friends in the Islamic world, then helping Indonesia, the world's largest Islamic country and a key U.S. ally in the struggle against terrorism — was surely a sensible way to go about it.
By contrast, the administration's response in Pakistan has been inadequate at best. This is strange. Pakistan is on the front lines in the war on terrorism. The quake has killed at least 50,000 of its people. In a remote mountainous area, with winter coming, about 2.5 million people are homeless. The World Food Program estimates that half a million have yet to receive any food deliveries. There is a desperate shortage of tents. There are also far too few helicopters to deliver essential supplies. The U.N. has received less than 25% of the funds it needs in Pakistan.
Surely it's obvious what the administration should do. Yet apart from a fly-in to Pakistan by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, its response has so far been pitiful.
The U.S. has pledged only $50 million in aid, a tiny fraction of what it is capable of providing. According to USAID, as of Oct. 17, nine days after the earthquake struck, the U.S. military had flown only 168 helicopter sorties to the affected areas. It can certainly do much more in a country next door to Afghanistan and near the Persian Gulf, where substantial U.S. airborne forces are deployed.
This anaemic reaction is obtuse. Apart from Iraq and Afghanistan, no country is more critical to the war on terror than Pakistan. With more than 150 million people, Pakistan has almost as large a population as the entire Arab world. Islamist extremists have made dangerous inroads there and have twice tried to kill President Pervez Musharraf, without whom the American presence in Pakistan would be imperilled.
Much has been said in the U.S. in recent years about Pakistan's actual or potential unreliability as an ally; some of it is fair. But reliability cuts both ways. The same U.S. pundits who have listed Pakistan's faults and who lecture Pakistan on how to run its affairs are silent in the face of the administration's failure. To Pakistanis, we are like a rich man in a manor who hectors his poor neighbours about their faults but refuses to help them in time of desperate need.
Why is the White House reacting so tepidly in Pakistan after handling the tsunami disaster so well? Whatever the reason, by failing to extend more generous and visible assistance to Pakistan, the Bush administration is committing a grave moral and political blunder.

[Waqqas]

Just some thoughts on the choppers vs F-16 debate that has spun off on the F-16 thread:

It is evident that we need many more medium/heavy lift/transport helicopters than what we possess right now.

What about picking a couple of platforms (for ease in maintenance and cross-service use) that should be distributed amongst the various services: army, airforce, navy, police, dedicated relief teams, ambulance choppers at major hospitals around the country.

All these services combined could easily use 100/200 helicopters, put them to good use in everyday life, and God forbid if ever a major disaster struck again then one would have potent rescue/relief assets that could be used quickly.

Apart form the chopper issue we need regular coordinated exercises for such disasters through a central agency. Also, we need 100% professional, dedicated and well-trained and well-equipped rescue personell and firefighter forces around the country.

Apart form that, one could have depots with relief goods in major towns or in especially far-off areas for quick access in the time of need.

Also, it might be a good idea to have basic first aid as a compulsory course in schools and colleges; repeated and further built on at, say, classes x, y and z etc. Basic heart/lung resuscitation, stabilization of fractures/suspected spinal cord injuries, basic fluid resuscitation, suturing...these skills are simple to learn yet they don't cost much, but they save lives when applied as soon as possible after accidents/disasters.

[MohammedA]

http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/27/nat5.htm

ISLAMABAD, Oct 26: The government is bearing a high cost of fuel ranging from Rs50,000 to Rs90,000 per hour for different helicopters engaged in the earthquake relief operation, Inter- Services Public Relations ISPR) Director-General Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan told Dawn.

“If a helicopter flies for one whole day it consumes fuel of about $6,000 (Rs360,000) to $10,000 (Rs600,000) depending on the size and other specifications of the aircraft.”

There are almost 90 helicopters engaged in relief operations and each one is flying over eight hours a day, he said. Helicopters flying relief or rescue missions are consuming 600 litres to 800 litres of fuel in one hour, which means 6,400 litres for eight hours of flight. On average, the 90 helicopters are consuming 5,582,400 litres of fuel in a single day.

The government has also borne the high costs of refuelling all the fixed-winged aircraft which have brought in relief goods, the military spokesman said. This is the fuel expenditure of helicopters and all fixed-winged aircraft from the Chaklala airbase only.

“This also excludes all other costs such as that of spares. We have also been providing spares for helicopters such as the Afghan MI-17, which needed the new tail rotor replaced. The Americans have been bringing in their own spares for their Chinook and other helicopters,” Mr Sultan said.

According to information acquired, helicopters are far more expensive to maintain compared to fixed-winged aircraft. All body parts in a helicopter move except the body (shell). “A helicopter needs new parts after 100 hours to 500 hours of flight and without new parts it cannot be allowed to fly,” said a source.

A senior official in the ISPR told Dawn that the government was using its reserves to meet all the fuel requirements. “We have been utilising our own reserves to deal with the crisis. It is not being considered how much is being used and where it is coming from or who is paying. The top most priority right now is to meet the requirements of all aircraft engaged in the relief operations. It will be decided later who will pay,” he said.

According to the ISPR, out of the 91 choppers 41 belonged to Pakistan, 22 were from various friendly countries and 18 were of various NGOs and independent organizations.

The Pakistani helicopters engaged in the rescue and relief missions included 16 MI-17s, three Puma, ten Bell-412, two Y-12, two Sea King (Navy) and eight Aloutte.

There were 22 allied helicopters including 12 of the US, two German, two from Saudi Arabia and four Afghan MI-17s.

Besides, there were 18 miscellaneous helicopters including three of the International Committee of the Red Cross, three Japanese, two Latvians, two from the UN, four AB-139 of the Aga Khan Foundation, two Kamove of France and one Bell-212 of UAE.

During the last 16 days, the fleet of Pakistani and allied helicopters have flown 2,715 hours and evacuated 13,651 casualties.

[faraz]

Bush announces private-sector drive for Pakistan quake aid

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush said that executives from some of the world's best-known firms would spearhead efforts to raise private-sector aid for victims of the massive earthquake in Pakistan.

"In the coming days, they will ask Americans to donate directly to a fund set up to provide help to the earthquake victims," Bush said in a statement released by the White House.

The October 8 quake sent a 7.6-magnitude shockwave through South Asia, killing at least 54,000 people in Pakistan and 1,300 in India, as well as leaving more than three million without roofs over their heads.

The executives leading the aid drive were Jeff Immelt, chairman and chief executive of General Electric; Hank McKinnell, chairman and CEO of Pfizer; Sandy Weill, chairman of Citigroup; Anne Mulcahy, chairman and CEO of Xerox; and Jim Kelly, former chairman and CEO of United Parcel Service of America, Bush said.

"These leaders will work with other Americans to raise awareness and resources to help those in need as a result of this disaster," Bush said.

[MohammedA]

Chinese premier outlines five-point plan for relief efforts
MOSCOW (October 28 2005): Describing relations between Pakistan and China as all-weather friendship, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao outlined a five-point plan for the rescue and relief efforts for the earthquake victims, during a meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

"We believe that under the Pakistani leadership the people will be able to overcome this catastrophe," said Wen Jiabao.

He extended an additional financial assistance of around $14 million for immediate rescue and relief measures for Pakistan, raising the total assistance to over $20 million.

The amount of financial assistance is besides the relief goods comprising tents, blankets, medicines, food, medical, and relief teams sent earlier.

The Chinese Premier said a second medical team would be arriving in Pakistan on Friday to provide treatment to thousands of injured due to the worst earthquake that hit the country in a century.

He said that China would send a fact-finding team to assist Pakistan in reconstruction and rehabilitation in the quake-affected areas, adding that China would also help Pakistan set up a modern seismic monitoring centre and provide latest equipment.

China will also help train Pakistan to set up a National Rescue and Disaster Management Authority to cope with such calamities, he added.

Jiabao said China would support Pakistan in every possible way to help handle the situation following the earthquake.

Shaukat Aziz thanked the Chinese Premier for his support, saying that Pakistan was facing a unique and unprecedented situation, and briefed him about the extent of damages and how the government was coping with the tragedy.

He said Pakistan-China strategic co-operation and friendship were a source of strength for every Pakistani, adding that China always stood by Pakistan in its hour of need and Pakistan was proud of its friendship with China.

He also informed him about the international donors conference to be held in Pakistan on November 18 to seek greater assistance for the people affected by the earthquake.

Chinese Premier Jiabao recalled his visit to Pakistan, saying the warm welcome accorded to him was a manifestation of the strong relations between the two countries.

He said every Chinese house has felt the pain of sufferings of the Pakistani people due to the devastating earthquake and reiterated his country's full support to Pakistan withstand the after-effects of this catastrophe.

The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations and global issues, with a regional perspective. Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri were also present.


Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005

[MohammedA]

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/oct2005-daily/28-10-2005/metro/k9.htm

Relief efforts: ‘negative criticism should be avoided’

By Qadeer Hussain Tanoli

KARACHI: Philanthropists need to contribute more generously for the long-term rehabilitation of the people who have lost their limbs in the earthquake and provide aid for the import of artificial limbs for them, said Dr Naseer-ud-Deen Mahmood who returned to Karachi after serving voluntarily in Azad Kashmir’s quake-hit areas.

Dr Naseer, who worked under the umbrella of The Citizen Foundation (TCF), told The News that private sector has started importing artificial limbs for the quake-handicapped people who would be implanted the same after some three months when they will recover from their post-operation wounds.

Dr Naseer, who rushed to Kashmir on the second day of the incident, said that the TCF has established three field hospitals - one at Buttle and one each at Muzaffarabad’s helipad and the High Court building.

Dr Naseer-ud-Deen Mahmood - a child specialist by profession - volunteered in the affected areas as a coordinator.

"We have been arranging and consolidating different relief teams according to their expertise and equipment to provide best possible aid and treatment to the affected population," he remarked.

He said a number of civilian relief teams from Karachi and Lahore could not reach many places in the devastated areas of Azad Kashmir due to their location in high altitude with destroyed infrastructure. Only the military personnel had the skills and mobility to reach over such places and assist the affected people, he added.

Dr Naseer said there were many people who were not willing to descend from those mountains, as they feared some unscrupulous elements would grab their belongings when the debris was cleared.

He further said that at present the affected people had no foodstuff to eat except preparing wheat meal to fill their appetite.

On a query regarding the availability of medical expertise and equipment for quake-hit areas Dr Naseer said that best orthopedic surgeons of Pakistan were operating right now in various Abbottabad hospitals. Modern communication technology has eased most of the problems regarding the shortage of necessities in the hospitals, he said, adding, they recently received information that there was a shortage of orthopedic screws in Abbottabad, which was effectively tackled from Karachi.

To another query Dr Naseer said, "I feel there is a severe need for more helicopters to rescue the people of those areas where the roads either did not exist or had been blocked due to land sliding".

He said in his view there were 17 helicopters conducting rescue and relief operation in Azad Kashmir, Manshera and other quake-affected areas.

Dr Naseer said that after taking part personally in the relief operation, "I feel that negative criticism should be avoided as relief teams were doing their best to overcome the crises".

He said even if the country possessed more than double of the existing resources it might not have been able to promptly tackle the devastation wreaked by the worst-ever Oct 8 earthquake.

[H Khan]

.c The Associated Press

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - Jordan held a telethon Friday to raise funds for Pakistan earthquake victims, netting about US$700,000 by sunset, when Muslims break their daily fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

The event included fund a raising campaign in all the mosques of the kingdom after Friday prayers.

The Jordan Television telethon was organized by the ministry of religious affairs and the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Society upon orders from King Abdullah II.

The Oct. 6 earthquake killed nearly 80,000 people and left more than three million homeless.

snm/srh



10/28/05 13:45 EDT

[SyedA]

Bravo the Turks!

Comment/Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad

On October 8 morning, as soon as the Turkish authorities learned about the intensity of the earthquake in Pakistan, they started loading four planes at airports in Ankara and Istanbul with rescue and relief supplies and teams. For Turkey has had enough of its shares of earthquakes, the deadliest thus far happening in 1999, and the authorities there can understand the scale of the disaster the moment they learn about its intensity on the Richter Scale.

With Pakistanis, the Turks have this fascination rooted primarily in the first three decades of the twentieth century, especially the 1920s, when the Muslims of the Subcontinent stood by the Turkish nation in its war of Istiklal and provided the direly needed moral, diplomatic and material support. Just as in Pakistan, the widely held notion among the Turkish people is that Pakistanis are their only true friends in the world.

No surprise that on every Friday following the Pakistani tragedy all mosques across Turkey have been appealing to the people to donate in the Pakistani relief effort. In fact, on the first Friday following the earthquake, Adem Aker, one of my former Turkish students, informed me that he had just returned from the Friday prayer, and the entire Khutba of the Mevlana leading the prayer was about how the Turkish people can help their Pakistani brethren in times of need. I have seen editorial comments recalling the days when Muslims of the Subcontinent had come to the aid of the Turks, and arguing that this the time for us to return this kindness and help Pakistanis overcome this tragedy.

Let me come back to the four planes, which started to be loaded with relief supplies as soon as the earthquake happened in Pakistan on October 8. It is saddening to note here that even those planes were loaded with relief supplies within a couple of hours of the earthquake, they could take off from the airports some 15 to 18 hours later. The reason: The Iranian authorities did not give permission to use Iranian airspace to the Turkish planes. Upon this, the entire October 8, Turkey’s vibrant private TV networks continued to criticize the Iranian government for its indifferent attitude.

Leaving aside this unfortunate delay for the Turkish relief supplies to reach Pakistan, the Turkish help to Pakistan has been amazing. The country’s financial commitment to Pakistan for earthquake relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction is the largest—standing at 150 million US dollars in cash. When the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan visited Pakistan last week, he personally delivered $50 million to his Pakistani counterpart. Out of $150, $100 million will be paid in cash and $50 million in shape of humanitarian aid.

The Pakistani media has already widely reported the extensive Turkish help in the aftermath of the tragedy. As of October 28, Turkey’s humanitarian contributed to Pakistan included the dispatch of 15 military and 3 civilian aircrafts containing search and rescue (SAR), medical, Red Crescent personnel and humanitarian aid to the friendly and brotherly Pakistan after the earthquake. The humanitarian aid sent so far contained medicines, vaccination, medical equipments, tents, canvas, camping material, blankets, sleeping bags, oven and a cooking team, food, plenty of bakery and sweet.

Turkish rescue and relief teams were the first to each the disaster-stricken regions. Its search and rescue teams as well as NGOs reached Muzaffarabad and started their rescue operation. Natural Disaster Search and Rescue Teams from the Turkish Armed Forces’ Special Forces Command (22 persons), Civil Defence General Directorate (22 persons), GEA Search and Rescue Association (12 persons), AKUT and LIDAM (15 persons) comprising 71 persons continued their activities in Muzaffarabad and rescued 9 lives from the rubbles. These search and rescue teams went back to Turkey on 22-23 October.

Turkish medical team has established one field hospital for 50 persons and by today they have vaccinated around 30,000 people as well as provided first aid to 5000 people. There is 22 members medical team and 66 members Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) team continuing activities in Muzaffarabad area. TRC team has provided aid to more than 75,000 people. TRC is establishing tent villages in Muzaffarabad providing shelter to around 70,000 people.

During his visit, the Turkish Prime Minister assured the Government of Pakistan of extending his country’s expertise in the reconstruction of earthquake-proof infrastructure. In this regard, a team of experts would soon come to Pakistan and visit stricken areas to access the kind of expertise required in reconstructing schools, hospitals, houses, roads and government buildings on modern lines.

In order to continue the humanitarian aid to the earthquake stricken people of Pakistan, the Turkish Government will be sending 38 (thirty six) more C-130 military aircrafts to Pakistan between 28 October -20 November 2005. Within this framework, the Turkish Government will be sending one million blankets, 50,000 tons of flour, 25,000 tons of sugar, 2 million bottles of 1 litter cooking oil and tents as first phase.

The General Directorate of Turkish Emergency Management Agency, Turkish Red Crescent Association, Education Ministry and Department of Religious Affairs have collected through fund raising around $ 52 million by 24th October 2005. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), which is sending humanitarian aid to Pakistan through their depot in Iskenderum, Turkey.

The Turkish Government has taken the responsibility of land transportation of their total weight of the humanitarian aid of 860 tons which includes 103,675 pieces of blankets, 9915 pieces of tents and 2000 pieces of stoves from Iskenderum to Incirlik airbase. NATO aircrafts are carrying this humanitarian aid from Incirlik to Islamabad. Turkey also provides 2 military aircrafts for the transportation of the aforementioned humanitarian aid to Pakistan. The Turkish government has also provided some $ 3 million to UN relief and rehabilitation agencies—such as UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, WFP and UNHCR. In addition, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Turkish Embassy in Islamabad is planning to establish a kindergarten or a primary school in the earthquake affected areas on permanent basis and for this purpose funds are being collected at the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

Moreover, all banks in Turkey have opened accounts for collecting financial aid. Turkish Red Crescent has signed an agreement with the 3 major Turkish GMS service providers in order to collect donations through SMS messages for the earthquake victims. Turkish Airlines, Ankara, Istanbul, Kocaeli and Konya Municipalities, Human Rights and Foundation for the Human Freedom Assistance, Baºkent University and Deniz Feneri Assistance and Solidarity Association are also sending extensive humanitarian aid to Pakistan.

Human Rights and Human Assistance Foundation are continuing their assistance by running one mobile hospital and one mobile restaurant. Baºkent University has sent humanitarian aid in shape of medicines around $150,000 for the earthquake affected people. Deniz Feneri Assistance and Solidarity Association have given around $500,000 assistance and they will be providing tunnel type tent for the accommodation of 100 families, 200 prefabricated houses, cloths, food and medicines. Turkish Airlines has also decided to send 40 tons of humanitarian aid.

The Ankara Municipality has announced $1 million cash assistance and 1 million blankets. Whereas, Istanbul Municipality will be establishing 2 ovens in Muzaffarabad having the capacity to cook 10 –11 thousand breads per day which will be distributed among the affected people free of cost. The provision of such kind of assistance by the organizations and community foundations is expected to grow.

Just looking at all of the above figures, one cannot help but thank the Turkish for their kind help in our utmost need of hour. We, Pakistanis, shall never forget this kind Turkish gesture of a long-lasting friendship and deep rooted feeling of brotherhood. I know, for sure, that as situation comes back to normal in Pakistan, its relations with Turkey are never going to be the same again. The two countries have already been increasingly cooperating in manifold fields—the only problem has been the lack of substantive progress, especially in areas of economic and trade cooperation. Such snags in ties should be done away with, for the two countries should be realistically as close to each other during normal times as they get inter-twined during a tragedy.

[Waqqas]

The Turks have proven themselves to be our true brothers in this time of hardship.

However, I am really disappointed at the behaviour of he Iranians. They are no more our friends than bharat. The sooner we realise that, the better.

I hope our authorities as well as our people will remember those who rushed to our help at the time of need, as opposed to those who just came with empty promises or even created difficulties for us.

[Mohsin]

I am sorry to say that these Iranis are very arrogant sometimes. Even after India voted against them they dont have any sense to who thier real friends are.

Not allowing airspace for cargoplanes bound for Pakistan was a silly mistake. Alot of sensible countries including Pakistan will take note of this.

First the Nuclear mess they pushed us in then this kind of attitude. They really are asking for trouble.

[Abbas Naqvi]

Hi comrades, i went out to ghari dupatta and visited north of neelam valley with LCCI and KCCI
delegation. Here are my observations:

- the best work is being done by our mujahideen friends, they have reached far-flung areas, provided timely relief and medicines and have bee critical in getting people out to lower lands. Hatsoff to these socalled terrorists. They completed the work where army has'nt reached as yet. Many of them were educated, fluent speakers in english and had sound knowledge of the terrain.
God bless these guys.

- This nation really rose up as one, there were camps from all walks of life, people from mqm, JI, pima, eidhi and many other private groups and ngo's. There was a shortage of trained trauma surgeons and surgical instrument and water-proof tents for making temporary operation theaters which has led to casualities.

-army was'nt ready, had it been a smaller earth quake, they still would have been unprepared, although the jawans were working hard according to their skill. army doctors are not prepared to handle casuality trauma, the best work is being done by PIMA dostors, sofar they have managed 60,000 minor and major casualities. Great work. Al-dawah medical facitiy hospital in ghari-dupatta was also excellent. The small town is virtually completely destroyed.

-people coming from far-ff areas had grim news to deliver, there are still 5 lakh people stranded in
neelam valley , most injured or too weak, if help does not reach them many will die. after-shocks are still common and people are trying to get as much belongings as possible and leave the areas and move out to mansehra, peshawar or to isl-rawalpindi.

[Rafaqat]

Abbas Naqvi Sahib,

Mujahideen have been fantastic in their efforts. They went to the task despite a lot of their own losses.

Tragedy is that while there are a lot of unsung heroes in Pakistan from all walks of life, these heroes are cursed and labelled terrorists, ignorant mullahs, bla bla bla.

I guess the people who really matter, do know who their heroes are.
Interestingly though, even the westerners have had their eye brows raised by the good work of Mujahideen in AJK for victims.

[AKHTAR]

Salaam

I can not figure out the reason why the transportation of relief goods wasn't allowed over iran but nevertheless one should hold his mouth before he knows the full story. Here is what Iranian people are doing.

Iran pledges US$ 200m for reconstruction of quake-hit areas


ISLAMABAD: Expressing his deep grief and sorrow over the loss caused by earthquake in the NWFP and AJK, Iranian Vice president in Executive Affairs Dr. Saeed Loo has said that Iran will provide the financial and technical assistance amounting to US $ 200 million to Pakistan for the reconstruction of the quake-hit areas in the second phase.

"We are with Pakistan in this worst tragedy that people are facing here and we have provided relief goods to the tune of US $ 500 million for the rehabilitation of the earthquake victims in the first phase," he stated this while addressing a press conference here on Saturday.
He said that we had also experienced the same tragedy two years ago when earthquake rocked some areas of the Iran and we could feel the sufferings of brotherly Muslim country Pakistan.

"I am here in Pakistan to convey the sympathies to Pakistan and its nation from Iran and its people," he added.

He said that the discussion was in progress in the cabinet of Iran to give 200 million dollars for the reconstruction of the earthquake-hit areas and it would be provided soon to Pakistan.

He said that response of Iran was quick after areas of Pakistan was jolted by earthquake and rescue and medical teams were sent immediately to Pakistan to participate the rescue activities in quake-hit areas.

"We have sent relief goods for the rehabilitation of the affected families to the tune of 500 million dollars so far and the more relief goods will be sent as Iranian Red Crescent had been asked to finalize the lists of relief goods," he added.

He said that he had brought as many as one thousand tents and he had assured the President general Pervez Musharraf to give ten thousand more tents to provide shelters to the affected people.

He said that medical and relief teams of the Iran were working in the affected areas and they would continue their activities till the rehabilitation and mobile hospitals were engaged in providing the medical assistance to the injured people.

Replying to the question, he said that Iran was ready to send helicopters for relief operations in the quake-hit areas and it depended on the request from Pakistan side.

He said that Iran was ready to allow using its territory for the transport carrying relief goods for the earthquake victims.

He offered to build hospital for the artificial limbs if the government of Pakistan was ready to give land for the building. "We will make building and other material used in artificial limbs," he added.

He said that government of Iran was mobilizing the NGOs, provincial and local governments to raise funds for the earthquake victims of Pakistan.


http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/details.php?id=88995

[Maisum Ali]

Not too sure why Iran said no to overflights. Maybe it was cuzz they didn't want Nato relief planes flying over their territory. I am a bit reluctant to jump on the Iran is our worst enemy bandwagon

[Saeed Khan]

Initially I also heard similar complaints that heartless Iranians weren’t doing anything for us while we reacted immediately after the Bam Earthquake. Then I started seeing pictures of Iranian Field Hospitals and planes loaded with supplies. It became obvious that what I heard were just rumors. Few days ago I started to hear such complaints again and then I heard that Iran’s Vice President not only came to Pakistan but also pledged an INITIAL Aid Installment of US $ 200 Million!

Holy Quran instructs us not to believe in rumors without verifying them first.

If we believe in such rumors then how about believing that RAW is spending billions in both Pakistan and Iran to bribe some tabloids and reporters to assure no Strategic Alliance between us ever becomes a reality. For example, a friend of my brother recently went to Iran and some Iranians asked him where he was from. When my brother’s friend said, “Pakistan”, the response came, “Oh, Dushman Pakistan!” Why ‘Dushman Pakistan?’ What have we done to them? Who is propagating this perception in their country that we are their ‘Dushman?’ Iran is our neighbor; should we not be concerned?

[Usman S.]

When soldiers cry

By Amina Elahi

In the space of a couple of hours we saw our trucks efficiently disposed of and realized that the swiftest method of providing relief was through the army — the inevitable difference between amateurs and professionals, writes Amina Elahi

OCTOBER 8 was a day of incredible disaster and yet it seemed as if it was a wake-up call for slumbering Pakistanis. Television was constantly beaming scenes of destruction and death. Suddenly everyone wanted somehow to make a difference, and so began the donations of tents, blankets, warm clothing, food rations, etc.

Collecting the goods was a comparatively simple task. People generously opened their hearts and gave with fervour and enthusiasm. Now came the tough part — the distribution itself. Everyone was determined that they would personally go and participate in this noble cause. Misty-eyed, we visualized ourselves tenderly distributing supplies to groups of orderly and grateful villagers. Reality struck just 24 hours later.

We set off for the Mansehra district accompanied by three trucks containing tents and sundry supplies. Our proposed destination was a village by the name of Soum. The trip was an unqualified disaster. The moment the villagers saw the trucks, they stampeded. The men began clambering over the trucks. If they had taken what they needed and left, it would have been bearable, but for some unfathomable reason each was viciously bent on denying the other his right. The women of the district who were out under the open sky with their children, true victims, watched helplessly as their men physically attacked each other.

Since the purpose was being defeated, we fled. It was an ignominious retreat. It seemed intolerable that the people had deprived themselves of what they so desperately required. We had three trucks and no sound method of distribution. The options included getting the help of the army. All vehemently rejected this particular option. The army was inefficient, uncaring and too apathetic, they said. We had all seen the image of a slumbering colonel on a pile of blankets.

It was decided to leave the trucks in the care of a prominent local. After all, we assured ourselves, no one could say we hadn’t tried. And yet the seeds of doubt remained, fostered by growing rumours of hoarding by unscrupulous men. After a sleepless night, we all decided to return. We set off in a mood of gloomy foreboding. There was an increasing atmosphere of panic over reports of looting, a sense of pessimism that it was all in vain. It now seemed a hopeless cause, for who could help a nation without protectors, a nation intent on self-destruction? Someone again feebly suggested turning to the army. Again the option was ruled out.

We were to change our tune very shortly. We had requested the person to whom we had entrusted the goods to return them to us. He consented but we were alarmed to hear that the truck drivers had been threatened by prominent bigwigs of the district. There was only one way out. We drove to the Mansehra army relief camp with fearful misgivings about what lay ahead.

We entered the camp cynically expecting to find an abundance of neglected supplies. Yes, there were trucks but they barely occupied one-tenth of the vast grounds. On one side of the compound rested a pile of blankets that seemed insignificant when compared to the magnitude of the disaster. We had expected to be curtly refused entry in the compound; after all we were mere civilian nobodies.

However, the officers on duty readily agreed to meet us. We were ushered into a starkly furnished room which was teeming with hectic activity. On one side of the room was a screen with boldly outlined maps on either side. The officers in the room were all engaged in some busy task.

Hesitantly we approached the officers. They heard out our sorry tale and understood our desire to distribute the goods on a personal scale. In fact they made us a magnificent offer; we could come the next morning and witness the relief operation for ourselves. When they saw our surprise at their helpfulness, they asked some shrewd questions. Sheepishly we confessed to our negative thoughts.

Upon hearing our doubts they seemed resigned rather than surprised. A campaign of negative propaganda had been launched regarding the army efforts. This was eroding the meagre remains of a cynical nation’s confidence in its defenders. We interviewed the colonel who had been photographed while asleep. The explanation was moving and brought tears to our eyes.

The men had been working tirelessly since morning supervising the rescue operations. Helicopters were bringing in an endless number of wounded victims and survivors. One helicopter brought in a little child of two years.

He described her saying: “I have never in all my life seen a more beautiful little girl. To my horror the surgeon who had examined her had detected gangrene in her hand. To prevent further infection her hand had to be amputated instantly. As a soldier you become familiar with the faces of death and I have seen numerous jawans die before my eyes. But somehow the sight of this exquisite little child losing her hand was more than I could bear. A sense of faintness overcame me and I leant back against a pile of blankets and closed my eyes. After all I am human. That unguarded moment was recorded by a foreign reporter.”

By about eight the next morning helicopters had begun flying in. The incoming trucks were brought into the inner compound of the Mansehra cricket stadium, where the officers were supervising unloading of goods. The different items were sorted into different piles. No one sat idle, everyone seemed to know exactly what they were doing. The helicopters were loaded with provisions which they would deposit in the affected area.

One helicopter was loaded with shrouds, another with food, blankets, etc. Each helicopter would leave laden with supplies and return with casualties. Although these trips were based on the analysis previously made by the pilots, they also took additional notes on their return. The co-pilot would conduct an aerial survey and mark any affected areas they might have missed.

One village called Kiavi reported a death toll of exactly 50 per cent of its inhabitants. Death might have been the more merciful alternative for many. A young unmarried girl of 18 was flown in. She seemed absolutely fine until you noticed that her legs were folded to one side of her body. Each helicopter carried two jawans. One of our group had offered to go in place of one of them. When he returned his face was ashen.

When he was able to speak he told us about that young girl. He described how he tried to occupy as little space as possible so the girl could have maximum room. Suddenly he noticed her feebly gesture with her hand as if she wanted him to be comfortable. She had lost her legs, possibly all chances of a normal happy life, and yet such sensitivity to the needs of others. Almost without realizing he found tears pouring down his cheeks, and when he looked up he saw the accompanying soldier had also turned his head to the other side.

The morning wore on but the helicopters never ceased. An endless round of goods being sent and casualties brought back. We learnt that there were 26 sorties daily. In the space of a couple of hours we saw our trucks efficiently disposed of and realized that the swiftest method of providing relief was through the army — the inevitable difference between amateurs and professionals.

The words of one officer in particular were unforgettable. We had been complaining about the behaviour of the villagers we had encountered. he smiled and said; “That’s human nature. You must make allowances for these people. Sometimes we land our helicopters in an affected area and they pelt the helicopters with stones. We have come to rescue them and this is how they treat us. But just think of all that they have experienced. As a father I too would expect instant relief for my child. So why should they be any different? They have a right to be angry.” When we asked about the allegation that the victims are being haphazardly dumped we were told that they actually do their best to prevent separations. A helicopter had just brought in a young mother with a dismembered leg. This young women was from the village of Paras. she had been separated from her daughter, so they managed to send the mother to the hospital where that little child was waiting. We spoke to many of the survivors. There were families, orphans, with accompanying uncles or other relatives. What we saw helped us realize that a specific method was being followed.

The army is following a strategy of forward dumping. In layman terms they have established camps which provide basic first aid and even surgical facilities. The camps are shifted forward as the roads clear. Each camp comprises a basic team of doctors and soldiers. The second purpose of the camp is to provide a base for other soldiers to head out on foot.

Volunteer doctors have offered to accompany the soldiers who would be trekking a distance of eight hours or so. The soldiers would carry the backpacks containing medical supplies.

We asked about the long-term goals for rehabilitation of the victims and received the honest answer that this is the first phase: the rescue operation. As for the rehab it can only be achieved if the entire nation is involved. The officer commented perceptively that as a nation we are initially enthusiastic and then we forget.

The tales of despair spreading rapidly...stories of lootings, abductions...all true, yes. But there are other stories too, of pilots making perilous journeys to save total strangers, of acts of heroism, nobility and selfless sacrifice that remind us of why this nation was created.

Any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved in Mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.

http://www.dawn.com/weekly/review/review4.htm

[A Khan]

China, Russia, Libya send relief goods, copter




By Our Reporter

ISLAMABAD, Oct 29: International community and world charity organizations continued to send relief goods on the 22nd day for the victims of the massive earthquake that hit Azad Kashmir and northern NWFP on Oct 8.

Chinese ambassador Zhang Chunxiang handed over a consignment of 150,000 blankets and 3,380 tents to Cabinet secretary Ejaz Rahim at the Cabinet division on Saturday for the quake victims in Pakistan.

Ambassador Zhang said a full-fledged field hospital donated by the Chinese government has arrived and is being sent to Balakot fro medical relief operations. He said the Chinese premier in a recent meeting held in Moscow with his Pakistani counterpart assured that China would provide every possible assistance to Pakistan to mitigate the sufferings of earthquake victims.

The ambassador said a Chinese delegation would visit Pakistan in the first week of November to undertake a comprehensive survey for reconstruction and rehabilitation of earthquake affected areas.

RUSSIA: The Russian Federation is continuously sending humanitarian relief for the earthquake victims in Azad Kashmir and northern NWFP.

Russia has sent three MI-26T heavy-lift helicopters to Pakistan. The first of these MI-26T helicopters, the world’s largest helicopter that can carry 20 tons of cargo at a time, arrived here on Friday and is operating out of Peshawar for earthquake relief.

Russia is among the very first countries, which responded quickly and provided emergency assistance to the friendly people of Pakistan.

The Russian doctors team provided medical assistance for almost 1,500 people (including 560 children, performed 497 complicated surgeries and provided intensive care treatment for 70 victims (including 31 children) in field conditions.

A 7-member medical team of paediatricians, surgeons, neurosurgeons and crush-syndrome specialists headed by world famous Russian Professor Leonid Roshal arrived Islamabad on Oct 13 and started surgeries and treatment of patients at the PIMS Children Hospital.

A 4-member team of Russian doctors arrived on October 25 and replaced the Russian medical staff at the PIMS Children Hospital.

LIBYA: Saiful Islam Gaddafi, Chairman of Gaddafi International Foundation for Charity Association and son of Libyan Leader, Colonel Muamar Gaddafi laid the foundation stone of a model village at Balakot on Saturday.

The Libyan dignitary is currently on a three-day visit to Pakistan to express solidarity with the quake-affected people.

The model village to be established and financed by Libya for the quake affected people of Balakot will have 100 quake-proof housing units.

Mr Saif on the occasion also distributed the relief goods among the quake-stricken people on behalf of Libyan government and people.


http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/30/nat3.htm

[A Khan]

Russian helicopter boost up relief work, says Sultan

(Updated at 1520 PST)
ISLAMABAD: Director General ISPR Maj. General Shaukat Sultan has said a Russian MI 26 helicopter was reached in Azad Kashmir to boost relief activities in the quake-hit region.

Talking to Geo he said the Russian MI 26 is the largest helicopter in world, which will significantly boost the work for reopening of roads by airlifting machinery to the affected areas. It will also help in reopening of the road to Neelum valley. Presently Chinook helicopters being used for airlifting of the machinery and equipment to the affected areas, he said.

Shaukat Sultan said the road was badly devastated in the quake and restoration of the Neelum valley road can take more than four months. However efforts being made to restore the road at least for mules to provide relief to inaccessible areas.

He said Chinari road in Jhelum valley would be reopened tomorrow, while remaining 7-kilometer portion of the road has been completely washed.

Sultan said relief items being airlifted by Chinook helicopters to the Khaliana valley denying the reports that the area has not yet accessed to provide relief.

[A Khan]

$200m Iran credit line for work in Pakistan

TEHRAN, Oct 30: Iran has set up a $200 million credit line to encourage its engineering firms to help rebuild earthquake-shattered towns and roads in Pakistan, state television reported on Sunday.

“Iran will allocate $200 million to reconstruction and infrastructure in earthquake-hit parts of Pakistan, as a financing facility,” said Ali Saeedlou, Iran’s vice-president for executive affairs.

“Iran has asked its firms to carry out work that is needed in northern Pakistan,” he told a news conference in Islamabad.

Iran is also heavily involved in rebuilding Afghanistan’s roads and power plants, destroyed by two decades of war.

Saeedlou did not describe how this credit line would work, but usually an Iranian government fund pays directly for work undertaken. A bank in the beneficiary country then repays the Iranian fund at a low rate of interest.—Reuters

http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/31/top9.htm

[MohammedA]

Margalla Towers collapse: Interpol issues red warrants for accused

By Shahzad Malik

ISLAMABAD: The Interpol has issued red warrants for three accused of the faulty construction of Margalla Towers, which collapsed on October 8.

They include Margalla Towers owner Ramazan Khokher, his wife Kahkashan Khokher and Abdul Hafiz Sheikh, sources told Daily Times. They said the accused were currently in England adding that the telephone directory, recovered from the rubble, would be helpful in apprehending the accused.

Kahkashan Khokher is in England since July. Ramazan Khokher went to England on August 12 and Abdul Hafiz Sheikh left the country on October 12.

Meanwhile a fourth accused, Azhar Mahmood, was at large in Pakistan with the authorities on hot pursuit, police sources said.

The Interior Ministry has directed high-ranking officials of the capital police to compile information about the properties, bank accounts and belongings belong to the four accused for confiscation.

Officials have been sent to Lahore, Karachi and other major cities to gather the said information, sources added.

The investigation team has also summoned a number of officials of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to record their statement. Building Department Assistant Director Abdullah Jan and Inspector Noor Mohammad will appear in court on November 2.

[MohammedA]

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/oct2005-daily/31-10-2005/metro/i2.htm


Galvanised in tragedy, young

generation rises to the challenge

ISLAMABAD: While the death and destruction unleashed by October 8 earthquake is unprecedented, the sense of sharing and caring and a spirit of volunteerism the younger generation showed to help the hapless victims also finds no parallel in the country’s history.

The tragedy that continues to unfold its ugly face even three weeks after the calamity struck has pained the heart of every individual irrespective of religion, sect or ethnic background.

It appears as if the entire philosophy of their life has centred on just one point-help the suffering countrymen in every possible way. The day the tragedy befell Azad Kashmir and NWFP, people from all strata of the society started to pour into the affected areas from every nook and corner of the country to help in rescue and relief efforts.

They are still coming in. You will find the volunteers wherever you go-be it the districts of Muzaffarabad, Manshera, hamlets scattered over far-flung mountain slopes, or hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

They are helping doctors in field hospitals, feeding young and old out in the open, assisting military engineers in removing debris and running in search of medicines for the wounded.

Hundreds of female volunteers are working day and night, looking after distressed women and children orphaned by the killer quake. Many are working round the clock to help unite divided families. Doctors chose to leave their private clinics and rushed to work in makeshift health facilities to save the lives of tens of thousands of people.

And there are thousands of military Jawans who risked their lives to airlift people, stranded in formidable terrains, and to clear roads to reach remote inaccessible areas. Hats off to those people who left serenity of their homes to reach out to people in the areas littered with bodies and rubbles.

Who are these people? They are our pride; they are our present; they are our future. Their devotion and dedication to help out their brethren in distress would have made founders of the beloved motherland proud.

These volunteers are of all age groups and belong to all spheres of life. There are teenagers from poor families from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP who cannot afford to travel to Azad Kashmir; there are middle-class people who think twice before spending a penny to keep their budget intact; and there are even youngsters from well-to-do so-called "Burger Families" generally perceived as heartless and selfish.

They had no vested interest or lust for publicity. No one asked them or offered special trains or buses to take them to Muzzafarabad and Balakot. But there was an urge and a passion to reach out to people devastated by the monster quake-in any way they could.

First they set up relief camps in cities, towns and villages, collected blankets, quilts, clothing and foodstuff to be sent to the affected areas. But realising that the government alone could not grapple with the massive tragedy, they decided to contribute and share in their own way by carrying relief goods directly to the affected people and assist the rescue and relief efforts.

Unlike those who chose to criticise government from their furnished drawing rooms for "doing nothing" these young people opted to take a difficult sojourn to the affected areas and did not care even for their own life in order to save others.

This is the hallmark of a living nation, which writes its own destiny and it is a guarantee to a bright future. It is heartening to see the young generation rising to the challenge-even though they have been exploited by leaders out to grind their own axe and organisations working to promote their own vested interest.

Many a leader misused their courage, ability and determination to ride on their shoulders to corridors of powers, only to ditch them once they achieved their objectives. But, it seems that the young generation have now taken their fate in their own hands.

They have carved out a way for themselves to move forward ie to help people and the humanity. This tragedy has made them see the real face of life from very close. They are now finding comfort in helping others and realising what this country demands from them. There is a need to keep alive this passion, this spirit and this national fervour.

The greying people are a defeated generation, which chose hypocrisy, expediency and wheeling and dealing to suit their own interest. But the young generation has chosen a path, which will lead them to success in their life. They have set aside all narrow considerations and differences. They have transcended all prejudices and linkages to province, caste or creed. They think like one and are proud of being Pakistanis.

Allah Almighty has blessed Pakistan with all resources. The tragedy of October 8 has galvanised the masses, brought forth what is good in them and this is the route to resolving all our problems to ensure a bright future for the nation and the country.

[sargam]

I hope that the Builders dont become the only scape goat since the CDA officials and their political pattrons are equally reponsible for this mass murder.

[Usman S.]

Tragedy in the mountains

By Eric S. Margolis

WATCHING the disaster in Pakistan, it is heartrending to see so many ordinary people, whose suffer distress and poverty in their everyday lives now crushed into a state of unimaginable misery by the cruel power of nature.

The affected regions are among some of my favourite places on earth, and certainly the most beautiful and wild anywhere. How ample relief supplies will be gotten up the shattered roads leading to Muzaffarabad or to Gilgit remains a mystery — these roads are perilous at the very best of times.

It takes a great act of faith to accept this horrible disaster came during the holy month when God revealed all of his mercy to mankind. Beside the heartbreak of this terrible earthquake, one is forced to notice some glaring points.

First, Pakistan did not have enough heavy-lift helicopters, crucial items for a nation prone to earthquakes, floods, and border fighting. Much of the blame for lack must fall on the decade-plus US arms embargo on Islamabad which prevented Pakistan from obtaining heavy-lift Chinook helicopters. Less efficient, but cheaper models could have been bought from China and Russia, but, alas, were not.

Now Pakistanis see the rather embarrassing spectacle of US helicopters delivering aid from inside Pakistan and those in occupied Afghanistan. The American aid is, of course, most welcome and appreciated, but the fact that it comes from bases that should have been used by Pakistan is disturbing.

The Bush administration, still reeling from its amazingly inept bungling of the Gulf coast hurricane disaster, is making sure to rush aid to Pakistan to shore up its most important regional ally, President Pervez Musharraf. Washington is painfully aware that the handling of natural disasters can make or break political leaders.

On a major national US TV network, I was actually asked, ‘how many Al Qaeda (members) were killed by the earthquake?’ Stunned, I replied that it was time to think of Pakistan’s children, not the Al Qaeda.

Alas, natural disasters and massive international relief efforts almost inevitably bring bureaucratic chaos, misallocation of aid supplies and medical efforts, squabbling between various government bodies and theft. After last December’s killer tsunami in Southeast Asia, the Thai army managed to grab control of the relief effort and to reportedly monopolize some of the donated foreign funds, This must not be allowed to happen in Pakistan.

Hope is being expressed abroad that the earthquake disaster may shake up Indo-Pak relations to the point where the two old foes really move ahead with resolving their more than half century of bitterness and fighting. This is what happened when a large quake struck old enemies — Greece and Turkey. Their mutual relief efforts produced a sea change in attitudes in the two nations that led to a lowering of hostility and beginning of fruitful, mature relations that continue to this day.

So could it be the same between India and Pakistan, the world’s most angry rivals? I don’t think so. The Indians were just a little too eager to get a close look at Pakistani army installations and mujahideen camps behind the LoC, and just a little too eager to put their political footprint on Azad Kashmir, though their help would have been useful.

A problem these days is that so-called humanitarian aid is often a disguise for political intervention, This happened in Somalia, where the US sought a base in East Africa. It occurred in East Timor, where “humanitarian” Australian aid ended up in detaching the potentially oil rich region from Indonesia and putting it in Canberra’s orbit. It’s going on in Darfur, Sudan. And now the Indians are doing allegedly humanitarian things in Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Once the “humanitarians” come in, it’s sometimes hard to get them to leave.

Pakistanis around the world are being asked to help. But they, and Muslims everywhere, will find this difficult because so very many Islamic charities have been destroyed or shut down by the US and its allies in the so-called war on terrorism. Zakat is now considered supporting terrorism. So the poor will suffer even more.

Perhaps the oil Arabs, flush with unprecedented profits, will decide that this holy month is a good time to come to the aid of their fellow suffering Muslims in Pakistan’s shattered mountains.— copyright Eric S. Margolis 2005

http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/31/op.htm#2

[H Khan]

Pak Observer (11/01/05)

— visits Muzaffarabad with Shaukat Aziz

Muzaffarabad—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz along with Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Chairman Kingdom Holding Company Sunday visited the earthquake-hit areas of Muzaffarabad to review the ongoing relief and rehabilitation work.

AJK President, Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan, AJK Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat and Minister for Kashmir Affairs Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat and other officials received both the dignitaries at Neelum valley Stadium, when they reached there by helicopter.

Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Ali Saeed Awadh Al Asseri also accompanied the Prime Minister and Prince Al-Waleed during this visit.

The Prime Minister and Saudi Prince visited different affected areas of Muzaffarabad city and appreciated the relief and rehabilitation works being carried out by Pakistan Army to normalise the life here.They also visited Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences to enquire about the health of the injured patients here.

The Prime Minister distributed cash compensation among the patients and also handed over some cheques of Rs. 100,000 among the legal heirs of those who lost their lives in this devastated earthquake.

On the occasion, Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, who is one of the five richest persons in the world, announced one million dollar to help Pakistan continue relief efforts for the victims. He also announced to construct 20 schools in Muzaffarabad.

The donation of one million dollars is personal contribution of Prime Al-Waleed and he has already announced US $ 7 million for the quake victims of AJK and NWFP.

Prince Al-Waleed talking to newsmen at Muzaffarabad said Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are very close friends and assured that Saudi Arabia would extend full help and cooperation to Pakistan in this need of hour. He said he came here personally to visit the quake affected areas and express his deep sense of condolences and sympathies on this tragic loss due to devastated quake.

He appreciated the efforts of Pakistan Army and international organizations and other friendly countries for their help and contribution in the affected areas.

Earlier, he attended a briefing at the Army headquarters where he was informed that Pakistan Army started rescue and relief operations immediately after October 8 earthquake. Prince Al-Waleed said, “Its a battle zone and Pakistan’s Army done a marvellous job.” —APP

[Pracs]

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[A Khan]

No incident of kidnapping, exploitation reported

Ansar Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: Not a single incident of kidnapping or exploitation of any survivor of the earthquake victim both in AJK and the Frontier province has so far been reported although the quake-affected areas are abuzz with such disturbing rumours.

There is no confirm report as if any of the survivor including a child or woman has been exploited or kidnapped from the affected areas but the obnoxious stories are making round in the affected areas rather have also crossed the borders that some vultures in human face are kidnapping innocents particularly women and children.

"Some strangers claiming to be volunteers are offering help and shelter to survivors in the affected areas but they end up in exploiting the innocents," one Jawed Abbasi of Dhirkot AJK told this correspondent from Nottingham UK.

Abbasi, who lost several close relatives as a result of the earthquake and has set-up a charity in UK to generate funding for the survivors of his areas, pleaded, "Please write about it so that authorities should take notice and stop criminals from going in these areas and also keep a strict check on groups or organizations taking people away from their native towns for provision of shelter."

According to Jawed Abbasi some of his close relatives and associates have told him about the greater fear among the survivors for being vulnerable to exploitation. He, however, did not point out any particular incident of the feared kidnapping or exploitation.

AJK Chief Secretary Kashif Murtaza when contacted though confirmed the stealing of five official vehicles after October 8 earthquakes, did not mention about any kidnapping incident in the affected areas. He, however, said that a delegation of Muzzafarabad traders and shopkeepers met him to reveal that outsiders including Afghans did the loot and plunder of the relief goods.

Additional secretary home AJK Fiaz Abbasi when contacted confirmed that not even a single case of abduction has been reported. Neither any incident of exploitation has been reported to the authorities.

Manshera district coordination officer Shakil Qadir when contacted also categorically said that no such incident has been reported with the police or civil administration. He, however, confirmed that some 300 Aghans and Kohistanis were arrested for collecting relief goods while pretending as affectees.

Admitting that rumour mongering is at its top in these areas, Qadir said that it was all based on hearsay. "When you start probing such reports it is revealed that they have no foundation," he said.

Colonel Baseer, the spokesman of the Federal Relief Commission, when contacted too endorsed the authorities viewpoint that not even a single incident of kidnapping or exploitation has been reported. He too believed that misinformation and rumour mongering are generally upsetting the people.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/nov2005-daily/01-11-2005/main/main15.htm

[AArshad]

Terrorists targetting Foreign "Rescue Teams" :confused:



U.S.: Quake aid helicopter apparently fired at
But Pakistan army spokesman believes pilot was mistaken

Tuesday, November 1, 2005; Posted: 1:27 p.m. EST (18:27 GMT)

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) -- A rocket-propelled grenade apparently was fired at a U.S. military helicopter ferrying relief supplies to quake victims in Pakistan's portion of disputed Kashmir on Tuesday, but the aircraft was not hit and nobody was injured, a spokesman said.

The attack occurred as the helicopter was flying over Chakothi, a quake-ravaged town near the Line of Control that separates the Pakistan-administered portion of the Himalayan region from the area controlled by India, Capt. Rob Newell, a spokesman for the U.S. military relief effort, told The Associated Press.

"A United States Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter that was flying in the vicinity of Chakothi delivering relief to earthquake victims is believed to have been fired on by a rocket-propelled grenade today around 1:45 p.m. [3:45 a.m. ET]," he said, adding "the aircraft was not hit and returned safely with its crew" to an air base near the capital, Islamabad.

Newell said the U.S. Army and the Pakistani government were investigating. But Pakistani army spokesman Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan told AP that he doubted that any such attack took place, noting that road clearing engineers were blasting a road near where the helicopters were flying.

"The blast was huge enough to kick up dust which the pilot probably misunderstood as rocket fire," he said. Sultan said Pakistani army troops carried out a cordon and search operation and spoke to witnesses on the ground, none of whom reported a rocket attack. Newell said the attack would not affect America's determination to help Pakistan recover from the October 8 quake, which is believed to have killed about 80,000 people and left millions more homeless.

"We are going to continue to fly the helicopter missions in support of the relief effort and in support of Pakistan," he said.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/11/01/quake.helicopter.ap/index.html

[SSAAD]

Its bogus. Army engineers were clearing roads/land slides and they believe a projectile from the planned explosion caused the stir. This is per the ISPR.

[AArshad]

Its bogus. Army engineers were clearing roads/land slides and they believe a projectile from the planned explosion caused the stir. This is per the ISPR.

Its still not clear, the Pak army is listing this as a possibility. There is a big difference of a projectile from a explosion and a "missile/rpg". A projectile capable of hitting a low flying helo would come from an observable explosion/dust cloud. Surely the pilots would be capable of spot that ? Well still things need to be cleared out, but consider the negative publicity it would bring if it was an "possible" attack ;)

[SSAAD]

US says Chinook fired upon

from SHAIQ HUSSAIN
ISLAMABAD - The United States on Tuesday said it would jointly investigate with Pakistan a rocket attack on its Chinook helicopter delivering aid to quake victims in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, but the army denied any such incident.
The US military said that one of its Chinook helicopters delivering aid to earthquake victims was believed to have come under fire in Azad Kashmir.
“A United States Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter flying in the vicinity of Chakoti delivering relief aid to earthquake victims, is believed to have been fired upon by a rocket-propelled grenade today (Tuesday), around 1:45pm,” the US military said in a statement issued here by the US embassy.
“The aircraft was not hit and returned safely with its crew without further incident to Chaklala Air Base around 2:30pm,” the statement said.
Investigations will be carried out into the reported attack of RPG rocket on a US chopper flying over Azad Kashmir with the help of Pakistan, said the US military.
However, the Chief Spokesman of Pakistan Army, Maj General Shaukat Sultan denied any rocket attack against a US helicopter, which was flying over Chakoti sector.
He said two US helicopters were flying over Chakoti sector when a dynamite blast was made to open a blocked road, adding that one of the pilots perhaps took it for a rocket attack and altered back its direction.
He said complete investigations had been made into the incident and it was found that no such attack had occurred. He added that all eyewitnesses had been interviewed and they reported no rocket attack on US chopper.
He said the US authorities had been informed about the findings and they had expressed their complete satisfaction.
Maj General Shaukat Sultan added that the US helicopters had resumed the relief efforts and they were flying to the quake-affected areas.

[Noman Habib]

I think situation is quite under control as for as pakistan is concerned any attempt on lives of rescue workers will put the jehadi outfit in lot of trouble and for sure they don,t need it and are not stupid enough to do this kind of act and lose their good will amongst kashmiries.The distance specialy the arial distance from line of control in chakoti area for sure is not 10 kilometers may be it was from across line of control or may be infiltrated ikhwanies(pro india fraction of kashmiries in occupied kashmir).Whatever the case is keeping americans in such sensitive area might bring in undesired bad situation for pakistan therefore we should try to put a pakistani navigator along every relieve helicopter who knows line of control or at best ask americans to leave.

[A Khan]

Pak community in US plans shelters for quake-zone

By our correspondent

KARACHI: Several US and Middle East based Pakistani entrepreneurs and professionals have joined hands and begun an initiative to brainstorm, conceptualise, design and plan cost-effective, indigenous, community friendly quake-proof/quake-resistant community shelters in northern Pakistan.

Called ‘JEEVEY Initiative’, it was formally launched on Monday at a press conference held in Virginia by Irshad Salim, civil engineer and President of Mamosa Solutions, a New Jersey-based multi-disciplinary business firm which have started the initiative.

"The initiative is not and will not be a fund-raising drive. It is a "mental drive. If funds are needed to hire expertise, resources, to implement the finalised concept, it will be addressed later," said Irshad.

The idea is to bring the Pakistani expatriates and their Western colleagues who are interested in this initiative, on one platform. Many remote platforms geographically separated can also be possible which in turn can dock electronically, through the website or through correspondences, to develop and create the concept and design and identify ways to fund these cost-effective, quake-proof and quake-resistant Community Shelters in northern Pakistan.

These shelters can be self-contained, self-sufficient units with all medical and emergency supplies including tents, etc in them, said the organisers.

Mamosa, which is also organising Pak-US Expo 2006 trade show next year, will initially contribute all its advertisement revenue from its planned trade show towards JEVVEY Initiative. An amount of up to 5 per cent of booth sales shall also be set aside for making JEEVEY successful.

The firm will also piggyback quake related and initiative related messages on all its future Expo promotional items, banners, advertisements and are even offering to carry the advertisements and messages of other quake related agencies at 50 per cent of the cost.

Substantial discount on booth spaces for those NGOs and legitimate fund collecting organisations who want to participate in the Expo will also be provided. Space will be dedicated at the Expo for quake awareness activities, seminars, photo exhibitions, it was announced.

This initiative will operate independently. It will have several country-specific coordinators with Chief coordinator based in USA.

Pakistani professionals and businessmen in USA, Canada and the Middle East have been invited to join the initiative, donate time, efforts, and ideas. Initially, the contact email address is jeeveyinitiative@mamosa.com

Washington based public advocacy group NCPA has declared its full support to JEEVEY initiative and in fact talks are being held to build a coalition with them and other organizations, said the organizers.

Besides Irshad Salim, following professionals are already part of the JEEVEY Initiative: Anwer Hasan, an engineering and construction professional (Maryland), Iftekhar Hossian, professional structural and geo technical engineer (New Jersey), Amirul Islam, professional structural engineer and pre-cast expert (New Jersey), Dr Shahid Iqbal, structural and transportation engineer (New Jersey), Afzaal, civil engineer (Illinois), Akbar Ansari, mechanical engineer (Maryland), Faiz Ahmed, civil engineer Riyadh, (Saudi Arabia), Shahab Qarni (Maryland), Mehdi Kamal, civil engineer (Virginia) Nadeem Hussain, electrical engineer (Texas), Asif Tak, environmental engineer (Maryland), Shahab Kishwar mechanical engineer (UAE).

Faiz Ahmed, a professional Structural and Geotechnical Engineer, Researcher, Academician has been appointed the lead coordinator of JEEVEY initiative. Ahmed, who is Riyadh-based, has more than 26 years of professional experience in design of various structures which includes design for earthquake.

MAMOSA also announced extending the date of its Pak-US Expo 2006 event by 2 to 3 months due to the October 8, earthquake and its subsequent fallouts.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/nov2005-daily/02-11-2005/business/b10.htm

[AjmalMahmood]

I think situation is quite under control as for as pakistan is concerned any attempt on lives of rescue workers will put the jehadi outfit in lot of trouble and for sure they don,t need it and are not stupid enough to do this kind of act and lose their good will amongst kashmiries.The distance specialy the arial distance from line of control in chakoti area for sure is not 10 kilometers may be it was from across line of control or may be infiltrated ikhwanies(pro india fraction of kashmiries in occupied kashmir).Whatever the case is keeping americans in such sensitive area might bring in undesired bad situation for pakistan therefore we should try to put a pakistani navigator along every relieve helicopter who knows line of control or at best ask americans to leave.

I think Pakistani authorities should investigate it thoroughly and if any jihadi outfit is involved it should be punished severely as it is unforgivable crime to sabotage rescue and relief effort and undermine authority of Pakistani government at such difficult times. If any thing points to Ikhwanies it should be brought to media to expose how our neighbor is exploiting even natural disasters.

[SSAAD]

Kudos to the US Forces in Pakistan assisting with the relief!

US admiral aboard mercy flight for Pakistani baby
By Simon Cameron-Moore 2 hours, 29 minutes ago

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan (Reuters) - The medics in the back of the U.S. Army helicopter got down on their knees, one blowing air through a valve into the Pakistani baby's mouth, the other holding an intravenous drip in its foot.

Everyone aboard anxiously watched the green line of a heartbeat zig-zag across a black screen, as the one-year-old child lay there with a tube fixed to a half-depressed syringe containing thick lime liquid.
The Blackhawk's pilot, who a month ago had been flying patrols over hostile territory in southern Afghanistan, radioed ahead to Chaklala air base at Rawalpindi, the garrison town where over 10,000 earthquake casualties have already been hospitalized.

"We have a critical baby on board; we're requesting oxygen and an ambulance."

Sat just behind the pilots, Rear Admiral Michael LeFever, commander of the U.S. disaster relief mission in Pakistan, commended them on flying lower and faster over the rugged range of hills surrounding Muzaffarabad, the ruined capital of Pakistan's Kashmir, from Rawalpindi and neighbouring Islamabad.

LeFever saw the boy at the mobile army surgical hospital (MASH) and immediately acceded to a request to evacuate him to Rawalpindi, but only minutes after take-off, as the helicopter gathered altitude, the child's condition deteriorated.

The requested ambulance was waiting on the tarmac close to where the Blackhawk touched down, and in less than two minutes it sped off with the child, its father and medical team aboard.

"This is a replay for me. I've seen this once before since I've been out here. There was a lady with her leg wide open, crushed in the earthquake, and it was all gangrenous," recalled LeFever, who was reassigned from the Gulf to oversee the U.S. military's humanitarian operations in Pakistan.

"It was the smell of death. I'll never forget it," LeFever said before adding, "But she lived, we saved her."

He could only hope the child, whose name he didn't even know, would be just as lucky.

CRISIS IN HAND

In the midst of a catastrophe of gigantic proportions, LeFever, an energetic, wiry man, appears optimistic by nature.

The October 8 earthquake killed more than 57,000, and the United Nations has warned that winter could bring a second wave of death unless funding arrives fast to enable aid agencies to deliver shelter and relief to hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people in the mountainous region.

"I think what they have done is to look at the worst-case, and that's good for planning -- they need to do that," said LeFever.

But, ask him if he thinks there's a danger of greater loss of life and the U.S. admiral's answer is a long drawn out "No."

Full of praise for the Pakistani government and army, LeFever says the United Nations is right in looking for more money from the members of the international community, given the scale of the rehabilitation and rebuilding tasks.

But he was sure, with the world pulling together, Pakistan would get through the crisis.

"If that's effective, we're going to beat this. We're going to beat this."

He didn't know how long his mission would last in Pakistan.

"I think we're here for our friends for as long as they want," said LeFever referring to a government that has supported Washington's war on terrorism despite many Pakistanis' distaste for the United States.

The numbers are changing all the time, but on Tuesday U.S. forces had 925 people on the ground, excluding those contained in the
NATO contingent also here. They've brought medical, engineering, and logistical expertise to the operation.

There are 24 helicopters in service, and they've flown over 3,000 casualties out of the quake zone. The number of casualties is getting fewer -- there were just 35 evacuated on Monday.

But there are still life and death missions like the one on Tuesday that the admiral found himself on.

[H Khan]

By SADAQAT JAN
.c The Associated Press

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistan's official earthquake death toll jumped by 16,000, and officials warned Wednesday that it is likely to rise further as relief supplies fail to reach thousands of victims stranded in remote parts of the Himalayas.

The announcement, which puts the official toll at 73,000, brings the central government figures closer to the number reported by local officials, who say the Oct. 8 quake killed at least 79,000 people in Pakistan.

``Just imagine how many villages and towns became a heap of rubble and how many people got buried,'' said Maj. Gen. Farooq Ahmed Khan told reporters.

Khan said 73,276 people have been confirmed dead in Pakistan and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, up from the official count of 57,597. In India's portion of Kashmir, an additional 1,350 people died.

More than 69,000 people had severe injuries, with the total number of injured much higher, the general said.

Khan attributed the spike in deaths to bodies being recovered from the debris, and warned ``there is likelihood of further increase'' in the death toll. The government has been cautious about the official death count, while regional officials from Pakistani Kashmir and the North West Frontier Province issued their higher tolls more than a week ago.

Top U.N. relief coordinator Jan Egeland told PBS ``there are many thousands, potentially tens of thousands, up there in the mountains that are wounded we haven't gotten to.'' He said a ``second wave of death'' could come from ``people who could freeze to death, starve to death, or just be sick because of infected water.''

U.N. officials say money for distribution of relief supplies was running dangerously low. Donors have pledged $131 million of the $550 million sought by the United Nations for emergency quake aid.

Egeland said foreign aid for the quake relief has so far been far less than what it was following last year's Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which killed 178,000 people and left an additional 50,000 missing.

After the tsunami, ``we had about 1,000 helicopters active from the countries concerned, and from the whole international community. We have about one-tenth of this in this emergency, and we need helicopters just as badly,'' Egeland told PBS.

The U.N.'s World Food Program has only enough money - $10 million - to rent a third of the helicopters it needs for a round-the-clock operation into the winter, said spokesman Simon Pluess.

Khan said 31 tent settlements for quake victims have been established in northwest Pakistan and 27 have been set up in Kashmir. About 500,000 tents are needed to shelter the homeless; 300,000 have been distributed.

``We're doing too little combined as an international community because it's too vast,'' Egeland said. ``We have 140,000 tents now in the area. Normally, that is more than enough for even large-scale emergencies. This is probably only one-fourth of what is needed.''

Some 24 U.S. military helicopters are helping with relief efforts.

U.S. military relief flights resumed Wednesday in northern Pakistan but stayed a ``safe distance'' from where one American chopper reportedly came under attack Tuesday as it flew supplies to victims in Kashmir, military spokesman Cmdr. Nick Balice said.

The U.S. military initially said assailants fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a U.S. CH-47 Chinook helicopter Tuesday as it flew over Chakothi, near the Line of Control that separates the Pakistani and Indian portions of Kashmir. The helicopter was not hit and returned safely to an air base near the capital.

In Washington, Brig. Gen. Carter F. Ham, who helps direct relief operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Pakistani officials would accompany future U.S. relief flights.

He said there was no damage to the helicopter and no injuries reported, ``but we are very concerned.'' Ham said investigators had not reached conclusions and he could not verify there was an attack on the U.S. helicopter.

John A. Gastright Jr., a senior official in the State Department's South Asia bureau, said a road-clearing crew was working nearby and could have caused the explosion that was heard.

Kashmir has been a focus for Islamic militants seeking to gain independence from India, or a merger with Pakistan. Pakistan denies that militants use its territory as a base.

Militants have been helping quake victims in both parts of Kashmir.

A spokesman for one militant group, Jaish-e-Mohammed - which has alleged links to al-Qaida and claimed responsibility for a deadly suicide bombing in Indian-held Kashmir on Wednesday - said it would not contemplate attacking any foreigners who are helping quake survivors.

``All those foreigners, including Americans, who are helping our people in the quake-hit areas are our honorable guests,'' spokesman Sahrai Baba told The Associated Press. ``We cannot even think of doing anything against them.''



11/02/05 16:20 EST

[SyedA]

Turkey’s unprecedented response

A GROUP representing Turkish citizens handed over a cheque of donation for the earthquake victims to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on behalf of the Turkish people in Islamabad on Tuesday. While presenting the cheque, the group leader said that the donation represent reciprocity from the Turkish people for the support that the people of the region constituting Pakistan today had rendered to them during the Khilafat movement.

Civilised and self-respecting nations seldom forget the favour done to them by other peoples during their hour of trial and tribulation. They often try to reciprocate the gesture of support to them at the time of others’ crisis and tragedies. And the process usually stretches over generations. Pakistan and Turkey are the two countries that have enjoyed extremely close ties ever since Pakistan’s emergence on the world map. They have always stood by each other at the hour of need. Turkish response to earthquake deluge has been unprecedented and represents the abounding goodwill that Pakistan enjoys in Turkey. The Turkish Prime Minister hopped to Islamabad quickly to express his nation’s solidarity with Pakistan in its national tragedy caused by the killer earthquake. He squeezed out time to visit the quake-hit areas of Azad Kashmir and Hazara Division to see the devastation personally in order to evaluate his Government’s appropriate response with relief goods. Turkey has virtually maintained aerial bridge with regular supply of relief goods by aeroplanes since then. The presentation of the cheque of donations collected by the people of Turkey to the Prime Minister is a classic example of Turkish solidarity with the Pakistani people. That ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed’ has been demonstrated by the Turkish people in practical terms. The gesture of reciprocity on the part of the Turkish people at the time of Pakistan’s need is a manifestation of tremendous goodwill that exists between the two brotherly Muslim countries, which are linked by the bonds of history, culture and faith. By collecting donations on the streets of Ankara and Istanbul, the Turkish people have displayed their love and affection for their Pakistani counterparts. We are confident that the Pakistani nation will long remember this gesture as a source of inspiration for further cementing the relations between the two countries.

[yasser]

In Muzafarabad there were many ambulences (modern ones) driving around with the Turkish flag tied to the front bonnet, the Turks earnt alot of good will. Someone told me that they orginally arrived two days afterwards. They were flown to Karchi first and told to rest overnight, but the medic teams refused to stay there or rest until they got to Muzafferbad.

[MohammedA]

Army completes evacuation of seriously injured from NWFP

14,000 Army engineers working to reopen blocked roads

PESHAWAR: The Army has evacuated all seriously injured people from all the areas of the NWFP struck by the earthquake, said an ISPR press release on Wednesday.

The areas were accessed by Army rescue parties and its helicopters fleet to undertake this gigantic exercise. Mules of the Animal Transport Regiment were utilised to evacuate the injured from the inaccessible mountain tops.

The Army is providing supplies and relief goods in 41 villages through helicopters, which have not been physically accessed so far.

These villages have been identified and troops will reach there within 24 hours.

The Army, with the help of an NGO, has established a mothercare centre in Najaf Shawal area near Balakot, where gynaecologists and child specialists would provide treatment round-the-clock.

A 100-bed hospital donated by the government of Punjab is being established in Balakot, whereas medical teams are vaccinating survivors against cholera, measles and epidemics in the quake-hit areas of the province.

Relief work in Kala Dhaka Tehsil of the Shangla district is continuing in full swing. The Army engineers are using boat motors and ferries to provide relief goods and tents to earthquake victims living along the water channels. Private boats are also being utilised.

Major supply and rescue bases have been established by the Army in Martung, Chakesar, Kazkana, Besham, Karora and Alpori areas of district Shangla.

Federal Minister for Environment Maj (retd) Tahir Iqbal said three to four more relief camps would soon be established in the outskirts of Islamabad for the quake victims of which a camp will be set up at the premises of the Botanical Gardens in Barakahu.

More than 14,000 troops of Army Engineers are working round-the-clock to reopen the roads in the earthquake devastated areas despite the difficulties posed by the continuous aftershocks and landslides in the area.

All the roads in Rawalakot and Bagh district have been reopened by the Army Engineers. Most of the roads in the Muzaffarabad district have also been reopened except for the Neelum Valley and some portion of Muzaffarabad-Chakothi road.

A Balley Bridge was successfully launched by the engineers to keep the communication open at Lamnian. Meanwhile, the 28-km long road from Lipa to Rashian has been reopened after an exhaustive work.

Almost 20 km stretch of Garhi Dupatta-Pathiali-Panjkot-Nauseri road has been reopened while the 9 km of Bagh-Chhattar-Chakoti road out of the total 25 km have also been cleared.

Army Engineers working in Muzaffarabad city during the last 24 hours recovered five more bodies from the rubble in various parts of the city and disposed off 440 dumpers load of debris.

The 28-km long Thakot-Banna road has been reopened for all types of traffic.

The work for reopening Kaghan-Balakot road continues in full swing. The 35-km long stretch of road has been repaired while the remaining five km will be reopened shortly.

An Engineers Battalion has also been employed at Rawalakot for reconstruction work.

Troops of the Army Engineers are also employed at Dhirkot, Garhi Dupatta and Shinkiari for reconstruction of the damaged buildings.

[MohammedA]

Compassion and callousness



Ikram Sehgal

If anyone in the country thinks we have seen the worst of the great disaster that has engulfed northern Pakistan, they haven't seen nothing yet. As the cold of the winter sets in, the race against time is to provide minimum shelter, warm clothing and adequate nourishment, particularly to children. Seventy-five heavy-lift choppers are already operating, another 75 are on the way. Adding some 30 to 40 light helicopters, the total in the air in affected areas should top 175. Field hospitals have increased in number and are now better equipped to forward the injured to well-appointed recovery and recuperation centres, not to mention sophisticated trauma units. For the many amputees the cold is devastating, and without proper medical care and supervision it could be fatal. Clearly, more field hospitals are required.

Against the harsh freezing conditions, tents and blankets provide (at the very least) something that is better than nothing. According to President Musharraf, 228,000 tents have been provided and by the end of November 500,000 will be in place. That by itself will be a remarkable achievement. Many of the mountain villages will have to be evacuated, the inhabitants brought to tented villages and/or cities. This is a Herculean task logistically. Moreover, inhabitants have to be convinced to leave behind their possessions, particularly animals.

The confusion of the first few days spawned another parallel tragedy, a social evil invented by the wicked. With the dispersal of families, and parents and children separated, human vultures started circling to 'adopt' children, to eventually force them into prostitution. These vultures need to be made 'permanently' accountable? Aren't looters summarily shot on sight?

The people of Pakistan have responded magnificently. Dedicated volunteers flooded in to help, with doctors taking leave from their duties and braving harsh conditions in providing medical help to the affected. Countrywide a vast amount of relief material was gathered and dispatched post-haste, haphazardly perhaps but in satisfactory quantities. The number of NGOs involved would fill a small directory. Those who decry political entities like the MQM and the religious groups such as the Jamaat-al-Dawa should take another look at the superb way they have organised both relief goods and volunteers. Altaf Hussain has been constantly urging his followers to render succour, both in cash and kind, and the MQM's educated cadres have made a difference. The president's initiative in launching a National Volunteer Organisation under Mohammad Ali Durrani should certainly make a long-term impact on the affectees and the areas where they live. Durrani successfully planned and ran Imran Khan's youth movement to gather initial funds for the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital.

The US brought in Chinook heavy-lift choppers, indispensable in those inaccessible, forbidding areas and many more are on the way. The US Navy has been constantly ferrying in tents, bulldozers and heavy lifting equipment; their help has been magnificent and generous in all spheres, be it money, material or manpower. President Bush has launched a private-sector initiative to help Pakistan, with some heavyweight CEOs as core members. The saving of thousands of precious lives should shut the strident voices that regularly protest anything the US does. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Iran, etc. have shuttled in relief goods. EU countries, with honourable exceptions like the UK and Germany, have not been so generous.

Mention must be made of the Airport Emergency Team (AET), which was at work in Islamabad within 72 hours, organised by the World Economic Forum's Disaster Resource Network (DRN). Mr Robert Bellhouse and Ms Kathleen Connolly, both in New York, deserving full credit for working around the clock planning, coordinating and dispatching volunteer doctors from as far away as California, and gathering many tons of relief goods including medicines. The DRN AET from Dubai is a composite group consisting among others of Emirates, DNATA, DHL, ARAMEX, TNT, Chapman-Freeborne and Dubai Aid City, all of whom have collectively contributed expertise, manpower and hard cash. They also did excellent work during the tsunami disaster. On the ground in Islamabad (and the affected areas), DHL Pakistan and ARAMEXSMS Couriers have provided the local logistics. While charity and relief work should usually remain faceless, it would be unfortunate if motivated misrepresentation is made to get crass commercial mileage with the country's leaders and the establishment by exploiting human misery.

Exploiting adversity and human tragedy is a favourite pastime for some. But how can we satisfy people who don't want to be satisfied? The disaster paralysed the entire civil administration and the sheer scale momentarily shell-shocked the country's armed forces, because of the severe losses they themselves suffered. Within hours and days, the khakis got to work and became the backbone of the entire relief effort. Maybe a hundred things which need to be done are not being done. But what about the thousands of things that the army is doing to save lives, providing the core of the desperately needed aviation effort. Certain areas may seem to be neglected, not due to any design but on account of resource constraints and impassable roads. Instead of suggesting ways and means to mitigate shortcomings, the only focus of some people is criticism, mainly for criticism's sake. A couple of trips to the disaster areas have made them 'experts'. Remove the 'armchair' qualification from the 'strategist' pretensions of these 'armchair cynics'. Educated officers will understand the motivation behind the cynicism and absorb unfair criticism, but how does one explain this down the ranks to the common jawans who are breaking their backs (even man-packing relief) and working around the clock to bring relief to the affected? Despite this unfair targeting, the poor soldiers will continue to do their duty as Pakistan expects them to do.

Not discounting the generosity of the people of this world, it is really a core of expatriate Pakistanis in every country who are putting precious time into this global effort. During the tsunami last December, both the government and people of Pakistan responded generously; as such the private response from South Asia to our day of tragedy could have been more forthcoming. The Government of India has been generous in offering assistance with trucks and trains of relief goods coming through the Wagah border, and the pledge of US$25 million at the donors' conference in Geneva is most gracious. During my visit to Dhaka and Delhi as the special emissary of the president of the Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), the genuine anguish felt by our counterpart organisations was clearly visible. How much of this feeling will be translated into actual relief material or hard cash remains to be seen. The (three) FPCCI counterparts in India were already into the task of mobilising relief material. Will their commitment be pro forma, mere lip service, forgotten as soon as I was out of the door? That would be most unfortunate.

People beset by disaster never forget those who come forward to help them and the body language of support is important. As a committed South Asian I support businessmen wanting free trade between India and Pakistan, appealing to emotional ties of yesteryear as well as proximity to foster economic togetherness. Businessmen from South Asia now need to put their money where there mouth is. If the stated friendship is taken by both the intelligentsia and the public as pro forma lip service in the face of our great setback, and the only motivation seen to be crass commercial exploitation, the public will want the government to be bloody-minded about economic arrangements. On the other hand, adversity is a great unifier. While the people of South Asia cannot be expected to fall over themselves to help us, rhetoric must be translated into reality. A perception of callousness would be tragic; it is the perception of compassion that must be apparent.



The writer is a defence and political analyst

Email: isehgal@pathfinder9.com

[MohammedA]

Make existing building earthquake resistant

The government has decided to enforce a uniform building code countrywide (The News, Oct. 31). No doubt this is a step in the right direction. But the uniform code will apply to new constructions. But at this stage it is imperative to strengthen the existing buildings, especially in dangerous seismic zones, and made quake resistant.

An American company claims to have the expertise and the material resources to reinforce existing buildings. The company is a leading designer, supplier and installer of quality innovative Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRB) for repair and strengthening of these structures, particularly related to earthquakes, terrorist attacks and other potential structural disasters.

FRPs are flexible materials used in a plastic state that can be easily applied to the exterior surface of a structural element similar to how wallpapers are installed. In this state flexibility of FRP allows it to easily conform to the shape of structural element being treated. Once the material cures, typically in 24 hours, it will become extremely strong in tension. At least 2 to 3 times stronger than steel and makes the structural element monolithic. It is applied to masonry walls, RCC beams, columns and roof slabs which are not reinforced. It is a simple, fast and economical method of strengthening the structure to make it quake resistant. The company can supply a complete line of materials and installation by its own construction crews or training and certifying our domestic contractors.

Engr Dr A Ghafoor

Islamabad

[Usman S.]

Unimaginable scale of death

Mir Jamil-ur-Rahman

Every day new data becomes available, revealing the scale of death and devastation that the Oct 8 earthquake has inflicted upon Azad Kashmir and the northern parts of NWFP. The ruined cities, towns and villages can be rebuilt, but the loss of life can never be compensated. The deaths have surpassed 73,000 and the injured have been estimated at over 69,000. The count is mounting as more data becomes available.

Most of the injured have suffered fractures of the spine, skull, arms and legs. In the first few days after the quake, the surgeons who had reached the ravaged areas carried out amputations of limbs without proper anaesthesia. The immediate amputations were necessary because gangrene was setting in which would have killed the patient. Still quite a few deaths occurred because of the unavailability of the tetanus vaccine in sufficient quantity. Some quake victims have lost more than one limb and one unconfirmed report mentions an adolescent girl who lost both her legs and arms. The data that is being collected will reveal that the earthquake has disabled for life, hundreds of men, women and children.

Spinal injuries have paralysed hundreds of men and women either partially or totally. Their condition brings tears to one's eyes. A philanthropic woman, Mrs Nafisa Khattack, has turned her Melody Cinema, Islamabad, into a post-operative and therapeutic centre for females after they have been operated upon and discharged from PIMS. Some lady doctors are voluntarily looking after these women patients, their age ranging between 14 and 50. Some of them cannot even handle their toilet needs. This facility is looking after 50 patients.

UNICEF has estimated that at least 17,000 pupils attending schools were killed when the quake struck and brought down school buildings. The government estimates that 6,700 schools have been destroyed in NWFP and another 1,700 in AJK.

This is merely a glimpse of the gigantic rehabilitation task ahead. President General Pervez Musharraf while talking to the media observed that the rescue and relief operation has nearly ended and very soon the task of reconstruction and rehabilitation will commence. He responded, quoting facts and figures, to the cynics who downplay the relief efforts.

The one objection commonly raised is that the military response was very slow. President Musharraf very patiently explained that moving an army formation consisting of thousands of soldiers with their equipment is an intricate exercise especially when the information is sketchy and it is not certain which area needs them more urgently. He said it requires extensive logistical support to move 3 divisions to the designated areas and then disperse the troops to every town, village and mountain hamlet. He rightly claimed that no other army in the world could have performed as swiftly and effectively as the Pakistan army did considering the mountainous terrain and the shattered roads.

The opposition cried wolf when 1,000 NATO troops started landing at Chaklala airbase. Its leaders screamed that this was an infringement of Pakistan's sovereignty. Some argued that this would enable the troops to gather intelligence of a strategically sensitive area. There could only be two reasons for this unbecoming reaction. One, those criticising were playing politics by trying to depict a humanitarian effort by NATO as some imperialistic design against Pakistan. Two, they are just ignorant of the progress science and technology have made in the recent past. NATO need not come here with 1,000 soldiers and tons of relief goods to access the northern areas of Pakistan for spying. Satellite technology has made that procedure redundant. The opposition leaders should know by now that the northern areas or for that matter any area in the world can be photographed very precisely by satellites.

President Musharraf lamented that instead of appreciating NATO's gesture, the opposition was casting suspicions on its relief efforts. He said that the NATO force mainly consists of engineers laced with heavy equipment for building infrastructure, medical teams, and to provide assistance in terms of air transporting 10,000 tons of relief goods which are waiting at different NATO countries for passage to Pakistan. The quantity of relief goods is quite big and air transportation expensive. No airline has the capability of transporting this large a quantity in reasonably quick time and without charges.

President Musharraf has ordered comprehensive data on the destruction and death caused by the earthquake and the financial requirements for rebuilding and reconstructing. This will be ready before the international donors meet in Islamabad on November 19. The data will enable the international donors to assess the needs and then contribute accordingly. If we prepare our case properly, supporting figures with strong evidence, then we can expect generous contribution for the uphill task of rehabilitation and reconstruction.

The President has also announced the launch of a National Volunteers Organisation with the purpose of involving the youth, especially doctors and engineers, in the reconstruction work, in a guided and organised manner.

This is a good idea. But the trouble is that volunteerism cannot flourish under the government umbrella. Involvement of the government means involvement of money. When money comes into play, the principles of volunteerism suffer.

Let me illustrate by giving a brief description of RAPID-UK which recently won laurels by its successful rescue operations in Pakistan.

RAPID stands for Rescue and Preparedness in Disasters. It is a charity formed in 1996 with headquarters in Gloucestershire. It is run entirely by unpaid volunteers. Its volunteers pay for most of their own equipment, clothing and expenses. It gets no special funding from the government except sponsorship of British Airways who fly the rescue teams where they are needed. It does not charge anyone for its search and rescue services. It relies solely on donations and sponsorship from the public domain.

RAPID sent two teams to Pakistan. The first team of 15 operational members flew out Saturday lunchtime (Oct 8) and a second team of 11 flew out Saturday evening. I do not think that a volunteer organisation run by the government could have acted so swiftly. It would need a lot of paperwork and permissions to move to the disaster area.

All RAPID volunteers undergo an 18-month training programme, and once trained and assessed, the volunteers have the choice of specialising in one of the specialised units of Canine Support, Medical, Marine Rescue or Assessment. The total cost of initial training on an operational member and search dog is approximately 29,750 pounds sterling.

It will be more practical if volunteerism was introduced in fire brigades. Fire fighting too involves search and rescue operations and its training is not expensive. The service scope of the Civil Defence department could also be extended by introducing volunteerism in its operations.

The writer is a freelance columnist

Email: mirjrahman@yahoo.com

http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/index.html

[H Khan]

By MATTI HUUHTANEN
.c The Associated Press

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Helping doctors treat badly injured victims of Pakistan's quake and seeing its demolished towns has been especially poignant for the Pakistani-born U.S. soldiers working as translators at an American military hospital.

Four of them at the MASH unit in the Pakistani Kashmir hub city of Muzaffarabad work as a channel between doctors and patients, sometimes breaking agonizing news that a limb must amputated, against the backdrop of a shattered city in the midst of breathtaking Himalayan scenery.

``This was Pakistan's paradise, but now it's rubble,'' said Sgt. Mohammad Tabassum. ``It's very painful to see the suffering.''

Tabassum, 48, was born in Pakistan but emigrated to the United States at age 20 to seek an education. He later joined the U.S. Army.

He and three other interpreters who speak Pakistan's national language, Urdu, have been working 15-hour shifts at the 212th Mobile Surgical Army Hospital since it arrived Oct. 24.

As word spread among surrounding mountain villages that the U.S. hospital team had arrived, a steady stream of survivors injured in the Oct. 8 quake have been brought in.

``I'm very glad to be able to help, to do some something for these people. I just wish it could be more,'' said U.S. Air Force Maj. Fareed Sheikh, 32, who moved to the United States at the age of 3 months.

In the first 10 days, MASH doctors treated more than 700 patients, amputating gangrenous limbs and operating on broken bones of victims crushed by collapsed buildings or buried under landslides that transformed the green mountainsides into white banks of rocks and rubble.

The doctors also inoculated survivors against outbreaks of tetanus, diphtheria, measles, mumps and rubella, and treated respiratory illnesses and meningitis, with patients forming long lines outside the olive-green military tents.

Eager for medical care that far surpasses local health services, many quake survivors brought fruit and even cooked meals for the Army medics.

``You can see it in their eyes; they are grateful. They will always remember the moment when the Americans came to them in the hour of need,'' Tabassum said. ``They no longer see the Americans as evil bombers in Afghanistan and Iraq, but as compassionate, helping human beings.''

But some were stubborn to the point of frustration.

A 27-year-old woman, suffering life-threatening septic arm and leg wounds, was taken away from the field hospital by her husband, brother and cousin who refused to allow her to be treated but gave no clear reason.

``Her life was in danger, but there was nothing we could do to convince the men that she should be treated,'' said Staff Sgt. Syed Ahmed, who tried unsuccessfully - for two and a half hours - to persuade the men to let doctors care for her injuries.

``The husband said it didn't matter if she died because so many were killed by the quake. The woman was silent, and didn't say anything,'' Ahmed said, throwing his hands up in despair. ``Sometimes I don't understand these people, even though they are my people.''

On the second day, MASH surgeons performed their first amputation, cutting the left leg below the knee of Yaseeb Muhammad, a 32-year-old man who had been making hay in a field when a ridge collapsed on him.

``It was the hardest thing I had to do in my life - to tell him and his family that we had to amputate the leg,'' said Spc. Abbas Farooqi, 22, who translated for doctors. ``The man and his brother pleaded that we don't amputate, but it had to be done.''

On Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Mushtaq Dar, whose sister was treated for leukemia, brought Coke and local snacks to the emergency room.

``Today for us is like Dec. 25 for you. It's a holiday. And twice as much, because you have helped my family,'' Dar said.

Ahmed, 32, who was born in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi and moved to New York, smiled, eyeing distant mountains untouched by the quake.

``It's at moments like this when you see that you have helped, and when you look at those beautiful mountains, you could imagine that you are in paradise - briefly,'' he said.



11/05/05 19:02 EST

[Naveed]

Callous India ignores Pak trauma

By Mariana Baabar

ISLAMABAD: Displaying acute insensitivity and complete disregard for the difficult time Pakistan is passing through, India appears to be the only country in the world with complete disregard for human sufferings at an unprecedented scale.

While the entire country is battling the massive earthquake tragedy and world capitals are seized with ways and means to help Pakistan in its moment of trial, New Delhi did the unbelievable.

It tried to draw world attention away from the reality in Pakistan and instead tried to make the world focus on what it says is Pakistan’s proliferation case with accusations made by none other than the Indian foreign secretary who said it was necessary to gain access to Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.

The Foreign Office spokeswoman in a befitting response stated that Pakistan had fully cooperated with the IAEA and had conducted thorough investigations with regard to illicit transfer of technology to Iran. "We fully shared the findings with the International Atomic Energy Agency and all concerned."

She said: "Pakistan has taken forceful action to dismantle the international illicit nuclear network. It no longer exists in Pakistan. The IAEA has acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan’s cooperation. This chapter is closed."

"We are a part of international efforts aimed at non-proliferation. We have introduced comprehensive export control legislation and enforced strong export control," she added. As regards South Asia, everyone knows which country started nuclear proliferation in the region. "It was not Pakistan. India abused its civilian programme to divert technology for military purposes and exploded a nuclear device in 1974. Again India was the first to test in 1998. Pakistan however, was obliged to respond to the developments in our region to maintain a credible nuclear deterrence and security balance in the interest of peace in the region," said the spokeswoman.

SOURCE: http://jang.com.pk/thenews/oct2005-daily/26-10-2005/main/main8.htm

[TahirN]

Check the attached pic from BBC news, amazing pic of a Mi-26 Halo ferrying what looks like a bulldozer!

[MohammedA]

http://www.pakobserver.net/200511/08/Articles03.asp


This earthquake: “— The will of God”
Hayat Siddiqui

8th October 2005, has been recorded in the world history. History of the geological sciences record it as fifth strongest and history of Pakistan records it as the most powerful and most devastating earth quake. On the turn of the calendar month the death toll has risen to 73,500 and the number of injured are around 69,000. These are the official figures, and the number of dead is more than those injured. It speaks volume about the nature of holocaust. This monumental natural calamity has stirred the nation to new measures. We have been touched and we have been moved. All people, all sections of society have stepped forward to contribute. People of all areas, all cities and all ages have shared the help and relief efforts. They all worked they all contributed dam-e-darmey, sukhnay. Nothing could be more expressive than this Persian saying. One age group at which stands out in its physical efforts and contribution are the young people; the school, college and university going students, to be more specific. I can start as close as my own home. My youngest daughter an O level student has done the most. It was pleasure to see her and those of her age group tending the post operative patients at a field hospital.

People have talked a lot; thereby reinforcing each other’s resolve to combat the outcome of earthquake. Those who were at a distance have sent e-mails and letters to each other. Out of many inputs I received one letter. This is a letter from a learned and senior citizen. He is senior by all meanings of the word. Let us read some parts of it. “Earthquake– losses, sufferings, miseries are beyond comprehension. Unfortunately it is just the start of the saga. It is going to be very cold, long and dark winter for the affectees. Army was a little late in mobilizing. But it has done commendable job. Civil administration by its paralysis and politicians by their inaction have become redundant. They have totally disappointed the people by their inefficiency and callousness. Always look to Army for scour for relief from any kind of calamity. Good or bad Army is the savior. Bureaucrats, politicians and political parties shirk responsibilities; leave a void, Army expands to fill up. It is a negation of civil administration and civil society. Is it by default or by design? And if by design who’s design? So we have a Khalifa tul Muslimeen in the making.……

…. I read Urdu Press. I listen to interviews of affectees. They are a paragon of courage, fortitude, defiance and determination. These qualities if harnessed can make a nation unassailable. Look at the way nation has responded to the tragedy. There is no end to donations. Only the absorption capacity and administration are limited. Speed and volume of contributions are phenomenal. The spirit is exact replay of 1947. Help will be required for years to come. Will the leadership be able to sustain the spirits? Virtues dry up sooner than one can think.

One thing confuses me. Resignation and fatalism are pervasive. We are not looking for a scientific cause. We just say it is God’s will, and then relax. Try to forget the fateful day, deaths, injuries, losses and so on. We will build again but with more sand and less cement. All buildings, roads and bridges made by the Government have collapsed.

Thousands of children buried under the debris. No inquiry, no investigation no accountability, no punishment. ‘It was God’s will’. Life goes on. Maulvis and Mafia have jointly invented this balm. Leaders of all hues, column writers and those suffering, all are urging that we should seek forgiveness from Almighty, individually and collectively. They all proclaim that we have erred and sinned profusely. We are guilty of defying and disobeying His commands. We persisted in our ugly pursuits - end result earthquake. Sins of South Asians ended in Tsunami. Americans invited Katrina and Rita. It is oversimplification of theory of cause and effect. It is mandatory for us to keep seeking forgiveness and redemption and grace from Almighty. But it is incorrect, in fact, immoral to connect earthquake to our conduct. Do these wise men have license from God to so interpret the events ordained by God.

Those who have suffered were poor people living below poverty line, without proper food, shelter, job, education and medical facilities. Their days were spent in earning a living and nights in resting and recouping for next day’s ordeal. To sin, one needs leisure and money. They had none. The sinner, dacoits, thieves, smugglers of drugs, weapons and human flesh, tax evaders, loan defaulters and the likes live in towns and cities. I am confident God will not punish innocent students of Kashmir for the sins of urbanites. Attitude of resignation and fatalism has very negative effects on morals, ethos and sense of responsibility and accountability of the nation. Earthquake, deaths and injuries shall we say were ordained. But, how about the nation’s responsibilities before and after the event? Why every structure built with public fund has collapsed? Why did civil administration just melted. Why are aids vehicles waylaid and looted? Why help has not reached distant places even after three weeks?

Earthquake was a big tragedy. Our reaction to everyday occurrences is equally negative. A patient bleeds to death while duty doctor keeps snoring in the room next door. Police tortures a suspect to death, a driver without licence and under influence of drug kills dozens and bereaved families without demur accept the argument “it was God’s will”! No investigation no inquiry no trial no punishment. The criminals and guilty go scot-free to have another field day.Chairman CDA Mr Kamran Lashari, the whizkid of Pakistan bureaucracy was only reflecting nation’s mind set when he said there was no need to hold an enquiry or award punishment on the fall of Margalla Towers. It was God’s Will!

Resignation has its own strengths and virtues for an individual. It develops fortitude, makes reconciliation easy, and enables you to suffer vagaries of life more easily; forgiveness is built in the character and so on. It has very negative effects as well. It makes us passive and inactive. We accept exploitation, excesses and injustices without a whisper. We refuse to fight for our rights for justice and fair play. We lose capacity to inquire to research, to prepare for future traumas. We may develop endurance but not the courage. Forgiveness is wrongly interpreted. ….. Resignation saps will power and determination. …. Each one of us is only a spectator about many things like disrespect of constitution, unemployment, crimes, adultery, adulteration, and lack of security, lack of medical care, and lack of cheap, equitable and accessible education. No protest. About spectators a German philosopher said, “every spectator is a either a coward or a traitor” We are both.”

My dear readers including planners, sufferers and those busy in volunteer work you are doing great job. Keep it up However, please do not stop to inquire, and do not resign to struggle. For to struggle is your domain results are His domain. You shall be awarded and rewarded for your efforts. This is the will of the God.

[H Khan]

By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN
.c The Associated Press

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan (AP) - The estimated death toll in South Asia's earthquake jumped to more than 87,000 on Tuesday, the one-month anniversary of the disaster, as survivors prepared for the region's savage Himalayan winter.

The United Nations says its agencies needs more than US$42 million (euro35.5 million) for crucial efforts this month to bring help for victims of the devastating Oct. 8 quake centered in divided Kashmir. But U.N. officials in Pakistan said Tuesday they were cautiously optimistic that a humanitarian catastrophe could be avoided.

``We are very anxious about when the snow falls,'' said quake survivor Hafiz Mohammed Aslam, a preacher in the village of Kotramaskhan in Pakistan's portion of Kashmir. ``It will become a terrible situation, especially for the children.''

The toll in Pakistan jumped to 86,000 - or 13,000 higher than the government's official toll so far - under a broad assessment by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, working with local governments and aid agencies, Pakistani Finance Ministry official Iqbal Ahmed Khan said Tuesday.

India has reported 1,350 deaths in its portion of divided Kashmir.

Khan said the new tally for Pakistan came after more bodies were pulled from debris and recovery teams reached areas previously blocked by landslides unleashed by the magnitude-7.6 quake and its hundreds of aftershocks.

``This is their assessment, which we think is fair enough,'' Khan said. ``They had various teams in the field. This is feedback from the field.''

The central Pakistani government's official death toll - still at 73,000 - typically has lagged behind other tallies, including those of local provincial governments in the quake-affected areas, whose most conservative estimates have added up to 79,000 for Pakistan for more than two weeks.

Aid officials fear that winter could bring a new wave of deaths among survivors, from hypothermia and respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia.

The U.N. humanitarian chief Jan Egeland said Monday in New York that people in Kashmir could ``freeze to death if they don't get assistance in weeks,'' while urging everyone from individuals to oil-rich nations to be as generous as they were with other recent natural disasters.

``It's even more urgent than it was in these other hurricanes or tsunamis,'' Egeland said.

However, at a news conference Tuesday in Islamabad, U.N. aid officials indicated that funding and the efforts of aid workers have begun to catch up with the needs.

``Perhaps for the first time since Oct. 8 there is a sense of cautious optimism in the humanitarian community,'' said local U.N. emergency coordinator Jan Vandemoortele. ``The job is colossal, but there is a feeling that this is a doable job. It is not mission impossible.''

The U.N. officials made no mention of scaling back helicopter aid flights, as they had warned about doing in the past couple of weeks unless more funding came through.

The U.N. said it has received about US$85 million (euro71 million) of the US$550 million (euro465 million) it has asked for, with about US$49 million (euro41.2 million) more pledged. More than US$40 million (euro35.5 million) is needed right away just to get through November, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Monday from Geneva.

The quake destroyed the homes of more than 3 million people across Pakistan's North West Frontier Province and its portion of Kashmir, many of whom have moved into the many tent camps that have been set up in foothills of the Himalayas.

The U.N. has launched ``Operation Winter Race'' to shelter to about 200,000 people living at high altitudes above the snow line in the rugged Himalayas and about 150,000 expected to come down to tent camps at lower elevations.

Tents already pledged and in the pipeline should take care of those people, Egeland said.

Survivors continue to stream into the Kashmiri Pakistan hub of Muzaffarabad, where they pick up tents from aid agencies before trudging out of town with canvas and poles on their backs in search of any flat ground not already claimed by other survivors.

Some can be seen trekking along the Neelum river up to windy bluffs overlooking the city, where they must dig into the slope with crowbars to carve a shelf big enough to pitch a tent.

``Life is very difficult,'' 28-year-old survivor Jamil said in the Pakistani Kashmir hub of Muzaffarabad as he hauled a freshly donated tent Tuesday up to a cold mountainside camp. ``I waited one month for a tent and our food doesn't last long.''



11/08/05 07:50 EST

[MohammedA]

Aziz asks housing ministry to submit revised building codes in a month ISLAMABAD, Nov 8 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Tuesday directed the Ministry of Housing and Works to submit a revised draft of building codes within a month to ensure that all future constructions comply with safety standards. The draft codes would be prepared by an experts committee headed by NESPAK. Chairing a high level meeting at the PM House, he said the government would not ban construction of multi-storied buildings. He however asked CDA to improve enforcement of laws and improve inspection and supervision mechanism to ensure there was no sub standard construction. Aziz asked Chairman CDA to have a more interactive policy and continuously disseminate information to public about buildings, housing societies, which do not fulfil CDA's requirements, allowing public to make correct decisions. (Posted @ 17:30 PST)

[Naveed]

aoa!

Fakher e Alam has just appeared on CNN with his fresh appeal for earthquake related help. He has launched a massive campaign all over. For details visit his website at

http://www.unitedpakistan.org/

NA

[H Khan]

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new poll commissioned by Terror Free Tomorrow and conducted by Ipsos, a majority of the American public supports increased assistance to the victims of the earthquake in Pakistan, when informed of the facts.

These results compare favorably to a survey gauging the public's response to the tsunami that struck Indonesia. Once apprised of the situation, just as many Americans say that we should increase aid to Pakistan as said we should increase aid to Indonesia after the tsunami. The poll is the first nationwide survey of Americans since the Pakistani earthquake on October 8th.

The difference in the American public's view between the two natural disasters is that due to lower levels of awareness, the public must be informed of the earthquake's impact in Pakistan. A strong majority (71%) of those surveyed have read or seen less in the news media on the Pakistan earthquake than on the tsunami that struck Asia at the end of last year -- just 19% say that the coverage they have seen or read is about the same.

When asked simply if they would increase aid, a plurality of 49% favors such an increase. When told of the casualty figures (almost 80,000 dead and 3 million homeless), that percentage rises to 55% in support of an increase. Last January in response to a similar question on aid to Indonesia following the tsunami, 57% favored increasing American assistance. The results of the two polls are thus nearly identical, and within both polls' margin of error of 3%.

Raising awareness of the extent of the loss of life and homelessness in Pakistan corresponds with a demand for an increase in assistance across gender, age, and income sub-groups. Compared to only 13% of the American public that thinks the United States should generally increase assistance to other countries, support for a stronger response by the United States to the Pakistani earthquake, as occurred with the tsunami, is significant.

The poll surveyed 1,006 American adults over November 1-3, 2005 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1%.
Contact: Ken Ballen, (202) 274-1800 x 201 http://www.terrorfreetomorrow.org.
SOURCE Terror Free Tomorrow

11/08/2005 15:00 ET

[MohammedA]

Daily Times - Site Edition Wednesday, November 09, 2005


Citizens demand investigation into school-collapse

Daily Times Monitor

LAHORE: Citizen groups in Pakistan are demanding an investigation into why so many schools, an estimated 10,000, collapsed during the October 8 earthquake, reported The Christian Science Monitor.

“The earthquake was quite intense, but shoddy materials used in construction may have caused even more deaths,” Bushra Gohar, director of the Human Resource Management and Development Centre in Peshawar, told the website.

CSM said that Gohar and other experts claimed systemic corruption in government construction projects was directly responsible for the devastating losses among the next generation. “This is criminal negligence by the state,” said Gohar, whose organisation is considering a public interest lawsuit against the Education Department and the Communications and Works Department.

“We definitely call for an investigation, to protect children in the future,” Arshad Mehmud, the deputy national coordinator of the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, told the website. “We need an external, impartial probe, because if you do it through the existing bureaucracy, they won’t be able to give a fair assessment,” he added.
According to CSM, neither Pakistan’s federal or provincial government has undertaken an investigation into the school collapse. Any such probe is also not likely soon, given that the government machinery from top to bottom is either overwhelmed with relief efforts, or damaged itself from the quake, the website quoted observers as saying.

“Definitely the government is interested in investigating this. But the first priority is to rehabilitate the people,” said Shafiullah Khan, the special secretary of NWFP’s Schools and Literacy Department.

Meanwhile, parents are not waiting around for the government, reported CSM. Prompted by growing fears, they are taking matters into their own hands, directly confronting school administrations about safety.

Zarina Jillani’s children attend Froebel’s International School in Islamabad, which was partially damaged in the quake. “The school administration tried to conceal the cracks, but the parents found out,” she claimed.

Following an angry showdown between parents and the school administration, Jillani told the website, the municipal authority stepped in, ordering the school shut down until an independent body could certify the building’s safety.

Activists told CSM that a full investigation into the weakness of public structures across the earthquake zone could lead to better safety measures in the future. But many said that, even without an investigation, the devastation of schools could be put down to the widespread corruption in government building projects.

“The problem with government schools is that there is so much corruption with construction that many materials are not used,” Sameen Mehmood Jan, an opposition member of the NWFP Assembly, told the website. “I know the buildings are not seismic proof, but at least the roofs shouldn’t have collapsed the way they did.”

Experts estimate that between 30 and 60 percent of funds for government buildings, including schools, are siphoned off by corrupt officials. Contractors squeezed by such kickbacks have less to spend on materials, experts explain, resulting in poor quality buildings. “This was a common practice throughout Pakistan, but particularly in NWFP. We have been tolerating this kind of corruption in Pakistan for years,” Gohar told CSM.

[H Khan]

By ANNA JOHNSON
.c The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) - In this city's vibrant Pakistani and Indian neighborhood, the collection jars for victims of last month's devastating South Asian earthquake are as ever-present as those that appeared across the country after Hurricane Katrina hit.

But travel a few blocks south in Chicago, and those jars and any other reminders of the Oct. 8 quake that killed 87,350 people disappear.

Frustrated by what they perceive as a slow and inadequate U.S. response to the disaster, Pakistanis in the United States are launching Web sites and taking to the streets to collect money and aid for victims.

They hope to increase awareness of a tragedy they believe the U.S. media has underplayed amid an onslaught of natural disasters, including December's Asian tsunami and Hurricane Katrina.

``Maybe other Americans don't know about it, or maybe everyone is confused about what's going on in the world, especially with the tsunami, Katrina and now the earthquake,'' said Mohammed Nadeem, editor of the Pakistani Times in Chicago. ``All I know is right now people need help.''

Ali Hanafi, a management consultant in San Francisco, hasn't gone to sleep before 3 a.m. for weeks as he juggles his job with organizing fundraisers and media awareness campaigns for the Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America.

The networking organization joined forces with several other Pakistani groups after the earthquake to help Americans understand the devastation.

They created a Web site, www.saquake.org, that includes guides on how to contact the media, fundraiser information, letter writing campaigns urging President George W. Bush and Congress to send more aid and photographs from the region. The groups also organized vigils to mark the quake's one-month anniversary Tuesday.

``Because a lot of people haven't been to northern Pakistan, there is no connection to the people there,'' Hanafi said. ``So we realized we needed to mobilize and act.''

Mohammed Asim had a similar idea. Almost immediately after the earthquake struck, he got in touch with the Pakistani Consulate in Chicago to find out how he could help. A few days later, he bought a domain name and helped create www.pakistanearthquake.us.

The site advertises fundraising events in the Chicago area, gives a running list of needed supplies and includes firsthand accounts of the devastation.

``We are trying to make a clearinghouse, so people know where they can turn to,'' said Asim, a Chicago Board of Options Exchange employee. ``It's not receiving the attention it should be receiving, and that's why we created this.''

Many Pakistanis say they expected more from U.S. charities.

``It is very discouraging that we did not get any support from U.S. local organizations,'' said Zahida Shah, vice president of the Pakistani American Association of Greater Washington. ``They are not doing ... the same things they did after the tsunami.''

U.N. officials say donors have pledged $131 million (euro111 million) of the $550 million (euro468 million) sought by the United Nations for emergency quake aid. By comparison, $13.5 billion was pledged to victims of Asia's Dec. 26 tsunami, which killed 178,000 people and left 50,000 missing.

The World Food Program last week said it could run out of money because donors have not given enough to meet the region's desperate needs. Jan Egeland, chief of the U.N. relief operation, also warned that tens of thousands of people in the mountainous region rocked by the earthquake are at risk of death because of a lack of shelter, food and medical care.

``We have a very short time frame. We have two to three weeks to save tens of thousands of people,'' Hanafi said. ``It's hard to fathom, but it's keeping us going.''

Associated Press writers Stephen Manning in Maryland and Nahal Toosi in New York contributed to this report.



11/09/05 05:55 EST

[H Khan]

By MATTHEW PENNINGTON
.c The Associated Press

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Several hundred survivors of South Asia's Oct. 8 earthquake have come down with acute diarrhea at a makeshift tent camp in Pakistan's portion of Kashmir, a World Health Organization official said Wednesday.

Health workers said unsanitary condition in the camp in Muzaffarabad, which sprang up after the quake, had likely caused the outbreak. The workers were urgently giving rehydration salts and intravenous drips to the sick.

Meanwhile, Pakistan and India opened a second crossing at their disputed Kashmir frontier to exchange quake aid, but did not go forward with much-awaited plans to let residents of the divided territory cross to reunite with long-separated relatives.

In Muzaffarabad, an ethnic-based group that set up a relief camp pulled out of the city following a clash between its supporters and a rival Islamic group that left two people injured, police said.

The 7.6-magnituge quake - which killed an estimated 87,350 people - also destroyed homes of more than 3 million across northwestern Pakistan and its portion of Kashmir. Many survivors have moved into tent camps in the Himalayan foothills. Some 1,350 of the deaths were in Indian territory.

Aid officials have warned that coming cold weather and squalid camp conditions could bring a new wave of deaths, and the United Nations has launched urgent appeals for more money.

The diarrhea outbreak occurred at a camp housing about 3,000 people that cropped up spontaneously near a demolished university campus in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani-held Kashmir, said Khalid Shibib, WHO's team leader in the city.

Health workers said the situation began to deteriorate over the past week and cases of acute diarrhea had rocketed. On Monday alone, the camp clinic treated 170 cases of dysentery, he said.

International relief organizations were opening a treatment center to rehydrate diarrhea sufferers, digging new latrines and improving the water supply, said Shibib, adding that the outbreak appeared to be under control.

Acute diarrhea can be caused by many forms of bacteria or viruses that can spread in contaminated water, and can be lead to dangerous levels of dehydration.

It also can indicate more serious illnesses such as cholera. However, Shibib said there was no immediate evidence of a cholera outbreak.

Wednesday's frontier exchange between Pakistan and India was the second since the nuclear-armed rivals agreed, in the wake of the quake, to open an unprecedented five crossings through their heavily guarded frontier to ease aid efforts.

Officials at the Chakothi-Uri crossing exchanged aid across a dry river bed - hundreds of bags of rice from the Indian side, and several dozen bags of blankets and clothing from the Pakistani side.

``This is a goodwill gesture,'' said Bashir Ahmed Romial, relief coordinator in India's portion of Kashmir. ``Today is a start and we will send a lot more aid.''

Both sides hope to go forward soon with civilian crossings. They were delayed in part because the two sides need to vet lists of civilians, and India fears separatist Muslim militants may be among them.

Predominantly Muslim Kashmir was split between India and Pakistan in 1947 after independence from Britain in a dispute that has kept many Kashmiri families separated for nearly 60 years.

In a peace process begun last year, the two sides allowed limited crossings in a bus service through Chakothi-Uri checkpoint before the quake destroyed a bridge there.

Estimates of the quake's death toll stood Wednesday at 87,350 following a new count of the dead in Pakistan by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, working with local governments and aid agencies.

The agencies' report cited 86,000 dead in Pakistan, Finance Ministry official Iqbal Ahmed Khan said Tuesday. India has reported 1,350 deaths.

However, the Pakistani central government's official death toll remains at 73,000. That tally has lagged behind others, including the most conservative estimates by Pakistani provincial officials that add up to 79,000.

At least two people were injured in a clash Tuesday in Muzaffarabad between members of the Mutahida Qami Movement and Jamaat-e-Islami over slogans written on walls, said the city's deputy police chief, Atta Ullah.

MQM, which represents Urdu-speaking migrants in the southern city of Karachi, had set up a relief camp in Muzaffarabad. Jamaat-e-Islami is Pakistan's largest Islamic party. The two groups often clash in Karachi.

``MQM felt they could not survive here and they have left for Karachi,'' Ullah said.



11/09/05 08:20 EST

[SSAAD]

A Not-So-Short Walk In Hindu Kush

Quote

There are areas in the earthquake zone that are simply inaccessible by any other means. High up in the mountains there are villages to which no roads lead — or if there were roads, those roads are gone.

(CBS) This Reporter's Notebook was written by CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips.


Somewhere around the 4,000-ft. mark, funny things start happening to your eyes. Spots seem to appear on the extreme edge of your field of vision. Loose, basketball-sized boulders on the trail seem to move as you try to step around them. But this isn't a pleasure stroll in which you can stop to admire the view and catch your breath.

This is a mercy mission. And while it may be a physical challenge for a soft, city-living correspondent, to the men and mules of the 72nd Animal Transport Battalion of the Pakistan Army, it's a day at the office. What really bothered me is that none of them even broke a sweat. And while I could hear my heart pounding in my ears, at the 5,000-ft. mark they broke into song ... and kept climbing.

There are areas in the earthquake zone that are simply inaccessible by any other means. High up in the mountains there are villages to which no roads lead — or if there were roads, those roads are gone. Even single-file tracks have been obliterated by landslides. And in those villages — or what's left of them — there are severely injured people. And hungry people. And people without shelter. And winter is coming.

Some of these places are way up there, above 5,000, 7,000, even 9,000 feet. Some cling so precariously to the steep pitched mountainsides there is no place a helicopter could land. Mule trains are the only way.

So every day at dawn the soldiers of the 72nd A.T. stack sacks of flour, sugar, tea and pile tins of cooking oil on the backs of their mules and start the climb. Several hours and several thousand vertical feet later, they off-load these supplies in the villages and head back down. Then they do it again.

Often the trail they took yesterday isn't there today, covered over with new rock slides. With their hands, the mule handlers heave boulders out of the way to clear a new path. You can hear the shifted rocks cracking for what seems like miles as they smack their way down the slopes below.

The animal transport battalions of the Pakistan Army have a long, proud history. In the decades of hostility between Pakistan and India over the disputed province of Kashmir, the mule trains were the only means of fortifying the high Himalayan passes. They'd carry heavy guns and shells into areas unreachable with normal military transport. Sometimes, if the area was considered too dangerous for humans, the mules would be sent along the trails alone.

You may have heard about stubborn mules. These aren't. The train I was with had to climb up 60-degree, loose-boulder fields, had to wade through angry, roiling, rocky streams, had to stagger through slides of shifting shale and never once did an animal refuse. And always up and up and up. The Energizer people should have picked these mules -- not some bunny.

The Pakistani government is trying to convince the quake survivors in the villages to come down to the valleys where aid is more easily distributed. But the major towns, all of them severely damaged by the quake, are already thronged with displaced people from the hills, not to mention their own surviving populations.

Many of the tent cities that have formed are little more than squalid camps with no running water or sanitation. Disease warnings are already being issued by world health authorities.

"I'd rather die up here," is a phrase I heard more than once in the mountain villages.

The problem is, in a word, winter. Sometime in the middle of next month it will set in with a vengeance. Temperatures, already freezing at night will drop and stay dropped. Blizzards will whip up snow drifts ten feet deep. The tents the mule trains are carrying seem inadequate. Yet large portions of the village populations see a winter in the hills as a lesser evil than the threat and crowding of the towns. Some are building crude lean-tos out of scavenged material from the demolished buildings. But even then, they say, they'll have to shovel snow off the roofs night and day to keep them from caving in.

In the village of Sat Bani, our destination, 60 people were killed in the quake. Not a single building is standing. Several hundred souls — some survivors from Sat Bani, some who have come from villages even higher up — wait. The mule trains arrive every few days trying to bring up enough supplies to last through the winter but everybody knows when the snows come in a few weeks, even the mules won't be able to get through.

We leave the village a while after the mule train has departed. They don't dally to talk to people. One of the villagers insists on escorting us down the tricky passage just below the settlement so we don't get lost. As we part he shakes our hands and offers some advice. "Be careful," he says. "These mountains are very dangerous."

By Mark Phillips
©MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.pakpositive.com/common/clicks/out2.php?pakpositive=%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fst ories%2F2005%2F11%2F07%2Flistening_post%2Fmain1020 898.shtml

[Naveed]

aoa!

http://www.unhcr.ch/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/earthquake?page=news&id=4368bdd84

[SSAAD]

I thought the stuff in bold was a very good analysis of how Pakistani nation is being viewed (even though this how we have always been) in the eyes of outsiders.

Aftershocks and Afterthoughts

Bina Shah

Muzaffarabad - A grandfather gives a silent prayer for the life of his grandchild spared during the quake. (Photo by Nayan Sthakiya)

Perhaps God, in making this earthquake happen, saved the two countries from an even worse fate. Because I know that Pakistan would never have backed down from the fight for Kashmir - even if was no longer politically wise to continue. This earthquake has forced us to stop. It might even be God's warning for us both.

The other day I read a story posted on Yahoo News about the earthquake in Pakistan and the comparisons that can be drawn between the earthquake and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The author of the piece drew parallels between the two regions – the confusion and fear of the people, the responses to the government, the way people in both places used faith to get through the disasters. Perhaps the comparison between New Orleans and Kashmir is stretching it just a bit, but the spirit in which it was written is still very touching You get a sense of the writer's compassion and empathy for the people who are suffering in Pakistan, which is something not seen much before for this country.

So it's been two weeks since it happened, and now they're saying the dead number anywhere between fifty to eighty thousand. It's really just impossible to comprehend, no matter what it is. The bodies are still being retrieved from the rubble, although it's now almost certain that everyone still in the demolished buildings must now be dead. And we have a new crisis to attend to: the homeless, the injured, the destitute. I used to have a poster up in my room that illustrated the plight of the world's refugees, and a slogan that I think applies perfectly to this situation: "Desperate Millions on the Move". I used that line in my novel Where They Dream in Blue and I think it applies just as well to this situation.

The region has been having hundreds of aftershocks, but down here in Karachi, where there are no tremors, I’ve been having afterthoughts about what the outcome of this earthquake has been. Because of course there's the immediate effect, the deaths, the displacement, the homelessness, the shock. Then you look at the long term effects of the earthquake, the wiping out

The earthquake has had the result of rehumanizing Pakistan in the eyes of the world. Before this happened, all that people believed they knew about us was that we were terrorists and camel riders and insane people.
of a generation, the need to rebuild and reconstruct an entire nation within a nation, the need to get relief to people before the winter sets in, counseling people through the psychological trauma, adjusting as a nation to the new realities the earthquake has created.

There are two things that really stand out in my mind about this earthquake. The first is that it has effectively put an end to the Pakistani campaign in Kashmir. There is no way we will be able to support an active freedom operation in Kashmir now that our infrastructure has been so badly damaged. And now that the area is crawling with foreign rescue teams and helicopters from everywhere, there is no way Pakistan can conduct its operations in secret, which is what we have been doing for a long time now. Training camps will be exposed and ended if they haven't already been destroyed. There will be fewer people allowed unchecked into the area.

The Pakistan Army is already keeping security checks on people who are going up there - to discourage pedophiles and slave traffickers from preying on the children who have been orphaned in the earthquake. This will discourage jihadis from making the trek up to Kashmir as well. Plainly put, we won't even be able to afford - in financial or strategic terms - to continue our operations in Kashmir anymore.

This is, in my mind, a good thing. Kashmir was always going to be a hotbed of trouble, and something that would have bled both India and Pakistan dry if it had continued for years and decades more. It is possible we may even have gone to war over the territory, and that war would definitely have turned nuclear. Perhaps God, in making this earthquake happen, saved the two countries from an even worse fate. Because I know that Pakistan would never have backed down from the fight for Kashmir - even if was no longer politically wise to continue. This earthquake has forced us to stop. It might even be God's warning for us both: stop arguing over this region or I'm going to take it away so that neither of you can have it. Perhaps it was meant for us to put away our guns and work for peace, instead of war.

Secondly, the earthquake has had the result of rehumanizing Pakistan in the eyes of the world. Before this happened, all that people believed they knew about us was that we were terrorists and camel riders and insane people. All of a sudden, they're seeing different images of us - a nation hurt, wounded, struck, traumatized. They're seeing the women and the children. They're seeing the men caring for those women and those children, crying for their loved ones, digging the dirt and rubble with their bare hands. They're literally seeing us bleed in front of them.

And no longer am I hearing that we're terrorists, that we're monsters. Instead, the world is realizing that we are human. The world is seeing that we need help and they are responding. Rescue teams from all over the world have been rushing here to help. I don't know a single country that isn't contributing to the rescue and relief efforts or sending donations of clothes and money, even our old enemies India and Israel. People in churches and synagogues and temples all over the world are praying for us. Isn't that amazing? Have you ever seen people halfway across the world care about Pakistanis? I haven't, before this. This is definitely the compassion of God at work, through his people on earth.

Please don't get me wrong. It horrifies me that fifty thousand people have died because of an earthquake that only lasted six minutes but whose

People in churches and synagogues and temples all over the world are praying for us. Isn't that amazing? Have you ever seen people halfway across the world care about Pakistanis? This is definitely the compassion of God at work.
effects will be felt for six generations to come. I have a hard time believing that anything "good" can come out of something so "bad". But as a Muslim I do have to believe in Allah's plan for all of us, and I do have to accept that Allah's plans are much wiser than anything we humans could think up. A popular saying goes, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans". The reverse of that, really, could be, "If God told us his plans, we would probably all cry". Not for nothing is Allah called both the Creator and the Destroyer – Al-Khaliq and Al-Mumit.

What I'm trying to do is to find Allah in this situation, as I believe He exists in every situation. It’s obvious where Allah is in the aftermath of this earthquake – nowhere more obviously than in the compassion that we are exhibiting for those who have been injured and afflicted in this earthquake. In the patience that those who have been affected are showing, and in their faith in Allah as the one who can be most trusted with all affairs. And perhaps there was kindness and mercy even in His plans for those thousands that died that terrible day two weeks ago. Perhaps He took their souls in an instant. Perhaps it was such a surprise or shock for them that they had no time to be afraid. Perhaps those who were trapped and eventually died drifted into a state of unconsciousness and died in some peace. Perhaps Allah sent his angels to comfort and support them even as their lives were ebbing away.

At least, this is what I hope. I can't claim to know, but if I believe in a God who is both just and merciful, then it makes sense to hope for the best. But of course, Allah knows best.

[A Khan]

There are two things that really stand out in my mind about this earthquake. The first is that it has effectively put an end to the Pakistani campaign in Kashmir. There is no way we will be able to support an active freedom operation in Kashmir now that our infrastructure has been so badly damaged. And now that the area is crawling with foreign rescue teams and helicopters from everywhere, there is no way Pakistan can conduct its operations in secret, which is what we have been doing for a long time now. Training camps will be exposed and ended if they haven't already been destroyed. There will be fewer people allowed unchecked into the area


This will discourage jihadis from making the trek up to Kashmir as well. Plainly put, we won't even be able to afford - in financial or strategic terms - to continue our operations in Kashmir anymore.

This is, in my mind, a good thing. Kashmir was always going to be a hotbed of trouble, and something that would have bled both India and Pakistan dry if it had continued for years and decades more. It is possible we may even have gone to war over the territory, and that war would definitely have turned nuclear. Perhaps God, in making this earthquake happen, saved the two countries from an even worse fate. Because I know that Pakistan would never have backed down from the fight for Kashmir - even if was no longer politically wise to continue. This earthquake has forced us to stop. It might even be God's warning for us both: stop arguing over this region or I'm going to take it away so that neither of you can have it. Perhaps it was meant for us to put away our guns and work for peace, instead of war.

So God punished us because we were supporting the Kashmiri freedom struggle?

I think its a load of rubbish: Terming the entire freedom struggle in IOK as a Pakistani military adventure? First telling the world, that yes the Indian propaganda regarding us was right, and we did have "terrorist/militant camps" in Azad Kashmir, but the earthquake has ended all that, and now we are happy that you dont see us as monsters and terrorists. The Author sounds a bit to happy about the fact this will hinder the freedom struggle in IOK.

In my opinion the world still sees us the way they (our friends and our foes) always have. The media coverage in Europe, and the rest of the world has been much lower, compared to the coverage given to other major disasters in recent years, such as the Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, etc. The donations have also been much lower. And so far we have only recieved $9.5 Million of the $2 Billion promised. I just dont see how the world has suddenly changed its opinion about us, and labelling ourselves as sponsors of militancy in IOK (as implied by the author of the above article) wont help.

[A Khan]

$9.5m of $2bn world pledges received so far

By Ansar Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has so far received a paltry sum of less than $ 10 million in cash for earthquake relief operation from the world capitals against over $ 2 billion pledges, it is learnt. A government spokesman when contacted on Tuesday reluctantly confirmed to The News that only $ 9.5 million had so far been transferred to the country’s kitty by the world capitals.

"Some of the countries are contacting their embassies in Islamabad to get to know the procedure for the transfer of pledged money," said spokesman of the Economic Affairs Division Ameer Tariq Zaman when contacted by The News. He expected that more money would come sooner than later but confirmed that till Tuesday only $ 9.5 million had been transferred in cash to Pakistan.

Sources, however, said that most of the countries, which have pledged the financial assistance to the government of Pakistan to help the country meet the immediate challenge of providing relief to the quake survivors, have told Islamabad that that they would prefer to implement their pledges in the shape of kind and services instead of giving cash.

Foreign Office spokeswoman Tasneem Aslam when contacted on Monday denied to have the knowledge of the exact amount that has already been transferred to Pakistan but admitted that different countries are contributing in kind.

Aslam referred to the United Nation’s open grumble at World’s apathy in translating their pledges to reality for Pakistani earthquake victims.

According to the sources, the situation is very upsetting for the government that is in dire need of foreign funding, which is not coming despite the repeated appeals and worsening situation for the earthquake survivors.

Details of the cash inflow as shared by a senior Prime Minister Secretariat source on condition of anonymity reveal that Malaysia and China top the list by giving Pakistan one million dollars each. None of the world’s biggest economies except USA are included in the list of those who have given cash, no matter how little, to Pakistan. The US gave $ 100,000.

Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Brunei, Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan are among those countries that have translated their pledges into cash. Afghanistan has given $ 500,000; Austria $ 500,000; Azerbaijan $ 500,000; Brunei $ 600,000; Nepal $ 50,000; Maldives $ 30,000; and Bhutan $ 50,000.

The government is pursuing hard through the Foreign Office and the EAD to get the pledges of $ 2.1 billion translated into cash transfer, but it is not getting much encouraging response with most of the countries insisting to contribute in kind and services.

Many countries including the USA, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Britain etc have already included the relief goods being sent by them to Pakistan since October 8 as part of their announced pledge. The American Chinook helicopters taking part in the relief operation, it is said, are part of the services being charged and deducted from the announced assistance.

The cost of these services and the relief goods being brought in by different countries, it is said, are also too heavy as compared to price structure and services charges here. Moreover, the sources said, most of the countries contributing to the UN’s flash appeal for relief operation are also deducting their contribution to the global body from the pledges they have announced for the government of Pakistan.

"We are not sure what would we get at the end of the day," a source said, adding that some leading countries that had pledged reasonable amount for relief operation have already indicated that they would prefer to have direct role in the relief work for the quake victims.

The USA has pledged $ 156 m, Saudi Arabia $ 133 million; Britain $ 58.3m; Turkey $ 150m; United Arab Emirate $ 100m; Kuwait $ 100m; Japan $ 70m; Germany $ 30.7m; China $ 20m; Canada $ 49m; Australia $ 10m; Norway $ 26m; Sweden $ 15.3m; Switzerland $ 15.6m; Netherlands $ 26m; Denmark $ 13.7m etc. The authorities are completely unsure as to what would be they finally getting out of the total committed $ 2.1 billion. "Perhaps peanuts," a source apprehended.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/nov2005-daily/09-11-2005/main/main3.htm

[SSAAD]

So God punished us because we were supporting the Kashmiri freedom struggle?

I think its a load of rubbish: Terming the entire freedom struggle in IOK as a Pakistani military adventure? First telling the world, that yes the Indian propaganda regarding us was right, and we did have "terrorist/militant camps" in Azad Kashmir, but the earthquake has ended all that, and now we are happy that you dont see us as monsters and terrorists. The Author sounds a bit to happy about the fact this will hinder the freedom struggle in IOK.

In my opinion the world still sees us the way they (our friends and our foes) always have. The media coverage in Europe, and the rest of the world has been much lower, compared to the coverage given to other major disasters in recent years, such as the Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, etc. The donations have also been much lower. And so far we have only recieved $9.5 Million of the $2 Billion promised. I just dont see how the world has suddenly changed its opinion about us, and labelling ourselves as sponsors of militancy in IOK (as implied by the author of the above article) wont help.

"So God punished us because we were supporting the Kashmiri freedom struggle?"

I read the article 2-3 times but did not take that away from the article. If anything, she points out that both sides are impacted.

Well the article is from the liberal side of the house so expect apologetic stuff in it. However aside from that, I think the author does make a valid point about people now seeing the softer side of Pakistan, otherwise the norm has been the pictures of MMA types chanting slogans on the cover of any or every publication that had anything to do with Pakistan.

Donations is one thing, perception about a people is another. Although I could say that perception does not matter to me, but in reality, it does.

[MohammedA]

Life and loss in Kashmir
After burying his brother and sister who were killed by the earthquake in Pakistan, Syed Adnan Ali Naqvi left home to help the relief effort in the remotest parts of Pakistani-administered Kashmir.
He sent this account of his experiences to BBC Urdu.com and has been sending regular updates to the website ever since then.


This earthquake has changed my life. I had three sisters and two brothers but now I am left with two sisters and no brother.

On October 8 I was at my office in Karachi when my mother called me and said a very strong earthquake had hit Islamabad, northern Pakistan and Kashmir.

That evening, we went to Islamabad and straight to Margala Towers to look for my sister. It was complete mayhem. We were told that our best hope was to contact the local hospitals.


Our worst nightmare came true in the hospital mortuary. My mother and I spotted my sister's locket around the neck of a dead woman. Her face was disfigured beyond recognition.
When my sister's body was unearthed from the debris, a young child was found holding on to her. This was my 11-month-old nephew who also died but, unlike his mother, his face was unhurt. We recognised him immediately.

By then we had heard nothing from my brother who had gone to Balakot. I rushed there myself.

For the second time in 24 hours, my worst nightmare became a reality. A young man had rescued two bodies from a destroyed car.

My brother had died.

Return to Kashmir

I returned to Kashmir with a relief team.

What I have learned is that my personal loss and grief is nothing to what these people are going through.


My personal loss and grief is nothing to what these people are going through


In the small hours of 23 October we reached Naran. We saw people taking refuge in makeshift tents. Dozens of people were so badly injured that it would have been criminal not to stay and give them treatment.
In Jhelum Valley things were really bad. The doctors in our team told us that at least 17 children needed immediate treatment. But how could we take 17 kids back to Muzaffarabad? We had only just arrived on mules after hours of a very arduous journey.

Mahrukh and her 'lala'

In the group, there was a young girl called Mahrukh. Her father, mother and sister died. She was left with her brother, whom she lovingly referred to as "my lala" (my dear brother).


Her lala was running a very high fever so we decided to take him and 16 other children back with us to Muzaffarabad on the mules. When she saw that we were taking him with us, Mahrukh said to me, "Adnan, this is all I have, please make sure my lala gets well".
The journey was tiring and it rained. Children were getting sicker. Our doctors said they needed to be hospitalised.

But there is a huge gap between what we want and what we have.


The one thing we did not have any control over turned out to be the lives of the children we had taken with us. Seven died either on the way or after reaching the medical camp in Muzaffarabad.

Mahrukh's lala was among those who did not survive.

I was really depressed, I didn't know how I could face Marukh. I failed to save what she said was the only thing she had.

We came here to save lives but we've ended up giving back dead bodies to people who had little anyway.

Unbearable cold

People from all over the world have contacted me after reading my diary and they have been asking me how to help. I tell them only one thing: get here as soon as you can because the clock of death in this region is clicking fast.

This is everyone's moment to save humanity.

It's getting unbearably cold here in tents in Muzaffarabad. We don't have enough warm clothes for the team.


We came here to save lives but we've ended up giving back dead bodies


Mahrukh, whom I had started calling Farhana (the name of my sister who died in Islamabad), developed a very high temperature.

I received an urgent call from a doctor on our team who said Mahrukh's condition was deteriorating fast. We rushed to the hospital.

But now, Mahrukh, that beautiful young girl, is not with us.

Another life is no longer.


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/4420388.stm

Published: 2005/11/10 06:58:35 GMT

© BBC MMV

[MohammedA]

Reconstruction in three years, says PM

Compensation for the deceased by 30th

By Muhammad Saleh Zaafir

ISLAMABAD: The government has shortened its timeframe for reconstruction of earthquake devastated areas from five to three years, said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in a news conference here Wednesday.

He said the World Bank has come to terms with the government for evolving estimates about the losses and rebuilding. The prime minister chaired several meetings despite the fact that today was a holiday.

Compensation for the deceased persons would be paid by November 30 and the registration process for them will be completed by the end of the month. The claims have been sought from the affected persons about their properties and the procedure for this purpose has been announced.

It has been decided that in the NWFP death should be reported in the relevant police stations or the Tehsil Municipal Office (TMO) on the prescribed forms. In Azad Kashmir a survey is going on but unreported deaths should be registered with Assistant Commissioners of every sub-division on prescribed forms.

The prime minister revealed that the government would like to bring parliament in the loop for relief, rebuilding and rehabilitation activities and a meeting of leaders of parliamentary groups is being convened next week for briefing and consultation.

He hoped that all leaders would attend the briefing in the interest of the people. A firm of international repute has been hired for auditing besides the normal audit to ensure transparency.

The compensation for the deceased and the property losses would be cross-checked during the survey so that utilization of funds was ensured. The prime minister instructed the governments of Azad Kashmir and NWFP to prepare a plan for rehabilitation of health and education facilities within a week.

He announced the structure of the Earthquake Rebuilding and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) with Lieutenant General Muhammad Zubair as its chairman, who will have powers of a federal secretary. The ERRA council also had its first formal meeting with the prime minister in chair and it was also attended by Gen Zubair.

The general informed the council that some cities of Azad Kashmir would be relocated and new towns would be built. A decision in this regard would be taken in the light of the seismic report to be submitted by the Turkish and Chinese experts.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said all important decisions in rebuilding and reconstruction phase would be taken with coordination and consultation between ERRA and respective governments to avoid duplication and to ensure judicious utilisation of funds.

The compensation would be paid at the spot and the process would be made easy and swift, the prime minister added. He rejected the opposition demand to depute a civilian for the rehabilitation job and said that whenever a situation like this happens army provides the best relief because it is trained for such situations.

He said the opposition leader would be invited to the donor’s conference for reconstruction to be held here on 19th of this month. The conference will start with his introductory speech, followed by the address of United Nations Secretary General Kufi Annan and President General Pervez Musharraf will wind it up.

The president will announce a comprehensive scheme for sponsorship. The countries, institutions or individuals would be requested to accept sponsorship for an injured, a displaced family, a student, a school, a house, roads, a village, or any destroyed property.

Shaukat Aziz said the government would set up three centres for manufacturing of artificial limbs in Islamabad, Muzaffarabad and Mansehra. Aziz deplored the incident in New Delhi where the son of a Pakistani diplomat was kidnapped and harassed. Out of two such ugly incidents in less than ten days he termed Tuesday’s incident more serious. He hoped that the Line of Control would be opened on five points as per the agreement.

The prime minister expressed his displeasure over the reported clash between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the Jamaat-e-Islami and said that he is going to talk on the issue with leaders of both the parties.

[MohammedA]

I hope the Presidents relief fund is put on the web and all spending displayed and updated constantly. One reason people have not contributed as much as previous disasters is the image of corruption in third world countries.

[Minhaj]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4420388.stm

Life and loss in Kashmir

After burying his brother and sister who were killed by the earthquake in Pakistan, Syed Adnan Ali Naqvi left home to help the relief effort in the remotest parts of Pakistani-administered Kashmir.
He sent this account of his experiences to BBC Urdu.com and has been sending regular updates to the website ever since then.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This earthquake has changed my life. I had three sisters and two brothers but now I am left with two sisters and no brother.

On October 8 I was at my office in Karachi when my mother called me and said a very strong earthquake had hit Islamabad, northern Pakistan and Kashmir.

That evening, we went to Islamabad and straight to Margala Towers to look for my sister. It was complete mayhem. We were told that our best hope was to contact the local hospitals.


Adnan's sister died when Margala Towers collapsed in Islamabad
Our worst nightmare came true in the hospital mortuary. My mother and I spotted my sister's locket around the neck of a dead woman. Her face was disfigured beyond recognition.

When my sister's body was unearthed from the debris, a young child was found holding on to her. This was my 11-month-old nephew who also died but, unlike his mother, his face was unhurt. We recognised him immediately.

By then we had heard nothing from my brother who had gone to Balakot. I rushed there myself.

For the second time in 24 hours, my worst nightmare became a reality. A young man had rescued two bodies from a destroyed car.

My brother had died.

Return to Kashmir

I returned to Kashmir with a relief team.

What I have learned is that my personal loss and grief is nothing to what these people are going through.

My personal loss and grief is nothing to what these people are going through

In the small hours of 23 October we reached Naran. We saw people taking refuge in makeshift tents. Dozens of people were so badly injured that it would have been criminal not to stay and give them treatment.

In Jhelum Valley things were really bad. The doctors in our team told us that at least 17 children needed immediate treatment. But how could we take 17 kids back to Muzaffarabad? We had only just arrived on mules after hours of a very arduous journey.

Mahrukh and her 'lala'

In the group, there was a young girl called Mahrukh. Her father, mother and sister died. She was left with her brother, whom she lovingly referred to as "my lala" (my dear brother).


At least 17,000 children died in the earthquake according to Unicef
Her lala was running a very high fever so we decided to take him and 16 other children back with us to Muzaffarabad on the mules. When she saw that we were taking him with us, Mahrukh said to me, "Adnan, this is all I have, please make sure my lala gets well".

The journey was tiring and it rained. Children were getting sicker. Our doctors said they needed to be hospitalised.

But there is a huge gap between what we want and what we have.


The one thing we did not have any control over turned out to be the lives of the children we had taken with us. Seven died either on the way or after reaching the medical camp in Muzaffarabad.

Mahrukh's lala was among those who did not survive.

I was really depressed, I didn't know how I could face Marukh. I failed to save what she said was the only thing she had.

We came here to save lives but we've ended up giving back dead bodies to people who had little anyway.

Unbearable cold

People from all over the world have contacted me after reading my diary and they have been asking me how to help. I tell them only one thing: get here as soon as you can because the clock of death in this region is clicking fast.

This is everyone's moment to save humanity.

It's getting unbearably cold here in tents in Muzaffarabad. We don't have enough warm clothes for the team.

We came here to save lives but we've ended up giving back dead bodies


Mahrukh, whom I had started calling Farhana (the name of my sister who died in Islamabad), developed a very high temperature.

I received an urgent call from a doctor on our team who said Mahrukh's condition was deteriorating fast. We rushed to the hospital.

But now, Mahrukh, that beautiful young girl, is not with us.

Another life is no longer.

[faraz]

U.S. Says Pakistan Copter Wasn't Fired On

By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer 29 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - A U.S. military helicopter delivering relief supplies to earthquake victims in Pakistan apparently did not come under fire earlier this month as initially reported, the commander of U.S. relief efforts in Pakistan said Thursday.

While he said the final report on the incident is inconclusive, Rear Adm. Michael LeFever said he was satisfied that a rocket-propelled grenade was not fired at the CH-47 Chinook helicopter flying over Chakothi.

"We didn't think it was that kind of event when we reviewed the facts and so we're continuing to fly," said LeFever, adding, "We had an observer that thought he saw something and, at the end of the day, there wasn't anything definite there that we could hold our hat on."

There was road-clearing work being done in the area, and those explosions may have been mistaken for an attack. The aircraft was not hit, and relief flights were never stopped.

Meanwhile, LeFever said the U.S. and international communities are racing against time, struggling to meet the food, shelter and survival needs of the more than 3 million people left homeless after the Oct. 8 quake, which killed more than 87,000 people in the Himalayas.

[MohammedA]

Half of South Asia quake dead were likely children: UNICEF


MUZAFFARABAD (updated on: November 11, 2005, 10:54 PST): Children likely make up half of the 74,000 people who died in the South Asian quake, the United Nations said on Friday, confirming fears that the disaster had claimed a 'lost generation.'

'We estimate that half of the death casualties were children, but many more were injured," UNICEF representative for Pakistan Omar Abdi told the Integrated Regional Information Networks, a UN-funded news agency.

"The data hasn't been registered yet. But half of the population of Pakistan is under 18 so we would estimate out of those people who have died, half of them are children," Abdi added.

The October 8 quake hit at the start of a school day and there were immediate fears that children could make up the bulk of the casualties when it became clear that thousands of schools had collapsed.

Pakistan's Army spokesman, Major General Shaukat Sultan, told AFP two days after the disaster that "a whole generation has been lost" in Azad Kashmir and North West Frontier Province, the worst-hit areas.

Local government figures show that around 17,000 students alone died, Abdi said, while there were many other young people who were not in school at the time.

"They have also been affected emotionally. Those that were going to school now find that there are no schools. They are at risk of diseases. As for the impact on children, it's significant," Abdi added.

Nearly four-fifths of all schools and public buildings collapsed in the quake, he said.

Women were badly hit by the quake as well as the young, UNICEF's Abdi added.

"Women were at home. As you know, women in these places do not work outside the home so that could be one reason," he said.

The 7.6-magnitude earthquake is confirmed to have killed nearly 74,000 people in Pakistan and more than 1,300 in India. However humanitarian groups estimate the toll to be 86,000 in Pakistan alone.



Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2005

[Shoaib]

EU responds to UN criticism over Pakistan quake aid - Reuters
Last month, the U.N. emergency relief chief complained that his agencies were running out of cash for aid as millions of survivors are left with little food or shelter before winter snow hits the remote Himalayan valleys of Pakistani Kashmir. But a letter from the European Union's top aid official said U.N. agencies had failed to request funds from the executive Commission, which has made 43.6 million euros ($51.4 million) available for humanitarian aid for Pakistan.

"We have been very surprised by the low level of of U.N. requests for funding from us," EU Development and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel wrote on Nov. 4 to Jan Egeland, U.N. under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs. Michel said that almost a month after the quake hit Pakistan, U.N. agencies and other organisations had asked for only 3.5 million euros or 8 percent of the money the Commission had made available for aid.
(11/10/2005)

[MohammedA]

Earthquake disaster report finalised

By Hanif Khalid

ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has finalised the Earthquake Disaster Report and would present it to the International Donors Conference being held in Islamabad on November 19.

The report, prepared by Federal Relief Commissioner Maj-Gen Farooq Ahmed Khan through the National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) and National Crises Management Centre, will be dispatched to 70 donor countries and international institutions ahead of the conference.

The report says the devastating earthquake of October 8, that struck Azad Kashmir and northern NWFP, completely destroyed or badly damaged 425 kilometres primary roads, 230 kilometres secondary rods and 257 kilometres tertiary roads. Out of this, 413 kilometre-long roads were affected in the NWFP and 398 kilometres in Azad Kashmir.

The report reveals that the total number of schools, colleges and university students killed was 7,267. Out of this 5,552 of the deceased students were from Azad Kashmir while 1,715 students died in the educational institutions of NWFP. 853 teachers also died in the earthquake while teaching at these educational institutions. Out of them, 789 teachers were killed in Azad Kashmir and 64 in NWFP. Four teachers and 200 students of Azad Kashmir University were also killed during the devastating quake.

The number of schools and colleges fully destroyed by the quake was 6,083. Out of these 3,924 educational institutions collapsed in Azad Kashmir and 2,159 schools and colleges in NWFP. Apart from these numbers, 5,459 educational institutions were damaged by the quake. The number of partially damaged schools and colleges of Azad Kashmir is 702 and the total number of damaged schools and colleges in the NWFP is 4,757.

The government, according to the report, must take action against the contractors and government officials, responsible for below-standard construction work.

The report says the quake destroyed 70% dwellings and damaged the remaining 30% in the affected areas of AJK and NWFP. The total number of houses destroyed by the quake was 472,383. The number of houses destroyed in Azad Kashmir was 241,613, while 230,770 in the NWFP.

The quake also destroyed 365 hospitals and basic health units (BHUs). Out of this, 264 hospitals were destroyed in Azad Kashmir and 110 in the NWFP.

The total number of destroyed telephone exchanges was 86 while the total number of lines damaged/destroyed was 33,225. 48 telephone exchanges had been destroyed in Azad Kashmir while 38 in the NWFP. The number of telephone lines damaged in Azad Kashmir was 20,294 while this number in NWFP was 12,931.

The total area affected by the quake was 30,000 square kilometres. The population affected was 3.5 million. The number of affected families was 500,000.

The report says the earthquake created havoc in AJK & NWFP, killing 43,363 people in Azad Kashmir and 29,360 in the Frontier province. The number of severely injured persons in Azad Kashmir & NWFP was 128,167. Majority of the injured persons belonged to AJK.

Apart from the Azad Jammu and Kashmir and NWFP, 74 persons died in Margalla Towers, Islamabad, 21 in the Punjab and two in Northern Areas. The number of military causalities has been put at 456 killed and 766 injured.

[MohammedA]

Ahmed Rashid is at it again. Any excuse to be rabidly anti-military. Please all of you send your comments (be polite and logical) to the comments section in this article.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4431798.stm#map

[TahirN]

Ahmed Rashid is nothing more than an ass****! there is a time for criticism and a time to keep your mouth shut.. this guy loves the attention his anti-government articles get on the anti-Pakistani BBC.

[SyedA]

Ahmed Arashid is a Qadiani.

[Usman S.]

Ahmed Arashid is a Qadiani.

His views seem to have a politically tone (and not a religious one) so I doubt him being a Qadiani, Christian or Muslim effects much what he says and writes and beside we should counter his opinion with our own opinion (based on logic, facts and figures) rather then dismissing them just due to him being a non-Muslim.

[Shoaib]

A question to you guys located in the US, is his critisism of the pakistani embassy in Washington correct? In Norway I have been impressed by the embassy which so far have done alot in keeping people informed and sends out lots of e-mails and information. However the fact is that even here people rather give to mosque organisations and other private org. rather than the official canals, much because thats what they always do ... the only thing is that they increased the amounts, but they still prefer the same channels ... which I dont find any problems with.

[Ahmad]

Gives us a good perspective of the kind of macro socio-econo-political issues being brought out by the quake.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/pakistan/Story/0,2763,1640525,00.html#article_continue


Act of man

The impact of last month's earthquake on the people of north Pakistan demonstrates how the crippled state machine has only heightened the vulnerability of its citizens

Dr Kamal Munir
Friday November 11, 2005

Everywhere in Pakistan, loudspeakers on top of mosques are blaring only one message: the devastating south Asian earthquake of October 8 was divine punishment for the moral sins of the victims and a warning for the rest of us.

Pinning the blame on God is a convenient way of absolving ourselves and of perpetuating the socio-economic and political framework that led to this devastation. The catastrophic aftermath of this earthquake has little to do with divine or even seismic causes, but serves as more of an indication of the crumbling state apparatus and changing political reality in Pakistan.

Nobody who visits the earthquake affected areas fails to notice one thing: while many private buildings are standing, almost all government-constructed buildings - children's schools, hospitals, colleges and offices - have collapsed. Years of state sponsored corruption stare you in the face.

And much like its buildings, the state apparatus itself lies in ruins. Indeed, the earthquake has laid bare the pitiable state of the civil government. The civil bureaucracy in Pakistan has over time been crippled by the army's continual interventions in affairs of the state. Their numerous "reformations" have destroyed civil institutions and grassroots political structures.

The inhabitants of Muzaffarabad are only the most recent group of unfortunates to discover just how ineffectual the state has become. When the earthquake struck, the city's Civil Defence (CD) department was unable to provide even rudimentary digging tools to the citizens.

A Muzaffarabad university professor told me of his vain struggle to rescue students trapped under collapsed hostels and university buildings. "There wasn't a single crane in the entire city. It was left to the people to dig out their loved ones using hammers, chisels, picks and shovels, even screw drivers. For over two days no relief arrived, civilian or military. My students died before my eyes and there was nothing I could do," he said.

His experience was replicated all over the quake-hit region. The civil government proved utterly impotent, and the military was clearly unable to fill the void. The latter lacked the capacity to coordinate or even communicate with the people. And no wonder: for the last 50-odd years, the army's priorities have often been in direct conflict with those of the civil state, resulting in numerous martial law regimes.

This is not to belittle the army's contribution to the relief effort. Their aviators are still risking their lives, flying helicopter missions in darkness. The Frontier Works Organisation has done a sterling job in clearing landslides and rubble. But the army has limitations and it cannot ever substitute for civil administration. It cannot bring itself to hold the hands of survivors and offer words of sympathy.

The absence of the civil state, and the indifference of the military one, is taking its toll on the millions of victims. Thousands of villagers sit where their houses used to be. Everyday brings new, often conflicting, reports about compensation, relocation and help. Given the absence of any community-based governance mechanism, there are no communication channels.

Their plight is unimaginable - most have lost many loved ones and do not know their immediate futures. They have almost no say in the plans being hatched in Islamabad. And most importantly, they have no trust in the promises being made or in those who are making them.

The only people in whom their faith has been renewed are the ordinary citizens of Pakistan, the real heroes of this tragedy. They came in droves, helped to pull out victims and bury the dead. Doctors came from Lahore, Karachi and other cities and set up field hospitals. Coordinating with international NGOs and numerous private donors, they did everything from arranging for X-ray machines to treating the wounded. Others brought medicines, food, clothing and bedding, even to government hospitals.

Dr Yasmin Rashid, who heads the Pakistan Medical Association, was one such selfless volunteer. It is perhaps ironic that the good doctor, who set up an emergency field hospital near Balakot, had twice been sacked by the government for protesting against healthcare privatisation in Pakistan, which has rapidly reduced the common man's access to medical care and led to the underfunding of the public hospitals in Pakistan.

Dr Rashid's case, in a microcosm, gives an insight into the sheer scale of this disaster. With unbridled privatisation, access to public services has markedly gone down and poverty has increased. And with inequality reaching new heights, much of the social capital in the country has been destroyed. It is even thought that in absolute numbers, illiteracy has actually increased in Pakistan.

In the mountainous north of Pakistan the risk of natural hazards has also increased manifold with deforestation. The numerous fatal landslides, which followed the earthquake, were largely the result of this.

The decimation of houses and other public buildings, and the unnecessary deaths of thousands of children, women and men have less to do with the earthquake than with their highly vulnerable state. The real culprits - poorly constructed housing due to a virtual lack of building codes, public buildings with corruption as their mortar, low literacy levels, lack of organisation in civil society, an ineffective civil defence and above all, little or no access to public services - reflect the crippled civil state.

The only way we can come out stronger from this enormous tragedy is if we stop blaming divine forces and start questioning the policies that have silently been increasing the vulnerability of the vast majority of Pakistani people.

· Kamal Munir, who teaches Strategy and Policy at the University of Cambridge, travelled to Pakistan and Kashmir to offer aid in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.

[MohammedA]

His views seem to have a politically tone (and not a religious one) so I doubt him being a Qadiani, Christian or Muslim effects much what he says and writes and beside we should counter his opinion with our own opinion (based on logic, facts and figures) rather then dismissing them just due to him being a non-Muslim.


I agree with Usman bhai. Best thing is to logically counter with facts. He has some valid points, but the rest is pure motivated fiction. Sure the military has had problems with relief given the scale of the disaster, and some lessons need to be learned. But Mr Rashid is not interested in balance or facts.

The article posted by Ahmad is more balanced, and raises obvious question of will those responsible for mass-murder of children in schools, hospitals, margalla towers due to corrupt building practices by govt and private contractors will ever be punished instead of hiding behind calims of divine retribution (unlikely).

From the Guardian article:


This is not to belittle the army's contribution to the relief effort. Their aviators are still risking their lives, flying helicopter missions in darkness. The Frontier Works Organisation has done a sterling job in clearing landslides and rubble. But the army has limitations and it cannot ever substitute for civil administration. It cannot bring itself to hold the hands of survivors and offer words of sympathy.

[Shoaib]

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1115/p01s01-wosc.html

Ordinary Pakistanis jam highways in rush to volunteer
By David Montero | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
GARHI DUPATTA, PAKISTAN – In these valleys near the epicenter of Pakistan's earthquake, industrialist Nauman Wazir is applying the skills that made him rich in the steel business to push relief aid to quake survivors. Sometimes that means paying money under the table to move mountains - or pieces of mountains at least.

"Being businessmen, we use our own methods, giving money here and there. Anything to get this done," says Mr. Wazir, explaining how he paid out of his own pocket to have landslides cleared so trucks could reach inaccessible areas. "Since the quake I've not been at my job. We've probably lost millions of rupees," he adds, standing in a tent village funded by the Industrial Association of Peshawar, a group he oversees. "But I could not have lived through the trauma had I not done something."

All across Pakistan, efforts to overcome the disaster have been borne by thousands of citizens like Wazir. Their efforts underscore a robust local response that contrasts sharply with relatively tepid donations from the international community.

Pakistan has one of the highest rates of philanthropy in the world, with studies showing that 58 percent of Pakistanis volunteer their time to needy causes, giving nearly $700 million a year in charity. Alms giving is built into the very social and economic fabric of the state, with some $70 million automatically deducted each year from national bank accounts as part of the mandatory Muslim prescription known as zakat.

But observers say that, even by Pakistani standards, the public response has been overwhelming, with relief aid and volunteers immediately pouring into the affected areas from all over the country. It has reinvigorated a civic spirit not seen in some four decades.

Many are translating whatever skills and methods they can to relief work, turning small websites into fundraising platforms, tapping old high school networks for aid, and applying medical training to mend wounds. Those unable to make it to the field are also actively involved, using the Internet and cellphones to donate record amounts of money in novel ways. And people are coming from all over the country to lend a hand.

"There were traffic jams for 1,000 kilometers, from Karachi to the northern areas, the whole length of Pakistan," says Nasreen Khattak, an opposition member of the Provincial Assembly of the North Western Frontier Province (NWFP), one of the hardest hit areas.

Money has also been pouring in. Fundraisers, running the gamut from full-fledged foundations to private individuals, say they raised cash nearly instantaneously after the quake. Wazir, for example, says his association raised about $50,000 within an hour of starting its campaign.

Convenient and novel methods of donating, undertaken by the government, the corporate sector, and private individuals, have helped open the cash stream. Many banks have set up special relief accounts, while a campaign coordinated by various telecom companies has generated tens of thousands of dollars, industry insiders estimate, by allowing mobile phone users to send donations through short message service, or SMS.

Then there are the invisible efforts of individuals like Atharresool Kirimi, who runs the website Muskurahat. Mr. Kirimi's small company of five usually develops websites for the private sector, but after the quake, he and his staff turned their site into an online fundraising tool. He says he has managed to collect a total of $3,000, most of it sent to the Presidential Relief Fund, with the remaining used to buy tents and food.

Individual donations like this have so far amounted to a staggering whole, with the President's Relief Fund reporting nearly $100 million already deposited to date, and another $100 million in pledges from NGOs and the corporate sector. "So many deposits have come from ordinary citizens," says Lt. Col. Baseer Malik, a spokesperson for the Federal Relief Commission. The money is still coming, he says.

The internal rate of donations trumps that of the international community, which one month after the disaster had pledged $131 million - around a quarter of the money the UN says is needed.

But Pakistanis are not only giving generously of their money, but also their time.

Tanveer Afzel's tent in Abbottabad, near the quake's epicenter, sees a steady trickle of volunteers. The affable Mr. Afzel, a banker by profession, accepts them graciously, providing rounds of tea and crisp instructions in several languages as to where they can deposit relief goods. After the quake, Afzel and fellow members of the Abbotonian Medical Society, a local high school network, gathered funds and deployed 150 tents on the outskirts of the Ayub Medical center, providing homes and food to 580 discharged patients with nowhere else to go. The full-time staff of six is now assisted by volunteers from across the country, as well as doctors from Cuba and nuns from India. "15,000 truckloads a day were coming upcountry," he says.

The quake relief effort is inspiring a new generation of volunteers. Watching the tragedy on TV was too much to bear, they say, so they sped off to the quake zone. Students and professionals, the trained and untrained, some driven by the call of humanity, others by the call of God, they trudge up mountainsides to deliver goods, to support widowed women, and to retrieve bodies. Most sleep in tents, some on the street.

In all these manifestations of national spirit, observers laud the return of a sense of civic duty not seen since Pakistan's war with India in 1965. They hope the flip side of the tragedy can be a call for common cause, a note of reconciliation.

"It was as if one huge family had been struck. Thousands of families were acting as one," says Ms. Khattak. "This is coming at a time when the national spirit will reinforce the country's unity."

[MohammedA]

Daily Times - Site Edition Tuesday, November 15, 2005


VIEW: Earthquake relief and rehabilitation —Syed Mohammad Ali

There was a disturbing level of dissatisfaction with consultation and transparency after the Gujarat earthquake. In many cases, people felt that they were consulted only after plans had been made. Participation, even during the damage assessment phase, is necessary for more efficient use of resources. It is vital that local communities are frequently asked to prioritise needs

After the earthquake hit Pakistan, a donors’ meeting was held in Geneva in the last week of October to generate funds for relief and reconstruction. Now the Pakistan government is arranging another donors’ moot on November 19.

The World Bank has announced $470 million to assist the government of Pakistan in reconstructing the devastated areas. This amount, however, is not even a tenth of what is required. More donations are needed to the UN’s earthquake appeal.

According to the past week’s ranking of rich governments’ contributions to the UN Asian Earthquake appeal, Sweden has pledged 170 percent of its ‘fair share’. Sadly, relatively rich countries like Spain, Finland, Greece and Austria have not pledged anything. Even the oil-rich countries in OPEC have not made funds available to the UN appeal although some contributions — by Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries — have been made directly.

In terms of practical efforts to deal with the disaster, citizens and local and international civil society organisations have supported the government. Within 36 hours of the disaster, the UN dispatched shelter experts to the region. In addition to logistical support by US helicopters and by NATO personnel, the Spanish, French, Italian and Belgians have established field hospitals in the affected areas. Specialised teams of surgeons were also deployed to these field hospitals. Health measures taken so far include an immunisation campaign against measles for children up to age 15.

A joint centre has been established by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation in Islamabad to coordinate health-related efforts. However, preventing disease in the makeshift shelters is a daunting task. Oxfam has pointed out that the focus on remote communities in the earthquake-hit region has diverted attention from the risk faced by people living in ill-equipped camps.

The UN and other multilateral agencies have devised a joint assessment and recovery framework to help the Pakistan government develop a strategic outlook towards the relief and rehabilitation requirements. A needs assessment exercise was undertaken to provide strategic direction and identify interventions needed to save lives as well as opportunities to support the recovery of the affected population over the next six to 12 months. “The government has set up a Relief Commission and is supported in the provision of shelter, emergency employment generation, rehabilitation and reconstruction of infrastructure by local governments.

Besides local and international organisations, the Rural Support Networks Programme is also involved in the relief phase. The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund and its 61 partnering NGOs have also been mobilised and delivering relief. A colleague at the Asian Development Bank has estimated that at least $1 billion can be generated if economic managers review existing development expenditures with the participation of provincial governments. If nothing else, the legislators’ development funds can be diverted towards this dire need.

There are some notable efforts concerning coordination of ongoing efforts on ground. For example, all available satellite, geographical and statistical information at the village-level for the affected areas is being consolidated into one database. This web portal (www.risepak.com) has been designed by experts from the Lahore University of Management Sciences, Harvard University, the World Bank, Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority, Mahbub ul Haq Human Development Centre, and World Online, which is hosting the web portal. But while the issue of prioritisation is relevant for the ongoing relief effort — to ensure that aid reaches those most in need –sustainability will become more prominent in the ensuing reconstruction phase after the winter is over.

Unfortunately, the record of managing post-earthquake rehabilitation is poor according to a recent briefing paper which has synthesised key lessons from the earthquakes in Afghanistan in 1998, Turkey in 1999, Gujarat in 2001 and Bam in 2003. For example, only a few organisations involved the people from Bam in the assessment and planning phases. There was also a disturbing level of dissatisfaction with consultation and transparency after the Gujarat earthquake. In many cases, people felt that they were consulted only after plans had been made.

Participation, even during the damage assessment phase, is necessary for more efficient use of resources. It is vital that local communities are frequently asked to prioritise needs as the rehabilitation process unfolds. Jonathan Steele of the Guardian stresses that Pakistan must learn from Armenia’s earthquake reconstruction process. In this case, 17 years later, 3,500 families are still living in shacks, metal containers and disused railway wagons.

There are many informal community structures that must not be ignored during the recovery phase. Even the World Disasters Report 2004 noted the positive role of traditional neighbourhood networks and of ‘white beards’ — five or six men of influence based around the local mosque — which helped organise the local community after the Bam earthquake.

Women groups have also been effective in facilitating community response. For example, the Self Employed Women’s Association got involved in a number of activities after the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, including identifying household needs and directing aid to them; it even got women to monitor housing reconstruction. Efforts that enhance the humanitarian agenda can bring about positive changes in the long term, while coping with the pressing challenges thrown up by a natural disaster.

The author is a development consultant and an international fellow of the Open Society Institutes network. He can be reached at syedmohdali555@yahoo.com

[MohammedA]

Check out most Pakistanis comments versus those of Indians:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4431798.stm

[SSAAD]

Here is a counter in today's DAWN to Ahmad Rashids usual BS tirade against the PA:


The army’s response


“NATURE’s inexorable law is the survival of the fittest, and we have to prove ourselves fit for our freedom. You have fought many a battle on the far-flung battlefields of the globe to rid the world of the fascist menace and make it safe for democracy. Now you have to stand guard over the development and maintenance of Islamic democracy, Islamic social justice and the equality of manhood in your own native soil. You will have to be alert, very alert, for the time for relaxation is not yet there. With faith, discipline and self-devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve.”

Thus Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah addressed armymen at Malir in February, 1948. And that is one of the central ideas worked out for the training of soldiers who have to defend the borders of the motherland, work for the welfare of the nation in peacetime and come to the rescue and relief of the citizens if there is any calamity. Enthusiasm and hard work under the unity of command have always been a source of pride and honour to the officers and men of the armed forces, and one can say quite frankly that the Pakistan Army has earned a good reputation as the world’s finest soldiers.

They have always stood by the masses and put in their best during floods, famines, epidemics and other calamities. And that is what is expected of them by the nation. They are doing it now in Azad Kashmir, in Hazara division and the Northern Areas of Pakistan after the deadly blow of the October 8 earthquake. At least 450 army men on duty were among the casualties of the quake.

However, within the country and without, intentionally or inadvertently, there is an impression being created that the military response to the aftermath of the quake was slow and inadequate. An army officer or a general, even a cadet, basically is a soldier. And, as such, one can say that national defence, as well as rescue and relief operation, is the most important and primary duty of every soldier and the Pakistani soldier is performing this duty as successfully and efficiently as can be expected of a human being. And the Pakistan Navy and the Pakistan Air Force have not lagged behind in this mission. The agony suffered by the victims of the quake cannot be measured by any observer — be he Pervez Musharraf or a political or religious leader — but relieving it calls for concerted efforts by all.

HAKEEM JEE Via email

[Naveed]

Dear Saad,


I bet, this man Ahmad Rashids....hasn’t contributed a single rupee as donation....in Pakistan there are so many individuals who’re making their own way of generating profit, writing article against PA/Govt and NGOs.

On the other side of the story, I have come across people who have proved themselves as true Muslims and Pakistani. Just for an example, Few doctors from Aga Khan Hospital rushed to Muzaferabad on the same day and treated many many injured and one doctor told that he was so happy that he was serving to his countrymen in this moment of time.... he said after about 36 hrs of continuous work he took his first an hour sleep on a FOOTPATH. Imagine a doctor from aga khan sleeping on footpath.....He just came for few days and will be back to Baag later this month.

More and more people from Karachi , Lahore and other cities are practically partipating in this rehabilitation work.

NA

[SSAAD]

Dear Saad,


I bet, this man Ahmad Rashids....hasn’t contributed a single rupee as donation....in Pakistan there are so many individuals who’re making their own way of generating profit, writing article against PA/Govt and NGOs.

On the other side of the story, I have come across people who have proved themselves as true Muslims and Pakistani. Just for an example, Few doctors from Aga Khan Hospital rushed to Muzaferabad on the same day and treated many many injured and one doctor told that he was so happy that he was serving to his countrymen in this moment of time.... he said after about 36 hrs of continuous work he took his first an hour sleep on a FOOTPATH. Imagine a doctor from aga khan sleeping on footpath.....He just come for few days and will be back to Baag later this month.

More and more people from Karachi , Lahore and other cities are practically partipating in this rehabilitation work.

NA


Naveed,

I agree with you. You would think that people would be focused on this tragedy but already the likes of AR are out trying to line their own pockets...essentially this is what works for BBC....can you imagine an article which actually told the true story of how the Pakistani Armed Forces have really helped the nation during these crises being put on the BBC site....no way? Not from the likes of ingrates like Ahmad Rashid who under the cover of "faighteng far demacracy in Paakistan" :p does his utmost to undo the positives about the country, its government and the armed forces.

These guys should learn a thing or two from the Indians....even when they criticise their government, they do not loose the overall picture...India is still their country....in our case, these sellouts like AR would pimp Pakistan in a heartbeat to get two minutes of limelight on BBC..

[Naveed]

Remember Saad once an American were cought in headings saying " Pakistanis can sell out their own mo_ _ _ in just $10...." or something similar.... I think he was pointing out few Pakistani like AR :).

These are the people who have always been present in our history you can name it like Mir Jafer , Hajjaj bin Yusuf and many many Munaafiqs in our Holy prophet's time (PBUH).

[MohammedA]

What is this bulls$$$???



Closure of Edhi centre



SEVERAL days after the Edhi centre in Gujranwala sacked four employees for pilfering goods meant for the victims of the Oct 8 quake, the police have sealed the Edhi premises there and seized the centre’s ambulances and records. No prior notice was given to the Edhi staff. The organization’s head, Maulana Abdul Sattar Edhi, who has sent memorandums to the president, the prime minister and the police chief complaining of the arbitrary police action, has accused vested interests of trying to malign the foundation. While details are not available yet, Mr Edhi’s observations carry weight, especially in light of the remarks of a police official that the centre was sealed on the instructions of certain high-ups. This is cause for concern, not only because it affects the humanitarian operations of the Edhi Foundation in the area but also because the police, widely regarded as riddled with corruption, now have access to both the material and monetary donations lying at the centre.

The president and the prime minister should take immediate notice of this shameful incident and order an inquiry into the police action that has been termed illegal. Moreover, if it turns out that local politicians have had a hand in the sealing of the premises, they should be brought to book. The Edhi Foundation is respected all over Pakistan for its social and humanitarian services, and while certain dishonest staff members may have, at times, been found guilty of pilferage and embezzlement, it remains, by and large, untainted by scandal of any sort. The police action has not served any purpose at all, and is, in fact, hindering relief efforts at a time when the quake victims in the north are facing a harsh winter. The matter needs urgent attention of the government and a speedy solution.

[zia ul haq]

Asalaamo-a-laikum.

Sorry. I should have posted soem of this earlier but hacve been a tad snowed under. Again mostly for reference.

__________------------------------------------_________________________----------------------------

Update on the Earthquake in Pakistan

28th October 2005

Estimates of the exact magnitude of losses as a result of the October 8 earthquake are to be announced by mid-November.

President General Pervez Musharraf, during the first meeting of the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority, ordered a prompt release of RS 2 billion for reconstruction of individual houses.

A committee of all stakeholders has been formed to prepare a National Plan of Action for rehabilitation.

The army is shifting the earthquake affectees from the worst hit areas of Kaghan, Jadeed, Kiwai, Ghanool, Paras, Dera Manwar, and Allai to tented villages.

In the first phase of the strategy devised by the army and local representatives, 36 union councils and nazims of tehsil Mansehra will be given 1,400 tents to provide shelter to quake survivors.

Military Hospitals of Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Abbottabad, Murree, Mangla, Jhelum, Kharian, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Lahore have so far admitted 9,265 injured. Presently 1,773 patients are under treatment in these hospitals.

Besides providing medical treatment to patients at Military Hospitals, a team of 121 army doctors and 334 paramedics are treating thousands of earthquake injured people in the affected areas.

In addition, over 600 doctors and 808 paramedics, including those of foreign countries, NGOs and volunteers are providing medical treatment to earthquake victims in affected areas.

Station Headquarters Rawalpindi have set up a Rehabilitation Centre at Transit Camp Rawalpindi for the injured disharged from hospitals and still requiring medical care.

Presently 710, including 289 women and children are residing in the transit camp. A team of doctors, paramedics, nurses and volunteers are working round-the-clock to look after these people. The Rehabilitation Centre is also providing psychological treatment to women and children.

The army has set up 30 additional tent villages to accommodate thousands as survivors continue to descend from hilltops of quake affected areas in NWFP.

61 tent villages have now been established by the army and 22,000 displaced people are living in these villages.

A Refugee Management Cell has also been established at Allai Valley of Batgram district. The Cell is responsible for registration of affected people who have started coming down from the mountains to the tent villages.

An army brigade reached Shinkiari and Kaladhaka to assist in relief and rescue efforts at Darband, Shilungi, Bartoni, Chakisor, Martung, Alpuri and Khaki areas.

Army Aviation helicopters made 41 sorties to Garhi Habib Ullah, Shinkiari, Balakot Batgram, Kawai, Jared, Oghi, Bana, Allai and Chattar Plain and dropped relief goods.

56 trucks loaded with 530 tents, 312 tarpaulin, 20650 blankets,1707 quilts and 20389 tons ration were sent to far-flung areas like Chattar Plain, Balakot, Shinkiari, Battal and Batagram.

Army rescue and relief teams distributed 76,715 kg relief goods and 80 tents in 116 villages of Garhi Habib Ullah, Balakot, Shinkiari, Bataal and Batagram sectors while mule parties from the Animal Regiment distributed 5,210 kg supplies in Sanghar, Kholian, Ghonal and Sabtaini areas.

A train carrying 760 tons of supplies reached Havelian from Karachi.

Relief goods weighing around 1,630 tonnes, 220,531 blankets and 22,500 tents have so far been dispatched to the quake hit parts of Azad Kashmir.

Punjab has so far sent Rs 1.22 billion relief assistance to the earthquake affected areas.
Over the last two days, 258 tonnes of relief goods arrived from the Ukraine, Brazil, Russia, Sri Lanka, China, USA, Malaysia, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

Progress on road reopening roads in Jhelum Valley is highly encouraging while the pace of opening of the Kaghan and Neelum Valley roads is a bit slow due to continuous landslides in the area.

[zia ul haq]

Update on the Earthquake in Pakistan

31st October 2005



INFRASTRUCTURE

The National Logistic Cell (NLC) has started manufacturing fibre houses to provide alternatives to tents. Initially, one hundred houses will be constructed and distributed in NWFP.

Army Survey Group reached the earthquake affected areas of NWFP to carry out topographic survey and town planning.

Telecom infrastructure has been restored to ensure accelerated relief activities in the quake-stricken zone.

PTCL has donated 50 satellite-phone terminals for use in AJK.

Water purification plants have been set up at Kashtra area of Garhi Habibullah and Chatta Batta near Balakot, capable of purifying 35 gallons water per hour.

The number of Punjab police personnel in Kashmir increased from 650 to 1000
Four schools were set up in tented villages in the Hazara Division and Garhi Habibullah, with over 1,200 students and 60 teachers.

MEDICAL

Army Medical Corps and other foreign aid agencies vaccinated 1,500 women and children against Hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus at Garhi Habibullah.

An artificial limbs centre will be set up at National Institute of Handicapped in Islamabad.
The administration of Mayo Hospital, Lahore will provide artificial arms and legs to the quake affected persons.

Presently some 81 medical teams of army, foreign countries, volunteers and other relief organizations are providing healthcare facilities to the victims in five districts.

Medical teams from China, Malaysia, Spain, Turkey, Hungry, Iran, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Jordon, Czech Republic, Estonia, South Korea, UAE, Canada, Turkey, Russia, Cuba, Qatar, Belgium, Cyprus, France and Sweden are working in the affected areas. NATO sent one field hospital, medical equipment and medicines. Several other countries including the US set up field hospitals in the affected areas.

Around 38 seriously injured have been transferred to UAE for medical treatment.
At least 22,363 patients have been shifted to Combined Military hospitals in Abbottabad, Jhelum, Kharian, Gujranwala and Lahore.

Pakistan army has formed five mobile surgical teams, two in Muzaffarbad, one in Bagh and two in Rawlakot. Besides, 3 field hospitals have also been established in Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Battagram.

RELIEF OPERATIONS

In a bid to expand the relief operation further, Pakistan army has set up two new relief camps at Chaliana and Chakothi.

45 trucks of relief goods were dispatched from Mansehra to the affected areas whereas 22 more trucks were dispatched from Havelian Railway Station to Mansehra for onward distribution among the survivors.

Army Aviation Helicopters flew 14 sorties from PAF Base Chaklala and 59 sorties from Main Operational Base Mansehra to the affected areas and airlifted 82.92 tons relief goods in inaccessible areas.

International donors continued to fly in emergency relief assistance for quake victims. Five cargo aircrafts carrying relief goods from NATO and a cargo aircraft from Germany carrying ambulances and medicines reached Chaklala Airbase. More aircrafts carrying relief goods for the affected people will reach today.

More than 26,000 troops of Pakistan Army, part of 60,000 troops deployed to the quake-afflicted areas, besides carrying out relief and rescue operations in Muzaffarbad, Bagh, Rawlakot and Balakot, are also undertaking multifarious additional tasks.

A number of mini forward bases have been established by the troops to reach inaccessible areas.

In addition to already deployed troops in Neelum Valley more than 3,000 personnel have been employed in the valley.

Additional troops employed in Jehlum valley have established 16 forward bases and 48 sub forward bases for effective rescue and relief operations.

Relief operations in Jhelum valley are progressing more smoothly because the road links have been reopened.

51 tonnes of relief goods were taken to Neelum and Jhelum valleys by seventy sorties.
The road communication between Muzaffarbad and Jura, the major town of Neelum Valley would be established in four weeks time.

Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) has completed more than 50% work on Laswa bypass. In next four weeks time, Army Engineers would be able to open the bypass and make new diversions and clear roads to establish a link between Muzaffarbad and Jura.

Road links ahead of Jura into the upper Neelum Valley are open. The government is planning to deliver food to inaccessible areas using heavy cargo helicopters.

The Peshawar-Abbotabad route had also been enhanced with 60 additional circuits to take over-flow traffic of Muzaffarabad.

The Government is to write off any loans owed by quake-victims.

[zia ul haq]

Message to Overseas Pakistanis from

High Commissioner Dr. Maleeha Lodhi

On behalf of President Pervez Musharraf and the government and people of Pakistan, I would like to convey our profound appreciation to individuals, organizations, institutions and charities in the United Kingdom for their overwhelming compassion and generous response to our appeal for contributions to aid earthquake victims. The October 8 earthquake was the worst calamity in the country’s history, unparalleled in its magnitude and complexity. Nevertheless, the extraordinary situation is matched by an extraordinary response from our people, both in Pakistan and overseas.

We must now act and do whatever we can to prevent a looming second humanitarian disaster. We are still in the life-saving phase and therefore must do everything in our power to avert more deaths and misery. If adequate relief supplies do not reach the victims of the earthquake before the harsh Himalayan winter sets in, a second wave of deaths is forecast. We must intensify our efforts, donate more and contribute whatever we can to avert such a possibility.

Rehabilitating the earthquake victims and completing the challenging task of reconstruction will involve years of effort and more resources than available at present. There should be no compassion fatigue on our part. I am confident overseas Pakistanis will continue contributing generously to help the nation meet the challenge at hand in the months and years ahead.

I urge you to donate to the President’s Relief Fund, an accountable government undertaking with the capacity and infrastructure to rebuild communities and rebuild shattered lives.

Your support and help has already been critical to the emergency relief effort. But now, you and I must ensure that we sustain this momentum.

Thank you,


Dr. Maleeha Lodhi

High Commissioner


------------------------------------------------------------------

Go Maleeha!

[zia ul haq]

Earthquake Update

2 November 2005

The death toll has increased to 73,276 with the same number injured.

A 45-year-old man was found alive by his family in Gangwal village in the Alai district of NWFP after 22 days under the debris of his house. The man, who had been suffering from mental illness before the earthquake, was seriously traumatized but otherwise suffered no injuries.

About 265,000 tents, and 3.3 million blankets have been distributed amongst the quake survivors.

The District Administration Islamabad Capital Territory is currently looking after 5,000 quake displaced people at 6 shelter homes and relief camps set up in Islamabad.

New cities would be constructed at the sites of completely destroyed cities of Muzaffarabad and Balakot.

The Rural Housing Project for Earthquake Affectees, a welfare organisation will provide steel houses with insulated roof free of cost to earthquake survivors in AJK and NWFP.

An elaborate programme has been chalked out by the government for psychiatric rehabilitation of earthquake victims who have been emotionally and psychologically affected in Kashmir and NWFP. Under the programme, Mental Health Relief Units will be established in Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Rawalakot.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has provided 45 wireless handsets with 5 base stations to help various agencies to undertake relief operations.

Army Engineers are busy removing rubble from various parts of Muzaffarabad city where five bodies were recovered from rubble.

The troops employed at Balakot have so far recovered 133 bodies and disposed off 21 dumpers loads of rubble.

More than 14,000 troops of Army Engineers are opening roads in the earthquake devastated areas. All roads in Rawalakot and Bagh district have been reopened.

Most of the roads in Muzaffarabad district have also been reopened except Neelam Valley and some portion of Muzzaffaerabad- Chakothi road.

In Neelum Valley around 180 mules and donkeys have transported 8,100 Kilograms of food to Chacha, Ghonul, Misuch, Patika and Chamber, the far flung villages where relief items could not be carried through other means.

So far, the international community has pledged $2 billion for relief and reconstruction and more than RS 6 billion were deposited in the President's Relief Fund.

UNHCR has so far provided over 2,000 tonnes of supplies, including 232,000 blankets, 20,000 tents, 83,300 plastic sheets, 33,000 jerry cans and many other items.

Iran is handing over one field hospital, 10 ambulances and other equipment, besides donating 10,000 tents.

[zia ul haq]

Update on the Earthquake in Pakistan

9 November 2005

According to an assessment, over 171,884 mud houses were completely demolished due to the earthquake while approximately 100,000 houses were partially damaged.

Rescue and relief operation was accelerated in the quake hit areas of Azad Kashmir and NWFP on Tuesday.

Foreign medical teams have set up 12 field hospitals in Azad Kashmir. Six field hospitals are functioning in Muzaffarabad, two in Bagh and one each in Gari Doupatta, Panjkot and Pateekah.

These teams have set up 10 field hospitals in NWFP also. Two hospitals are functioning in Mansehra, three in Balakot, and one each in Gari Habibullah, Abbottabad, Bisham, Jabori and Battgram.

As many as 123 doctors and 230 paramedics of the Pakistan Army have set up Four Forward Treatment Centres in the quake affected areas of AJK and NWFP while some 16 medical treatment teams are providing necessary relief to the affected people in forward areas.

Over 11,324 patients were evacuated to military hospitals in Rawalpindi, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Jhelum, Murree, Kharian, Gujranwala and Lahore.

At Combined Military Hospitals 4976 patients underwent major operations and 7043 were treated for minor operations 18 surgical teams and 21 heath services comprising civil doctors are also committed in providing medical treatment to the needy people.

55 international organizations and 73 NGOs are engaged in relief work.

As displaced people continue to settle down in tent villages, the army is concentrating on provision of maximum civic amenities.

During the last month 334,235 tents, 3,188,857 blankets, 3,961 tons of ration, 3,859 tons of medicines and 9,945 tons of miscellaneous relief items have been shifted to affected areas for distribution.

All affected areas have been assessed and relief items are being provided to them either by helicopter, troops on foot or by mule, boats and ferries.

PIA has so far lifted 1,467 tons of relief supplies from its domestic and international network.

30 tent villages and one tentage city have been set up in Sarin Valley of the district, where all basic facilities are being provided.

In order to provide rations and other necessary items at subsidized rates, 11 utility stories have been established in the quake affected areas.

Besides undertaking rescue operations almost 700 local and foreign journalists were also facilitated by air for coverage to affected areas particularly during first few days when roads were blocked due to earthquake.

Major roads in the affected areas i.e. Mansehra-Balakot, Mansehra-Abbottabad, Rawalpindi-Bagh and Rawalpindi-Rawlakot were opened for all types of traffic, within 36 hours after the earthquake.

The most affected Balakot-Kaghan and Muzaffarbad-Chakot roads were opened a few days ago. However work on Muzaffarbad-Neelum Valley road is in progress.

32 exchanges and 17,463 telephone lines in Azad Kashmir have been restored. Similarly in NWFP 19 exchanges and 13,902 telephone lines have also been restored by PTCL.

A total of 1,005 tons of relief items have been received by allied countries for distribution among quake survivors.

As many as 49 countries have contributed in relief and rescue operations .

Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Margherita Boniver said on Tuesday that Italy would share its expertise in artificial limbs technology with Pakistan as part of its assistance in rehabilitating victims of earthquake.

Australia will send a 140-member medical team this week to earthquake-devastated areas as the approaching winter worsens the humanitarian crisis in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Australian Prime Minister John Howard said today.

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday assured Pakistan of unlimited help for rehabilitation of quake-devastated areas in Azad Kashmir and the NWFP.

[zia ul haq]

Earthquake in Pakistan

11 November 2005

The current official death toll is 73,318 with 69,392 seriously injured and 58,896 injured.
146,987 patients were received by government hospitals, out of which 27,068 are still under treatment and the rest were discharged.

Twin cities civil and military hospitals have so far performed 22,996 operations.

1,146 amputations have been made. Amputations are being used as the last option by surgeons.

Army Engineers have completed construction of 44 shelters made of corrugated galvanized iron (CGI) sheets in the quake struck areas to provide proper cover to the survivors from the rain, snowfall and severe cold weather.

Work on 36 more shelters is near completion. The Engineers are also engaging locals and providing them requisite know-how about building shelters made of CGI sheets to further speed up the exercise before the snow comes.

The areas where Army Engineers have constructed shelters for quake survivors include Maira, Shanglai and Banna hill in Batagram, Shachan Kalan and Munda Guchha in Shinkiari and Shawal Najaf, Hungrai Sarash, Jabri and Lari in Balakot.

Due to harsh weather, the number of displaced persons in tent villages at Garhi Habibullah, Balakot, Battagram, Battal, Mansehra, Jabba and Shinkiari is continuously increasing and it has now over 21,000. More than 4,000 tents have been pitched in 28 tent villages to accommodate the quake survivors.

Army Engineers constructed a 70 meters ramp for Baily Bridge in Balakot and work on restoration of water supply schemes in Mochi Pura area is in full swing.

In view of weather forecast, Pakistan Army has made special safety arrangements at tent villages in quake-hit areas of NWFP. The arrangements include sanitation, drainage systems and provision of warm clothes, sleeping bags, additional blankets, quilts and mattresses.

Tents made of clothes are being covered with plastic sheets and tarpaulins to prevent leaks during rain and snow fall. Troops from Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (EME) have so far made lighting and hot water arrangements in tent villages set up at Hassa, Basian, Shawal Najaf, Balakot, Garhi Habibullah, Batgram, Batal, Jabori and Dadial.

The army, in collaboration with an NGO, is making arrangements for winterized tents at Maira Tent city where around 30,000 survivors are being accommodated.

The army in collaboration with some NGOs has opened 13 tent schools for boys and girls including three each at Chattar Plain and Balakot, two each at Battal, Gulmaina and Kashtara and one at Hassa where there are up to 2,640 students.

On November 9, a C130 NATO cargo plane arrived in Islamabad with 9.5 tons of blankets, mattresses, warm clothes and sleeping-bags, donated by the Polish Fire Brigade HQ and Polish Red cross.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will procure and approve an emergency loan and grant of $300 million including $80 million grant for rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in quake hit areas. This is in addition to the $100 million package for budgetary support. The loan would be soft loan, payable in 40 years with a ten year grace period.

[zia ul haq]

The article below was published in The Independent on Monday 14th November.

"Pakistan needs the support of the international community"

Maleeha Lodhi

From a speech by the High Commissioner of Pakistan, given to an invited audience at the High Commission, London.

A second tragedy threatens survivors of the devastating earthquake that shattered large swaths of northern Pakistan and Kashmir on 8 October. This tragedy can be averted, but only if the world responds with greater speed, compassion, con*sistency and generosity than it has displayed so far. Already the earthquake has left more than 73,000 people dead and more than 120,000 injured; 3.3 million people have been rendered home*less and at least half of these are children. Millions of people are at risk from hunger, infection and exposure to the sub-zero tem*perature of the harsh Himalayan winter which is closing in.

The UN is calling this the toughest relief operation in his*tory because of the logistical nightmare of ensuring and sustaining relief supplies to survivors in a mountain area spread out over 30,000 square kilometers in a race against time.

This is a catastrophe whose scale and complexity is beyond the capacity of one country to manage on its own. And although Pakistanis are humbled by the magnitude of the unfolding dis*aster, we are determined to re*build shattered lives and inspire hope for the 5 million people affected by the calamity. To do this we need the support of the in*ternational community. More than 3 million people need sup*port over the next six months merely to survive. Food alone at $1 a day per person would cost $600mfor the first six months. Relief requirements in this crit*ical life-saving phase are esti*mated at more than $2bn (£1.1bn). President Pervez Musharraf has convened an international conference to be held in Islama*bad on 19 November. The UN sec*retary General Kofi Annan will be attending. This conference will afford an opportunity to the international community to demonstrate its commitment to saving lives as well as assisting Paki*stan in the task of long-term rehabilitation. While Pakistan is grateful for the international as*sistance received, we hope to see a global response commensu*rate to the scale of the challenge at this conference. If the world was slow to grasp the gravity and urgency of the humanitarian crisis, it has no excuses now.

______________________________________________

All credit wher eit is due to Maleeha!

[zia ul haq]

Asalaamo-a-laikum.

I've just mentioned this on the PN news thread but Warships - International Fleet Reveiw have a two page spread on the earthquake besides the first part in a PN series, in the latest issue (Dec).

Besides AFM and WIFR have there been any other earthquake related articles/pieces of note?

Anyway, I don't know how cultural any of are...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Event: Muslim Doctor’s and Dentist Association Fundraising Dinner

Description: Surgeons who have returned from the area will give their first hand account and put forward the NEED ASSESMENT and future planning.

Date: 19 November 2005

Time: 7PM

Venue: Newman Hall, Harrison Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham

Tickets: £12

Contact: Dr Junaid Patel
Tel: (work) 0121 327 0577, (res) 0121 705 3238, email: jsp287@hotmail.com

Event: Pakistan Earthquake Relief Concert

Description: Performed by musicians from the London Orpheus Philharmonic Orchestra and the Devonshire Players:

Respighi: Siciliana

Zable: La Source

Poulenc: Sonata for flute & piano

Schubert: String Quintet in C

All proceeds will be donated to the Murshid Hospital & Health Care Centre Fund. An Art Exhibition by Vaseem Mohammed can be viewed during the interval – sponsored by the MBI Foundation

Date: 22 November 2005

Time: 7:30PM

Venue: St Botolph’s, Aldgate, London EC3

Tickets: £10 available on the door, at St Botolph’s and via www.lopo.org.uk/pk

[SSAAD]

“The Pakistanis — they’re really something else,” she said. “They’ve been walking around with broken bones for a very long time.”

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=31906&archive=true

[H Khan]

By MUNIR AHMAD
.c The Associated Press

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistan's president appealed Wednesday for more than $5 billion in aid to rebuild the earthquake-ravaged north, but said his country will fend for itself if the world doesn't deliver.

The appeal came as the United Nations warned again that thousands could die from cold, disease and hunger in the quake zone this winter and announced that Secretary-General Kofi Annan will tour the destruction ahead of a key donors conference Saturday in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said that Pakistan had so far received ``negligible'' funds from donors, but expressed confidence it could raise the $5.2 billion needed ``for relief and reconstruction and sustainable rehabilitation.''

``We hope the international community assists us in this hour of need,'' he told reporters in Rawalpindi, near the capital. ``We should be able to raise this amount. I have spoken to world leaders, and their responses have been very positive.''

The magnitude-7.6 quake on Oct. 8 destroyed the homes of about 3 million people, leaving hundreds of thousands living in tents while an unknown number have no shelter at all.

Most of the more than 87,000 deaths were in Pakistani territory. About 1,350 died in India's portion of Kashmir, which is divided between the two countries but claimed in its entirety by both.

Musharraf said that if the funds he sought were not forthcoming, it would affect Pakistan's development, particularly the social sector.

``We will do it ourselves if the world community does not help us,'' he said, but added that the world should assist Pakistan as it did nations hit by last year's tsunami in Asia, and Hurricane Katrina in the United States.

He said Pakistan would complete its planned distribution of $335 million to quake survivors within 15 days.

The U.N. is stressing the need for more financial support to sustain its emergency relief effort through the winter. It has so far received only $119 million and another $40 million in pledges out of $550 million it has been seeking since last month to finance emergency relief over six months.



11/16/05 15:14 EST

[MohammedA]

The accounts and updates of the Presidents Relief Fund should be put on the web as quick as possible...............



Govt ready for 3rd party audit: Use of quake funds




By Ihtasham ul Haque

ISLAMABAD, Nov 16: The government said on Wednesday that it was ready to introduce a “third-party auditing and validation system” to satisfy international donors’ concerns about transparency in the use of funds for reconstruction activities in the earthquake-hit region.

Informed sources told Dawn that in his meeting with Islamabad-based foreign diplomats and representatives of international financial institutions (IFIs) on Monday, President Gen Pervez Musharraf offered every possible guarantee for fair distribution of aid and corruption-free reconstruction.

The sources said the Japanese ambassador and a few European Union envoys specifically raised the issue of transparency and sought assurances from the president.

President Musharraf told them that although the country’s auditor general was already there to oversee spending, the government would not be averse to third party audit and validation and invited the international donor community to nominate an agency of their choice, sources said.

“Now when international donors seem interested in helping us, they do want accountability and corruption-free relief and reconstruction activities,” a source said.

He said diplomats sounded sympathetic to Pakistan’s needs but were fearful of misuse of their countries’ assistance in the absence of some “strong audit and validation system”.

The foreign envoys also wanted to know how the government proposed to fill the “financing gap” in case it did not get in full the $3.5 billion foreign assistance it needed for rebuilding the infrastructure destroyed by the Oct 8 earthquake in the NWFP and Azad Kashmir.

In the first place, the president said, the government would be reluctant to cut its development budget because it wanted to protect social sectors that had been neglected in the past. But he said the government would then perhaps not have any option but to cut its administration’s expenditure.

The sources said that foreign envoys supported the president that there should be no cut on the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) which had been increased from roughly Rs120 billion of 1998-99 to Rs272 billion in 2005-06.

The participants also want representation of civilian officials to be enhanced along with military personnel to effectively carry out relief and reconstruction activities.

“But there is donor fatigue following disasters in North America, the Asian tsunami and now in Pakistan,” another source said. He said that multilateral agencies had assured they would provide more soft loans and were expecting Pakistan’s bilateral creditors to extend substantial funding in the shape of pure grants on no return basis.

[SSAAD]

On another thread, I think someone was referring to Stephen Cohen's book review by a dhotee. Here is one where he has put forward a decent case for Pakistan along with some of the other noted US personalities (well Karl I.):

Save Pakistan from 'donor fatigue'

By Karl F. Inderfurth, David Fabrycky, and Stephen P. Cohen Thu Nov 17, 3:00 AM ET

WASHINGTON - Time is running out for tens of thousands of survivors of the 7.6 earthquake that devastated parts of Pakistan on Oct. 8, claiming more than 73,000 lives and leaving 3 million homeless. Winter is fast approaching. Experts believe 1 million people are at risk of hypothermia. Two hundred thousand villagers in more remote areas may soon be cut off by snow. A "second wave" of deaths from cold, hunger, and disease is feared.


Time is also running out for the international community to respond in a way that is befitting a disaster of this magnitude. Of the $550 million the
United Nations called for in its "flash appeal," only $119 million, or 22 percent, has been received. Contrast this with the overwhelming international response to the Indian Ocean tsunami that struck last December. The UN's emergency appeal was more than 80 percent financed within days of the disaster. Since then, an estimated $13.6 billion has been raised internationally, some 92 countries have provided assistance, and the overall response to the tsunami is emerging as an exemplary story in disaster relief and recovery.

What explains this striking difference between the global response to the tsunami and to the earthquake?

First, extensive media coverage and the presence of many foreigners ensured that the tsunami received high-level and private attention on the part of donors (some 2,500 tourists from more than 40 countries were killed). In the case of the earthquake, those living in the region - Pakistanis, Kashmiris, and Indians - bore the full brunt of the catastrophe.

Second, the tsunami-impacted areas were relatively easy to reach by sea, even though the area affected across the Indian Ocean was huge. In particular, the United States and others could send in major naval units, bringing in urgently needed relief and medical supplies. In Pakistan, the only way of reaching the most devastated areas is by helicopter, making the provision of relief supplies, including desperately needed winterized tents, a logistical nightmare.

Finally, earthquake relief efforts are suffering from "donor fatigue," including in the US which gave generously first to the tsunami and, more recently, to the hurricanes that hit the southeastern US.

A just-concluded assessment by the
World Bank says Pakistan will need approximately $5.2 billion to effectively implement a relief, recovery, and reconstruction plan. Of this, $3.5 billion will be needed for rebuilding housing, schools, health facilities, roads, and other public infrastructure - an effort that will take up to five years.

But first Pakistan's survivors will need to get through the winter and the global community must do more to assist them. An international donor's conference now scheduled for Nov. 19 in Islamabad will provide that opportunity. The US, which has called on Pakistan for its assistance on many occasions in the past, should play a leading role.

To date the US has made $156 million available to Pakistan for relief and reconstruction needs. The US military is playing a key role as well. A Navy construction battalion is helping to clear roads; Army helicopters have flown over a thousand missions to deliver aid to isolated communities and to transport injured people for medical treatment. Pakistan's President, Pervez Musharraf, says these Chinook helicopters have become "a household name and everyone knows that the United States has provided this aid."

At the Nov. 19 conference, the US should pledge to raise its level of assistance to $500 million and urge other international donors to follow its example by substantially boosting their aid. Currently, Pakistan has received help from 50 nations.

Every effort should be made to match this increase in official US aid with donations from the American private sector. Again, the tsunami response experience is instructive. US charitable giving of $1.7 billion almost doubled the amount of Washington's official aid package of $900 million.

President Bush clearly had this example of citizen generosity in mind when he recently announced the creation of the South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund, which will be led by five American business CEOs - from General Electric, Pfizer, Citigroup, Xerox, and United Parcel Service. Several of these leaders traveled to Pakistan in advance of Saturday's conference and will return, in the president's words, "to rally our citizens to help the victims of this disaster." May those who are suffering from disaster relief donor fatigue, both at home and abroad, quickly get a second wind.

• Karl F. Inderfurth, a former assistant secretary of State for South Asian affairs, and David Fabrycky are, respectively, a professor and graduate research assistant at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs. Stephen P. Cohen is a senior fellow in foreign policy studies at the Brookings Instituti

[Usman S.]

Army-WFP stockpile sufficient supplies in quake-hit areas

Statesman Report

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Army, with the assistance of World Food Programme (WFP), has devised a comprehensive logistic and supply chain and completed dumping of food stuffs and medicines in the earthquake hit areas of NWFP.

According to a press release of ISPR, sufficient supplies including flour, ghee, sugar, pulses, dry milk and medicines have been stockpiled at Main Supply Bases in Mansehra and Abbottabad.

Each distribution point will cater for a cluster of 3000 population. The distribution points will continuously be fed from the top in the supply chain.

Meanwhile, Corps Commander Lieutenant General Muhammed Hamid Khan has stressed the need for further expediting payment of compensation to the survivors in the five earthquake affected districts of NWFP. This he observed while attending a briefing to review Pakistan Army’s relief and rehabilitation activities at Corps Headquarters on Wednesday.

Corps Commander said that besides ensuring complete transparency, preference in disbursement of compensation money should be given to the affectees living in hamlets and villages in remote mountainous region struck by the disaster.

The Corps Commander was informed that so far a sum of Rs1422.775 million has been paid to the next of kin who either lost their lives or suffered injuries in quake in Mansehra, Batgram, Abbottabad, Kohistan and Shangla districts whereas over 462 million rupees were paid to those whose houses were damaged in Mansehra, Abbottabad and Shangla districts.

General Hamid directed that all necessary steps should be taken to provide medical assistance to the survivors particularly to the women and children. He said a family member should also be shifted with patients for treatment to hospitals in major cities of the country.

Troops of Army Supply and Transport Battalion are assisting people who want to migrate to down country in the wake of severe cold weather and snowfall on mountains. Migrating families are also provided facilities to take their belongings and cattle heads.

Army Corps of Engineers has made special arrangements to keep Balakot-Kaghan-Naran road open. Two Engineers battalions have been deployed at likely sites that can be blocked by landslides. Army Engineers have further expedited construction of shelters for the affectees and so far 438 shelters in Batgram, Balakot, Shinkiari and Garhi Habibullah have been completed. The Engineers are giving priority to construction of shelters for survivors in high altitude areas.

Helicopters of Army Aviation carried out 87 sorties from main operational base at Mansehra to various affected areas and dropped 58.8 tons relief goods. As many as 14 sorties were flown from PAF Base Chaklala to Kaghan and Batgram to airlift 386 tents, 12.85 tons ration, and 0.902 ton other items. From Mansehra, 74 trucks loaded with 6045 tents, 2824 blankets, 69.73 tons of ratioin and other relief goods were dispatched to Chattar Plain, Garhi Habibullah, Balakot, Shinkiari, Batgram, Darband and other areas.

http://www.statesman.com.pk/city/city.htm

[SSAAD]

Guys this one is a heart-breaker....really shows the soft side of the Pakistan Army...read the part about the mother who has lost her son and does not take her medicine from anyone aside from a jawan in uniform.....May Allah SWT give these ppl the himma to deal with this immense tragedy..

http://jang.com.pk/jang/nov2005-daily/17-11-2005/editorial/col5.htm

[zia ul haq]

Update on the Earthquake in Pakistan

17 November 2005

With snow falling in areas above 2,600 metres, three British Chinook helicopters, operational since 28 October, will be added to the fleet of relief crafts airlifting 238 tonnes of UN supplies to Leepa Valley.

The army, along with other agencies working to provide relief and rescue has transported around 73,000 tons of relief goods, 453,813 tents and 3,712,306 blankets to the quake-stricken areas of Azad Kashmir and NWFP by air and road.

The army with the assistance of World Food Programme (WFP), has devised a comprehensive logistic and supply chain and completed dumping of food stuffs and medicines in the earthquake hit areas of NWFP.

Sufficient supplies including flour, ghee, sugar, pulses, dry milk and medicines have been stockpiled at Main Supply Bases in Mansehra and Abbottabad. Each distribution point will cater for 3000.

So far a sum of RS 1,422,775 million has been paid to the next of kin who either lost their lives or suffered injuries in quake in Mansehra, Batgram, Abbottabad, Kohistan and Shangla and over RS 462 million rupees were paid to those whose houses were damaged in Mansehra, Abbottabad and Shangla.

Troops of the Army Supply and Transport Battalion are assisting people who want to migrate south in the wake of severe cold weather and snowfall on mountains. Migrating families are also provided facilities to take their belongings and cattle.

Special arrangements have been made to keep Balakot-Kaghan-Naran road open.

Construction of shelters has been further expedited and so far 438 shelters in Batgram, Balakot, Shinkiari and Garhi Habibullah have been completed. The Engineers are giving priority to construction of shelters for survivors in high altitude areas.

International donors continued to fly in emergency relief assistance for quake victims on the 38th consecutive day of the relief operation and several more aircrafts landed at Chaklala Airbase on Wednesday.

The latest arrivals included a Boeing aircraft from Jordan carrying blankets and other material; a cargo aircraft from the USA carrying blankets and mattresses; a United Arab Emirates aircraft carrying blankets and other consignments; a C-130 aircraft from Cuba carrying a team of doctors and other relief goods; and a cargo plan from France carrying blankets and mattresses.

UNHCR has so far brought in more than 20,000 family tents and 270,000 blankets, 33,000 jerry cans, 28,000 kitchen sets, 4,300 stoves, 83,000 plastic sheets and thousands of other items.

The World Bank has provided a soft loan package of $100 million for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the damaged roads in quake affected areas.

The United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) has so far pledged 33 million pounds to the relief operation in the earthquake affected areas.

An International Donors’ Conference is to be held in Islamabad on Saturday November 19 aimed at generating up to $5.2bn for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of quake hit areas.

[A Khan]

Food shortages dog quake valleys


By Aamer Ahmed Khan
BBC News, Neelum Valley, Pakistan-administered Kashmir


This is the second in a series of reports from the Neelum valley, one of the areas rendered most inaccessible after the South Asian earthquake.

"Major Shakeel is in charge of food distribution here," says Malik Wilayat.

"He is a good man, he makes sure that everyone gets something."

"Oh yeah?" jeers the man sitting next to him.

"I was given a handful of rations eight days ago and have not received anything else since."

Six weeks after the 8 October earthquake in northern Pakistan, food remains a subject of intense discussion in the Neelum Valley.


Sharp decline

Along the road from Muzaffarabad, with its food glut, to the valley beyond the first major road block, it is extremely hard to find freshly cooked food.

Cooking facilities were destroyed in the earthquake and cooking fuel is hard to come by.





The only edibles are in the shape of dry rations being doled out at relief centres set up by the army.

Even these are in seriously short supply, as private donations that poured in for the first few days have almost completely dried up.

According to official figures, more than 700 metric tons of food were delivered to the quake-affected areas in the first five days after 8 October by private domestic donors.

International aid accounted for another 330 tons.

The domestic aid graph then went into a sharp decline as the emphasis shifted to shelter and medical supplies.

Over the past three weeks, the figure has hovered around 20 tons.

Senior government officials say their resources are spread so thin that they need maximum assistance from private donors and international agencies such as the Red Cross or the World Food Programme.

Both moved into the valley in a major way last.

With two of the world's largest relief agencies now involved in the area, the situation must surely improve.

But to what extent?

Helicopter constraints

Here is some simple food arithmetic.

The Neelum valley has a population of about 160,000 - three-quarters of which is concentrated in a 50km stretch, called lower Neelam, from Muzaffarabad onwards.


The locally available ration requirement calculated on the basis of 12.5kg of mixed foodstuff per person per month comes to 2,000 tons a month.

With the weather closing in, an estimated 10,000 tons is required to help the residents of lower Neelam through the harsh Himalayan winter.

Compare this now to the delivery capability available to the entire relief machinery.

Apart from the two Russian MI-26s - each capable of carrying up to 20 tons at a time - US and British Chinooks are carrying out the bulk of the relief effort.

But the stated capacity of 15 tons per Chinook operated on a typical day is limited by weather, weight, height of the terrain and space constraints.

More importantly, given that an estimated 23,000 of the 25,000 houses in lower Neelam have been completely destroyed, the Chinooks cannot just carry food.

Tents, blankets, medical supplies - and also feeding the needs of international medical and relief agencies operating in the forward areas - accounts for a large part of their delivery capacity.

Further, damage to access routes that link villagers to the 14 distribution points set up in the valley, has turned delivery to end users into a slow and painful process.

Sardines, gherkins and panties

The situation is compounded by a problematic communication infrastructure that the field commanders in the forward areas have to deal with.


It is often not possible for them to direct the supply bases in Rawalpindi and Muzaffarabad to send precisely what is required.

"We often do not know what we have received till we actually open the cartons," says one military official at Dhanni - a military relief camp at the top end of lower Neelam.

Young officers still laugh remembering the day when rations had reached critically low levels.

Of the supplies delivered to them that day, two large cartons were found full of bras and panties.

"The soldiers who opened the cartons were so rattled at the sight that they didn't even know what to tell their superiors," laughs one officer.

Military culture in particular is very conservative in such matters.

Unlike in Western culture, women's undergarments are meant to remain unseen - not publicly displayed or disbursed.


It took two red-faced junior officers the rest of the day to find women in neighbouring villages who eventually managed to distribute the undergarments.

Another Chinook-load contained sardines.

"The people they were distributed to were again lined up the next day complaining that they had been given 'rotten fish so bad that some of it had turned to oil'," says an officer.

At times, even excellent quality beef, clearly marked halal, was turned down by the recipients because it was delivered by the Americans, such is the mistrust of the United States here.

The availability of the right kind of rations in adequate quantities and the necessarily slow process of distribution means that the 160,000 residents of the valley may remain on a drip feed throughout the winter.

"This is an extremely uneasy situation for us," says a top army commander in the valley.

"With time, it will create tensions between us and the locals who are still reeling from deep emotional and psychological scars."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/4445876.stm

[Ahmad]

I hope this thread is right for this editorial piece in this Sunday's "Daily Times" paper. I think it very articulately presents a snapshot of the situation we face vis-a-vis the Swedish AWAC deal in light of the earthquake and our relationship with India.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005\11\20\story_20-11-2005_pg3_1

Indian air chief’s assessment

India’s Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi, while speaking at a university in Pune, has said that Pakistan remains a primary threat to India and the Indian Air Force. “Though things have changed a great deal in the last three years between the two nations, the security dimension remains the same, the terrorist infrastructure still exists in Pakistan and there is no reduction in cross-border terrorism,” Mr Tyagi told the audience. He identified China as another security threat. “The capabilities of China should figure in our matrix of security planning because I see Chinese weapons in our neighbourhood. China’s strategic encirclement of our country is already well under way and this would only lead to more problems for us in future.” What should we make of this?

The analysts who set much store by normalisation and think that there is a direct connection between peace and reduction in force levels or defence expenditure should stand corrected. From India’s viewpoint, Mr Tyagi is correct in assessing that his force needs to remain prepared for all eventualities. Preparedness does not necessarily mean a hot conflict. Indeed, it is a most vital element in deterring a potential adversary. India is embarked on normalising relations with both Pakistan and China. Yet the very element of geography instils the element of rivalry among these three states. As a military man, it is Mr Tyagi’s duty to act on the basis of what he perceives of the adversaries’ capabilities and to recommend measures to his government accordingly. However, it is up to the civilian government to finally accept or reject his recommendations. That is the essence of the correct balance in civil-military relations. We need to learn from that. Equally, we need to understand that normalisation does not mean lowering the guard or diluting the punch. What Mr Tyagi has assessed for India is true also of Pakistan vis-à-vis India. States in tough neighbourhoods cannot afford to be cavalier regarding security, but they need to ensure that they do not overplay their hand.

[MohammedA]

A day in the life of quake survivors

By Aamer Ahmed Khan
BBC News, Neelum valley, Pakistani-administered Kashmir


In the third report from the Neelum valley, our correspondent presents a snapshot in the day of earthquake survivors still cut off by landslides from vital aid.
The apparent calm of the Neelum valley is deceptive.

After a few days here, you can feel the anguish that lies underneath.

In this once closely-knit and peaceful people, some are discovering the harsher edges to their own personalities.

Others are desperately struggling to heal the deep emotional scars left behind by the quake that rattled the towering mountains on 8 October.

Tools of trade

It was easy for the young barber of Nauseri town, Gulnawaz, to restart his business after the quake.


"It took me less than two weeks once I was finished burying two members of my family and a colleague", he explains standing in his new kiosk.

Across the road is his previous kiosk, now a pile of rubble.

He has a perpetually sullen expression on his face and is reluctant to talk.

"I spent 10 days pulling whatever wooden planks I could from the rubble of my old shop," he says as he clips the hair of his inaugural customer on 13 November.

A day-long walk to Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani-administered Kashmir, got him the required tools - two pairs of scissors, two combs, razors, tubes of shaving cream, shaving brushes, towels, small mirrors and three cakes of soap.

The entire kit cost him just over four dollars - an investment that he hopes to recover by his 20th customer.

He was also able to pull out two badly damaged chairs and repair them.

They were very rickety and unstable, as is obvious from the uncertain expression on his customer's face.

And given that he has a pair of everything, he can actually start training an apprentice.

Once his business picks up, Gulnawaz may perhaps forget his losses and be able to lead a normal life. Perhaps not.

Toffees

Close to the military base at Dhanni, the army had set up three brightly coloured tents for a school of sorts.

About 40 boys and 60 girls attend this school where grades one to five sit together and two teachers take turns to instruct every 'class'.


Used to the site of young boys and girls idling among the devastation, I had taken a packet of toffees with me.

The younger girls' class had 29 students and the packet had 35 toffees in it.

I passed it to the teacher, Nusrat Shaheen, in full view of the students telling all of them that someone had sent toffees from Pakistan.

But the way she grabbed the packet and tucked it away under her shawl made me suspicious.

"I am teaching 97 students here," she said.

"I am all alone and my own family is living out in the open. We have no tent."

By late afternoon, I had learnt that she was neither the sole teacher nor was her family living out in the open.

The next day, a little girl from the school told me that my toffees were never distributed.

Ms Shaheen's behaviour is not typical of the pre-quake mountain communities in Kashmir. This was something new.

Firearms

Having taken a few photographs around the school, I started walking back towards Nauseri, a few kilometres away.

A Toyota with people clinging to its sides caught up.


It was among the few that had started to ply on the road now accessible to jeeps between the towns of Deolani and Nauseri.


Driver Madad Ali told me that he had spent $6,500 on extending its rear to take on more passengers.

It was standard practice for the rovers plying the area.

Five minutes of jostling and squeezing and he had managed to squeeze me somewhere deep inside the vehicle.

But before we could get going, another passenger who was trying to get on was pushed aside by the conductor.

He promptly turned around and slapped him.

Madad Ali saw red, he lifted his shirt and pulled out a gun.

I was so squeezed in so tightly that I could not reach for my camera.

"The army has told us to shoot anyone who misbehaves," he roared at the offending passenger.

"We are trying to serve and you slap us," he shouted, hurling all manner of unprintable swear-words at the man.

It was perhaps the consternation on my face that made the man sitting next to me reach out and pat my hand.

"Do not worry, we are not from the Punjab or the NWFP," he said reassuringly.

"He will probably die of shock if that gun went off accidentally," he said, nodding towards Madad Ali.

"This quake has frayed everyone's temper."

For me, the harrowing 20-minute ride across several landslides was enough.

I vowed never to ride that car again.

Farewell

At Nauseri, a man called Haji Habibullah of Dhudial village was making his way up towards Deolani.

He was accompanied by his wife, two daughters, two sons and a brother.


They were all going to Pattika - the first town in the Neelum valley after Muzaffarabad.

"Our son was killed in the quake there," he said.

"There was no way to bring him back at that time so we buried him temporarily."

Haji Habibullah was planning to bring back his son's body to his native village once the roads reopened.

But it had been over a month now and the road situation was still uncertain.

"We are now going to say our final prayers and declare his current grave as his final resting place."

His wife - a portly middle-aged lady - was clearly not fit for the long trek ahead.

The family had no food with them and they were not going to get anything on the way.

"I have to go," she said simply when I suggested that she could have stayed home and prayed for her son.

"I have to go," she said simply. "He was my son. "

After a while, she added: "You must know many important people in the army. When you see them, thank them from me."

"If they had not cut a new path from our village to the main road, I would never have been able to attend my son's final farewell."

'Chook, chook'

It was just past noon when I got back to Dhanni.


There was not much to see at Nauseri.

A huge part of the mountain, just past the town, had collapsed so in such a way that I was not up to negotiating the dangerous landslides to get to the village on the other side.

Just short of Dhanni, a little boy looked at me timidly and pointed towards the school.

He was one of the kids I had photographed in the morning.

"Chook, chook," he said.

When I got to the school, two of the three tents had been flattened.

Students were milling around the place and talking excitedly.

Nearby, many of the makeshift shelters that the locals had erected from tin sheets and planks of wood had collapsed.

A Chinook helicopter had miscalculated and landed too close to the inhabited area.

Its twin rotors had blown away the tents and the tin roofs off their makeshift moorings.

People came running to me.

"Kids are injured, some have been blown away to the river below," shouted one.

"Many injured, seriously injured," screamed another.

"Do something, report it immediately, take photographs, people are dying," yet another hollered in my ear.



"We have been destroyed again," wailed a woman, collecting her household items that were spread over a vast area.

In front of me, some of the kids were giggling away as if nothing had happened.

Past them, young boys were playing a game of cricket and up on the road, military police was idling next to the check post.

It took me some time to figure out that none of the children had been "blown into the river below" and that no one was "seriously injured" or "dying".

A couple of stones had flown off and hit an old man and a boy, scratching their heads.

They were soon bandaged and the old man looked a little shaken, but that was just about it.

By the evening, the school tents were back up again.

Pakistan vs England

Latif looked up from his scorebook.

The match had been disrupted by the Chinook affair and the boys were just regrouping.

This is what they do everyday, I was told.


With no school and no means to travel, they gather at the clearing near the helipad and play cricket.

Usually the teams have no names but today, one is Pakistan and the other one is England.

"We have no radio and cannot listen to the commentary," says Latif.

"So we decided to make two teams, Pakistan and England and play our own match."

"Mine is England, because of my fair complexion and the spots on my face," he added with a shy grin.

One of the local boys, who was not there on the day, was apparently a cricket fanatic.

He had spent an entire day digging out a bat from the rubble of his house.

His friends had pooled in some money and walked all the way to Muzaffarabad to buy a few tennis balls and a roll of tape.

Tape wrapped around a tennis ball makes for some mean swing.

Two of the balls since they started playing last week had been hit for sixes down in the river and lost.

But they still had three more and by the time those were lost, they were hoping the roads would open.

Sixes, meanwhile, have been banned.

Chicken and eggs

"Can you bring me a chicken or a few eggs?" Haji Abdul Rashid asked me as I stood there pondering how to get some toffees past the eagle eyes of Nusrat Shaheen.


Startled, I asked him why.

"If you have a rooster or a few eggs, you can get all the rations you want from them," he said, looking at the military camp up on the road.

"I have nothing left, no chickens, no eggs, no goats to give them. That is why I don't get any rations from them," he emphasised, making sure that I was taking notes.

Over the next couple of days, I was to discover that Haji Rashid was deeply unhappy at the use of his fields as helipads.

He had expected compensation, either by way of additional rations or money - both were firmly refused by the army.

The helipad serves as a delivery point for nearly 20,000 people in the surrounding villages.

And the harvesting season is over.

I was on the same road that I had taken in April this year when I had gone from Rawalkot down south right up to Athmuqam to cover the launch of the cross-border Kashmir bus.

This was not the Kashmir I had come across at that time - when shopkeepers had refused to charge for their milky hot tea and eating food at the roadsides had become impossible because no one would let me pay for it.


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/south_asia/4447158.stm

Published: 2005/11/21 04:16:30 GMT

© BBC MMV

[MohammedA]

Pakistan censors 'critical' BBC coverage of earthquake relief efforts
Masssoud Ansari in Karachi
(Filed: 20/11/2005)

Pakistani officials have been accused of censorship after launching a crackdown on radio and television stations that have relayed "negative" BBC coverage of the recovery effort after last month's devastating earthquake.



The move followed complaints by army officers to BBC staff in the earthquake zone that their reports were too critical of the Pakistani military's relief efforts, particularly in the immediate aftermath of the disaster which killed more than 73,000 people and left about 3 million homeless.

The country's broadcasting watchdog, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), raided a private FM radio station in Karachi last week and closed its transmissions for violating broadcasting laws, after it refused to stop relaying Urdu-language material provided by the BBC World Service.

The regulators - appointed by the military government led by President Pervez Musharraf - also forced two private television channels, Rang and Vibe, to stop broadcasting the BBC's special coverage of the earthquake, or face similar action.

Assisted by the local police, Pemra officials raided the Mast FM103 radio station in Karachi last week and seized its broadcasting equipment, forcing it to cease transmission. The radio station had agreed to stop broadcasting news supplied by the BBC's Pakistan radio service but continued to relay programmes of analysis and comment on the earthquake to four Pakistani cities.

Pemra's general manager, Rana Altaf Majeed, said the stations concerned were violating laws that forbade them to relay "foreign transmissions" and added: "If any one is flouting the law, we can even revoke their license and do not need anybody's permission for the action."

Mazhar Abbas, the secretary general of Pakistan's Federal Union of Journalists said the BBC's Pakistan service was happy for the radio and television stations to relay its transmissions and accused the government of using "phony laws" to stifle criticism and debate, arguing that the code of conduct being enforced by Pemra had not yet become law.

He also accused the government of curtailing the independence of the media in Pakistan. "These stations had been relaying BBC transmissions for more than a year. The brutal action was taken only now because the government is showing signs of nervousness over the BBC coverage of the earthquake, in which there has been criticism of the role of the Pakistan army," he said.

Pakistan's prime minister, Shaukat Aziz, said that 70 countries which attended an international donors' conference in Islamabad had pledged $5.4 billion (£3.2 billion) for earthquake relief and reconstruction, a little more than the $5.2 billion needed over the next few years.

[Shoaib]

A day in the life of quake survivors

By Aamer Ahmed Khan
BBC News, Neelum valley, Pakistani-administered Kashmir

When we talk of the negative picture of Pakistan painted by foreign media we should remember this ... here you can see how people for their own selfish interest lie and make up stories ... and i assure you if this BBC reporter was a brit, he would have swallowed the story hook line and sinker ...

Kudos to Aamer Ahmed Khan for takin the time and effort to look a bit more at the issue!

[zia ul haq]

Asalaamo-a-laikum.

For all member/readers in the London area.

On 29th November from 11:00 - 18:00 there shall be an exhibition of 'Bareeze' products/CARE handicrafts at the Pakistani High Commission in London. Revenue from the sales shall be going towards the rehabilitation of affected persons in Pakistan so any member who would like to impress a spouse or loved one and support a good cause in the process (in particular re-building schools), should pay a visit, (and spend some money).

29th November,
11:00 to 18:00
Pakistani Hgh Commission,
36 Lowndes Square,
London,
SW1X 9JN.

R.S.V.P: 020-882-19991

[Naveed]

Hi,

I think Pak Govt. has done a right thing....just visit the BBC news site and go through the "have your say" for earthquake section....you will notice that 80% comments are against Pakistanis, Pak Army and Govt. I tried to reply to few of the posts(Indians) but my reply never appeared on the site ...I registered my complain but the result was amazing these freaks have locked my IP address .......They talk about media fredom ...hahaha...


AAJ TV& ARYONE WORLD (particularly Dr. Shahid Masoon) are also airing biased propeganda .... trying to refering WANA ops with relief work of PA.


NA

[SyedA]

Jolie, Pitt to visit quake-hit Pakistan

By Stephanie Nebehay 57 minutes ago



Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, who have been romantically linked, plan to visit quake survivors in northern Pakistan in coming days.

Jolie, a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. refugee agency, has travelled to more than 20 countries since taking up the high-profile job in August 2001.

"We'll be on our way to Pakistan in a matter of days," Jolie, dressed in light-coloured trousers and a black raincoat, told Reuters after she and Pitt attended private briefings at the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday.

About 100 staff thronged them, many seeking photographs and autographs as they left its Geneva headquarters after the unannounced visit.

The UNHCR, through a joint airlift with NATO, has flown winterised tents and shelter material to hundreds of thousands of people left homeless by the devastating October 8 quake, which killed more than 73,000 people in Pakistan.

But needs remain great in the mountainous Kashmiri region as the harsh winter begins to bite, according to U.N. aid agencies.

It was the first time that Jolie, who visits UNHCR headquarters about once a year, was accompanied by Pitt.

The Oscar-winning actress has travelled widely for the Nobel-winning agency, which protects people fleeing wars and persecution, including Sierra Leone, Cambodia, Kosovo, Russia and Sudan's Darfur region.

Jolie said her latest briefings with staff had covered the environment, violence against women and trafficking.

"She takes her work for us extremely seriously and that means a lot to her and the staff. She's a terrific goodwill ambassador who can help people understand the difficult life of a refugee," said UNHCR spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis.

Pitt -- sporting a gray wool knit hat, as well as the start of a beard -- attended the briefings but appeared to be playing a supporting role this time.

Jolie and Pitt, who starred in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," led the field of People's Choice Award contenders announced in Los Angeles earlier this month with three nominations each.

The pair, who played married assassins ordered to kill each other in the box-office hit, have been romantically linked in media reports since last year, and the rumours heated up after Pitt and ex-wife Jennifer Aniston split in January.

[Muhammad Umer]

Hi,

I think Pak Govt. has done a right thing....just visit the BBC news site and go through the "have your say" for earthquake section....you will notice that 80% comments are against Pakistanis, Pak Army and Govt. I tried to reply to few of the posts(Indians) but my reply never appeared on the site ...I registered my complain but the result was amazing these freaks have locked my IP address .......They talk about media fredom ...hahaha...


AAJ TV& ARYONE WORLD (particularly Dr. Shahid Masoon) are also airing biased propeganda .... trying to refering WANA ops with relief work of PA.


NA

IN my opinion you r quite right i have also tried same but failed, and obout Mr. Dr. Shahid Masood i just want to say that he is again one of the blach sheep in Pakistan he is person who deserted Pakistan that S.O.B was Surgeon in Jinnah hospital but deserted Pakistanis, went abroud and join Ary Digital, that guy only knows to complain, if he had a pain for Pakistanis he would be continued his practice at Jinnah Post Medical Hospital in Karachi not by Making money in Ary Digital, I am saying again and again that we have say Lay off to that kind of Hipocrates

[MohammedA]

Integrity is important



NOW that the donors have opened their purse strings and the availability of financial resources is not such a major constraint in the earthquake survivors’ relief and rehabilitation, the top concern of the people and the foreign donors is to ensure transparency and accountability. It is unfortunate but the fact is that Pakistan has such a deplorable reputation in terms of integrity and incorruptability that its credibility is now at stake. It is important that the government should devise a mechanism to ensure that not a penny of the money meant for relief and rehabilitation work is misused or wasted. We hear of committees being set up — sometimes one gets the impression that there is a surfeit of them which may not be something very good either as too many cooks can spoil the broth. With an “oversight committee”, a parliamentary committee, a system of third-party verification of contracts and procurement, an institutionalized parliamentary debate on a quarterly basis and a system of quarterly reporting to the Auditor-General by the Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) one should have been reassured that the funds will not be squandered or pocketed. But doubts remain.

It would be a sensible move if the government were to devise a system under which these committees will work. It would help if ERRA were to broadly announce the various heads under which expenditure is expected to be incurred. Sub-committees should manage each item and a weekly report giving each and every detail should be given to the sub-committee. More important, surprise checks and inspections should be provided for and facilitated if sub-committee members wish to investigate a matter. To allow wider participation in this process, the government should set up a website (which it has promised) and update it daily. This should give the details that are presented to the sub-committee. Finally, a complaint cell would also be handy and any one — survivor, donor, interested observer — can lodge a complaint if he is not satisfied with the level of transparency, the way the money is being spent or even the management of the website. This will at least reassure those who feel concerned.

[hammadiqbal]

By Aamer Ahmed Khan
BBC News, Neelum valley, Pakistani-administered Kashmir

In the last of four reports from the Neelum valley, our correspondent reflects on whether there is a "dependency culture" among quake survivors.

Not far from here is the populous Jhelum valley. The contrast with the Neelum valley is acute, as aid got into Jhelum valley towns such as Komikot quite early on.

Komikot's residents have earned themselves notoriety and rebuke for hoarding foodstuffs and doing little to help themselves recover from the disaster.

Military and private relief camps are a mere 35 minutes drive away on a metalled road which buses ply from early morning to late evening.

Yet the residents continue to complain that they have not been fed by the helicopters delivering aid in the region.

Complaints

Their story is not atypical in the vast areas of Pakistan-administered Kashmir affected by the 8 October earthquake.

In most parts of this devastated region, military officials, relief workers and NGOs are heard complaining about people stubbornly refusing to try to stand on their own feet.

International relief agencies - having worked in many disaster areas around the world - are particularly concerned about what they call a "growing culture of dependence."

Quake victims in Neelum valley
Villagers in Komikot complain they are not getting relief supplies

About a month after the earthquake, when the world's focus was beginning to shift from crisis management to rehabilitation, many relief agencies tried to hire local help.

The idea was to lure idle youngsters away from their meaningless days under tents while creating a little bit of employment in the affected zone.

Most were surprised and disappointed to find locals unwilling to work, preferring instead to remain in their tent villages where official and private agencies are serving three hot meals a day.

The Australian military hospital at Dhanni in the Neelum valley, for example, is still struggling to find 10 people willing to be employed - out of the hundreds that mill around in the fields next to it.

It is not uncommon to hear relief workers arguing that such tendencies are common to most Kashmiris.

But it may be a serious misperception on their part.

Rural life

Away from the NGO-driven hustle and bustle of the major towns, Kashmiris have reacted to the tragedy with courage and determination.


We are an unfortunate lot because of our choice of leadership
Haji Kaif Nawaz, a resident of Neelum valley

In the six weeks since 8 October, most of the estimated 23,000 houses destroyed by the quake in Neelum valley have been replaced by small shelters made from materials pulled out of the rubble.

The further away from the road one moves, the more resilient the villagers.

Liaquat Hussain lost seven members of his family including his wife, two children, two sisters and their kids.

Their graves can be seen from the accommodation he is rebuilding.

But it isn't for the surviving members of his family, who have already built a makeshift shelter. It is for the cattle he is now trying to protect from the cold.

"It is going to take a long time for this place to return to normality," he says.

Graves of quake victims in Neelum valley
Graves of victims spread across almost every village in the valley

Not because of the extensive damage though, he adds.

"Once the road opens, relief agencies will flock in and even those who have been taking care of themselves will stop working," he says ruefully.

Elder Kashmiris in Neelum valley say that to some extent, the delay in policy formulation is responsible for encouraging a "wait and see" attitude among those affected.

"The longer they delay making a firm rehabilitation policy, the longer they will have to continue feeding the people," says Haji Kaif Nawaz.

"And our own politicians are to be blamed for it."

'More and more tents'

Indeed, the failure of local politicians to rise to the occasion is being debated everywhere in Neelum valley.

Haji Nawaz expects little of them, even when the roads open.

"For over 50 years, they have earned favours by playing Pakistan against India and vice-versa," he says.

"They are now looking to cash in on the earthquake to their maximum advantage."

His son is a construction labourer in Mansehra.

"He told me that those in the northern areas and the North West Frontier Province had rebuilt some kind of a shelter for themselves within two weeks after the quake," he says.

"But walk away from here and as you get closer to the road, you will see more and more living under tents.

Haji Kaif Nawaz offering prayers in Neelum valley
Some survivors are trying to rebuild their lives

"They know they will be the first ones to be spotted when the relief agencies move in, so they have just let everything be."

It is indeed as Haji Nawaz says.

Perhaps the real misfortunes of the residents of Neelum valley do not lie in the fault lines underneath.

As he takes out his prayer mat, I prepare to leave.

"We are an unfortunate lot because of our choice of leadership," he says as he bids farewell.

"We simply emulate what our leaders do."

[H Khan]

The problem is very simple and clear even on this forum:

We bitch and complain all about BBC being anti-Pakistan from the time get go but we are the only one who read BBC reports on daily bases and post them on this forum.......any questions.....we are the idiots riding on the ass.

[Naveed]

You are right H Khan, from my part, I will not post any report from BBC to this forum...

[SSAAD]

You are right H Khan, from my part, I will not post any report from BBC to this forum...

Nope do not do that imho. Post stuff that you believe would generate a decent discussion or as a call to action (in case the articles, reports need a rebuttal). I, for one, do not want this forum to turn into a cherry-picking forum where we only post the easy going stuff or the "sab accha" reports (maybe the admins feel differently, however I think not). However having said that, this does not mean that anything on the shitlist goes....by this I mean SAT, Indian jingoist crap etc...

[Khurrum]

Saad,

If I understood Khan saheb correctly, I dont think he meant to say not to post any reports from BBC (or any other critical news outlet for that matter). I believe he was hinting to the fact that we complain and whine about it among ourselves but none or very few of us take any action (rebuttals, dissenting emails etc), and that is where the problem lies.

I completely agree with you on not turning this forum into a feel good type.

[H Khan]

ISLAMABAD (November 23 2005): Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Shaukat Sultan has dispelled the impression by certain elements that roads connecting Muzaffarabad with Islamabad and other parts of the country passed through Kahuta.

There were two roads connecting Muzffarabad with other parts of the country, he said adding one was from Murree and Kohala and other was through Abbottabad, Mansehra and Ghari Habibullah.

The government knew the sensitivity of Kahuta and those saying that roads were going from inside Kahuta to Muzffarabad were spreading misunderstanding, he said.

Talking at a PTV programme, he said Army started relief and rescue operation in the quake-affected areas of Azad Kashmir and NWFP immediately after October 6 earthquake disaster. Army aviation's helicopters, engineers and medical teams moved in soon after the disaster.

To a question about Nato's role in relief activities he said they were busy in repairing schools in Bagh. They had also established medical facilities in the Aria while a road from Aria to Bagh was also being repaired by them, he said.

With Nato's help Army would be able to establish winterised tents in the areas having altitude of more than 5,000 feet before November 30, he said.

Winterised tents would be set up in areas having height of 4000 feet by November 30. And in rest of the areas the task would be completed by December 15 with Nato's help, he added.

The tremor was felt at 8:51 am and Pakistan Army brought first injured Fayaz Abbasi(20) from Bagh at 11, 30 am mind it that the flight time from Bagh to Rawalpindi is 45 minutes.

He said Pak army, in a record time, evacuated the injured from earthquake-hit areas. Civilians were first to be evacuated and impression given by certain elements that Army personnel were evacuated first was wrong.

Shaukat Sultan said, on October 8, army helicopters evacuated hundreds of injured civilians from the affected areas. Out of that, only 277 injured army personnel were airlifted from earthquake areas.

To a question, he said about 476 Army men were martyred and about 716 injured in the major earthquake and reports of huge losses of Army personnel were baseless and exaggerated.

He added there was no need to hide army casualties in the quake. "No one can hide army casualties as government has to pay pension and compensation to them," he added.

It was also totally wrong to say that Pak army was busy in securing the LoC instead of helping the quake affectees. DG ISPR said people were talking such things in their drawing rooms only and did not know the gravity of the situation and the ground reality.

He said, allegation that Pak army had not helped the affected people was baseless.

To a question he said people who were saying that President Pervez Musharraf did not address the nation soon after the major earthquake know nothing about the reality. He said before addressing the nation, President understood the dimension of the disaster. He further added that President Musharraf worked on evolving strategies, making plan and came up with proper response before the people and the world. "That is what he did exactly in his address after the tragedy," he added.

Shaukat Sultan said President Pervez Musharraf also visited Margalla Towers on October 6 to see situation on the ground.

Commenting on a report appearing in certain newspapers that people had to eat grass in Shamlai, district Batagaram, he said the total population of Shamlai was 14,204. As many as 2,935 houses were destroyed there. The number of dead was 422 and injured were 747 who had been evacuated while 562 tents had been provided to the people by the Army.

About 34-tonne edibles had been provided to them. Ten more organisations were also busy in relief activities in Shamalai, he added.

The second such area was Batamori whose population were 9,800. Total deaths there were 154 and the number of injured was 378. Pakistan Army provided them 217 tents and 62-tonnes edibles. Additionally, about six NGOs and other organisations were also doing relief operation there, he said.

Pakistan Army had reached everywhere. Only a few disgruntled elements were trying to exploit the situation to serve their own interest, he added.

"Before reporting such events, the media should evaluate the facts and see whether basic necessities have been provided to the marooned people," he remarked.

Crops in the areas were not affected, their livelihood was intact, Media should avoid showing them as being dependent on others and help them lead normal lives, he said.


Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005

[hammadiqbal]

The problem is very simple and clear even on this forum:

We bitch and complain all about BBC being anti-Pakistan from the time get go but we are the
only one who read BBC reports on daily bases and post them on this forum.......any questions.....we are the idiots riding on the ass.

I would certainly like to differ on this. Do you really believe that BBC is making up stories on its own or they want to be "anti-Pakistan"?

We as Pakistanis are providing them with stories by our own behavior and that is sad. That is why I said in my earlier post that even if half of what is being reported can be considered true than it is certainly something to be ashamed of. People who are hoarding up food/supplies etc should be criticized, not the media who is reporting this.......they are only doing their job.

I think we can either blame the media for lying or being "anti-Pakistan" whenever something critical is published that we dont like, and in the process bury our head in sand of ignorance and self-deceit, or face the problems that were reported and improve ourselves to deprive them an opportunity for such reporting again.

It is really simple and clear.

[SSAAD]

Saad,

If I understood Khan saheb correctly, I dont think he meant to say not to post any reports from BBC (or any other critical news outlet for that matter). I believe he was hinting to the fact that we complain and whine about it among ourselves but none or very few of us take any action (rebuttals, dissenting emails etc), and that is where the problem lies.

I completely agree with you on not turning this forum into a feel good type.

That is not what I took away from his post and I suspect the reason for that is many members, including myself, have written to BBC to balance out their reporting and they rarely ever publish our comments/remarks (they already have a pre-conceived notion as to what should go on their comments/review section). As such, posting news from BBC is usually an exercise in futility. ;)

[SSAAD]

I would certainly like to differ on this. Do you really believe that BBC is making up stories on its own or they want to be "anti-Pakistan"?

We as Pakistanis are providing them with stories by our own behavior and that is sad. That is why I said in my earlier post that even if half of what is being reported can be considered true than it is certainly something to be ashamed of. People who are hoarding up food/supplies etc should be criticized, not the media who is reporting this.......they are only doing their job.

I think we can either blame the media for lying or being "anti-Pakistan" whenever something critical is published that we dont like, and in the process bury our head in sand of ignorance and self-deceit, or face the problems that were reported and improve ourselves to deprive them an opportunity for such reporting again.

It is really simple and clear.


Hammad,

Its ok to print critical reports but when a news outlet does only that and nothing positive (a lot of which also happens in Pakistan), then you start wondering what their agenda is. BBC can show itself to be a critical, no BS type news outlet, but most of the stuff they print actually comes from either the detractors of the current govt. or from ppl who are not close to the situation.

All along this tragedy, Pakistani media outlets have been printing both negatives AND positive news items (that is a balanced coverage), on BBC, look at the Pakistani earthquake reporting and you will find probably 2% that is unbiased (I would not even say fair)....I guess it all comes down to the fact that the only news there is to report is the ill/bad stuff when it comes to Pakistan...otherwise why would ppl read anything?

[Hasib]

Last week I was having a discussion with my cousin’s husband who is Lt.Col. in the PA and is a teacher at the Quetta Staff College. He mentioned about less than enthusiastic work attitude among many Kashmiri workers in general.

His sentiments were pretty much the same as reflected in the BBC article.

I wonder if we are upset with the BBC article because it reflects a fact and the whole world can read it.

Hasib.

[Naveed]

There are so many reasons for Kashmiri workers to be less enthusiastic. For a person who has lost 3 or 4 family members, certainly needs time to re-collect himself. Or for example A middle aged man from Muzaferabad who used to give Rs. 70,000-75,000 rupees as ZAKAT in the month of Ramazam…told that in this Ramazan I cannot imagine that things are changed I took Zakat money for my family ….I lost every thing my business my house my social life” Now for this person would you expect enthusiasm of any kind?

[Mohammed Ali]

Its not enthusiasm, but standing up and rebuilding your community. People in other parts of the world have been through similar disasters as well. Its part of life.
The BBC article is right on point about Pakistanis or perhaps even people in general. If you are getting free meals a day, why would anyone volunteer or work??

[A Khan]

Jolie and Pitt visit quake-hit areas

MUZAFFARABAD, Nov 24: Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt arrived in quake-hit Pakistan on Thursday as the UN refugee agency chief urged the world help prevent a further tragedy over the winter.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said it was time for international donors to repay the country for generously hosting millions of Afghan refugees over the past three decades.

“Pakistan has been the most generous host country in the world for refugees and it’s time for all of us to be very strongly committed towards helping the people who have suffered a lot in this worst disaster,” Mr Guterres told reporters in Muzaffarabad, the devastated capital of Azad Kashmir.

“What we are trying to do is to create conditions for people to be able to go over the winter without any tragedy,” he added. “That’s our commitment, that’s our concern, that’s what everybody together is working in order to achieve.”

Around three million Afghans still live in Pakistan.

Backed by foreign military teams and agencies, the country is now struggling to get food and shelter to around the same number of people left without shelter by the devastating earthquake.

Jolie — the UN High Commissioner for Refugees goodwill ambassador since — visited the 90-per cent destroyed mountain town of Balakot in a “show of support for survivors of the disaster”, the UNHCR said.

The Oscar-winner and Tomb Raider star also took part in a helicopter airlift of food, blankets and tarpaulins to victims of the quake, the agency said in a statement.

Pitt, with whom Jolie has been romantically linked, was also in Pakistan and accompanying her on some of her activities, witnesses said. —AFP

http://www.dawn.com/2005/11/25/top11.htm

[zia ul haq]

Update on Earthquake in Pakistan
24 November 2005


The President has launched a national movement to make coherent use of the countrywide spirit of volunteerism in rebuilding quake-damaged areas.

The world has pledged for $6.1 billion reconstruction assistance.

The Government is treating 60-70,000 quake-injured people in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Over 15,000 quake displaced people have been accommodated in tent villages in Islamabad, and many others from NWFP and AJK are being accommodated in tent villages in Attock, Talagang and Chakwal.

Plans are underway to set up new towns in urban and rural areas of NWFP and AJK in order to provide shelter to the survivors.

All Pakistan Contractors Association will build a 100-bed hospital in one of the earthquake-affected areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Civil Administration with the help of Pakistan Army been distributing monetary compensations to injured, those who lost their homes and those who lost family members.

Removal of rubble and airlifts of aid supplies continues daily.

The army has opened 19 tented schools at Battal, Gul Maira, Chattar Plain, Balimung, Kan Shakoora, Ranjha, Sharkoora, Harori Bala, Kashtara, Hassa, Balakot and Maira, where 116 teachers are in charge of over 3,500 students.

The Field Hospital established at Garhi Habibullah has so far conducted as many as 586 major and minor operations. The hospital has also provided outdoor medical treatment to 6,977 patients including 3,597 women.

Punjab government has prepared a plan for the protection and rehabilitation of the quake-hit displaced and homeless children of the NWFP and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

Oxfam International has urged the UN and international donors to scale up their aid operations in Pakistan to provide immediate assistance to hundreds of thousands of vulnerable survivors.

U.N. Refugee Agency Chief Antonio Guterres visited the quake zone to discuss the fate of over 40,000 survivors expected to flee their mountain villages as the frigid Himalayan winter sets in.

[zia ul haq]

Asalaamo-a-laikum.

I don't go in for any of this but maybe some of you may or know somebody else who does.

-----------------------------------------------------------

PAKISTAN
EARTHQUAKE
APPEAL
CONCERT

TUESDAY 13 DECEMBER 2005

7.15pm

ROYAL ALBERT HALL

Box Office: 020 7589 8212
www.royalalberthall.com
Tickets £10-£35



Ghulam Ali *

ghazal


Nizami Brothers & Taufiq Niazi group

qawwali


“GARAJ” * Waseem Niaz, Imran Ahmed, Karam Abbas * classical and contemporary fusion

Sajjad Ali and his Crazy Band
*

exciting contemporary music


Gauri Sharma and her group *

kathak


Nina Wadia and Lisa B

Monsoon fashion show


And many more

[MohammedA]

Rebuilding site
By Dominic Casciani
BBC News community affairs


From all over the world, and away from the media glare, volunteers have gone to help in the rebuilding of Pakistan since last month's disastrous earthquake. Who are they, why did they go, and what did they find when they were there?

Although the earthquake in Kashmir has dropped out of most of the news, many volunteers are still working in the field, trying to save the lives of villagers who have lost their homes -and may lose more with the onset of winter.

Imran Saithna, a young British-Pakistani, has just returned to London after spending three weeks working in an area of Kashmir that had no contact with the outside world after the earthquake hit.

With no professional background in emergency relief, Imran like many others took a chance on getting a flight to Islamabad to see if agencies could make use of them.


People back home want to know why I'm out there doing what we're doing
Wesley Olson, volunteer


Arriving in the country, he quickly found his way to two agencies - the Joint Action Committee and Relief Shelter Drive. There he met a group of like-minded young people from around the world.
Along with the rest of his team, they hired a couple of lorries, filled them with supplies and headed off into the mountains of the Bargh District, one of the high areas the major agencies had not reached.

After six hours of driving and another four hours of back-breaking trekking on foot over mountainous valleys, says Imran, the team found the village of Surrell - a settlement 11,000 feet up and home to perhaps 3,500 people.


"One of the big problems is that these places just don't exist on official maps," says Imran. "The army were telling us that this was uncharted territory, yet everyone knew that there were people living here.
"When we got there we saw that the earthquake had destroyed virtually every structure. The villagers had received no aid at all -no help with food, no help with shelter. There were kids who desperately needed medical help, people with open wounds which had not been treated. No one had been up there at all."

The scenes shocked Imran and the rest of the team. It was not just the scale of the devastation - but also the simple fact that these people effectively did not exist as far as aid efforts go. Bodies had gone unburied, livestock killed by the quake lay rotting in fields. Pneumonia and other disaster-related illnesses were apparent.

But while the media had done its job in the immediate aftermath covering aid efforts in major centres such as Muzzaffrabad, there were countless settlements like Surrell which were receiving no help at all.


With snows of up to three metres expected, many people like the villagers of Surrell remain today in the open. They are caught between freezing to death in what remains of their mountain homes - or losing their livelihoods and means of survival by leaving their settlements behind.

"People desperately needed shelters - they were absolutely scared of anything made of concrete because it had been the concrete that had collapsed and killed so many," says Imran. "Tin or wood roofs and floors had survived - but we had no means to build more of those, so we had to try something else."


In the following days the team began sourcing thousands of "bori bags", essentially very strong, large plastic sacks which can be filled with earth to make insulated, cheap, stable shelters. When Imran left to return home, that effort was continuing.
American Wesley Olson was among the other international volunteers who found his way to the same valley.

Originally from Los Angeles, Wesley had been travelling around India when the quake struck. He headed for Pakistan and is still there, furiously buying up thousands of bori bags to drive up to remote settlements. Like many volunteers, he is frustrated with the drying up of media interest.

"I think there are a lot of people who have arrived here who just want to give something back from their travels," he says via satellite phone. "I know of at least three or four people who came up from India to help out.

"People back home want to know why I'm out there doing what we're doing, they have seen the pictures of the aid in the towns. But we're here because 90% of houses have been flattened. I came here for two weeks thinking I could help out by answering phones but it then really took off."

Warning

But volunteering does have its drawbacks. Mahmood Hassan of British charity Islamic Aid and chairman of the Pakistan Development Network, said the organisation had been flooded with offers of help in the days after the quake. But unless someone has a specific skill to offer, or knowledge of an area, good intentions can be wasted he warns.

"Our official policy is to try as much as possible to use local people," says Mr Hassan. "In these kinds of situations people can spend more than £1,000 getting somewhere to try and help and then find they don't know what they are doing. That £1,000 could be better spent by people in the field with the contacts and the structures to get things done."


The Pakistan earthquake has been different, however, and Mr Hassan says that it is clear that informal assistance far beyond the help on offer from agencies and governments has played a key role in saving lives.
Pakistani families spread around the world, particularly in the UK, have been moved to go because they know the area well and believe they can help, he says.

While this kind of volunteering can be useful, says Mr Hassan, the real problem is when someone flies in for a very short period of time.

"We've had a shortage of doctors and surgeons. But it takes a few days on arrival to acclimatise and get things going. If people with skills volunteer in these situations the situation we must avoid is someone having very little time to do anything on arrival before they have to leave."


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/magazine/4480660.stm

Published: 2005/11/29 10:31:59 GMT

© BBC MMV

[Abbas Naqvi]

As i expected as snow has started, so all tents have turned into a pile of junk, many experienced people had already shifted to lower locations to their relatives, another face of callous planning amounting to intentional killing.
We are seeing hundreds of migrants in lahore and other cities in punjab daily. Already people have no jobs, how would they be accommodated and provided jobs.

This government is a shame, it has broken all previous records of callousness, in-appropriate use of international funding and has mis-utilised the national emotions generated at the time of the quake.



Abbas.

[SyedA]

amounting to intentional killing.


care to elaborate what this means.

[Aziz]

As i expected as snow has started, so all tents have turned into a pile of junk, many experienced people had already shifted to lower locations to their relatives, another face of callous planning amounting to intentional killing.
We are seeing hundreds of migrants in lahore and other cities in punjab daily. Already people have no jobs, how would they be accommodated and provided jobs.

This government is a shame, it has broken all previous records of callousness, in-appropriate use of international funding and has mis-utilised the national emotions generated at the time of the quake.



Abbas.

How has the government behaved callously?
Inappropiate use of international funding? Where is your evidence for this.

You should stop using such emotive language without producing facts to back up your statements.

(PS. In my book anything mentioned by Qazi Hussein & Co. BB and NS cannot be called facts).

Aziz

[zeeshan]

Assalamaoalukum,

Its comments like these that frustrate me. People have no clue about the magnitude and scale of disaster but yetthey open their big mouth and let out what ever comesout without putting a thought into it. For every unsatisfied person there is a satisfied one. Do we ever hear from them?

[Naveed]

I can't understand what Abbas is trying to convey......If wise people move to lower locations it is obviously good for their own sack ....where does it show "another face of callous planning amounting to intentional killing".

I think he is more concerned about "hundreds of migrants in lahore and other cities in punjab daily".....think man, where would you go when your part of land would shake? and shame on Govt????

Why we only criticize Govt. According to our holy Prophet (SAW) " Rulers would be imposed on you of your own kind"....

We are at the 8th rank on corrupt counties list and expecting Govt. to do every thing fair and transparent......

[Gulstan]

www.earthquakepakistan.com

[Gul Khan]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4494640.stm

Embarrassing generosity

For me, these are emotional moments. I am normally the only woman around in our daily activities. But here, I am able to get closer to the women who would otherwise shy away from our group.

Talking to them, I realise they have almost run out of food. Yet they are ready to offer me what little they have and it humbles me. The supplies of rice and lentils brought by one of the helicopters today are partly for them.


We work dawn to dusk distributing shelter kits
At dinner tonight I am again overcome by the generosity of these mountain people.

As our host Nassim, a wise old man with a black beard and green eyes pours water from a jug to wash our hands before we start eating our dinner, I look at the feast of rice, dhal and chapattis laid before us.

It is spread out on colourful blankets that cover the cold bare ground of a large tent housing two families and it embarrasses and upsets me.

Noor, a neighbour who has three children and a husband still suffering from shock and who lies about listless and lethargic, has cooked it for us.

Someone has also provided mutton for us. Yesterday it was a chicken. Even though I am a vegetarian and we would rather they kept the animals for themselves, people bring us meat and food. They even come from other villages on foot, loaded with pots and pans.

It's been said so many times but it is true. These people are courageous and resourceful. And I think of Noor who has to cope by herself and is just getting on with it.

Tomorrow, I am going to Doba. The village chief told me today he would distribute the shelter kits to the widows and orphans there. I have to go and make sure he kept his word.

Daniel will trek to the village of Bandi Kuthana, 7,200ft high. A few days ago, we did an assessment of shelter needs there. It's now time to go back and check things are ok. We might not get another opportunity when the snow is really deep.

As I snuggle up in my winter sleeping bag, the bitter cold is just about bearable. The only comfort any of us have on this mountain is limited to hot tea and a bit of canvas over our heads.

[Noman Habib]

I am unable to find purpose of this news, link
http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/dec2005-daily/04-12-2005/national/qomi1.htm
An army lueitenant Name Asad Takes a trip to MQM reliefe camp in Muzaffarabad.If it is to highlite the MQM relife efforts they should have arranged a senior VIP and if it is to put the poor Lt assad in trouble it is bad on part of news paper.

[Usman S.]

From BBC: Dilemma of Pakistan army's quake role (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4503508.stm)

[Oguz_Khan]

We Turks still collect money in universities,high schools,mosques, bank accounts and different public and civil institutions to aid our Pakistan brothers. :)

I hope everything will be normal as soon as possible in Pakistan. We deeply feel what you live in there. The winter comes...

[Naveed]

Salam:

Oguz_Khan, on behalf of Pakistani people, I thank you all Turks for helping us. This is what a true sprit of Muslim brotherhood.

Naveed

[SSAAD]

Oguz,

May Allah SWT reward you and the rest of our Turkish bretheren for their help to Pakistan in this great hour of need. Thanks!

On another note:


Interview/Jihadi leader Hafiz Saeed

'If the LoC is opened, more harm will be caused to Pakistan'

October 24, 2005


Jihadis are doing much of the relief work in earthquake-hit areas across Pakistan.

The Jamatud Dawa (the reincarnation of Markaz Dawatul Irshad whose armed brigade was the Lashkar-e-Tayiba) has emerged as the most organised and well-equipped outfit in far-flung areas, providing relief through motorboats and mules.

The Jamat set up mobile X-ray machines and operation theatres in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Its 350 workers were connected with each other through wireless in Muzaffarabad and Bagh that are left with no communication infrastructure.

The difference between India and Pakistan

They are being assisted by orthopaedic surgeon Dr Amir Aziz who was arrested in 2002 for treating Osama bin Laden. Dr Aziz has set up a mobile orthopaedic unit at the Jamat's relief camp near the Sangam Hotel where he treats victims.

Jihadis to adopt quake orphans

Mohammad Shehzad approached Lashkar-e-Tayiba founder Professor Hafiz Saeed and interviewed the jihadi leader. This is what he discovered:

The world knows him as one of the most dreaded jihadis. India wants him dead or alive. His name is on India's list of most 'wanted terrorists'. He is the architect of suicide attacks in Kashmir. At his call, women in Pakistan donate ornaments and men stack currency notes at his feet.

He is the founder of the largest jihadi network in Pakistan, currently known as Jamatud Dawa.

On Saturday, October 22, evening, I dined with Hafiz Saeed -- a rare opportunity -- at his Islamabad headquarters, the Jamia Mosque Quba, in I-8 Markaz.

Just 24 hours ago, I had attended his lecture at the Green Palace Hotel in Rawalpindi.

I had requested an interview. He was willing to speak, but his bodyguard wanted him to leave for Bagh, one of the worst hit districts by the October 8 earthquake in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

"Let us do it some other time," he said.

"Hafizsaheb, could it be done tomorrow after your address in Islamabad?" I enquired. "I am not sure I would be able to make it because I will be travelling back from Bagh," he replied and sat in his van.

Saeed moves around under strict security. A convoy of vehicles guards him.

The next day, I arrived at I-8 Markaz. To my surprise his guards gave me a warm welcome. They took me to his room where he was having his iftaar dinner along with close aides, squatting on the floor. The guards asked me to sit besides him. He served me food.

"I am pleased to see you eating with a spoon and fork. At least you have dispelled this propaganda that jihadis are uncivilised," I said.

"We use spoons and forks when they are available. But we are not after them!" He was referring to the term chamcha! (or spoon that denotes a sycophant).

"When (Afghan President )Hamid Karzai eats on the floor it is called culture and when we do that it is tantamount to extremism," Saeed, who has a sense of humour, said. "The same Newsweek and Time that call our struggle terrorism used to declare it a holy war during the Afghan jihad. The US was earlier uncomfortable with our jihad. And now it is uncomfortable with our relief work!"

"Start the interview. I have to drive back to Lahore," he said. "But I won't discuss controversial issues today. Your questions should be earthquake-specific," he warned.

Saeed spoke for 30 minutes.

How do you look at the earthquake?

The earthquake is the result of the rulers' sinful policies.

They wanted the women to abandon hijab; run with men nude in bikinis; and learn dance and music. They were not afraid of Allah but (US President George) Bush. At his (Bush's) behest, they wanted to purge our schoolbooks from verses on jihad; befriend India and recognise Israel.

They banned all the jihadi outfits and abandoned jihad. They made jihad an abusive term.

They wanted all the Pakistanis to adopt the 'get-up' of Bush. They blatantly ridiculed the commandments of Allah. Thus they invited the wrath of God in the form of the earthquake.

But the earthquake didn't kill the rulers?

Allah knows better why He didn't kill the rulers. He has warned the rulers by killing a section of the population.

He wants the rulers to learn a lesson from the quake and become pious Muslims.

There is also a lesson for common folk like us. We too are sinful. We too should seek Allah's forgiveness and adopt the right path.

Otherwise, a bigger devastation will completely ruin us.

You have been visiting the affected areas. What have been your observations?

The biggest issue is rehabilitation.

The quake has either completely destroyed houses or rendered them unsafe for living.

People are fearful to take shelter in their half-destroyed houses. They prefer to stay in the open and get wet. The entire Kashmir has to be reconstructed.

With schools destroyed, madrassas beckon

What is Jamatud Dawa doing in this regard?

We will construct fibre houses consisting of a big room, a toilet and a kitchen for each family. Each house will cost 50,000 rupees. It is cheap, easy, immediate and sustainable for three years. It is better than tents.

The earthquake has destroyed all the mosques. We will construct 400 fibre mosques. We want to move on it very quickly before snowfall.

Most of the people have received bone injuries. Therefore, we have set up mobile orthopaedic and surgical centres in Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Dheerkot (three districts in PoK), Mansera and Balakot (the North West Frontier Province). We are providing people all the necessities of life. In inaccessible places, we are reaching people through mules.

Do you have the money to undertake these tasks?

It requires a lot of money. We don't have it. But we are raising funds. We are motivating people to donate money for fibre mosques and fibre houses. I am visiting every town of Pakistan and setting targets for the people -- for mosques and houses. People are cooperating and the task is deliverable.

Is the government helping Jamatud Dawa?

The government is not helping at all. In fact, it created hurdles in our work initially. Our camps in Multan, Lahore and Peshawar were removed.

The government did not realise the magnitude of loss. It thought it would do the relief work singlehandedly. It realised later that it cannot do everything alone.

At least, it is not stopping us from working now.

However, impressed with our wonderful job, some foreign countries are working with us very closely. Singapore donated 10,000 tents. The Turkish team donated $5,000 to purchase mules. Indonesian and Turkish doctors are working in our camps.

Let me share that during the tsunami, we helped Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan government wrote us a letter of appreciation. We wanted to help the US during the hurricanes. We offered the Americans help through a letter to the US embassy in Islamabad, but we never heard from the embassy.

Some clerics are propagating that accepting foreign aid is unIslamic. What are your thoughts on it?

Accepting foreign aid is not unIslamic or against the Shariat. But we should not beg for it. We should not degrade ourselves. We have the resources to start from zero.

General Musharraf has solicited help from Israel. Is that unIslamic?

We should not solicit help from Israel.

It is the question of Muslim honour and self-respect. The Jews can never be our friends. This is stated by Allah. Instead of Israel, we should seek help from Muslim countries and we should depend on our people.

General Musharraf has agreed to open the Line of Control for free movement of Kashmiris to help each other in the aftermath of the earthquake. How do you look at that?

We don't accept the LoC. It should be finished. Kashmir should be a one unit. And it should be with Pakistan because its geographical location supports its union with Pakistan.

Kashmir and Pakistan are the same sides of one coin.

If the LoC is opened, more harm will be caused to Pakistan.

'Quake has strengthened jihad'

India will use it as an opportunity to send the spies of RAW (Research And Analysis Wing).

The Indian media reported that around 3,000 militants have died in the earthquake.

It is malicious propaganda. I urge you to fight it.

There are no militants in Kashmir. Every Kashmiri is a mujahid. And the mujahideen are helping the people.

If they are dead then who is undertaking the relief work? Ghosts?!

In fact, the Indian lobby is very active to use the earthquake as an opportunity to malign Pakistan. It is demonising the Pakistan army by propagating that it is not helping the people. The loss is on a very wide scale. The army cannot reach everywhere. But this does not mean that it should be criticised. We should praise the army's role even if we have disagreements and disputes.

This is the time to forget the differences, unite and work together.

[A Khan]

Syed saad sahib, where was this interview published? Would be grateful if you could provide me a link.

[zeeshan]

Assalamaolaukum,

interesting report from BBC:

Dilemma of Pakistan army's quake role

By Aamer Ahmed Khan
BBC News, Karachi


"Those destined to die in the quake have died and there's nothing anyone can do about it," says a senior military officer involved in the relief effort in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.


Official information has to come from the army's PR wing

"But let me assure you that not a single survivor is now likely to die of cold or hunger," he says.

His views are in sharp contrast to those being aired by various NGOs and private relief workers.

Across the high altitude quake-hit areas, relief agencies have warned of a "second wave" of deaths amid plummeting temperatures.

But army officials remain confident that no such threat exists.

'Best informed'

Caught between conflicting perceptions, private donors and philanthropists are finding it increasingly difficult to decide what they can do in a situation that desperately needs their help.

Clearly, the right kind of information can go a long way in putting the controversy at rest and helping ease the conditions for the victims.

And given that the relief effort has involved hundreds of local and international relief agencies besides the media, there could not possibly be any dearth of information on local conditions.

Why, then, is it proving to be so elusive?


The army's maps of the quake-hit zone are the most detailed available

The problem, it seems, rests with the character and training of the Pakistan army - an institution which the global relief regime now recognises as the best informed outfit on local conditions in all the quake-hit areas.

The army's issue with disseminating accurate information on the ground situation arises primarily from its dual role - being a governmental army and being directly responsible for providing relief to the victims.

'Quite accessible'

At times, the conflict of interest between those entrusted with dispensing relief and those securing it could not have been more acute.

"If I say the situation in some area is turning ugly, it makes my seniors sitting in the government in Islamabad look bad," confides one senior army relief official.

"But if I don't make a fuss, I don't get what I need both from the government as well as the international agencies."

On realising this bind, many relief commanders started speaking to the press directly in the first couple of weeks after the earthquake.

But the situation so alarmed those in government that they immediately banned all field commanders such direct communication with the media.



The task of media management was given solely to the army's public relations wing - the ISPR.

From that point onwards, information on the quake hit zone moved firmly in the realm of political fiction as the ISPR became totally bogged down in defending the government against what was appearing in the media.

Meanwhile, and perhaps unknown to the ISPR, field commanders kept themselves quite accessible to aid workers as well as the media - though only for what they called background briefings.

Relief workers, in particular those from international agencies, were astounded at the frankness of the field commanders at such meetings.

"Their information provided us with insights that would otherwise have taken us months to acquire," says one foreign relief worker.

He says it was primarily on the basis of information provided by the field commanders that the food crisis in the more remote areas was brought under control.

'Shrouded in mystery'

Before long, every major international agency including the World Food Programme and the ICRC found themselves working closely with the army.

[Digitising the army's detailed maps] would also avoid duplication of effort and ensure transparency in relief operations

Army commander

"They came here treating us the same way as they would treat warlords or private militias in some of the African countries, for example," laughs one relief commander.

"But within a couple of weeks, they weren't willing to work with anyone but us."

Some aid workers even wrote articles in the international media urging the UN and its affiliated agencies to rethink their policy of not working directly with armies in emergency situations.

Pakistanis know that the need for shelter has now assumed urgency.

But the exact 'what and where' of this need remains shrouded in mystery.

The army's maps of the quake-hit zone are the most detailed available anywhere.

Field commanders say if these maps are digitised in relevant detail and put on the web, the entire world can follow the state of the relief efforts as they happen.

"It will create a consolidated database of the affected areas, informing the entire world of what is needed and exactly where," says one senior commander.

"It would also avoid duplication of effort and ensure transparency in relief operations.

"But to do that, we will perhaps have to stop being the army that we are," he laughs

[H Khan]

By MUNIR AHMAD, AP

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistani military helicopter pilot Capt. Mustafa Farukh has come under fire while flying sorties to support operations against al-Qaida militants. Now, the Oct. 8 earthquake has shifted him to friendlier skies.

"It gives me a tremendous amount of satisfaction when I deliver relief goods to those areas where you cannot reach by road," Farukh said Thursday as he hauled tents and other aid to quake survivors.

Helicopters have been the backbone of the relief effort for the 3.5 million people left homeless by the quake that killed at least 87,000.

The choppers shuttle goods and medical personnel, especially to remote areas unreachable except by mule or on foot.

The flights have kept the skies buzzing around Muzaffarabad, the main city in Pakistani Kashmir and jumping-off point for most of the relief effort.

Farukh, 32, flies an average of nine missions a day, often missing lunch in the constant rotations of pickups and drop-offs.

He said he has flown about 500 missions in Pakistan's tribal areas along the Afghan border, where al-Qaida militants - possibly including Osama bin Laden - have sought refuge following the loss of their bases in Afghanistan when the U.S.-led invasion force the Taliban were forced from power in 2001.

Farukh said he has participated in nearly every major anti-militant operation, coming under fire several times. Sometimes children hurl rocks at the choppers, underscoring the support that Islamic extremists have in the area.

He had just finished a stint there - mostly shuttling troops to anti-militant operations, then evacuating casualties - two days before the quake hit.

The 9 a.m. temblor was quickly followed by a call from Farukh's boss at Pakistan Army Aviation, the military's air wing, telling him to fly to Kashmir as soon as possible.

"I rushed to an army air base near Rawalpindi at 10:30 and was flying over the quake zone 40 minutes later," he said. "I was shocked at what I saw - flattened villages and towns."

Farukh landed his MI-16 chopper at a Muzaffarabad stadium, where thousands of injured people were begging for help. He loaded 32 of them into his helicopter, designed for a maximum of 25, and flew them to a military hospital.

Co-pilot Capt. Bilal Mirza, 25, was diverted directly from a mission in the tribal areas. He picked up a medical team and headed for the flattened city of Balakot, where his chopper was the first to land. He picked up about 15 injured survivors, the most that he could squeeze in with the doctors.

Since then, they have been flying relief to the survivors when conditions allow. Bad weather grounded the flights for two days last week, and another blast of Himalayan winter is on the way.

"We're ready to continue relief operations in the winter season," Farukh said. "So long as the visibility is good, we will continue flying."

Hundreds of pilots are involved in the relief effort, which isn't without risks. An MI-17 transport helicopter crashed in October, killing all six people on board, after dropping off relief workers.


12/08/05 07:18 EST


Copyright 2005 The Associated

[MohammedA]

Troops save fire-hit quake houses
UK commandos have been praised for helping to save homes from a fire in earthquake-hit Pakistan.
Members of the 59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers ran up a hillside in Bagh to put out a blaze.

By organising villagers into human chains to pass buckets of water they helped stopped a house fire spreading to the rest of the hillside, Nato said.

Survivors were living in half-collapsed houses and emergency shelters following October's earthquake.

A total of 86 members of the squadron, based in Barnstaple, Devon, flew out to Bagh in November to help rebuild homes and put up shelters ahead of the winter.

Pakistani forces also helped the commando engineers to put out the fire.

Shouting

The alarm was raised by a sergeant major who heard shouting on the hillside above.

He alerted the Royal Engineers, most of whom were out at work.

Major Eric Bruijn said: "It was clear the house could not be saved, but the remainder of the hillside was at risk."

He said he understood that no-one had been killed or injured in the blaze.

Major Bruijn added: "The combined efforts of Pakistani army, civilians and Nato engineers prevented the fire from spreading and putting more houses at risk.

"By creating more water chains, they finally managed to extinguish the fire. All in all, a job well done."


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4517032.stm

Published: 2005/12/10 16:10:12 GMT

© BBC MMV

[Saeed Khan]

Quake-trapped women miraculously found alive after 64 days:

MUZAFFARABAD: A woman rescued alive miraculously, after being trapped from two months, four days in earthquake rubble of a collapsed building here in Muzaffarabad.

According to initial information, 40 year old Naqsha Bibi was brought unconscious to a medical camp and have been provided with medical treatment. Moreover, doctors here informed that it seems to be as if she had taken some diet time to time. However, some pieces of rotten edibles have also found from her rescue site.

GN (http://www.geo.tv/geonews/details.asp?id=97832)

[MohammedA]

Defective tents being supplied to quake zone’

By Rauf Klasra

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Relief Commission (FRC) officials informed the Senate standing subcommittee on Textile on Wednesday that poor quality tents worth billions of rupees were being transported to earthquake areas.

They said so far 40,000 defective tents were detected. They said despite rejection by the FRC inspection teams, top officials of Sindh and the Punjab were using their discretionary powers to transport the rejected tents to the affected areas.

The representatives of an international relief agency, Oxfam, told the meeting that 90 per cent tents purchased from local market at the cost of Rs 1.9billion turned out defective. The subcommittee meeting was called by its chairperson Senator Pari Gul Agha to probe the issue of purchase of defective tents for the earthquake victims.

The meeting was attended by Textile Minister Mushtaq Cheema, Secretary Textile Masoud Alam Rizvi, concerned officials of other federal and provincial agencies, Senator Dr Abdullah Riar and others.

The FRC officials produced a letter written to the provincial chief secretaries stating that
the FCR inspection teams were deputed to carry out inspection of tents from the two provinces—Punjab and Sindh—before these were dispatched to the areas in order to ensure the quality.

The details of the inspection revealed that well over 40,000 tents were rejected because of poor quality. The letter said data substantiates explicitly that the quantity of tents delivered to the affected areas was more than the quantity of tents accepted by the respective inspection teams.

The FRC said only visual inspection was being carried out and even then the rejection rate was 37 percent. It said the firms while tendering the cloth for sample testing do not wait for the inspection result and keep on fabricating the cloth for manufacturing of tents, thereby standardised quality of fabric cannot be ensured.

It said the tents were being dispatched by using discretionary powers. This clearly showed that verdict of inspection teams was not being taken into account. When contacted by The News, Senator Dr Abdullah Riar who was present in the meeting confirmed the disclosure by the Oxfam representatives and FRC officials.

He said Oxfam confirmed that these tents were neither water proof nor able to withstand pressure of snowfall in hilly areas where thousands of people were facing death because of
lack of proper shelter in the winter. He said the point of view of Oxfam was seconded when the FRC officials also told the committee that millions were being spent to improve the quality of these tents.

[MohammedA]

Daily Times - Site Edition Friday, December 16, 2005


Ajeeba Arshad’s rape being hushed up

By Ali Waqar

LAHORE: Government functionaries pressured a Kashmiri earthquake survivor who was allegedly raped by a doctor to withdraw her statement in fear that the case could damage Pakistan’s image, Daily Times has learnt.

Ajeeba Arshad Ibrahim from Azad Kashmir was injured in the October 8 earthquake and shifted to Lahore’s Mayo Hospital for treatment in the first week of November. On December 3, she was allegedly raped by Dr Maqsood Leghari of Mayo Hospital in an X-ray room.

Ajeeba submitted a handwritten complaint to the police and a first information report was lodged, but a few days after the story hit the front pages, she retracted her statement. This retraction came after government officials, including leaders from Azad Kashmir, contacted her and her family and told her that the case would have negative consequences for Pakistan’s image and its efforts to get aid for reconstruction, sources told Daily Times.

Ajeeba’s family has refused to get her medically examined, the only way to establish rape. Sources close to the family said they had been pressured by the government and intelligence officials to stop making public statements as well.

After the case appeared in the press, the police immediately took Ajeeba into custody. She is still in ‘protective custody’ and living with her uncle, Maulana Muhammad Akram Kashmiri, who is in charge of Jamia Ashrafia in Neela Gumbad, Anarkali.

Sources said the Punjab government had been “instructed” to hush up the matter.’ AJK Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat, his advisor Raja Farooq, Punjab Health Minister Dr Tahir Ali Javed, Punjab Education Minister Imran Masood and Punjab Inspector General Ziaul Hassan are among those said to have visited Jamia Ashrafia. The madrassa is being closely monitored by intelligence officials and plainclothes policemen.

However, the Punjab health minister and senior police officials denied there was any pressure on the family. Dr Javed said the family itself denied the incident and withdrew the statement. He said if the Supreme Court, which has taken suo moto notice of the case, decided an independent inquiry should be conducted, its decision would be honoured.

According to a police inquiry report, ward nurses confirmed that Ajeeba was in the X-ray room with Dr Leghari at the time of the alleged rape. The report also said Ajeeba’s age was 15, and not 18, as the Mayo Hospital medical superintendent told the police. According to a hospital inquiry, witnesses saw the girl and the doctor act friendly towards each other prior to the alleged rape.

Ajeeba is due to testify in the Supreme Court today. Dr Leghari is in police custody, but SSP Chaudhry Shafqaat Ahmed told a press conference on Tuesday that if, as expected, Ajeeba withdraws her statement, the doctor would be released.

Some from among the patients and their families who were in the same Mayo Hospital ward as Ajeeba told Daily Times she spent three hours in the X-ray room on the day of the alleged rape. They said she spent the next two days weeping, and then narrated the incident to another girl in the ward.

Dr Leghari, about 43, does not have a good reputation, hospital officials told Daily Times. They said there were numerous complaints from patients against him on record. Some 30 pairs of women’s underwear were found in his car and the incident was reported in the Urdu press.

Human rights activists said the case fit a pattern of cover-ups of crimes against women. “Image phobia is driving the state and its machinery in a carte blanche cover up of crimes against women,” said Asma Jehangir, the chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. “Those who insist on justice are silenced in various ways, sent out of the country, threatened, put under house arrest and left to fend for themselves against the highhandedness of the law enforcement and intelligence agencies. In such situations journalists and human rights activists are left to follow these cases without clues and support. At times they also have to protect the victim from ugly publicity and real threats.”

Justice (r) Malik Muhammad Qayyum, the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, said there must be a through and independent investigation of the case. He suspected the girl had changed her statement because she had no confidence in the police.

[H Khan]

pakobserver (12/17/05)



Hameed Shaheen

Islamabad—A French seismic expert has predicted that Thotha, a village southeast of Garhidoputta 22 miles from Muzaffarabad, is going to be the point of next faultline rupture in the area, Pakistan Observer learnt here Friday.

This observation by the world famous seismologist Dr Paul Tapponnier was quoted in a report sent by a French hydroelectric organisation, VINCI Conservation’s Pakistan-based Country Director to the WAPDA chairman on Nov 23 this year.

The report believed to be under study by relevant authorities at the federal level carries an observation of Dr Paul Tapponnier who currently heads an international seismic institute in Paris. Dr Paul, according to the quoted observation of his, has succeeded in discovering a new faultline east of Muzaffarabad capital. It has been named as Jhelum Downstream faultline predicted to have the potential of its rupture at Thotha, a village east of Garhidoputta township on Muzaffarabad-Srinagar highway, 22 miles from Muzaffarabad city. Faultline rupture in common conversation means an earthquake.

When it will contract rupture has not been given. However the report says that Dr Paul had earlier predicted the earthquake, which hit AJK and northern NWFP in October this year, after his thorough study of the nature of earth in east of Muzaffarabad in August, 2005. The study, reports say, was carried out by him with the help of satellite imagery, radar results and seismic tools from Nausehri down to Domel and Jhelum valley upstream in Muzaffarabad.

This French expert was engaged by the French hydroelectric organisation, VINCI Conservation, who was interested to bid for the gigantic Neelum-Jhelum hydroelectric project which envisaged construction of a 35-mile long underground water-passage tunnel to turn it later in downstream region into a huge waterfall for electric generation to 500 megawatts. Before taking the project in hand the French company engaged Dr Tapponnier for a foolproof seismic surgery of the entire area forming the project zone. In his initial report, believed to have been sent to the WAPDA in the first week of August this year, Dr Paul had pointed out likely eruption of a major earthquake in the region but had given a time margin of its eruption as within 20 (20) years. But it actually happened on that unfortunate day of October 8, 2005, within two months period only.

Dr Paul’s study, as quoted in the report sent to the WAPDA by the Country Director of the VINCI Conservation on November 23, 2005, says that the next faultline of the Jhelum Downstream will erupt at Thotha and its vibration might hit its frontal head at Kotli (AJK).

Meanwhile the official authorities are waiting for the final seismic observations being conducted by Turkish and Chinese experts in the Oct quake regions. All reconstruction process in the quake hit areas could be revived on the advice of the experts. The government may have to abandon its idea of immediate shifting of district headquarters from Muzaffarabad city to Garhidoputta.

[MohammedA]

Tent sellers exploited quake relief urgency

By Rauf Klasra

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Textile probing the purchase of 0.3 million defective tents for earthquake victims worth Rs 2billion was told on Monday that the tent sellers exploited urgency of the situation and dictated their own terms and conditions to the Textile Ministry to get a deal of their own choice.

A Federal Relief Commission official informed the meeting that over 40,000 rejected tents were accepted by the authorities and sent to the affected areas. The representatives of tents association admitted that the Textile Ministry had finalised the multi-billion deal on the terms and conditions offered by the tent sellers.

The Senate body meeting was presided over by Senator Pari Gul Agha, Senator Dr Abdullah Riar and Dr Azam Wasti. Secretary Textile Ministry Masoud Alam Rizvi, Colonel Khosa of Federal Relief Commission, the additional secretary Punjab Industries and representatives of tent manufacturers attended the meeting.

After failing to get satisfactory replies from the participants of the meeting, members of the committee decided to visit the affected areas to ascertain the quality of tents in the light of their discussions with the victims.

Dr Abdullah Riar who was present at the meeting told The News that during the deliberations it was revealed that at the time of initial placement of orders for procurement of tents, the ministry following a presentation given by the tents manufacturing association got convinced to change the specifications from the traditional canvas water proof tents to the drilled cloth 300 gms fabrics.

He said the meeting was also told that the Textile Ministry accommodated concerns of the tents association and changed the specification of the fabric as well as degraded the water proofing mechanism which traditionally involves chemical treatment of tents.

The meeting was informed that even tents association failed to do the water proofing by skipping the stage of chemical treatment. Dr Abdullah Riar confirmed that the application of wax, which was agreed to be 10 per cent of the weight of the tent, was also found to be deficient approximately in 66 per cent of the cases examined. He said it was revealed that even the wax they used was of poor quality. The FRC official was very critical of poor standards of the tents.

[MohammedA]

Food distributed in quake-hit areas

PESHAWAR, Dec 20: The Pakistan Army has distributed 1.5 million tons of food items among victims as part of its ongoing air and ground relief operations in the earthquake-hit districts of the NWFP, according to a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday.

Army helicopters have airlifted 2,800 tons of relief goods, including 350 tons of food items, the ISPR statement said. Another 1,100 tons of edibles have been sent by road, it said.

The military has distributed 105,919 tons of relief goods at various distribution points established in the calamity-stricken areas of Abbottabad, Mansehra, Besham, Kohistan and Shangla districts.

Some 1,600 tons of relief goods have been provided to victims living in inaccessible areas. Animal transport and army rescue and relief parties had been employed for the purpose.

Pakistani servicemen, with the help of the Army Welfare Trust, emergency relief cell, civil administration, non-governmental organizations and other aid agencies, have also provided over 1,00,000 tents, 5,50,000 blankets, 77.402 tons medicines and 1,125 tons of other relief goods to earthquake victims in affected areas of the province.—APP

[SyedA]

Helicopters made 4,000 sorties to quake-hit areas


Hanif Khalid

ISLAMABAD: More than 4,000 sorties have been made by the aviation assets of Pakistan, friendly countries and international organisations to provide relief to the earthquake survivors in NWFP and Azad Kashmir, says a report prepared by the Directorate of Logistics of the Pakistan Army.

The has been sent to the Federal Relief Commission by Director Logistics Brig Imtiaz Hussain Shirazi and his deputy Colonel Jamil Rehmat Wains. Under the supervision of Director General Logistics Pakistan Army Maj Gen Jamil Haider, 172 helicopters of the Army Aviation, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force and friendly countries as well as relief organisation are still busy in supplying relief goods to the far-flung areas.

These include 50 helicopters of the Army Aviation, two of the Pakistan Navy and three helicopters of the Pakistan Air Force. The remaining helicopters include 12 of US military, three of US State Department, four from Australia, four of Aga Khan Foundation, 15 of the United Nations, nine of the International Committee of Red Cross, one from Canada, two from France, five from Nato, two from RSA and one from Oxfam.

[MohammedA]

Cold is lethal, warns Oxfam

By Zarghon Shah

MUZAFFARABAD: British aid group Oxfam has reiterated its call for winterising existing tents for earthquake survivors before the onset of frigid winter fearing big shelter problem was in for the next few months in the devastated zone.

"Cold is lethal and the real thing is to winterise these tents and provide more blankets to the refugees," said Oxfam GB Director Barbara Stocking during her visit to a tent village in the Upper Chattar Class suburbs of Muzaffarabad here Wednesday.

She said that a lot of work was going into winterising the tents and providing more blankets to the quake affectees. "But there is much more to be done, even though people have made enormous efforts here," she added.

The camp at Upper Chattar Class is being run by Dewan Salman group of companies where around 2300 individuals are taking refuge. The group is providing food and medical to refugees who have come from across Azad Kashmir areas including Athmuqam, Shardah, Dudniyal, Kail, Jura and Chakothi.

About the existing camps the Oxfam chief said they are ‘really very, very poor’ for the people to live in through the winter. The spontaneous camps need to be much better organized, she observed.

"We need to help with water and sanitation as well, because if you bring people together in groups, you need water to live anyway, Stocking said. She also hailed the service being rendered by the Dewan group.

About freezing cold during the night in tents, she said that she understands the difficulty, but lots of things can’t be done due to risk of fire in the tents.To a query she said that most of the refugees want to go back when it comes the April time. However, she said the real difficulty is with the affectees who did not have land or the land has been moved away by the temblor.

"They are the ones who are saying it’s going to be most difficult. But they clearly want to go back and get started what their normal lives are really. It’s no fun living in a camp. Ten people living in a tent, and children...it’s so difficult really," she observed.

Oxfam is currently working in 161 camps in NWFP and AJK. It has provided shelters to 127,000 people. So far the aid group has distributed 16,000 winterised tents and 765 traditional shelters called Bandis.

Stocking termed the hygienic conditions at the camp as impressive. "You can see bathing areas, separated men and women. It’s good to see latrines that are being looked after." Regarding women in the camp, she said the biggest problem for them is their children. "That’s what they were saying to me; that the children are so cold at night and they are getting ill."

Pitched along roadside, the Chattar camp consists of 502 Pamukkale Cadislari tents, gifted by Turkey. Abdul Qayyum, a camp supervisor from within the refugees said the Dewan group provides two-time meal and buns in the morning to the refugees. Qayyum’s two children and two sisters were killed in the October 8 earthquake.

Oxfam says it is not yet certain whether people will come down to the camps or remain in the highlands. The aid group is responding to this by ensuring people have what they need to survive the winter, wherever they are. "If a massive influx of people into camps should take place we are prepared to scale-up our water and sanitation operations and reach up to 500,000 beneficiaries," it says

[MohammedA]

The Chinook factor



Ikram Sehgal

Countries with fairly large percentage of their population living in mainly inaccessible terrain find that recourse to aviation is a must, not only during times of natural disasters, but also for good governance, law enforcement and critical logistics requirement. One can get away with fixed use of wing aircraft in deserts and forests, in mountainous territory there is almost no alternative to rotary wing aircraft. The purchase cost/maintenance of helicopters being exponentially higher than fixed wing aircraft, saving of precious lives in a critical time period must overcome qualms about the high costs associated. Praying that disasters come few and far between, one has to plan for the worst.

There is common perception that the Army did not react quickly enough to the October 8 disaster, then how come Army Aviation helicopters lifted over 600 injured to hospitals in Islamabad-Rawalpindi area and over a 100 to CMH Murree by 4 pm on October 8? This wrong perception was due to the fact that the heavy-lift M1-17s of Army Aviation's helicopter fleet remained woefully short in numbers that was required for coping with the magnitude of the crisis. The heliborne relief effort remained under pressure for the first 10 days or so till the US Army's Chinooks from Afghanistan joined in, the Chinooks (along with the Army's M-17s) bore the immediate brunt of the visible immediate relief effort for the earthquake-affected in NWFP and AK, the 'thump-thump' of the double rotors a welcome sound of approaching succour for the stricken populace.

The 'Chinook'" is taken from the name of a Red Indian tribe from a far corner of northwest USA, the name derived from warm 'Chinook' winds coming from the Pacific, reducing the chill of the long winter and bringing in joy and happiness. The Boeing CH-47, nicknamed the 'Chinook', is bringing succour and relief for our earthquake survivors. The two dozen or so Chinooks created good vibes, firing not only the imagination of the stricken populace but doing far more for image restoration (and enhancement thereof) for Americans in the eyes of the masses than the quantum of generous American aid during the earthquake, indeed over the years. Some disgruntled clerics trying to whip up anti-American sentiment in the affected areas were booed down, the 'Chinook Factor' coming into play. During the Vietnam War, the USAF version (CH-3E) of US Navy's Sikorsky S-61, rescued many downed pilots who looked anxiously at the skies for 'the jolly green giants', as they were named. The Chinooks can be equated as the earthquake-relief version of 'the jolly green giants'.

Having flown an Alouette-3 helicopter extensively in the earthquake--affected areas in 1969 and 1970, it was a traumatic shock to see bare mountains (the timber-mafia in action) where once we used to search for open areas among the thickly wooded trees to land. With the sides of the mountains unstable how some of the roads are going to be re-built is beyond me! Urban population centres may have grown rapidly due to expatriate Pakistani affluence, physical communications are still tenuous at best. For both good governance and immediate relief heliborne-mobility is badly needed. Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan may primarily depend upon fixed wing aircraft but for NWFP, Azad Kashmir and Northern areas, helicopters must be a major part of the solution. The cost of helicopter flying hour is about 7-8 times less than that of comparable fixed wing aircraft. Similarly Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircrafts can be used for larger delegations or shifting small volumes of cargo from airstrip to airstrip instead of wasting far more expensive helicopter hours.

Keeping in mind the overall need, we must have at least three heavy-lift squadrons at the federal level (i.e. at least 45-50 helicopters capable of lifting 200-300 tons of relief supplies at any one time). We need to permanently place a minimum of two light and four heavy-lift helicopters each at Gilgit and Skardu (Northern Areas) and Muzaffarabad (Azad Kashmir). Azad Kashmir and NWFP can each do with twp small fixed wing aircrafts, NWFP requiring two STOL cargo/passenger aircrafts, 2 x light helicopters and four heavy lift helicopters. Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan should each have two small fixed wing aircrafts, two STOL cargo/passenger aircrafts and two heavy lift helicopters.

Distances from Islamabad require Sindh and Balochistan each to maintain an executive twin-engine fixed wing aircraft for their governors/CMs. Punjab has extensive land area and can also do with one such aircraft. This would mean, give or take, a total of three executive twin-engine aircrafts, 10 small fixed wing (4-5 seaters), eight STOL aircrafts, 12 light helicopters (6-7 seaters) and 50 heavy-lift helicopters (the 18 required by the Provinces, AK and Northern areas should be on deputation from the Federal Heavy-Lift Squadrons maintained by the Army Aviation). The evaluation and assessment being technical in nature in contrast to normal procurements, purchase of aircrafts should be deputed to any of the procurement agencies of the armed forces, they have the know-how. There would also be far less chances of corruption.

Refurbished aircrafts are much cheaper than new ones and just as good. For light fixed wing aircrafts, one would choose something from the Cessna family (a tail wing Cessna-185 can easily seat six). Having flown nearly 1000 hours in Alouette-3 in a very short, intense period of time (albeit nearly three decades ago), there is still no comparable cost-effective aircraft of its class anywhere in the world. With the Artouste 3-B engine the pilot always has extra power, even with the dust filters. As for STOL cargo/passenger aircrafts the 'Pilatus Porter' is a tested aircraft as is the 'Twin Otter'".

For heavy lift helicopters the Chinook would be an automatic first choice, but we could probably not afford it and would have to go for the M1-17s i.e. unless the US gives these to us under aid and/or grant. The Chinook is expensive to purchase and maintain but is very cost effective. About 800 are in service, mostly in the military mission mode. Carrying nearly 13 tons, it has the lowest cost per ton mile that any other helicopter in this category. The Russian M1-8 (now M1-17), with 12000 in service, is an excellent workhorse, far less expensive when compared to the Chinook but can carry only a maximum of four tons i.e. having to do three trips for every one the Chinook takes. Wear and tear being far more pronounced on helicopters, more trips by the M-17s would force-multiply the physical degradation.

Aviation purchases require careful evaluation, e.g. the recent controversy over the proposed purchase of two refurbished Alouette-3 (and not Alouette-2 as a recent article has suggested) helicopters by the NWFP government for use by the governor and chief minister. The cost of running an Alouette-3 would come to about US$1500 per flying hour when including salaries, fuel, maintenance and depreciation (and not five times more US$7500 as the article has suggested). Wrong data can be very misleading for a gullible public, appearing in a magazine of repute it gives credibility to motivated exaggeration. Specialised subjects like aircraft purchase need hands-on experience or research of facts from credible sources.

While praying that we will not ever have to face the magnitude of the October 8 earthquake, we have to plan for the worst. Other than mountains and deserts, we have rivers that tend to overflow their banks every other year. Why not become aviation-minded and maximise the 'Chinook factor' so as to have an inherent potential within the country for saving precious lives of our hapless citizens in times of need?



The writer is a defence and political analyst

Email: isehgal@pathfinder9.com

[MohammedA]

I guess the army aviation bases/hangars for helis and warehouses with stocks will also have to be made earthquake proof given that most of Pakistan apart from plains of Punjab is a medium/high-risk earthquake zone?

[Saeed Khan]

70-people Team From Turkish Red Crescent Leaves For Pakistan:

ISTANBUL - A 70-people team from Turkish Red Crescent and Health Ministry left for quake stricken Pakistan on Saturday.

The team will deliver medicine and health equipment for the victims of the massive earthquake.

The Turkish team will also carry out works against epidemic in the region.

TP (http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=93499)

[TahirN]

Billionaire buys Beckham's boots
A Norwegian tycoon has bought a pair of footballer David Beckham's boots for 1m kroner (£85,600, $148,000) - raising money for Pakistan's quake victims.

Billionaire Idar Vollvik, who founded internet phone company Chess, purchased the silver boots from a charity on a Norwegian television show.

The money will help to buy tents for thousands of people left homeless following the October earthquake.

The same Beckham boots have previously raised money for the Asian tsunami.

The charity, Norske Kvinners Sanitetsforening, acquired the boots in January during a fundraising event for the 26 December tsunami relief fund.

More than 74,000 people are believed to have lost their lives when the quake struck Pakistan and northern India.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/europe/4567740.stm

[xinhui]

China donates relief goods to quake-hit Pakistan

www.chinaview.cn 2005-12-31 20:56:33

TIANJIN, Dec. 31 (Xinhuanet) -- A batch of relief materials donated by the Chinese government leaves north China's municipality of Tianjin to Pakistan on Saturday, according to local government.

The donations, mainly winterized cotton tents and blankets, weighing 420 tons, are sent to the earthquake-hit areas of Pakistan for survivors to get through the freezing winter, according to the airport of Tianjin, which simplify the customs inspection procedures for the relief materials.

So far, 800 tons of relief materials have been sent to Pakistan through the airport of Tianjin

The donations were among the pledges made by the Chinese government at the international donors' conference held in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Nov. 19.

At the conference, China announced a concessional loan of 300 million US dollars to fund reconstruction and rehabilitation plans in earthquake-hit areas of Pakistan.

The Pakistani-controlled Kashmir was rocked by a powerful earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale on Oct. 8. About 73,000 people were killed, 130,000 injured, and 2.8 million displaced. Enditem

[xinhui]

The Chinese government should and could done much much more.........

[A Khan]

Any idea why China didn't? Waited to see what the west would donate and then donate some more... or ?

As i recall, china helped a lot during previous disasters/crises, when China wasnt as wealthy as it is now. I have bad feeling that China is trying to look more and more towards India (keeping in mind the China-India navy exercises, etc).

[Gaf]

Any idea why China didn't? Waited to see what the west would donate and then donate some more... or ?

As i recall, china helped a lot during previous disasters/crises, when China wasnt as wealthy as it is now. I have bad feeling that China is trying to look more and more towards India (keeping in mind the China-India navy exercises, etc).

Maybe it is more India centric, i doubt it though in this context... more likely they are now more money/commerically focused and therefore less likely to give out large amounts of cash as they focus on development, most of China's aid came in the form of men, and material and supplies ???

[H Khan]

MUZAFFARABAD (January 01 2006): United States will continue its assistance for the quake affected people till their complete rehabilitation and revival of normal life, US Congressman Jon Porter said here on Saturday.

Leading an eight-member US Congressional delegation, Jon Porter visited field hospitals being run in Muzaffarabad and Shinkiari by the US military.

Speaking to media during the visit, he said that US would also aid the Pakistan government in carrying out reconstruction in the areas ravaged by the October earthquake.

The delegation met the quake injured and inquired about their health. The visitors conveyed sympathy of the US government and people for the quake survivors.

Jon Porter said that the ordeal of the quake-affected people was not over and the Pakistan government needed more donations from the international community for the rehabilitation of the sufferers.

He praised the Pakistan leadership, government and the army for the timely relief efforts. "They have done a tremendous job for relief and rehabilitation in quake-hit areas," he said.

Jon Porter said that he would urge the US Congress to donate more funds for the quake victims in Pakistan and he would personally also raise funds through campaigns in US. The American Ambassador in Pakistan Ryan C Crocker, who accompanied the delegation, said that the US had so far handed over around 200 million dollars in kind and cash to the Pakistani government and it would provide more.

The envoy said that Washington would assist Pakistan also in the reconstruction process, particularly in rebuilding educational institutions and hospitals.

The 84-bed US military field hospital in Muzaffarabad has so far treated 11,000 quake injured and carried out 393 surgeries, the delegation was informed.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2006

[xinhui]

Don't know, Chinese government been surprisingly quiet about the Earthquake and its aftermath. My guess it has more to do with US be there, for PRC, the improvement between US and Pakistan is perferred.

As for the Indian factor, it is none in the military sense, so far PLA had not increase troop level in Tibet, actually, two divisions (52nd and 53) were downsized as bgd, I am the type who look at walks more then what talks.

300 million US dollars of concessional loan is not a small sum, however consider the special relationship between those two nations, it is very little.


Unlated news item

Pakistan-China bilateral trade reaches US$ 3.4 billion

(Pakistan Press International Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Karachi, December 30 (PPI): The bilateral trade between the Pakistan-China has been expanding rapidly this year. In the first 10 months, the total exports and imports reached US $3.4 billion, soaring 44 per cent year-on-year.


According to press statement issued here on December 29, Pakistan and China are set to launch free trade regime under the Early Harvest Programme (EHP) from January 1, 2006.

The trade under the EHP includes arrangement on the basis of mutually agreed three lists of items. Items in the first list include some of the fruits and vegetables and tiles made from marble. Both the countries will reduce the tariff on these items to zero duty gradually, but not later than end of 2007, it said.

The items in the second list include: for Pakistan; home textiles, terry towels, guar gum, cotton fabric, cutlery, surgical goods, sports goods etc. and for China; machinery and chemicals. These items would also be zero-rated gradually. Items in the third list provide tariff concession on the basis of margin of preference.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

[MohammedA]

Kashmir could 'face more quakes'
By Aamer Ahmed Khan
BBC News, Manshera



One of the world's leading seismologists has warned of the possibility of more earthquakes in the Kashmir region over the next 50 years.
Roger Bilham told the BBC News website that Kashmir could experience quakes more severe than the one which killed more than 73,000 people in October.

Mr Bilham has been working in quake-affected areas of Pakistan for the past two months.

He is considered an authority on the Himalayan faultline.

Mr Bilham said his research, using data stretching back 500 years, had shown that huge amounts of energy had been stored in the faultline but it was unevenly distributed.

"This meant that when (the tectonic plates) do go, they are very likely to go with a very large earthquake," he said.

"Our study basically showed that there were four places that could have a magnitude 8.2 earthquake or more.

"It also showed that the Kashmir region could have something like a magnitude eight earthquake."

Massive damage

Mr Bilham said the 8 October earthquake occurred at the very end of what he called the Himalayan tectonics.


From what we know of Kashmir's history, there may well be a sequence of earthquakes spread over the next 50 years
Roger Bilham

"What we know is that it ruptured a 100km length of the Kashmir region, diagonally from the north-west to the south-east.
"Also, it ruptured from very close to the surface down to a depth of 30-40km."

One can get idea of the extent of the havoc wreaked below the surface by the fact that the Himalayas slipped about three to four metres within about 15 seconds.

The mountains behind Muzaffarabad, around the epicentre, actually rose by about a metre, releasing an energy equivalent of a 30 megaton nuclear explosion.

These figures, if juxtaposed with historical data, paint a worrying picture.

The last major series of earthquakes recorded in Kashmir started in 1501, culminating in a major jolt in 1555.

"We don't know much about those other than that Srinagar and several other places were severely damaged," Mr Bilham said.

"Although these records are not very accurate or detailed, I think we have enough to use the 1501 and the 1555 earthquakes as a template for the region.

"I would think that the present earthquake would be equivalent to the one in 1501 which means that there exists a possibility of another major slip in Kashmir's future."

Future planning

Mr Bilham says this should be a major concern for Pakistan, which is in the process of putting together a massive reconstruction exercise across the quake zone.


Pakistan must now ensure that proper earthquake proof structures are erected
Roger Bilham

"The government needs to ensure that whatever new structures are built are able to withstand the next earthquake, the next one and the next one," Mr Bilham said.
"From what we know of Kashmir's history, there may well be a sequence of earthquakes spread over the next 50 years.

"Of course 50 years may sound an awfully long time to a politician but it is the perfect length of time to get the structure of the buildings right."

Another serious reason for the government to heed Mr Bilham's work is the nature of the aftershocks experience in October.

According to Mr Bilham, the north-west tip of the rupture which extends to "the mountains behind Muzaffarabad" has recorded the expected number of aftershocks.


But the south-eastern tip of the rupture, which extends to the plains below the Himalayas, has shown "a surprising and worrying calm".
"This means that pressure is building up around the south-eastern tip," he said.

In other words, it means that should the faultline slip in the south-east, the shockwave is very likely to travel towards the plains of Punjab - possibility extending down to the historic city of Lahore.

No room for complacency

Mr Bilham warns against the conventional wisdom that earthquakes don't strike the same place twice.

"I can give you the example of Andaman and Nicobar Islands which had a series of earthquakes 1848, 1865 and 1881," he said.

"These were about the same size as the one in Kashmir, some of them even bigger at 7.9 which is three times bigger than the 8 October quake.

"One could have assumed then that another one would not occur there for the next 500 years but we had a massive earthquake in the very same place only 120 years later."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/4586554.stm

Published: 2006/01/06 07:10:10 GMT

© BBC MMVI

[SSAAD]

Dutch troops in Pakistan say mocked by drunk Brits :) :)

41 minutes ago

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch troops helping earthquake survivors in Pakistan have complained that while they are subject to an alcohol ban, Spanish and British soldiers laugh at their austerity and turn up drunk at their campfire.
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"We were told before we arrived that alcohol was banned in this country or else very difficult to get hold of and we accepted this," one soldier told the Dutch daily De Telegraaf.

"The Spanish drive around with cars full of Heineken ... and the English laugh at us when they show up at our campfire drunk," another Dutch soldier said.

A Dutch defence ministry spokesman said it was standard policy to ban alcohol in Muslim countries in line with local custom and Dutch troops were being well looked after.

"Tens of thousands of people lost their lives in the earthquake and hundreds of thousands lost everything they had," he said. "Going without alcohol is a small sacrifice towards a very good cause."

[Gaf]

Dutch troops in Pakistan say mocked by drunk Brits :) :)

41 minutes ago

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch troops helping earthquake survivors in Pakistan have complained that while they are subject to an alcohol ban, Spanish and British soldiers laugh at their austerity and turn up drunk at their campfire.
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"We were told before we arrived that alcohol was banned in this country or else very difficult to get hold of and we accepted this," one soldier told the Dutch daily De Telegraaf.

"The Spanish drive around with cars full of Heineken ... and the English laugh at us when they show up at our campfire drunk," another Dutch soldier said.

A Dutch defence ministry spokesman said it was standard policy to ban alcohol in Muslim countries in line with local custom and Dutch troops were being well looked after.

"Tens of thousands of people lost their lives in the earthquake and hundreds of thousands lost everything they had," he said. "Going without alcohol is a small sacrifice towards a very good cause."


The Brits are always drunk... its a national obession ;-) !!!

[H Khan]

Monday, January 09, 2006 DAily Times



BEIJING: The Chinese government pledged additional aid of $300 million for Pakistan’s quake-victims.

China’s Foreign office spokesman said on Sunday that China was ready to ensure early release of pledged aid to Pakistan.

He said that China will help in providing health and education facilities in Balakot, adding that it would also help set up a seismic station. online

[H Khan]

This is a printer friendly version of an article from guampdn.com
To print this article open the file menu and choose Print.


Back Article published Jan 9, 2006


I'm very concerned for the people in Pakistan. I wish we on Guam could help. I see pictures of refugees from that terrible earthquake, left without homes, sitting outside, virtually covered with snow.

It bothers me and I bet that you feel the same way. After all, Guam has served as a place of refuge before. I remember when we doubled our population practically overnight, when we took in more than a hundred thousand people, men, women and children from Vietnam in Operation New Life.

I'd like to suggest we do something as dramatic as that. We could charter a couple of Continental aircraft, fly to Pakistan, and load the planes up with children and others trying to live in the bitter cold. I volunteer to take in at least five children for a few months, just to get them out of the cold.

Sure, of course, we would have plenty of problems, especially with the federal government over visas. But, it could be done. The U.S. government, bowing to an emergency situation, didn't worry about passports and visas when Saigon fell. It could do the same thing now if it wanted to do so. Issue temporary visas to bring those desperate people here for a short time, at least to get them out of the freezing weather.

I suppose we had better take this plan up with the governor first, and then with Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo next and, finally, the State Department.

Heavy snow is making relief efforts in Pakistan almost impossible. Mothers with little children huddle in tents, trying to keep warm. They build fires, but the TV images show that many will become sick and others will die, if they can't find shelter.

The earthquake killed more than 73,000 in northern Pakistan. Army engineers are working night and day to try to clear the roads so that supplies like blankets can get in. It seems totally ridiculous that these people, especially the children, are left to freeze in that cold country, when a few hours away we all live comfortably on an island, basking in the sunshine.

Is Guam going to get an aircraft carrier in the future?

My best guess is no, although logic dictates that we should be considered strongly by the Department of Defense. The Pentagon is considering homeporting an aircraft carrier in Hawaii, which is fine, but it too is days more sailing from the scene of action.

Not long ago, Adm. Thomas Fargo, who heads up the Pacific Command, hinted that a nuclear-powered carrier would replace the Kitty Hawk, which is 45 years old. Nothing is going to happen soon. The Kitty Hawk is scheduled to remain in Japan through 2008.

There are hints that the Navy is thinking about a carrier for Guam. They have brought the Kitty Hawk into port here on a couple of occasions.

The Guam Shipyard did a repair job to the USS San Francisco, which was severely damaged when it hit an undersea mountain near the Caroline Islands. That repair job cost an estimated $19 million, which readied the sub to move it to the West Coast for major repairs.

Guam will get another Los Angeles-class submarine to replace it -- the USS Buffalo, previously homeported in Hawaii. It should be arriving by September.

The military seems serious about expansion plans for Guam. They have awarded a $29.2-million contract to a local company for the construction of a new high school. It is possible that the final contract for new DOD schools could reach $67.6 million.

In addition, it has been reported that some $40.2 million was appropriated for housing construction and $25.5 million for wharf improvements at Apra Harbor.

Would Guam be able to handle a carrier group? Guam officials have estimated that such a move would instantly create more than 4,000 new jobs and pump $375 million into the economy annually. That's a lot of money. It would turn the island's economy around.

But it may be too much for this little island to handle. A few months ago, the Senate sent a $355 billion defense bill to President George Bush to sign. Is there money in that massive defense budget to dredge out Apra Harbor, and would such a move be a good thing for the people of Guam?

I think for the answers to these questions, we had best keep our ears to the ground. What are some of the reasons why the Japanese don't want the George Washington or the Carl Vinson? The Japanese cite overcrowded conditions, the danger of the ship blowing up and problems with U.S. sailors with crime. They also believe having such a ship homeported would make Japan a target for missiles or bombs.

[A Khan]

Bad weather, snowfall hamper relief work




By Sher Baz Khan

ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: Many communities hit by the October 8 quake still remain cut off despite resumption of helicopter flights on Wednesday and the clearing of some main roads, a UN agency official told Dawn here on Sunday. “Bad weather and snow last weekend, which caused landslides, had impacted on relief work,” the official said. In addition to snow, a cold snap meant earthquake survivors and aid workers had to cope with abnormally low night-time temperatures and chilling winds, he said.

“More snow has been forecast for early next week,” he added. With many tents collapsed under the weight of snow, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) was coordinating with shelter assessment teams from other NGOs as well as sending its own staff to evaluate the tents and distribute additional plastic sheets, blankets and tarpaulins, an IOM official said.

“Collapsed tents will be re-erected and 20,000 handouts in Urdu, English and Pushto about proper tenting techniques will be disseminated by the UNHCR to all the camps,” he said.

Next week, spot checks would also be carried out in villages at higher altitude to provide similar assistance, the IOM official said.

“The snow storm has been very hard on the people living in tents, and very frustrating for our staff, who have been unable to distribute critically needed relief items when their need was the greatest,” said IOM’s chief of mission in Pakistan, Hassan Abdel Moneim Mostafa.

“This winter will be a struggle for everyone,” he added. The IOM had shipped 8,000 shelter kits from Islamabad to its forward distribution bases over the past 10 days. An additional, 6,000 kits (along with 3,000 sets of jackets, socks and gumboots for children aged six to eight) had been purchased and would be arriving after the weekend, he added.

The IOM and other agencies have now wrapped up major operations in Forward Kahuta, Haveli district, which has received sufficient shelter material for the winter.

The organisation has crafted a multi-group response to the shelter needs in the area. A shelter cluster assessment had found that the quake had affected 170,000 people, many of them living between 5,000-9,000 feet high up.

On 27 December, 50 elders from five regional tribes met in a Jirga with IOM’s Mary Guidice, the emergency shelter coordinator for the region, and other key international NGOs leaders.

The tribal leaders promised security measures for the international aid workers and IOM, ACTED, World Vision and Church World Service agreed to send in assessment teams to the five represented tribes and begin relief deliveries.

Other agencies have also agreed to assist in the relief operation. The first shelter kits have already been delivered and more will follow according to the ongoing assessments in the region.


http://www.dawn.com/2006/01/09/nat2.htm

[A Khan]

US relief airlift capacity doubles

ISLAMABAD: US relief helicopters have doubled relief assistance in the earthquake-affected areas by using external nets or ‘sling loads’, a US Embassy statement said on Sunday.

To ensure at least 30-day food supply in remote villages, US Chinook helicopters adopted the sling load method and are now delivering over 100 tonnes of supplies a day to key distribution centres.

Loading relief goods inside a helicopter took approximately 10 to 15 minutes and required a landing manoeuvre at the delivery site and another 10 to 15 minutes to unload. The load weight was limited to 10,000 pounds. However, by using sling loads, the CH47 D Chinook helicopter can fly into the affected area, hover above and drop the relief supplies and quickly fly out. After the supplies are dropped to the ground, NGOs and the Pakistani Military collect the nets for reuse.

“We load the nets the night before,” said Capt Trent Cleveland, the aviation liaison officer for Task Force Eagle. “During the day the only time the helicopters land is to refuel. This really speeds up our ability to deliver relief supplies.”

Each net carries 5,000 pounds of supplies and each helicopter can carry two nets. On Friday, the US delivered a record 250,000 pounds of supplies. With the increase in capabilities the US military is working to ensure enough food and relief supplies are on-hand in the affected areas should flight operations be suspended because of bad weather. “I have been impressed by the Pakistan government’s initiative to deliver relief supplies to affected areas,” said Admiral LeFever, the commander of Disaster Assistance Centre, Pakistan. nni

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\01\09\story_9-1-2006_pg7_40

[SSAAD]

Here is an interesting one. It seems like a "free-loading" mentality is settling in in the affected areas.


Has Kashmir aid gone too far?


By Aamer Ahmed Khan
BBC News, Karachi

Quake survivor
The military says every survivor has now been reached
Three months on, the massive relief regime spawned by the 8 October earthquake seems to be losing direction.

Military officials vehemently claim there is "not a soul" who they have not been able to reach with the required relief goods.

But everywhere you go, there are incessant complaints from survivors who say they are still awaiting the rations or shelter promised by the authorities.

In Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the atmosphere is fraught with discontent and suspicion.

A senior military commander in the Jhelum valley says: "They are behaving like beggars now."

He argues that the 70,000 tons of dry rations and more than 250,000 tents distributed among survivors over the past three months in the Kashmir region "should have been more than enough to take care of everyone".

But that does not seem to be the case on the ground.

'High expectations'

"We have been reduced to begging," cries a survivor in one of the umpteen tent villages to have sprung up all over Muzaffarabad.

Quake survivors
Kashmir now has some of the best healthcare in the region

"Everyone has collected money in our name but nothing reaches us till we beg for it."

As winter sets in, it seems resentment will remain the reigning sentiment across the quake-affected zone.

Part of the reason could be what many describe as the "unreasonably high expectations" encouraged by the international relief agencies that descended on Kashmir after the quake.

Government officials say 108 international and local relief agencies are still working in the zone.

"Unfortunately, their initial blueprint for dispensing relief was not drawn up in consultation with the local authorities or the local NGOs," says one senior official.

"That has led to promises that were perhaps not required and a relief timeframe that has now exceeded its utility."

A tractor on mountain-side road
Distribution of cash turned out to be a hugely successful policy

Senior officials say that in the days following the tragedy, two parallel relief efforts were initiated.

On the one side was the Pakistan army, working on what its own officials describe as a short-term relief plan.

In a three-tiered strategy, the army focused its efforts on setting up a healthcare network with the help of international agencies such as Merlin, MSF and military hospital units from across the developed world.

Cuba alone sent more than 1,200 doctors with instructions that they were to leave all their medical facilities behind when they wound up their work.

"No-one can deny that Kashmir currently has the best healthcare facilities compared to anywhere else in the region," says one commander.

The second step was to deliver enough dry rations to survivors to help them through the Himalayan winter.

Military officials say they managed to accomplish that by the end of November, and the 74 distribution points set up by them all over Kashmir now have a seven-day reserve supply in case of a closure of roads due to bad weather.

'Hot meals'

For the third step, to deal with the issue of shelter, more than six billion rupees ($100m) were distributed among more than 240,000 households to help them raise new shelters.

The distribution of cash turned out to be a hugely and visibly successful policy.

In most of the villages visited by the BBC News website, anyone who had received cash compensation had managed to get some sort of a shelter up and running.

The generosity of the international community seems to have pushed these people into a kind of a time warp Senior government official

As far as the army was concerned, the relief phase should have ended there, something many international relief workers also privately admit now.

The military had planned to wrap up its relief activities and hand over the management of quake-affected zones to local civilian authorities by 1 December.

"We wanted to concentrate all our resources on repairing the roads and keeping them open during the winter," one senior commander told the BBC News website.

But international relief agencies had other plans.

They ended up promising food aid throughout the winter months besides helping to raise shelters in high-altitude areas.

They promised to continue their assistance to at least 31 March, when the snows start to melt in early spring.

The result was that tens of thousands of survivors, despite their basic needs having been met, were not motivated to get on with their lives.

Thousands are now settled in tent villages in and around the cities of Bagh and Muzaffarabad when there is no reason for them not to be back in their villages, rebuilding their homes.

Most of them get three hot meals a day as well as a monthly subsistence allowance.

"The generosity of the international community seems to have pushed these people into a kind of a time warp," says one senior official with the government of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

"Three months down the road, they are still behaving as if the earthquake was yesterday."

[Gaf]

Earthquake aid helicopter missing

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4636402.stm

[H Khan]

Associated Press
Sunday, February 5, 2006; A21

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Feb. 4 -- The U.S. military is shutting down its last MASH, the mobile hospital made famous by the long-running TV show about martini-sipping, wisecracking Army doctors.

This month, the Army will donate the last Mobile Army Surgical Hospital to Pakistan, where troops have been caring for survivors of last year's massive earthquake, Rear Adm. Michael A. LeFever said Saturday at an air base outside the capital, Islamabad.

The 84-bed, $4.5-million MASH unit includes a surgical suite with two operating tables, two intensive care units, a pharmacy, laboratory, radiology units and a power generation system, the military said.

The Army is replacing MASH units with smaller casualty surgical hospitals that sit closer to battlegrounds and the wounded, said LeFever, who is commanding the U.S. military's Disaster Assistance Center in Pakistan. Doctors in the new smaller units make quick decisions in the field and stabilize patients before flying them to bigger hospitals, he added.

"The MASH is a large facility, and it's usually set up in the rear," he said. "We're finding that in order to save lives, we have to be close to the front lines."


© 2006 The Washington Post Company

[A Khan]

US Navy contingent hands over equipment used in quake areas

MUZAFFARABAD, Feb 13 (APP): A US Navy Construction Battalion Monday turned over to Pakistani military equipment worth 2.5 million dollars as part of the ongoing transition from relief to reconstruction in the quake-hit areas. The equipment includes three D-7 bulldozers, one 15-ton and nine 20-ton dump trucks, seven 100-kilowatt generators and four skids. Since arriving in Pakistan in October, the battalion cleared 50,000 cubic yards of debris apart from building 70 temporary shelters and 15 transitional shelters which were now being used as schools. These feats were primarily accomplished in Miani Biani, Kardala and Muzaffarabad region. (Posted @ 18:25 PST)

http://www.dawn.com/2006/02/13/welcome.htm

[MohammedA]

Will earthquake victims go home?


By Mark Doyle
BBC world affairs correspondent, Muzaffarabad



Shortly after arriving in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani-administered Kashmir, I had a strange sense that I'd seen all this before.

It was my first visit to Pakistan, so this odd feeling bothered me for several days.

Then, as I was wandering through the rubble of concrete buildings tossed about by the earthquake, listening to the near constant sound of humanitarian relief helicopters overhead, it suddenly hit me.

I was remembering the war zones of Mogadishu, the Somali capital, in the early 1990s.

The rubble in Mogadishu was caused by artillery, and the helicopters overhead were American gunships - a completely different scenario from Muzaffarabad.

But the widespread destruction and the rumbling of the choppers were the same - the earthquake had transformed this city into something resembling a war zone.

Torn down

Four months after the 8 October earthquake which killed more than 70,000 people and made hundreds of thousands homeless, the Pakistani government is planning to move from the emergency relief phase to a rebuilding phase.


It wants people, as far as possible, to return to their homes after the worst of the harsh Kashmiri winter is over.

The earthquake destroyed great swathes of Pakistani-administered Kashmir, tearing down concrete houses and causing landsides which sent fields and roads into the bottom of valleys.

The landslips are still occurring and many roads are still impassable. According to the UN, as many as 400,000 houses need rebuilding.

Many of these families are still living in tented camps - others have pitched canvas outside their broken and dangerous concrete homes.

Dependency fears

The process of encouraging people back to their homes will start after 31 March, the official end of winter, the top civil servant in Muzaffarabad, Chief Secretary Kashif Murtaza says.



I personally feel that they have stopped working for their livelihood and we would like them to go back to their normal lives
Kashif Murtaza
Pakistan-administered Kashmir authority

The local administration is keen not to allow dependency on outside aid to develop, he says.

"This is the worst part of this relief effort. Especially in the urban areas, the relief goods have been overstocked," Mr Murtaza says.

The homeless "have had the food and the shelter - and I personally feel that they have stopped working for their livelihood and we would like them to go back to their normal lives."

In the tent camps along the river valley on which Muzaffarabad lies, most people I spoke to were extremely wary of returning home.

"Look up there", said one man, gesturing to a great gash in the mountain where a landslip had occurred.

"My farm was there. How can I return? My house and my land have gone."

The government has begun a process of compensation for affected families, with aid given in tranches. Kashif Murtaza said it would be enough, especially in rural areas, for many families to rebuild.

But one man in Muzaffarabad complained that this aid was being given per house, not per family. Standing beside the tent which had become his home, he pointed to a large building broken almost beyond recognition by the earthquake.

"We used to live in there", he said, "there were three families altogether. But only one of the families got compensation because there was only one house to account for. It's not fair."

Military role

The emergency aid effort has been run by a variety of bodies - principally the agencies of the United Nations and the Pakistan army.


Some political controversy surrounds that effort. This is not surprising given that Pakistan has a military-led government which came to power in a coup in 1999.

Samina Ahmed, the South Asia director of the think tank The International Crisis Group is critical of the role the Pakistan army has played:

"If the military takes upon itself the task of everything during the reconstruction phase it will certainly not be done as well as it would have been done by civilians. The military doesn't have the necessary professional skills."

But many people had told me the army had been doing a good job saving lives. Samina Ahmed argued that this was because a military "face" had been put on everything:

"The last thing that is needed is that whatever is left of civilian capacity in this country should be replaced by the military usurping what is rightly civilian space."

The soldiers I spoke to in Pakistan responded to this criticism by saying they were doing what they had been ordered to do. And most civilians said they were happy with the practical help the army had given them.


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/4744674.stm

Published: 2006/02/23 22:51:02 GMT

© BBC MMVI

[H Khan]

MohammadA,

How are you? How time no see hope all is well!

[SSAAD]

United States Provides $6 Million in equipment and Announces U.S. Military Departure Schedule



As relief efforts transition to reconstruction, the United States Disaster Assistance Center announced today that U.S. forces will provide Pakistan over $6 million in military medical and construction equipment.



At a press conference held at Chaklala Air Base, Rear Admiral Michael LeFever, Commander Disaster Assistance Center outlined the turnover of equipment and the phased withdrawal of U.S. forces beginning mid February and ending March 31st. This departure coincides with Pakistan’s transition from relief to reconstruction.



“Helping Pakistan following the earthquake was both an honor and a privilege,” said Rear Admiral LeFever. “The government of Pakistan and Pakistan military led this historic humanitarian relief effort and is now ready to rebuild Pakistan better than before. While the U.S. Military will be departing, U.S. support will continue through the USAID.”



Speaking at the press conference, USAID Mission Director, Lisa Chiles explained that USAID will support Pakistani reconstruction programs by focusing on the health and education through the construction of new schools and healthcare facilities in both NWFP and AJK. In addition to physical construction, USAID will ensure that each building is fully equipped and furnished.



USAID will also provide professional training for new and existing health and education personnel and will re-establish systems needed to sustain these facilities.



“We will help restore livelihood opportunities for individuals in earthquake-affected areas including training of unskilled workers to promote earthquake resistant shelter construction standards and practices,” said USAID’s Lisa Chiles.



When the earthquake hit Pakistan, the United States responded within 48 hours and established the US Combined Disaster Relief Center. Since October, the U.S. military flew over 4000 sorties, delivered over 20 million pounds of humanitarian aid, treated nearly 30,000 patients and cleared over 40,000 tons of debris.



The U.S. mobile medical units in Muzaffarabad and Shinkiari filled a vital gap by providing care to local populations after nearly all existing regional medical facilities were destroyed. Today, in the Shinkiari area, 12 health care centers are back in operation addressing primary care issues. Given the reintroduction of these medical facilities and the shift from emergency to primary care, the Combined Medical Response Team in Shinkiari plans to depart Pakistan February 23rd.



To support health care requirements in Muzaffarabad, the United States Military will transfer the 84 bed 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) to Pakistan. Since October the MASH treated over 18,000 patients and provided 17,000 vaccinations to 7800 patients.



“This is the last MASH unit in the United States Army,” said Rear Admiral LeFever. “We are excited that this MASH will live on in Pakistan.”



Currently Pakistani Medical Military personnel are at 212th MASH working with United States Army health care professionals to complete the transfer process. On February 16th, the Pakistan military physicians will take over operations and American medical personnel will return to their home base in Dexheim, Germany.



The United States Navy Mobile Construction Battalion, SEABEES is also working with their Pakistani military counterparts to turnover 3 bull dozers, 10 heavy dump trucks, and 7 100KW generators. This transfer will be finalized on 13 February.



The last to leave will be the venerable CH-47s “Chinooks.” Since October, 12 Chinooks flew over 4000 relief sorties. On March 31st the helicopters will be re-deployed. Already the Chinook ground crews are training their Pakistani counterparts how to build swing loads and how to operate the rapid aviation refueling system that will be transferred to the Pakistani military.



“I speak for all of us in uniform when I say that this is a mission and a memory that none of us will ever forget,” said Rear Admiral LeFever. “We came at the invitation of Pakistan people and as friends. Through this experience, the historic bonds between our nations are stronger than ever before. It has been the most professionally and personally rewarding tour of my military service.”

[zeeshan]

Assalamaoaluakum,

It wouldnt hurt these bas..... to acknowledge the role Pakistan army played in coordinating and delivering their promise that there shall not be any mass starvations and deaths in the valley. Salute to Pakistan army.


Last Updated: Wednesday, 8 March 2006, 14:53 GMT


Kashmiri quake deaths 'averted'

There were fears that the winter would cause further devastation
The UN says the threat of a second wave of deaths after the devastating earthquake last year in Kashmir and Pakistan has been averted.
UN official Jamie McGoldrick said that the winter had passed with no severe malnutrition or outbreak of epidemics.

Aid agencies are now preparing to help survivors return to their homes as part of the reconstruction effort, he said.

More than 73,000 people died and about three million were made homeless when the earthquake struck last October.

Relief effort

The UN had warned about a second cycle of deaths unless international donors sustained a massive relief effort through the cold winter months.


The UN says the reconstruction phase can now begin

However, despite sub-zero temperatures in the mountains and some heavy snow storms, the season has been unusually mild and dry.

Aid agencies have also been able to ferry food and supplies to isolated communities across the stricken region.

"We think the winter phase is over; the winter race has been won," Mr McGoldrick, the UN's deputy humanitarian co-ordinator, told reporters.

He said the major challenges had been to keep relief operations going until March, improving sanitation and preparing for the return of displaced people.


from BBC.

[SSAAD]

Zeeshan,

To expect something good about Pakistan from BBC is next to impossible. For them to say something nice about PA...as in the words of Donnie Brasco "Forget about it". :rolleyes:

[Behjat]

Salaam,

This is highly comforting. That the Pakistani govt, army and public has reacted so positively and emphatically, is worthy of praise. Kudo's to all that helped out, even if remotely.


WHO sees no crisis in quake-hit areas




By Our Correspondent

PESHAWAR, March 19: A health and nutrition survey carried out in earthquake-hit areas is not indicative of any serious crisis and should be viewed in the context of poverty and other factors such as weather, household destruction, unemployment and morbidity, the World Health Organisation said in its fortnightly report.

The survey conducted jointly by the WHO, Unicef, World Food Programme (WFP) and the health ministry covered several areas such as sanitation, access to safe drinking water, nutrition status of the affected population and hygiene and recommended targeted supplementary feeding in food unsecured areas and therapeutic centres as a preparation to enhance the capacity of managing severely malnourished children.

The WHO has also recommended vitamin A supplementation and multiple micronutrient supplements, including iodine and better management of diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections. Other recommendations include establishment of nutrition surveillance and monitoring system and follow-up survey after six months to assess change in the status of the quake-hit population.

It said that it had received reports from a total of 195 health facilities as part of its disease early warning system (DEWS) and said that patients were seen by doctors, mainly for acute respiratory infections and acute watery diarrhoea.

About the environmental scenario, it said that 17 incinerators had been installed in health facilities in Battagram and three more would be installed next week.

It has also developed Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Communication Plan for a systematic and coordinated health education and communication response to the earthquake. Its objectives included creation of awareness and motivation in order to prevent further sufferings, disease and disabilities and to encourage information sharing and coordination amongst concerned ministries, agencies and other partners involved in rehabilitation activities in the affected areas.

With an improvement in weather, the living conditions of the earthquake affected population had become better and people were slowly returning from their make-shift homes in tents to their remote villages.

The Australian Aid International, which is supporting and monitoring the polio campaign, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Unicef to implement a family hygiene programme in Havelian tehsil. Under the MoU, family hygiene kits had been supplied to the lady health workers’ supervisors and lady health workers.

Extensive water testing in Battagram and Bagh had shown that 38 per cent of tested samples were unfit for drinking purposes. For this purpose it said it had organised a two-day workshop on water quality surveillance and monitoring for 11 NGOs.

Furthermore, it said that tanks had been installed in the Cuban hospital in Thakot, apart from putting in place water and sanitation facilities at the 11 basic health units (BHUs).

[H Khan]

Pakistan: U.S. aid in wake of killer earthquake ‘unparalleled’


By Anita Powell, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, March 29, 2006


MUZAFFARABAD AIRFIELD, Pakistan — Just over five months after arriving to aid victims of the October earthquake, American soldiers on Tuesday handed the reins back to the Pakistani army in the area hit hardest by the quake.

Tuesday’s ceremony in Muzaffarabad was one of several transfer of authority ceremonies held this week. American forces are slated to depart Pakistan this week.

The tone was jubilant as Pakistani Army Aviation soldiers accepted responsibility for the Muzaffarabad refueling point from the 267th Quartermaster Company, 49th Quartermaster Group of Fort Lee, Va.

Maj. Gen. Javed Aslam Tahir, commander of Pakistani Army Aviation, said the Pakistani army will continue to use the refueling point for at least the next two months, as victims begin to rebuild their destroyed homes. He praised U.S. military efforts in helping earthquake victims. “I think the quickest response the world has ever seen was with this contingent,” Javed said. “I think this kind of response, the dedication shown by this contingent, is unparalleled.”

The refueling point, which pumped an average of 7,000 gallons of fuel daily, allowed the military to triple the number of supplies sent into earthquake-stricken areas, said Navy Rear Adm. Michael LeFever, commander of the Combined Disaster Assistance Center, Pakistan.

“This refueling station, what it represents is the lifeblood of the relief efforts,” LeFever said. “I cannot say enough about their dedication. It was their relentless efforts that made this possible.”

American soldiers from Task Force Wright, which included the 267th Quartermaster Company, spoke highly of their experience.

“Of the many deployments I’ve been on, this has got to rank as the best,” said Sgt. 1st Class Bernard Howard, 37, the task force’s first sergeant. “It’s very rewarding to help mankind. … What a lot of people think is that our military is there to fight the war.”

Maj. Tom Jessee, 39, a member of 1st Air Cavalry Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood, Texas, said this was his fourth humanitarian deployment in the past year — he deployed to hurricanes Katrina and Rita and was sent to Pakistan twice for earthquake relief missions.

“For the last few years, our country’s been focused more on an anti-terrorism effort … to come out to this part of the world and give assistance and show them we’re not the bad guys they think we are … it was rewarding,” he said.

Pakistani army 1st Lt. Hamid Riaz, 23, of the 87th Medium Artillery Battalion, said he did not think the relief effort could have been done without American military help.

“They really helped the disaster effort,” he said. “Everybody knows that a great effort and job they have done. They are really professionals and great soldiers.”

Javed said the American military’s presence created more effects than simply the tangible ones.

“The people of Pakistan and the people of this area, I think they have a very good and positive impression of America,” he said.


© 2006 Stars and Stripes. All Rights Reserved.

[SSAAD]

Troops leave Pakistan after aid mission that has 'written history'


By Anita Powell, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, March 31, 2006



Anita Powell / S&S
Maj. Gen. Javed Aslam Tahir, commander of Pakistani Army Aviation, accepts a plaque from Navy Rear Adm. Michael LeFever, commander of the Combined Disaster Assistance Center, Pakistan, during a ceremony Thursday marking the departure of American servicemembers from Pakistan.


Anita Powell / S&S
Australian soldiers stand next to an Australian BlackHawk Thursday during a ceremony marking the departure of American and Australian servicemembers from Pakistan. The Australian Army's four BlackHawks performed the majority of military personnel transportation for the relief effort.


Anita Powell / S&S
U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Ryan Crocker with Maj. Gen. Javed Aslam Tahir, commander of Pakistani Army Aviation.


Anita Powell / S&S
American soldiers stand at attention during Thursday's ceremony.

QASIM ARMY AIRFIELD, Pakistan — American, Australian and Pakistani servicemembers bade each other farewell during an emotional ceremony Thursday at Qasim Army Airfield.

The ceremony, which marked the exodus of American troops sent to Pakistan to aid victims of October’s earthquake, was attended by members of the 1st Cavalry Division’s 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment from Fort Hood, Texas; Marines from U.S. Marine Logistics Group 3 of Okinawa; and members of Australian Joint Task Force 632, a unit composed of Army and Air Force members.

U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Ryan Crocker and Rear Adm. Michael LeFever, commander of the Combined Disaster Assistance Center, Pakistan, also attended, as did Maj. Gen. Javed Aslam Tahir, commander of Pakistani Army Aviation.

LeFever was visibly moved as he addressed the crowd.

“Part of us will always remain in Pakistan,” he said, his voice strained with emotion. “… It has been truly remarkable, and we can never thank you enough.”

Crocker praised servicemembers’ part in what he described as the largest American military aid mission since the Berlin Airlift.

“You have written history in a very major way,” he said. “You have also written a chapter in how nations work together.

“You came in to do good. And in doing so, you have brought enormous honor on yourselves, your services and your country. You have saved the lives of thousands and given tens of thousands the opportunity to put their lives back together.”

Javed reiterated his gratitude to nations that volunteered military assistance.

“Your wholehearted participation in Operation Lifeline has not only earned you the respect of every soldier in the Pakistani military,” he said, “but it has also left an indelible mark on the hearts and the minds of the people of Pakistan.”

Crocker also paused to thank the small contingent of Australians for what many in the crowd — American, Australian and Pakistani alike — noted as a unique diplomatic effort to unite the three cultures.

“I’d particularly like to thank our Australian allies, who went above and beyond the call of duty by teaching us to play cricket,” he said, drawing chuckles from the ranks of Australians, soldiers and airmen.

“Teaching us to play cricket, sort of,” he added, to more laughter. “Trying to teach us to play cricket.”

The befuddling British sport, many said, played a prominent role in linking aid-givers and Pakistani earthquake victims.

“There’s been a lot of friendships made between the Australians and the (Pakistani) locals,” said Australian army 1st Lt. Margaret Nichols. “I think cricket helped. It’s like an international language.”

Servicemembers, many of whom will depart Pakistan in upcoming days, said they were honored to have had the opportunity to aid earthquake victims.

Spc. John Payne, 21, of Oklahoma City, said the mission “broadened my horizons on the Pakistani culture. I didn’t know much about it before I got here.”

“I am glad I came,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Riyad Khan, 25, of Orlando, Fla. “Being in the military, especially after being to Iraq and all … this is one of the good aspects about being the army, directly helping people.”

Pictures at the link:
http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=36145

[A Khan]

Turkish engineers died saving Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD, July 9: The two Turkish engineers — Genk Yakin and Ufuk Arsalan – have left indelible imprint on the minds and hearts of Pakistanis and survivors of last October’s devastating earthquake when they died in the line of duty in Balakot with their boots on.

Geological engineers by profession, they had come to Pakistan on a Turkish project to search and rescue quake survivors and erect shelters for them.

In November, their tent caught fire while they were asleep and the two suffered fatal burn injuries, making the supreme sacrifice for the calamity-hit Pakistani brethren.

They came for the sake of humanity, leaving their families and friends behind, and to help the people who had lost everything in the earthquake.

They had one goal to achieve and that was to help their brethren in distress. They knew the harsh Himalayan winter would be tough and surviving in tents, especially when they were not winterised, in itself would be an uphill task. But their passion to alleviate human misery and their devotion to the daunting task were too strong to be affected by the vagaries of weather.

Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkey Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah remarked about their sacrifice that it had won hearts of the Pakistani nation.

“This sacrifice has strengthened and solidified our centuries-old friendship,” he said.

The deep-rooted ties between the two countries can be gauged from the fact that Turkey was the first country to send aid to Pakistan immediately after the killer trembler struck on Oct 8, 2005. Prime Minister Recip Tayyip Erdogan also visited the affected areas to personally console the survivors.

But what a seven-year old Turkish girl Erva Yalcin felt and did for Pakistani children like her, who either died or became orphans, is enough to bring tears to the eyes of many. Her gesture could ever be measured in cash or kind.

She could not give millions or even a few hundred dollars, as she came from a humble background. All Yalcin could think of helping the quake victims, was to donate her gold bangles which every father in Turkey gives his new-born girl as the most-loved treasure throughout her life. Innocent Yalcin held those bangles very close to heart.

As a small token of saying thank you from the people of Pakistan to their Turkish brethren, President General Pervez Musharraf on June 30 announced Sitara-e-Eisaar for the two engineers.

Little Yalcin was conferred on the Sitara-e-Eisaar and also given a token amount of 5,000 dollars in recognition of her soul-stirring gesture towards Pakistan.

The government has decided to build a memorial in Islamabad for the two Turkish heroes who conquered the hearts of everyone.—APP

http://www.dawn.com/2006/07/10/nat6.htm

[Awais A]

Very Sad indeed. A nation must remember those who help them in tough times. A memorial will go long way to cement the friendship between the two countries and also to express the love and regard we give to the efforts of the turkish brothers during the worst time of our National history.

[amir razvi]

Brothers As Salam O alaikum.
Coming from a family of Syed "Saints", I hope that my remarks would make some sense. I mention my family background only in the context of building Memorials which all "Saints"( good and otherwise ) have unfortunately fallen into the habit of. I strongly feel that this Business should be Banned in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. If you want to honour somebody, why not build an extension to a Hospital, A cottage Industry, or even a class room in a dilapedated School in Kashmir or indeed any part of Our Homeland to pay Homage to these great people how laid down their lives for their Brethren in Islam. you would not only develop the country, but also the use of this building to help fellow Pakistanis would be sadqa-E -Jaaria for these people.
I feel that we should approach the Government to bring forward this idea rather than build Memorials . I would love to hear Members thoughts.
Amir Razvi

[MohammedA]

Scumbags........


Gang involved in quake victims’ kidnapping busted




By Our Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD, Sept 6: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday unearthed a gang of kidnappers involved in kidnapping children from quake-affected areas, an official of the agency told Dawn.

He said the FIA arrested four accused from Babakpura, near Sheikhupura in a raid conducted on information of two girls who managed to escape from kidnappers’ detention cell on Aug 4.

The two girls Mehak Rani, 13, and Aksa Bibi, 8, are stated to be daughters of a retired Col Khalid Iqbal who and his wife died in Balakot when their house collapsed during the earthquake.

The two girls and their brother Ali Raza, 11, were attending their schools when the tremor hit different parts of the country including Balakot on Oct 8, 2005.

The ill-fated children were informed that their parents had lost their lives and they were shifted to a relief camp in Balakot, the official said.

Few days later, the three kids were kidnapped from the camp and were taken to a cell at Babakpura.

The girls informed the FIA that some 60 children had already been detained in the cell where they were too kept for several months.

On Aug 4, all three of them along with three other children managed to escaped from the detention cell but Ali Raza and other three kids were held again while Mahek Rani and Aksa Bibi fled away.

The freed girls reached G. T. Road in the night from where a man took them to a police station and later the FIA was informed about the incident.

The official said a joint raiding team of FIA and police was formed and the raid was conducted on the tip off by the girls.

The raiding party arrested four accused Arif Hussain, Nasir Shah, Nazar Hussain and Anwar Raza from the cell but it found no other child in the cell.

“It is believed that the abductors have shifted the kidnapped children to somewhere else before the raid,” the official said.

He said investigation was underway and more raids were being conducted to find other children and members of the gang.

[Rauf]

People like that if convicted should receive public executions, they deserve no less then that, or perhaps stoned to death.

[S Ahmad]

Lowest form of humanity (at par with the insurgents killing 50 Iraqis a day).

These kidnappers should be sent on the next flight to Saud Arabia and we should leverage their core competency in expedited public executions

[SulemanAhmed]

Salaam Bros

If there is one thing we need to do is to make these people an example. We as a part of civil society cannot allow our most vulnerable to be treated this way. The fact that these are orphans who have lost their parents in the terrible eartquake of last year makes my blood boil.

String them up after finding out who what and why.

Wsalaam

[nasim]

What do these people get out of kidnapping children? Is the purpose to put them to work in some sort of child labor scheme or sell them off? Call me ignorant but I can't seem to figure out what you would do with so many kids in a country where labor is not an extremely expensive thing to find.

[A Khan]

What do these people get out of kidnapping children? Is the purpose to put them to work in some sort of child labor scheme or sell them off? Call me ignorant but I can't seem to figure out what you would do with so many kids in a country where labor is not an extremely expensive thing to find.

Slavery and prostitution most likely. Some might be exported to become camel jockeys in the Gulf :mad:

But there should be a more dedicated elite unit in the FIA to deal with such serious matters. Normal Police, which cant even handle petty crimes, can in no way be able to or have the resources to combat such specialised gangs. But i do hope that our Police interrogates these filthy dirtbags the way they normally do, and then add a bit more brutality once the get the names of the rest of the gang and the hideouts...

[faraz]

Pakistan Decorates Cuban Physicians (http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID=%7B69DC2E51-D6FC-4EC5-8BAF-D771035E0871%7D)&language=EN)

Havana , Sep 16 (Prensa Latina) In the presence Saturday of Cuban First Vice President Raul Castro, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf honored the members of the Cuban “Henry Reeve” Medical Brigade that gave humanitarian assistance in Pakistan .

Musharraf awarded the Sitara-I-Eissar Star and the Tamgha-I-Eissar medal to the 46 members of the medical contingent and First Assistant Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla for their sacrifice and dedication following October´s earthquake.

In this first such ceremony outside of Pakistan , the president also honored the people of Cuba for sending their doctors, who worked in difficult conditions and very low temperatures.

He noted that President Fidel Castro was in daily personal contact with him over the magnitude of the disaster, which claimed the lives of 73,000 people, 1.5 million lost their communities, and half a million, their homes.

Musharraf assured that this gesture of solidarity and disinterest strengthened bilateral relations and it is something for which the Pakistani government and people will be forever grateful

First Vice President Raul Castro said it was an honor to be present at this award to these specialists, some of many who generously give humanitarian aid in 68 countries of the world, and he was proud to see them demonstrate this result of the Revolution.

[wrashid]

One year on. Please Do Not Forget Their Suffering:

http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/08/top1.htm

[zeeshan]

WB praises progress in quake-hit areas

ISLAMABAD, Oct 22: World Bank managing director Graeme Wheeler and Vice-President for South Asia Praful Patel have praised the progress made in school and housing reconstruction and development of water supply to villages in the areas hit by last year’s earthquake.

During their visit to the country from Oct 19 to 22, World Bank officials went to the affected areas in Azad Kashmir and the NWFP, said a press release issued here on Sunday.

“The progress made in just one year is truly impressive given the scale of this terrible tragedy,” Mr Wheeler said during the visit.

“The government under the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority’s management has done a remarkable job and nearly all of the 3.5 million people whose lives were turned upside down by the quake will face the winter in temporary or permanent shelter rather than in heated tents,” he said.

Erra estimated that less than one per cent of the people would be occupying tents and permanent homes were being completed in increasing numbers before the winter started, said the release.

“The change since June is amazing. I have flown over the same areas and visited many communities in the past. This time one has to look hard to find a tent. Shiny roofs were everywhere,” said Mr Patel.

Erra assured the WB officials that 100 per cent of the school and health capacity that existed before the earthquake was running in permanent and temporary shelters.

They visited a girls‘ school built by the Poverty Alleviation Fund.

The WB officials also met the prime minister, his finance advisor, the State Bank governor and other officials to discuss economic issues, including external imbalances on national trade corridor and water management challenges.—PPI

[yasser]

Does anyone remember when shortly after the earthquake, all the worlds media was saying there would be a "second tregedy" as many would die from cold and starvation when the winter came. This "second tregecy" never came.

They wont write about how it was averted huh? Funny isnt it!?

[MohammedA]

Does anyone remember when shortly after the earthquake, all the worlds media was saying there would be a "second tregedy" as many would die from cold and starvation when the winter came. This "second tregecy" never came.

They wont write about how it was averted huh? Funny isnt it!?


First responsibility is on local media i.e Pak electronic & print media to report it. If they can't, then don't expect others to do it. It's like relying on foreign war/history films to give your side of the story....ain't gonna happen.

[zeeshan]

Assalamaoalukum,

I remember when Pak army publicaly declared that they will not let people die of cold and starvation InshAllah and they delivered.

I urge all of us to remember these victims and do whatever we can to help them on this eid day. I swear Allah will give us hundreds for every penny we spend. I know this for sure.

[Aziz]

Turkey Sends Highest Amount Of Aid To Pakistan
Published: 10/23/2006

BALAKOT - Turkey has sent the highest amount of humanitarian and financial aid since last year's devastating earthquake in Pakistan, which killed 73.3 thousand people and injured more than 130 thousand others.
Although non-governmental organizations from different countries have already departed from the country, several Turkish relief teams have been staying in the quake-stricken area to deal with problems of quake survivors.

Education, housing and potable water are the major problems in the area.

Turkish relief teams erected tent-villages, schools and hospitals to meet urgent needs of survivors.

Turkish financial aid to the quake-stricken area has amounted 20 million USD so far. Turkey also sent 780 tons of foodstuffs.

A massive earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale hit Pakistan on October 8th, 2005. 73.3 thousand people died while more than 130 thousand others were injured in the earthquake which left thousands of others homeless.

Aziz

[yasser]

I really think that after China, it seems Turkey is Pakistan's best friend!

We should never forget all the nations who helped, but I sw the Turkish people in Muzaffarabad when I was there, they were all over the place in tehir white ambulances.

Most thanks should however always go to Pak Fauj.
Allah could not have blessed us more with such a decent, hard working, humane and brave army.

[MohammedA]

Daily Times - Site Edition Friday, November 10, 2006


‘Earthquake was God’s punishment for sinners’

WASHINGTON: Dr Farhat Hashmi, who now runs a thriving Islamic and Quranic “education” school in Toronto, has said that the devastating October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir was God’s punishment for sinners.

She told the newspaper Globe and Mail in an interview, “The people in the area where the earthquake hit were involved in immoral activities and God has said that he will punish those who do not follow his path.” The newspaper noted, while reporting Dr Hashmi’s obiter dicta that “thousands of children were buried alive in their schools in the earthquake”. She told her class in the presence of the Globe and Mail reporter, in Urdu, that it was God’s punishment for transgressors. While she spoke, her class of women, overwhelmingly Pakistani-Canadians, mostly young, nodded and murmured in agreement. “We must understand why such calamities take place,” Dr Hashmi said.

She teaches women to stay at home and raise families, not go to work. She also wants them to go into purdah, preferably the niqab. She has no objection to polygamy and says that it is better for men to marry another time rather than be involved in illicit affairs. She also wants women to be submissive to their husbands. In her defence, she says, “I don’t force anyone to do anything. They don’t have to listen to me if they don’t want to.” Furthermore, she says that she is only helping her students better understand Islam. “People accuse me of preaching my views, they are confused. I refrain from using my personal opinion in my lesson. I just translate the word of God. So people don’t have a problem with me, because my message is from the Quran, they have a problem with God.” khalid hasan

[Zain Abbass]

I took this picture in August of this year at a camp near Muzafarabad.

http://www.urbanpk.com/forums/uploads/uploadsystem/U1-1165882432.jpg

Inshallah, I will have a special for the earthquake effected areas in a new series I will be doing at UPK.

This is the "nice" side of all the destruction in the area.

[A Khan]

Quake-hit people desperate for shelters, medicines: Relief agencies, NGOs leave area




By Rashid Javed

ABBOTTABAD, Jan 13: Survivors of the Oct 2005 earthquake in Balakot are facing extreme hardships due to the freezing temperature in the area. They are living through the hardest days and looking for a miracle to end their miseries, said journalist Shahjehan Khan, who still lives in a damaged tent in the town.

The number of patients has increased due to the inclement weather conditions.

There is one hospital in the town constructed by the Paktel company, but the patients remain unattended due to the absence of doctors and paramedical staff.

The provincial government has not provided doctors and the staff for the hospital. In the entire Balakot area, a junior paramedic takes care of the patients, but he too visits the area occasionally.

Two lady doctors worked there for an NGO and referred most of the delivery cases to Mansehra, but they also have left the area.

More than a dozen field hospitals were set up by different national and foreign organisations, but after their departure no one knew where the equipment and machinery has gone.

The situation has particularly worsened for wounded and those patients who needed long orthopaedic treatment and they have to go to other parts of the country.

The ERRA and PERRA had made tall claims to ensure early provision of shelters and many times photo sessions were held in Balakot, but only 15 shelters could be seen in the area.

It was claimed that the Saudi Arabian government would provide 5,000 shelters to earthquake-hit people before the start of current winter.

With the winter almost half over, no chance existed to get shelters, said Prof Muneer Swati, who had lost more than 35 members of his family.

Prof Muneer is disappointed with the treatment given to them by officials concerned as he belongs to the area which falls in the "red zone".

They were earlier told that they would be settled in Islamabad, then it was announced that a new model Balakot city would be set up at Bikryal, but they were shaken by an announcement by the federal and provincial governments that no sufficient land was available at Bikryal for the project.

The idea of setting up the new model city in Bikryal may either be shifted to some other place, and the people would be required to cut size of houses to small flats.

They are ready for all as they can not wait more and can not live in damaged tents where they could not lit the fire inside due to cases of fire breaking out in the tents.

Others said that the government has made the people beggars as they have to move to get food and eatable items and find some building material to build sheds for their families.

They can not either start their businesses or do some work to earn livelihood and live with respect and honour, the survivors said.

The situation worsened due to high prices of essential food items and the people could not get fuel for cooking and heating their tents to survive the cold season.

The second instalment for construction of houses was also not given to maximum number of survivors, while many flaws and false claims were alleged to have been made in the distribution of the first instalment of the monetary aid and the most deserving people were left out.


http://www.dawn.com/2007/01/14/nat21.htm

[Saeed Khan]

Brisk recovery in Pakistan's quake zone:


Allai Valley, Pakistan Thur Jan 25, 2007: The brisk sale of nails and iron sheeting is more of a silver lining than Anwal Faroze could have asked for. His small hardware shop, sitting in one of the most remote valleys in Pakistan's earthquake zone, sells more supplies now than ever before in 16 years of business.

"There is more need now. People are busy reconstructing," says Mr. Faroze, his bushy beard underscoring a bright smile.

His revival is symbolic of the nation's recovery more than a year and nearly two frigid winters after a devastating earthquake killed 73,000 people in one of the worst natural disasters in human history.

But as Faroze's shop attests, progress cannot be measured in the brick and mortar of reconstruction alone. There are other encouraging signs in this destitute valley: Local org