Pakistan Earthquake 2005

Covering the earthquake, the damage and the relief work in Pakistan.

Archive for October, 2005

Army sets up help lines to redress complaints about relief

The Pakistan Army has set up Help Lines at Mansehra, Battagram, Balakot, Shinkiari, Garhi Habibullah, Besham, Khaki and Chattar Plain areas of NWFP. These Help Lines will work round the clock and complaints, problems regarding relief operations will be recorded for immediate action to the staff on duty.

Following are the phone numbers of the Help Lines:

Mansehra (0997) 305781, 301656, 305271.
Batagram (0997) 312083, 311019
Balakot (0997) 501041,501383…

Shinkiari (0997) 530016
Garhi Habibullah (0997)451884, 451695
Bisham (0996) 400594
Khaki (0997) 351378
Chattar Plain (0997) 333011

Source: South Asia Quake Help throuhg APP

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Warm Coats for Pakistan

The American Alpine Club is leading a coat drive for victims of the earthquake in Pakistan and Kashmir, which has killed more than 50,000 people and left millions homeless, just as winter is approaching. Climbers and skiers almost always have extra coats lying around that seldom get used—here’s how you can do something useful with them. Send your surplus fleece and down to:

The American Alpine Club,
710 10th St.,
Suite 100, Golden, CO 80401.  Read more... (134 words, estimated 32 secs reading time)

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When soldiers cry

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.  Read more... (1654 words, estimated 6:37 mins reading time)

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The Scale of the Disaster

Just some quick facts in comparison:

- The Tsunami affected 1 million people – Pakistan’s earthquake has made 4 million homeless.

- The Tsunami affected flat coastal areas that were easier to reach – Here we are dealing with rugged mountainous terrain, which is only reachable by helicopter or heavy earth clearing equipment.

- All areas affected by Tsunami had a moderate weather – Here temperatures have already dropped to freezing point and snowfall has already started; if shelter and other aid are delayed for another week or two, an estimated half of the 4 million survivors will die.  Read more... (711 words, estimated 2:51 mins reading time)

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Free Eyesight Checkup & Spectacles for Quake Victims

Tanveer Optics has offered free eyesight checkup and spectacles for the quake victims (only). Tanveer Optics is located in Melody Market, Sector G-6, Islamabad. For more details please contact Syed Tanveer Ahmad at 2206620 and/or 2828239. Alternatively, you may send an e-mai to Tanveer Optics on tanweeroptical@cyber.net.pk

Source: South Asia Quake Help

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Eid Gifts to kids in EarthQuake affected areas

NLC in collaboration with PTV are collecting Eid gift packs that will be distributed to the children in earthquake affected areas. They have setup 3 collection points in Karachi at Expo Center (Gulshan-e-Iqbal), Board Office (North Nazimabad) and Park Towers. You can contribute with toys, books and other kid stuff. Please make a packet and put a message on it, if you want to. You can drop the packets until Sunday evening.

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Gifts for the children of Garri Habibullah and Balakot

A team of Karachi Metbloggers have taken an initiative to provide toys, clothes and entertainment stuff to the kids in earthquake affected areas. They are making “care packages” for these children. One package will cater one child and each package will contain:

- one toy (doll, car, bat/ball, football, etc)
- one candy/chocolate pack
- one suit for eid
- one eid card

These packages will hopefully reach them before eid. The contributions can be made in the form of the above mentioned items. For dropping off the goods contact hafsa.adil@lycos.com or by simply posting a comment on Karachi Metblog with a valid email address.

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Free Call Center for Coordinating Medical Professionals

ICNA Relief has established a free Call Center for Medical Professionals working in the field. It will coordinate the physicians and teams for Earthquake Relief. The call center relays the messages and sets up conference calls. The call center can be reached from inside Pakistan at 021-432-4064 and from the US by a toll free number 1-800-953-1269. At least 5 coordinators will be standing by 24/7 for all calls.

Source: South Asia Quake Help

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