Archive for January, 2006

Fighting quakes with computers

In today’s world of modern technology, one wonders if computers could not have warned about the October 8 earthquake.

However, there is no high-tech system in the world to give warnings about earthquakes and assess its exact timing but there must be a technology that could help lessen the damage. Earth changes could be monitored regularly using modern technology.


Rocker Bryan Adams in Pakistan for quake relief gig

Bryan Adams performed in Karachi for Pakistan earthquake relief fund Canadian rocker
Bryan Adams thrilled more than 10,000 fans at a concert in Karachi on Sunday, the first big show by a Western singer in Pakistan in decades, to help students affected by country’s October 8 earthquake.

Adams, who performed most of his hits and moved the audience with “Summer of 69,” said he was glad to discover new fans in Pakistan.


Ashland blankets on their way to Pakistan

Boxed and labeled, the 350 to 400 blankets collected to help victims of the October earthquake in Pakistan are on a truck heading south to Los Angeles. There, the boxes of blankets will be packed away on an ocean freighter and shipped halfway around the world.


For postquake Pakistanis, a greater need

Following is the editorial from The Christian Science Monitor:

Try explaining “donor fatigue” to the earthquake survivors in Pakistan – up to 3 million of whom need food and shelter as winter blows into the Himalayas. Or, explain it to hard-line Muslim groups providing humanitarian assistance while the West responds with far less magnanimity than it did after Asia’s tsunami.


Why 10,000 schools collapsed

Ten-year-old Kaleem’s classroom is now a tent, his schoolyard a patch of ground near a stream. His real school in Bampora was flattened in the earthquake, trapping him under rubble for six hours before rescuers found him. Kaleem, smiling shyly, says he is happy to be back in class.

students in make-shift schools in earthquake affected areas of Pakistan


Winter weather presents new challenges for relief agencies

Winter weather is slowing down the relief and support activities, in earthquake affected areas. Thierry Lakahinsky of Belgium’s Skytech said that with winter setting in, the death toll will probably rise. “Everybody is anxious to see how the flying conditions will be affected by the incoming weather.”


Earthquake appeal from Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel, the renowned musician famous in this part of world for his collaboration with late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, came up with an appeal for earthquake victims in Pakistan.

Peter has provided a Digital Download of 2 MP3 format tracks (256kbs). All sales proceedings, after deduction of transaction charges, will go to charities working for relief and support of earthquake victims.


USAID to spend $ 66.6 M in earthquake affected areas of Pakistan

United States Agency For International Development (USAID) would provide dollars 66.6 million to Pakistan to assist in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of quake affected areas.

The USAID has funded eight NGO partners to provide shelter assistance for a targeted 75,500 households.

The Agency has also provided nearly 6.3 million dollars in emergency relief commodities, including transportation cost for earthquake affected areas.