UN suspends operations in two quake-hit areas
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Also on Saturday, Pakistan said it has prepared “contingency” relief camps - stocked with food - to cope with a fresh wave of refugees if they decide to flee the chilling winter. The Pakistan Meteorological Department, meanwhile, warned of more snowfall over the next 72 hours, following days of heavy storms that dumped up to 3 metres of snow in some areas of Kashmir and northwestern Pakistan, forcing the suspension of helicopter flights and aid deliveries.
The UN said it cancelled “planned flights into Bana Mula and Leepa,” both more than 100 kilometers southwest of Muzaffarabad. The UN said it was investigating the incident and evaluating the possibility of relocating villagers to lower-lying areas.
Helicopters are vital for the mammoth relief effort, particularly after heavy snows this week blocked the roads, hampering aid delivery for several days. All roads into the Kaghan and Siran Valleys in the Northwestern Frontier Province are blocked with up to nearly three meters of snow in some sections, the UN said late Friday.
Source: Daily Times through AP
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January 11th, 2006 at 3:32 pm
The UN should not suspend flights, but keep people clear of the helicopters. Also anyone who wants to get out of the dangerous situation in the mountains should be evacuated out. An appeal must go out immediately to all agencies globally to rent,lend, or donate helicopters to evacuate people and
bring in winterized tents, stoves, heavy coats, gloves, hats, boots, blankets and food.
The UN workers should realize the people are in danger
of freezing, and dying of hunger and disease. They are rightfully desperate and must not be harshly judged for their attempts to get to safety.