British NGO lends quick support to quake victims
By Bushra Rafique

ISLAMABAD—With the frantic rescue and relief efforts making way to help with the sufferers of recent devastating earthquake in Pakistan, the READ - Rural Education And Development - Foundation said today that it has received an emergency aid worth of over Rs.16 millions from the British charities Muslim Aid and the Human Appeal International (HAI) to meet on ground the most immediate humanitarian needs of the affected populations.
The powerful earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, has wrought havoc across Azad Kashmir and Frontier Province of Pakistan early Saturday causing widespread devastation. Hundreds of villages have been literally wiped out and buildings flattened. Services like electricity and water have been collapsed and a number of hospitals in the region destroyed with thousands of injured badly needing medical help. As many as 40,000 people - 30,000 alone in Azad Kashmir, including women and schoolchildren, have been reported killed so far. It is feared that the death toll could go much higher once communication links are restored and these areas accessed. There exists a tremendous sense of anxiety and fear among the affected populations since tremors still continue to jolt the region.
READ Foundation will be reaching out to more than 50,000 people in worst-affected villages of Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Poonch districts in AJK with emergency relief items. As an immediate response, the Foundation is rushing 20 truckloads of relief goods to the affected areas for distribution among the affected populations. This consignment would comprise tents and blankets, emergency food rations, and medical supplies.
Commenting on the disaster, the representatives of Muslim Aid and HAI in a joint statement said that this is a human tragedy. We heard with deep sorrow about colossal loss of the valuable human lives and the property damages. Both Muslim Aid and the HAI remain committed to help those really in need, especially where other help may not have reached or is insufficient. We will continue to monitor the situation and underwrite additional resources," they pledged.
"The British Community's response to this relief effort has been timely, relevant and effective. Assessment and coordination teams have already been there in the affected regions. However, the efforts are stymied by lack of information, crippled infrastructure and logistical problems," noted READ Foundation's Relief Coordinator Afzaal Ahmed.
"Much more support is needed to help with the hardest-hit commurkitiesfo@ Possibilities are being explored by the READ Foundation for additional allocations for food and shelter needs, as the requirements are enormous," Mr. Ahmed added. "We anticipate implementing a coordinated response to this current emergency to affected communities in these areas in collaboration with the civil administration and the READ Foundation School Units," he continued. For queries and information, please contact: Mr. Muddasser H Sheikh, Media Coordinator READ Foundation at 0300-4327997 or 051-111 323 424 NOTE: READ FOUNDATION - Formed in 1994, READ Foundation is currently the largest educational NGO of rural Pakistan with a network of 323 schools, 53,500 students and 2,300 trained teachers. READ Foundation also caters for over 5,600 orphan and needy students in its school system; it imparts free education to these less-fortunate children and provides them with allied needs.
When talking of this powerful earthquake, READ FOUNDATION happens to be a direct victim of it since 165 READ Foundation Schools in 3 mostaffected districts of Azad Kashmir have turned to ground bringing causalities to a number of schoolchildren and teaching staff.
MUSLIM AID - Set up in 1985, the Muslim Aid is an international relief and development charity. Currently, it supports projects in 54 countries of the world. By responding quickly to emergencies, it provides relief to the victims of natural disasters, war and famine. Long-term development programmes tackling root causes of poverty, including education, healthcare, water & sanitation, skills training, micro-credit and income generation, are implemented through local partners.
HAI - Human Appeal International is a registered charity in the UK established in 1991 to alleviate the sufferings of victims of poverty, social injustice, and natural disasters. The HAI supports projects in 23 countries spanning Asia, Africa, Europe and Middle East in a wide range of areas especially education, health and social development. HAI was granted Consultative status with UN's Economics and Social Council in 1991 and Observer Status with International Fund for Agricultural Development in 1992.