90% tents vulnerable to cold at quake-hit areas: UN
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—United Nations' Incharge for quake-hit areas and Resident Representative of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Jan Vandemoortele has said that about 90 percent tents, which were distributed in the earthquake-hit areas, were not able to protect people from the harsh weather. "ON December 1, some US $158.2 million has been committed/contributed. A further US $ 64.5 million has been pledged. Together, they cover about 40 percent of the requirements specified in the UN's US $ 550 million Flash appeal," he stated this while addressing the press briefing here at United Nations' Information Centre (UNIC) on Friday.
He said that the complementary roles in the relief played by the government of Pakistan and the humanitarian community had not only allowed the effective use of assets, staff and resources to benefit the humanitarian operation but has also reduced some anticipated funding requirements initially reflected in the Flash Appeal.
"In this context, and given this continued role, needs can be met, but subject to additional funding coming, as during the month of November, when almost US$90 million was received. Without the continued financial support, the operations will have to be phased down by mid winter," he said.
He said that there was a dire need of tin sheets in quake-hit areas to build temporary shelters would be constructed so that people could save from the harsh weather. He said that some 23,499 emergency shelter repair kits have been distributed, with materials and assistance provided by the Pakistan Army to build shelters to benefit over 42,000 people remaining above 5000 ft.
He said that about 41,000 tents and 3.1 million blankets had been distributed and a further 80,000 tents and 1.3 million blankets are in pipeline.
He said that 30 planned camps accommodating 36,000 people, new sites have been identified and the planning figure for six months is 250,000 people in camps. He said that about 3,406 metric tons of food had been delivered to more than 200,000 people in remote areas and nearly one million people had been reached through general distribution.
He said that some 16 field hospitals were working and providing health facilities to the quake victims. Some 60 new emergency health kits had been distributed, providing basic drugs/equipments for 300,000 for three months.He said that some 369 schools had been opened and more than 15,000 children resumed their interrupted education. About 145 school tents have been provided and 2040 'school in a Box' kits procured and are being distributed, he said.