Quake relief efforts in full swing: FRC
DM Monitoring

ISLAMABAD—Federal Relief Commissioner, Major General Farooq Ahmed Khan has said that nearly 17000 winterized tents have been distributed in areas which are on the altitude of 5000 feet or more.
Speaking in BBC programme ‘Talking Point’ he said, so far “We have given nearly 17000 winterized tents. These tents have been distributed in areas which are on the altitude of 5000 ft or above.” These tents are suitable for use in the snowy areas and are very special kind of tents, he added.
He said, about 500,000 families were affected. “We do need more winterized tents. But these winterized tents are not available in such a large number. But so far we have distributed over all nearly 600,000 tents.” Besides, thousands of shelters are also being constructed. These tents have been given to 600,000 families, he added.
To a question the Relief Comissioner said, so far the NWFP Government has already distributed nearly five billion rupees among the affectees. The devastation is enormous. Therefore, the money is being distributed under a process.
He said, the distribution of money was started from people living in areas at 5000 feet and above. Gradually, “We are coming down towards the valleys.” So far nearly 11 billion rupees have been distributed in both sides, he added.
To another question he said, all lists of the affectees have been prepared in collaboration with elders of villages.
He further said, there are two or three types of the people who prepare the lists. The Army is also present in these areas, and the Army reconfirms it, he added.
He said, Rs 25000 was the first phase installment so that affectees are able to make at least some temporary shelter. The funds for the construction of houses will be given in the second phase. Rs. 25000 is being given on the basis of one room out of the rubble. The Army is supplying them corrugated iron sheets free of cost. The Army is itself constructing the rooms for them, he added.
To a question he said, a large number of people have been affected. It will be a very difficult phase to settle them under a new plan. Moreover, people want to live in same areas where the devastation has taken place. Therefore, it was decided after considerable thought to pay them money at one scale so that they can themselves construct their houses in their respective areas.
General Farooq said, about 30,000 sheds have been made by the army and 7,500 others are being built by different NGOs. The magnitude of the destruction is so vast and everyone cannot be provided with everything at one time. “We are proceeding according to our plan from height to lower areas,” and trying to do our best for the affectees, he added.
To a question about tent schools he said, “Shelter was our top priority so that everyone can have a roof. The next stage is approaching now. We have worked out for the same and as many as 21,000 large tents have already been ordered. As we receive them, they will be forwarded to the needy,” he said and added, hundreds of large tents have already been provided to the governments of Azad Kashmir and NWFP. But there is need of 25,000 large tents. 4000 tents are being provided by Unicef, he added.