HDF serves quake affected areas
By Bushra Rafique

Islamabad—On the morning of 8th October, last year when a disastrous earthquake shook the north of Pakistan, Human Development Foundation (HDF) was among the first organizations reaching on spot for the rescue operations, said Azhar Saeed Chief Executive Officer( CEO), HDF, while sharing activities of his organization in the earthquake hit areas, with Pakistan Observer here Saturday.
He said that HDF was prompt enough to access the difficult terrain in the mountains, and established a Field Camp in village Bugna situated at a height of more than 5000 feet in Union Council Danna. In the true sense HDF adopted a complex of 7 villages in that area for all sorts of rescue, relief and rehabilitation activities.
Azhar aid that HDF adopted two phased strategy to address the problem after establishment of Field Camp at BUGNA (AK), to carry out relief and rehabilitation work in the village. Phase one was focused on Rescue and Relief activities only, and now in phase two Rehabilitation and Reconstruction activities have been started for the devastated area. Initially the provision of food items like flour, ghee, sugar and pulses was ensured. Supplement food items received from foreign aids were also distributed.
The Foundation also provided shelter in shape of tents, steel sheets and prefabricated Alaska Structures. In addition to other relief activities HDF also provided blankets, quilts clothes, shoes and school bags. The destroyed water system was reactivated and miscellaneous items digging tools and school boards were also provided where needed. The survey of damages was also conducted with the help of the social workers in the area, he said.
Azhar further said that HDF was able to establish a Field Health Centre that has now been converted into a regular Community Health Centre (CHC). HDF has hired the services of the health professionals, doctors, LHV, LHWs, TBAs and Dispenser and deployed them in the CHC Bugna. During the Relief Phase up to 300 patients were being treated every day. Currently about 50 to 60 patients attend the OPD daily. Bugna CHC has facilities of a Laboratory and ECG machine. Medicines worth Rs. 1.7 million from USA and Rs. 800,000 in Pakistan have been provided to this centre so far. An ambulance has also been donated by a philanthropist from Canada .
Before Earth Quack the community used to move down to Muzaffarabad for basic health treatment. Now they are being facilitated at their doorsteps.
Azhar said now when the emergency is over the focus is being laid upon the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction. The communities are being organized in the form of community organizations at village and HDF unit level, comprising of over 1,000-house hold level. These community organizations would serve as facilitating / implementing forums for all HDF activities.