A 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit parts of the south Asian subcontinent on Oct. 8. The quake was centered in the mountains of Pakistani Kashmir, near the Indian border, about 95 kilometres northeast of Islamabad. As many as 79,000 people have died, with at least 65,000 injured. An estimated three million people are homeless, in what are now winter conditions. Presbyterian World Service & Development is supporting the work of Action by Churches Together, which is providing immediate relief to survivors.
ACT member Church World Service Pakistan/Afghanistan (CWS), responded immediately. The day after the disaster, CWS sent food, matches and soap to 1,600 families in the most affected areas. CWS's Basic Health Unit staff in Mansehra report they are already seeing an increasing flow of people with medical needs. Tetanus shots are being given to all people in this hardly-hit area.
"The situation is still very chaotic here," said CWS senior program manager Shama Mall. "Everyone is focusing on rescue efforts, but those have been made difficult by the heavy rains and hail that hit some of the affected areas. Tremors are continuing, so people are afraid to be indoors. Many people are sleeping outside." Some of the areas believed to be worst hit by the quake are still not accessible except by air, due to road damage and mudslides.
CWS is establishing health camps in the affected areas which will serve 50,000 to 100,000 people and is planning to assist 15,000 families with food items, shelter kits and house reconstruction kits.
International aid was slow in coming. The Canadian government donated $20 milion and agreed to match individual donations given to approved charities by Oct. 26. PWS&D is on that list and is sending funds to ACT.
Donations can be made through your congregation by clearly marking your gift "PWS&D – Pakistan Earthquake" or by calling 1-800-619-7301. – PWS&D
