Sigurd Hanson, the World Vision Country Director for Pakistan said, “Tremendous progress has been made in the disaster response, but more – much more – is needed. We support the process for the donors’ conference, but implore the attendees to also focus on immediate, life-saving needs. The emergency phase is not over.”
At the time becomes more and more urgent, shelter has continued to be the most critical ingredient missing to save thousands. The Pakistani government has been working in conjunction with aid agencies to provide materials and technical support to build “warm rooms”.
Jack Norman, a CRS Country Representative for Pakistan said, “More funding is needed immediately to provide basic shelter for tens of thousands of people facing the prospect of a harsh winter without adequate shelter. If the response from the international community is too little or too late, we’ll be witnessing a second tragedy.”A second disaster is now set to unfold. How many die this time is up to us.
World Vision
Already exposure to the extreme elements has caused increasing medical concerns, especially concerning the number of acute respiratory infection cases.
Water and sanitation have also been other major concerns, with thousands of reports filtering in about diarrhoea, gastritis, scabies and communicable diseases.
More than 2.2 million children were affected by the quake, and child protection issues have been particularly critical. A majority of children in the area are without access to support systems such as schools, counselling and many have lost their families and parents.Bruce Rassmusen of Save the Children said, “Without help, these children – who were vulnerable before the earthquake – face catastrophe. In addition to addressing critical shelter and health concerns, support needs to be provided for vulnerable children who have been separated from their families. More schools and child-friendly spaces need to be opened to ensure children have safe spaces to play, to learn and to regain a sense of normalcy and begin the process of recovery.”
Combined, the six international aid organisations have more than 585 staff members working directly on the emergency response, and it is hoped that this will form the foundation for carrying out emergency relief operations.
Alan Manski, Emergency Response Coordinator of IRC said, “The recovery of areas affected by the earthquake depends heavily on a commitment from the international community to provide urgently needed funding to support life saving activities in the short term, and support to the rehabilitation process in the long term. If further loss of life is to be avoided, the international community must react immediately to the needs on the ground.”
World Vision conclude with the message: “A second disaster is now set to unfold. How many die this time is up to us.”
