As Monday marked 100 days since the devastating earthquake in northern Pakistan in October 2005, one of the UK’s leading aid agencies warns relief efforts are still struggling as the second humanitarian disaster looms.
Oxfam International warned that survivors of the massive earthquake last year are still facing dangers and difficulties, as conditions for survivors in the official camps remain sorely inadequate against the harsh Himalayan winter.The conditions of inhabitants in many of the spontaneous camps that have cropped up since the earthquake are worse, with many finding that most of their basic needs are not being met.
“It's 100 days since the earthquake struck and we're still in full lifesaving mode as this crisis shows no sign of abating. We've been very lucky that the heavy snowfalls have only just struck and the challenge now is to reach vulnerable people before it's too late," says Farhana Faruqi Stocker, Oxfam's Pakistan Country director.
The rudimentary and earthquake-damaged infrastructure, as well as the difficult Himalayan terrain, continue to present a massive challenge to local authorities and relief agencies in bringing aid to the scores of villages entirely inaccessible by road.
Roads continue to be blocked by subsequent tremors and rainfall which have caused landslides, or by heavy snowfall.It's 100 days since the earthquake struck and we're still in full lifesaving mode as this crisis shows no sign of abating.
Farhana Faruqi Stocker, Oxfam's Pakistan Country Director
Amid the despair there is a flicker of hope, however, as the Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) reported a huge response to its earthquake relief appeal.
Churches and individuals donors have already given the MRDF £250,000 towards providing shelter, water and hygiene facilities and counselling for earthquake survivors in South Asia through Action by Churches Together.
Sher Shaider, one of the survivors of October 2005 earthquake, was trained along with 1,500 other teachers by the ACT partner Church World Service (CWS) in disaster preparedness and in coping with their effects.
That training was put immediately into action when the disaster struck, enabling Sher to work in his own village providing first aid to the wounded and helping to evacuate damaged buildings.
