Press Release
Pakistan quake: Two years on
5 October 2007
Two years after the biggest ever earthquake to hit Pakistan, the Red Cross is improving people’s living conditions and protecting them against future disasters in North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
More than 73,000 people were killed and some 128,000 were injured by the quake on 8 October 2005. More than 3.5 million people were left homeless right before the onset of winter, prompting a massive relief effort from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. To date the Movement has reached more than one million people affected by the earthquake.
The British Red Cross has contributed more than £18 million to the relief effort over the past two years and assisted in providing items such as thermal blankets, stoves, construction kits and iron sheeting to improve shelter.
Recovery in Pakistan
The disaster was so destructive that this is the first year the Movement has been able to focus completely on recovery activities instead of providing emergency shelter and relief.
Since the beginning of 2007, the Movement has been rebuilding community infrastructures such as health centres, hospitals, schools and training facilities, as well as re-establishing livelihoods amongst those affected communities in NWFP.
With the help of the Pakistan Red Crescent, the British Red Cross plans to support a further 15,000 people in the most remote, mountainous communities in NWFP to rebuild their lives and become more self-sufficient. A new programme aims to improve their living conditions and reduce their vulnerability to future disasters such as floods, landslides and further earthquakes. The range of activities will depend on each community’s needs, capacities and priorities. Affected communities will be instrumental in planning and implementation.
Justin Dell, British Red Cross recovery support officer, said: “Our focus now is building a resilience within the most vulnerable communities to enable families to recover from and withstand future threats to their well being.”
Latest Press Releases
- British Red Cross volunteers deployed following Cumbria Marathon incident
- Over one billion people have to spend 70% of their budget on food alone
- British Red Cross releases £300k for Zimbabwe appeal
- British Red Cross releases £300k for Zimbabwe appeal
- Philippines typhoon
- Lee Sharpe and England Football Legends Playing For China Earthquake survivors
- Knife crime: ignorance putting young lives at risk, says British Red Cross
- 33 million living with HIV - world not living up to promise on AIDS
- British Red Cross response praised as Pitt highlights increasing flood threat
- UK proud to protect young refugees
Spread your message to an audience that counts, with options available for our website, email bulletins and publications including The House Magazine.
