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More than 40 dead in SW Pakistan quake

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ISTANBUL, Oct 31 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday expressed gratitude to Belgium for swapping its debt of Euro 30 million as assistance for reconstruction of 2005 earthquake hit areas. In his meeting with the Belgian Foreign Minister, the Prime Minister underscored the importance that Pakistan attached to its relations with Belgium. The Belgian Foreign Minister condoled the loss of lives and property in Balochistan earthquake. He informed the Prime Minister that Belgium was planning to send the relief assistance for earthquake affectees.


Both the leaders agreed to convene the meeting of Pak-Belgium Joint Commission in the coming months to reinvigorate their cooperation in the area of trade, investment, education, IT and scientific fields.

On the request of the Prime Minister for Belgium support to Pakistan’s case for inclusion in the GSP plus scheme and initiation of FTA talks with the EU, the Belgian Foreign Minister stated that his government would give these matters sympathetic consideration.

The Belgian Foreign Minister requested briefing from the Prime Minister on Pakistan’s counterterrorism campaign, on chances of success of US and NATO military campaign to root out extremists from Afghanistan and Pakistan’s assessment of the overall situation in the region.

The Prime Minister highlighted the fact that all the allied forces must strive to win hearts and minds of the people rather than relying exclusively on the military means to win against extremists and militants in Afghanistan.

He said that his government was following that policy so that people of Pakistan should own its campaign against terrorism.

Noting that Belgium is an important member of NATO which had its troops in Afghanistan, the Prime Minister asked for Belgian support and intercession to stop US and NATO incursions into Pakistani territory.

The Belgian Foreign Minister fully agreed with the Prime Minister that incidents involving heavy collateral damage were only fueling the anti-West sentiments.

This, he added, was detriment to the common cause of Pakistan and the allied forces.

He said his country was against such violations and would not support it.

The President of Latvia in his meeting with the Prime Minister also condoled the loss of precious lives in Balochistan earthquake. He also sought the assessment of the Prime Minister on the ongoing US/NATO war against extremism and terrorism.

He said that Latvia, a member of NATO, had its troops stationed in northern Afghanistan and like most other such countries wanted to have a close coordination with Afghanistan’s most important neighbour in this campaign.

Prime Minister briefed him on steps Pakistan was taking to counter terrorism and extremism in the country.

The two leaders also agreed to upgrade the current status of Pakistan-Latvia relations through enhanced exchanges and interaction.
 
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I also wish to convey my deepest condolences and sympathies to the members of the bereaved families.
 
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Hats off to our Saudi brothers and sisters.


Saudi King announces US$100 million for quake relief fund

ISLAMABAD, Oct 31 (APP): Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud has announced an aid of US $100 million to President’s Earthquake Relief Fund for the earthquake-affected people of Balochistan, according to a government announcement here on Friday.
 
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To All BALOCHI Brothers and Sisters;

The whole Pakistani Nation is with you in your Grief and Pain after the recent Earthquake in Balochistan and the whole Pakistani Nation will try its level best to give you Relief as soon as Possible.


We are Feeling the same Pain as you do and we will not rest until your wounds are healed we will Utilize all our Resources to get you out of your misery I Promise you on the behalf of all the Pakistanis and Pakistan Armed Forces We will Help you and Pakistani Soldiers will work day and night to provide you with shelter, Medical Aid, Food and all the basic requirements for life.

May ALLAH help all of us Amin
 
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Quick Sit Rep:

Our Orginization shipped medicines and supplies to Quetta on the second day and are arranging shipping of tents for the affected communities from partners in USA and UK, we are collecting food supplies and i am trying get Mylar "arctic" survival blankets from the UK to help those caught out.

Also many compaines such as Telenor have sent teams to the affected areas and donated supplies and medicines, however i was so touched by seeing the first feet on the ground were "Pak Army"... And then our people say our army is useless.
 
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30,000 children rendered homeless by earthquake


WAM, Oct 31: Over 70,000 people, including 30,000 children, have been left homeless in quake-hit Balochistan, Unicef said on Friday, as health workers warned that deadly diseases were spreading.

The UN children’s agency said it and Pakistani government officials assessed the situation in the worst-hit districts of the province and were “concerned about the urgent needs of children and women”.

Over 270 people are thought to have been killed in the 6.4-magnitude quake which struck before dawn on Wednesday.

“With winter closing in, the most urgent needs of the survivors are shelter, safe drinking water, food, warm clothing and emergency medical assistance,” the world body said in a statement.

Clean water was a “priority” and Unicef teams had started providing water and sanitation services, and food supplements for pregnant women and young children, it said.

“Children are especially vulnerable to diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera. Most of the water sources in the affected districts have been damaged by the earthquake. Approximately 12,000 people in Ziarat lack safe water and are dependent on supplies from water trucks,” it added.

Ziarat district health officer Ayub Kakar told AFP that children were already suffering after two nights in the open in sub-zero temperatures.

“Due to the cold hundreds of children are being treated for pneumonia, abdominal diseases, diarrhoea and chest problems,” he said.

“We fear the death toll will rise. Such diseases, if not treated in time, are life-threatening,” Mr Kakar said.

Tents, blankets, clothes, medicine and antibiotics were still in short supply, he said. Many people in outlying villages have expressed concern that they have gone without help more than two days after the disaster.

“Our children are dying, help us,” cried Mohammad Khan, in the village of Khanozai high in the mountains.

Mr Kakar said children formed the majority of the population in the quake-affected area and many of them were psychologically affected by the tremors and violent aftershocks that continued to pound the region.

Women were also not getting medical treatment because of deeply conservative traditions and the fact that hospitals were also hit.

Doctors said they were running out of drugs and artificial limbs for victims of the earthquake.

At a small clinic in the devastated village of Kawas, Dr Nek Mohammed said he had treated 300 minors since Thursday and that he hoped medicine would arrive soon.

“Most of them are developing the symptoms of pneumonia and that is inevitable given the serious cold they are exposed to,” he said, as scores of people squatted outside waiting for a consultation.

The seriously injured have been taken to Quetta. Even there, doctors said they were stretched.

Zainullah Kakar of the Bolan Medical College said it had 90 trauma patients.

“We are running short of antibiotics and other drugs. We need artificial limbs. We need metal plates and rods to treat broken arms and legs,” Mr Kakar said.—Agencies
:eek:
 
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ISLAMABAD (November 01 2008): Saudi Finance Minister Dr Ibrahim Al-Assaf on Friday committed immediate transfer of $100 million relief and rehabilitation support for earthquake victims of Balochistan. Dr Ibrahim further said that Saudi government would be providing a package of health and relief support along with the financial assistance already committed.

During a meeting with advisor to the prime minister on finance and economic affairs, Shaukat Tarin, Al-Assaf expressed sympathy over the loss of precious lives and property during the earthquake, which devastated many areas of Balochistan.

The Saudi Finance Minister on behalf of Saudi Kingdom commiserated with bereaved families and conveyed the resolve of his government for all-out support to the victims. Tarin thanked his Saudi counterpart on the concern shown by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with whom the people and government of Pakistan share deep-rooted historical ties.
 
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may god bless the people affected .i am a doc i can help let me know if there is anything that i can do. i really want to help .let me know what i can do.
 
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may god bless the people affected .i am a doc i can help let me know if there is anything that i can do. i really want to help .let me know what i can do.

Thank you very much sir, your sentiments are greatly appreciated. According to our Disaster Management Authority; the disaster is contained. However prayers are always welcome.

Thank you once again.
:)
 
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Thank you very much sir, your sentiments are greatly appreciated. According to our Disaster Management Authority; the disaster is contained. However prayers are always welcome.

Thank you once again.
:)

no fromalities bro still waiting .let me know if i can be of any help.thanks.
 
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US aid to quake-hit areas increased to $2.5mn
Tuesday, 04 Nov, 2008


A father and his daughter build a new house as theirs was destroyed by the earthquake in Tangi, 150 kilometres south of Quetta. —AP

WASHINGTON: The US government on Monday offered an extra 1.5 million dollars in relief for victims of the earthquake in Balochistan, raising the total figure to 2.5 million dollars.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) ‘is providing an additional 1.5 million dollars in emergency assistance in the aftermath of last week’s earthquake in Balochistan province,’ a statement said.

‘This brings the total USAID emergency assistance package to 2.5 million dollars to date,’ USAID said.

One million dollars is being distributed via the International Committee of the Red Cross.

‘The ICRC is providing emergency assistance, including emergency health care, shelter, relief commodities, and water and sanitation interventions, for earthquake-affected populations,’ it said.

The ICRC on Sunday appealed for 7.8 million dollars in emergency funding to help quake victims.

Some people in remote villages have complained that aid has been slow in reaching them, particularly protection from sub-freezing nighttime temperatures. Health officials have warned of the spread of deadly diseases among children.
 
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Hoti gives ‘blank cheque’ to Balochistan

* NWFP CM offers expertise to Balochistan to deal with post-quake situation
* Protesters block road in Khanozai for lack of govt help


QUETTA: NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Monday presented a ‘blank cheque’ to his counterpart in Quetta and pledged more support for the victims of the October 29 earthquake in Balochistan.

Speaking at a press conference along with Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Khan Raisani, Hoti condoled with the families of those who had died in the earthquake.

He said the NWFP government shared the grief of the quake victims. He requested the international community to help the Balochistan government rehabilitate the quake-stricken people because “Quetta cannot do this alone”.

“The damage caused by the earthquake could not be evaluated at the onset of the tragedy,” Hoti said, adding that a team would be sent to Balochistan to ascertain the damage.

He urged political parties and the media to co-operate with the Balochistan government in dealing with the catastrophe rather than criticising the ongoing relief operations. He said Ziarat, the worst -hit area, was an extremely cold place and its people needed prompt help.

Expertise: “The NWFP government has the experience of dealing with the post-earthquake situation and we will like to extend our expertise to the Balochistan government. Our help should be seen as assistance given by a younger brother to the elder one,” the NWFP chief minister said. Hoti was to visit the quake-affected areas, but his trip could not be arranged for ‘unavoidable reasons’.

Raisani praised the NWFP chief minister for expressing solidarity with Balochistan and its people. He said the Balochistan government was doing its best for the early rehabilitation of quake victims.

“Had the provinces enjoyed provincial autonomy, we would not have depended on the central government for overcoming such catastrophes. We still demand that provinces be granted internal autonomy as enshrined in the 1940 Pakistan Resolution,” Raisani said.

He said money would be given to the homeless families for the construction of houses comprising two rooms, a kitchen and a bathroom.

He said the provincial government would establish Punjab, Sindh and NWFP houses in Ziarat, which would serve as a summer resort for the leaders of these provinces.

Road blocked: Meanwhile, the relief operation continued in the quake-affected areas. But the people in the Khanozai area blocked a road for not receiving any government help so far.


Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
 
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