On Saturday October 8th, Pakistan experienced its worst earthquake in 100 years. The magnitude was 7.6 on the Richter scale, and the epicenter was roughly 100km north of the capital Islamabad, in the mountainous region of Azad Kashmir, close to the boarder with India. Whole towns have been razed to the ground, roads have been blocked by landslides and many remote villages remain cut off without assistance, even a week after the event.
Many of these areas worst hit by the earthquake are well-known to the WDS teams. The NGO is, therefore, assisting with damage surveys, logistics, and planning and liaising with the UN and other international relief agencies, as well as local NGOs providing help to the victims.
WDS team members are working to identify priority requirements, and are in the process of collecting funds and essential equipment and supplies. They are targeting the most remote areas, currently receiving little or no assistance because they are difficult to reach, and will be focusing on shelter, food and medical assistance, in coordination with the Pakistan army and relief agencies, over the next few weeks.
If you would like to contribute to this effort, please follow the instructions outlined in the link above. |