As many as 42 relief camps have been established in the quake-hit Bajaur, Chitral and Shangla, said a spokesman for the Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR). Landslides in mountainous northern Pakistan over the weekend caused by heavy rain and snow had already left thousands of tourists stranded.
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“This recalls what happened in 2005”, Reeves says, “where one militant group in particular… played a leading role in supplying aid and assistance to quake victims in that natural disaster, which killed more than 75,000 people”. He said his wife gathered their six other children in an open area outside their home, but six-year-old Zar Shi was caught in the roof collapse.
Meanwhile, rescue and relief activities are going on in quake affected areas.
The death toll could climb in coming days because communications were down in much of the rugged Hindu Kush mountain range where the quake was centred.
The number of deaths continue to increase as the death toll has soared to 272 after a massive quake wracked havoc across the country particularly in northern areas. “We have got a few problems like security challenges and road blocks, and unfortunately all roads from Nuristan’s capital to its districts are still blocked and a few roads are blocked in Kunar too”, preventing delivery of help.
Information Minister said the Prime Minister has announced hundred billion rupees on behalf of the Federal Government for completion of different projects in KPK including Lowari Tunnel with a funding of 26 billion rupees. There are no any casualties or damage reported so far. “No government official visited us”.
Monday’s initial quake of magnitude 7.5 was followed by seven aftershocks, with intensity as high as 4.8, the US Geological Survey said.
“We will try our best to deal with this disaster using our own resources”, he said. More than 1,500 houses in the province have been reported as severely damaged or destroyed.
Other survivors are already planning to leave if they do not receive help soon.
Shahroon, who goes by one name, said he felt the ground in Usiak begin to shake shortly after 2:00 pm Monday.
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Aid agencies have stressed the need for greater disaster preparedness in war-torn Afghanistan – but it has been a low priority for the nation as it struggles to end a 14-year war against the Taliban insurgents. Thousands who have lost their homes are facing the onset of the bitter winter months without shelter or such basic necessities as blankets and warm clothes.
