ASIA/PAKISTAN -Catholic volunteers operate in north east Pakistan: school pupils and students of Catholic schools as well as priests, religious and lay adults bring aid where it is most needed

Lahore (Fides Service) - Catholic volunteers from all over Pakistan and other countries are arriving in the city of Islamabad in north east Pakistan to help with rescue work, assistance and resettling. Many of the volunteers are doctors and nurses since the health emergency is the most serious. Many people were injured in the earthquake but many more risk contracting disease due to cold temperatures and lack of clean water.
Many Catholic volunteers take on humble jobs, digging in the ruins for survivors, or putting bodies in body bags.
Sisters and priests look after the children and the elderly, the homeless and those who have lost all points of reference. Their task is to provide counselling to help traumatised people avoid despair.
Many humanitarian workers have joined the ranks of Caritas and other Christian NGOs involved in providing first necessities .
Students and seminarians are anxious to make themselves useful. Students at Don Bosco technical institute in Lahore, are preparing to take part in a mission of intervention. Local Salesians, according the ANS Salesian bulletin, have involved enthusiastic school children who will soon deliver food and clothing to camps.
In Islamabad besides supervising aid efforts the army has been called to prevent sacking by bandits. Catholic aid is distributed by Caritas Pakistan and some religious congregations.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/10/2005 righe 27 parole 271)