ASIA/PAKISTAN - “The challenge now is to co-ordinate aid” said head of Caritas Pakistan Bishop Joseph Coutts

Islamabad (Fides Service) - Bishop Joseph Coutts, director of Caritas Pakistan has just returned from a visit to people in areas affected by the October 8 earthquake. Reporting from Caritas base in Rawalpindi the Bishops said Christian volunteers are doing a great job and what is most important at this point is to coordinate aid to ensure it reaches the people in need. Most of the earthquake victims are Muslims, but in keeping with its Statutes, Caritas offers assistance to all in need, people of all religions and no religion.
Bishop Coutts said: “We are working with Caritas USA, Catholic Relief Service, and Caritas groups from several other countries including France, United Kingdom, Germany, Austria all generously committed. Other organisations such as Aid to the Church in Need and Missio have promised help. We have our main office at Rawlapindi and the distribution centre is at Mansehera 100 further north. This seemed a good idea because the town is closer to the affected area. From Mansehera Caritas staff distribute aid where it is needed”.
He said there are still mountain villages which can only be reached by helicopter, that is with the help of the army, the United Nations or other large organisations. Every helicopter which goes out with aid comes back with people injured or ill. Hospitals in Mansehera are fully occupied there are no more free beds”.
Bishop Coutts said: “What is positive is the number of local people who offer the help Caritas, Muslims and well as Christians. The most important thing now is to co-ordinate aid to it may be effective”. The Bishops holds regular meetings with other Christian organisations to divide tasks in areas of competence. “More tents and blankets are needed as Winter approaches. We have received 2,200 from Caritas Germany”.
In the meantime the death toll has risen to over 55,000 in the earthquake tragedy, said to be “the worst national disaster in the history of Pakistan”. Observers say the international community has three weeks in which to send sufficient aid for the winter. When the first snow falls it will be much more difficult to reach people, even with air lifts. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 24/10/2005 righe 26 parole 287)