Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Fides Service) - An unforgettable welcome: when Caritas volunteers arrived in the village of Boi about an hour and a half’s drive from Caritas offices in the town of Mansehra North West Frontier Province, they were welcomed by happy children. Enthusiasm for the arrival of the Caritas team the only means of help for this community affected by the tragic earthquake on 8 October, was tangible.
In fact Caritas brings help to areas not reached by official state aid and the people are very grateful. People in the villages of Boi, Mehra and Bandi Samadh have received tents, food supplies, medicines and other emergency aid thanks to Caritas teams: expressing the feelings of all the villagers one little boy said “Dear volunteers we love you!”
In the meantime today Saturday 19 November 80 national delegations, 30 organisations and 15 international financial institutions have begun a Donors Meeting in Islamabad to discuss rebuilding in Pakistan Kashmir where the earthquake killed at least 70,000 people and caused widespread devastation. The Pakistan government estimates that 5.2 billion dollars are needed to meet emergency needs and return to normality in particular in Himalayan mountain villages where many people are still waiting for humanitarian aid.
The United Nation’s experienced High Commission for Refugees UNCHR is working hard in collaboration with NGOs to equip tent camps for Winter conditions, improving 30 camps which hold 150,000 people. And it plans to assist as many as 500,000 people over the next six months. On 22 November UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres will start a special mission to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 19/11/2005 Righe: 26 Parole: 269)
