ASIA/PAKISTAN - Alarm in earthquake affected areas: first deaths due to cold weather

Wednesday, 30 November 2005

Lahore (Fides Service) - With the arrival of Winter conditions in camps for earthquake victims in Kashmir since the major quake on October 8 become more critical. The first deaths due to cold have been reported and these reports are expected to multiply as temperatures drop even lower.
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees has already delivered 80,000 blankets and tens of thousands of plastic sheets to remote villages at high altitudes. However bad weather hampers the distribution of aid. Some roads in the valleys of Neelum and Allai are impassable due to snow and landslides and aid convoys are warned to be on the look out for mudslides.
UNHCR is preparing to provide assistance for people forced to abandon mountain village homes because of exceptionally cold temperatures. According to the Pakistan army every day about o a hundred families decide to leave their homes in Kaghan Valley. Around 700 people are awaiting transfer from Banna, in Allai valley to camps in the Meira and Batagram regions. Many of the new arrivals in these camps are in very poor health. Winter measures include two plastic sheets to cover each tent and three blankets per person.
With the arrival of more people in both organised and spontaneous camps, difficulties with water supplies and sanitation will increase. (Agenzia Fides 30/11/2005 Righe: 23 Parole: 235)


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