Int’l aid organizations seek financial help for quake victims

QUETTA: International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) has appealed for 7.8 million dollars aid for provision of shelter to the Balochistan earthquake victims while UNICEF asks for 5 million dollars for supply of drinking water in the affected areas.The ICRC sought the funds to provide shelters to the roofless as the winter is setting in, saying that at least 20,000 to 30,000 people have been affected by the quake. Over 4,000 mud and timber houses were destroyed, leaving thousands of people homeless, Pascal Cuttat, the ICRC’s head said in a statement. Cuttle said: “Our priority will be to provide shelter as winter sets in. Because of continuing aftershocks, many people decided to sleep outdoors at altitudes of 6,500 to 8,200 feet.” He said although it has not starting snowing, the temperature in the affected areas could drop below zero degree at night. The 6.4-magnitude quake hit the region about 60 kms north-east of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, in the wee hours of Wednesday leaving a trail of death and destruction across the region. Several aid organisation are already providing blankets and stoves to the victims to stave off the extreme cold. The committee said the worst-hit area appeared to be the district of Ziarat where massive landslide occurred which buried hundreds of homes.