11 October 2005

ActionAid is today distributing medicine, temporary shelter and blankets and warm clothes in the earthquake-affected areas of Pakistan and India.

In Pakistan, ActionAid has dispatched four truckloads of relief goods, including ready-to-eat food for 500 families, water and life saving drugs, to Balakot and adjoining areas. This will be followed by more aid to other affected areas in Kashmir.

Dr Rubina Saigol, Country Director of ActionAid Pakistan said: "We have also sent a team of nine doctors including two female doctors to help the injured. Our next set of relief supplies include tents, food, cooking utensils, and medicine and educational materials for children."

In India, working through local ations ActionAid has already distributed woollen blankets to 438 families in Uri and Baramulla, districts where winter temperatures are dropping with each passing day.

Survivors complain that they are suffering from bronchitis, throat infections, colds and fever.

Mr Aditya Nath, Delhi Regional Manager, ActionAid India, said: "Cold rains and the winter season is fast approaching, so providing earthquake-affected people - most of who are now homeless – with blankets is essential."

Prof Babu Mathews, Director of ActionAid India, said: "Reaching out to the survivors, especially those who are still trapped in remote and isolated villages, is a daunting task. However, we are able to reach out through local organisations.

"It is important to provide aid quickly. Long term commitments are necessary to rebuild the shattered communities."

ActionAid India, which has been working in Kashmir (Indian side) for the past two years has already deployed a total of 60 staff and partners and 20 volunteers from colleges in Kashmir City. The organisation is further deploying 75 trained psychosocial counselors here.

Dr Unnikrishnan PV, Asia Emergencies Coordinator for ActionAid, said: "It is important to kick start a comprehensive intervention right away. Psychosocial disorders including trauma are part of the fallout of disasters like earthquakes.

"A timely intervention, located in the context of other relief assistance, can boost people's confidence and involvement in the rehabilitation process."

John Samuel, Asia International Director for ActionAid, added: "We are committed to make use of our lessons from the Indian Ocean tsunami and other disasters."