09 December 2005

ActionAid's relief work in earthquake-hit Pakistan has received a massive boost after the Independent on Sunday named it as its 2005 Christmas Appeal.

The appeal for funds to support ActionAid's emergency aid and also long term reconstruction was launched on Sunday 27 November with a feature on the desperate need for shelters to protect homeless survivors from the fast-approaching bitter winter.
 
The following Sunday (4 December) the paper reported from a medical camp on the particular difficulties facing women following the disaster.  Features are now set to run in each edition of the Independent on Sunday until New Years Day, and ActionAid is encouraging all its supporters to pick up a copy.
 
The earthquake
 
About 74,000 people are thought to have died from the earthquake of October 8, another 70,000 were injured and 3million people have been left homeless. With their houses reduced to rubble and livelihoods destroyed, people are living in tents and surviving on relief. They now face a bitter winter and an uncertain future.
 
ActionAid's work
 
ActionAid is working with local communities to get relief to towns and villages that haven't been reached yet. The charity has already distributed thousands of tents and family packs (food and blankets etc). And it is hoping to deliver at least 4,000 winter shelters before Christmas. ActionAid is also looking to the longer term and will be working to help displaced and injured people rebuild their lives.
 
ActionAid Pakistan Director Dr Rubina Saigol said: "The first snows have already fallen and temperatures are rapidly dropping. If we cannot provide shelter and medicine for the homeless and injured, many more people will die and Pakistan will have a second tragedy on its hands.
 
"But protecting the survivors from the winter is only the first challenge. ActionAid, is also working to make sure we don’t create a nation of internal refugees dependent on aid. We need to give people support and tools so survivors can begin to rebuild their lives."
 
ActionAid hopes to raise £100,000 through the Appeal. Please help us to reach this target by making a donation.