Special Attention Required for Women and Children

Extremely Important Information About Child Adoption

This is for the attention of everyone, please spread the message! It is the most grave issue of the hour... children from the disaster hit areas are going MISSING. Due to the chaos and confusion, it is hard to keep track of children whose families are either missing or dead. Traffickers are taking full advantage of this situation.

Things to do and know:

• Adoption has been BANNED by the goverment for the time being so anyone who is doing so is doing it ILLEGALLY
• No individuals can OFFER children brought in from those areas up for adoption
• No one can re-locate the children from their areas without official permission from the goverment
• The goverment is giving the names of ORGANISATIONS in the media who have been asked to supervise and take care of the children for the time being - so if you don't know, CHECK with any TV channel, newspaper etc
• If you are recieving any messages from individuals saying that they have kids up for adoption, please inform the authorities
• Please spread some instructions for those who are volunteering in the affected areas. Tell them to keep a count and track of children who are unaccompanied. Also tell them to educate children not to leave their area with anyone but officials or their family

Please pass this message around...

Women and Children - Worst Victims

As efforts are being made to coordinate and target the otherwise haphazard and disarrayed relief operation for optimal and equitable benefits to all affected by the deadly earthquake that shook six district of NWFP and almost all of Azad Kashmir, there is an urgent need to address the specific issues of women and children who were the worst hit in the catastrophe.

Although the gender analysis of the impact of the disaster will take time, there clearly are more women and children who were killed in the earthquake. Similarly, their number among the injured appears very high. One obvious explanation for greater loss among women and children is perhaps the gender role ideology, which places women in domestic roles. Most of the women were at home at the time of the earthquake, while children were in schools. Due to the concept of purdah and segregation, women are often reluctant to rush out of their homes, increasing their vulnerability. Being the worst victims, women and children will be the most vulnerable in the post-disaster period with regard to their very survival. Since their mobility is restricted amid a value system that confines them to the private sphere, they may not be able to benefit from the rescue and relief operation currently underway. It is therefore unsurprising to see long queues of men receiving relief goods in areas, particularly in NWFP, where traditions and religion determine the conduct of women.

Even in this time of crisis, women are hardly seen out in public. They are still confined in inaccessible clusters on mountain terraces hidden from the eyes of relief operations, waiting for food, medical care, water, and shelter. Similarly, a large number of children may have been rendered family-less in the calamity, who are now at risk of exploitation. There already are reports that people are looking for such children for adoptions. However, as noble as the cause may be, there will certainly be no record of such adoption, and no guarantee that these children do not end up as domestic workers. Such chaos also provides an ideal environment for child traffickers, who are able to act will amid an absent state.

It is against this backdrop that special focus is needed to address the specific issue of women and children in order to save them from further agony. The relief operators must ensure that their hard work is benefiting women and children. A gender sensitive approach to the relief operation is what is needed. The UN agencies as well as the government can jointly issue guidelines to relief operators on the gender aspects of their work to make sure women do not stay out of the loop. Similarly, the law enforcement agencies should make certain that the orphaned children are not whisked away by rings of exploiters, although it will be a difficult task to put in place. Child protection systems amid massive chaos have to be organized and monitored. Perhaps with the involvement of the community, localized shelters for orphaned children can be established. Such measures will only help reduce the long-term adverse effects of the disaster and will alleviate the miseries and trauma of its worst victims.

Liaqat Ali

Child Adoption - URGENT INFORMATION

Please spread the news.

The Pakistan Government has stated that no children will be adopted and that it is their responsibility to take care of the orphans and they WILL do so. Spoke to a PIMS volunteer early this morning in Islamabad who said they are currently unsure of the status.

She has just sent an SMS saying that UNICEF has confirmed that no children are to be adopted.

Required Urgently: Supplies and People

Desperate situation in Swat. Help needed ASAP

Contact MPA NWFP Assembly Engr Hamid Iqbal on 0996 885600, 885001, 885002. He is the MPA from Shangla in Swat. They haven’t received any kind of help, and are in dire need of tents, clothes, food and medicines. They have about 700 dead, 2000 injured, and 150,000 displaced. The situation is totally desperate because of rain, hail, and tremors. No shelter available.

Patient Management System Required Urgently

A Patient Management System is required in a number of medical camps in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and other affected cities. A web-based system developed in ASP/SQL is preferred. The database structure should be flexible so that it can be altered easily, according to needs. Contact Ejaz: 0300-262-7033

Red Crescent - Urgent Medical Supplies Needed

View the list of medical supplies required and send them to Red Crescent Islamabad (PIA and all couriers have the address) for onward aid to affected areas. Some of these will not be found. Pyodine has been out of stock at major areas since August (Princoo needed it too), but spirit being flammable is too risky to be sent. Please share this information with as many people as you can. Some of these things are dead expensive and may be difficult to purchase at an individual level so get as much support as you can.

Red Crescent Medical Supplies List

More Medicines Required Urgently

This list has been forwarded by Usman Sheikh - Media Planner at JWT.

View the List of Required Medicines

Urgent Rental and Fuel Money Needed at PAF Museum

A girl named Vard has called from PAF. Her cell phone number is: 0301 256-6706. She says that they urgently need money to pay rent for the trucks and the fuel they'd consume to transfer goods from PAF. I asked her if she is working for someone officially since people won't give money unless they are sure of who it's going to. She said that she will only be guiding people and the payment would be made to the officials present at the PAF.

Insiya

Blood Required for Victims

It has been learnt through a team who visited the earthquake areas that many patients need O+ blood. If your blood group is O+, please donate blood at your nearest hospital or Mayo Hospital. If your blood group is not O+, please contact friends and relatives and forward this message to as many people as possible.

Mohyuddin - JWT
T: 92 21 569 3401

Dawn Group of Newspapers
Details of Dawn's Relief Efforts are posted under Corporate Initiatives

We urgently require:

• Doctors, psychologies and sociologists, medical technicians and paramedics
• Engineers, architects and town planners, technicians with a background in automotives, generators, filter plants etc., and public health officials ) especially water and sanitation)
• Graduates and technicians from the above fields, not currently engaged in these professions but possessing an active knowledge in these areas, are also encourage to apply

Dawn will assume responsibility for transportation within Pakistan, housing, food and for obtaining the required facilities to work in the affected areas. Teams will be rotated on a 15 to 30 day basis.

Karachi: +92 (21) 567-0001
Extension: 3184
Fax: +92 (21) 568-3801

Lahore: Rabeea Salman on 0300-426-1992
Fax: +92 (42) 575-7745

Islamabad: Alia Hameed on 0345-500-5525
Fax: +92(51) 220-2707

Latest Request for Volunteers

English speaking volunteers are needed to aid UN operations in Abbotabad. Based out of Abbotabad, operating in Muzaffarabad. The job entails coordination with the UN, other NGOs, Army and Government. We are coordinating logoistics for doctors as well. The first batch will arrive in Islamabad for onward deployment to Abbotabad inshallah on Sunday.

Salman Abedin - 0321-822-0150

Joint Action Committee - Earthquake Relief Effort

Supplies Needed Urgently

The Joint Action Committee of NGOs in Pakistan has mounted a combined relief effort for the affectees of the earthquake. To provide food, shelter, medicine, clothing, and other essential items to millions of injured and homeless people, JAC urgently needs the following items to be transported to the remote regions.

Tents
Qty: 1,000 Unit Cost: 4,000 Est Amt: 40,00,000

Blankets
Qty: 1,000 Unit Cost: 1,000 Est Amt: 10,00,000

Folding Beds
Qty: 4,000 Unit Cost: 1,500 Est Amt: 60,00,000

Transport and Communication
Est Amt: 5,00,000

Total: Rs. 11,50,00,00

All of these items are needed on an urgent basis. Goods will be delivered through a network of grassroots partners of JAC in AJK including Muzaffarabad, Kohala, Bagh, Rawlakot and in Hazara region including Abottabad, Mansehra, Balakot, Battal, Garhi Abdullah, Battagram and other areas.

Naeem Iqbal: 0300 516-4530 (naeem.iqbal@sungi.com)
Aftab Iqbal: 0333 553-3055 (aftab@spopk.org)

Secretariat, Joint Action Committee – House # 7 A, Street 10, F – 8 / 3, Islamabad, Pakistan
Ph: 051 – 228-2481 – 2 Fax: 051 – 228-2483

Joint Action Committee - Volunteers Needed Urgently

In addition to materials and financial assistance, there is a great need for volunteers. Women, men and young people aged 18 and above, are requested to participate in the relief effort. Volunteers are needed for the following:

Field work in the earthquake affected areas, especially AJK and Northern NWFP. Volunteers should be able to walk long distances in mountainous terrain. Volunteers are needed to work with children, women and men in these areas.

Islamabad based relief work: Volunteers are needed to sort out and handle relief supplies, work with nurses, doctors and other professionals, and provide counseling support to young children affected by the earthquake from the disaster-hit areas.

If you are 18 years and above, enthusiastic, in good health, physically fit enough to walk and work in mountain terrain in rotation periods of around 5 days, and willing to give willingly of your time, please call the numbers given below. You will be matched with work according to your time availability, interest and skills. College and university students, or those who have completed their education, or are in between various stages of it, or are unemployed, are especially encouraged to volunteer their time and energy. We are organizing basic training for those who will be doing field work - so this is also an opportunity to improve your skills and gain some hands-on experience while you help those in need.

To register yourself please call any of the following numbers:
0300 - 500 1769; 0300 - 854 5171; (051) 225 2908; toll free number: 0800-22 444

Ministry of Youth Affairs Appeal

We have established ‘Relief Camps’ through our volunteers in affected areas of Hazara Division and AJK. Please send relief goods for the affectees.

Items required:

Blankets
Quilts
Generators
Tents
Dry food items
Powdered milk
Tea
Biscuits
Juices
Drinking water
Medicines

For Contact and Delivery:
Relief Coordination Cell, Roshan Khan Squash Complex
Pakistan Sports Board Complex, Islamabad
Tel: 051-920-2812, Fax: 051-920-2814, Mob: 0300-535-6070

Medicines Required Urgently in CMH Murree

For all those based in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, medicines are required on an urgent basis in CMH Murree - they will be sending medicines to Abbottabad also. Call 0304 518-1818 and 0304 518-1920

Professionals

General surgeons
Orthopedic counselors
Physicians
Rescue professionals

Shelter

1. Tents
2. Reinforced plastic sheeting (billboard skins are also being stitched to make tents)
3. Tarpaulin

Medicines

1. Water purification tablets
2. Life saving drugs
3. Vaccines for malaria, cholera, typhoid, influenza
4. Pain killers including strong ones like morphine derivatives, tremadol, pethadine, kinz
5. Antibiotics e.g. tetnus, amoxil, gentamycin
6. IV cannulas
7. IV Drip sets
8. IV drips: normal saline, ringerlactate
9. Local anesthetics (injections)
10. Cotton bandages, cotton
11. Surgical instruments: e.g needle holders, forceps, tweezers
12. Suturing materials, Skin staples

Clothing and Warmers

1. Blankets/quilts
2. Beddings
3. Sweaters
4. Shoes
5. Rain coats

Utensils

1. Jerricans (large plastic cans that hold 20 liters of water or other liquids)
2. Crockery
3. Buckets

Toiletries

1. Tissues
2. Soaps
3. Dettol (antibacterial cleaners)
4. Towels
5. Sanitary Towels
6. Wet Wipes

Food

1. Rice
2. Sugar
3. Flour (Atta)
4. Onions
5. Potatoes
6. Cooking oil
7. Tea
8. Milk (tetra packs or powder)
9. Safe drinking water
10. Cooked Food

How YOU Can Help

Help Set Up a Camp in Abbotabad and Mansehra

The earthquake last week killed 100,000 people. The cold nights are putting a million at risk. The reason is that all the structures have either been flattened or are too precarious for anyone to stay inside. Thus whole families are sitting under the sky in the cold, rain and hailstorms that are continuing almost daily. Our brothers in the north of Pakistan are dying now from lack of a simple roof over their heads.

I need you to act now and dig deep for these poor and helpless people of Kashmir and NWFP. All of you who have been to Naran, just imagine that Balakot has been flattened to rubble with not a house standing. The most crucial part of this effort is speed. If we don't help them now they may not be alive in the weeks to come. As we speak, reports of the weak and children dying from the cold have started to come in.

In conjunction with the Omer Asghar Khan Development Foundation we plan to set up tent camps in different localities of Abbottabad and Mansehra. Each camp will consist of:

1. 50 tents that will house 400 people
2. A medical cum community unit that will consist of a large tent plus a small generator for lighting
3. Food for the inhabitants
4. Cost of this camp with one month's food is Rs 1.47 million

We have set up a small information cell in our office. The numbers are +9221-587-6197-8. Please do all you can to help. Feel free to contact me for any information or assistance you need. Lastly, when you send a donation do send an e-mail with its details so we can follow it up.

Samar Ali Khan
+92-300-822-3223

Help SIUT

Upto 25% of crush victims require immediate renal support survive. Help SIUT to save the lives of the victims of Pakistan’s Earthquake disaster. Already in operation are two emergency dialysis and trauma centres equipped with surgical and laboratory services at Abbottabad (four machines) and Mansehra (two machines).

You can make your donation to SIUT by:

• Submitting your donation/zakat to SIUT in any branch of UBL, HBL, MCB, NBP, Union Bank, Faisal Bank, Meezan Bank and Bank Al-Falah (all over Pakistan)
• Sending a cash donation to SIUT
• Donating online: www.siut.org

For further information, contact us:
UAN: 111-000-313
Fax: (92 21) 921-5469 & 921-5362
Email: resource@siut.org, info@siut.org
Website: www.siut.org

Contribute to the Eqbal Ahmad Foundation Earthquake Relief Fund
Pervez Hoodbhoy is coordinating this effort

- Make CHECKS payable to " EAF - EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND "

- PRINT OUT, SIGN and MAIL the following form, along with your check:

Enclosed is a donation of ________ to the EAF - Earthquake Relief Fund. I understand that this money will be used solely for the purpose of purchasing and distributing earthquake relief and rehabilitation supplies in Pakistan.

Name (please print):
_________________________________________

Signature:
_________________________________________

Address :
_______________________________________

- Please mail your check and this form to:
Eqbal Ahmad Foundation P.O. Box 222 Princeton, NJ 08542

The Eqbal Ahmad Foundation is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code. Therefore, your donation is tax deductible. If you wish to receive a letter acknowledging your donation for tax purposes, please include your mailing address.

For tax purposes, all donation over $250 must include your name and mailing address.

Should you have any questions about how to make or send a donation, please contact the Foundation's Vice President, Zia Mian, at zia@princeton.edu

Donate via Credit Card - UBL

If anyone wants to donate via credit card, i.e. VISA/MasterCard (or a UBL Wallet card), call up UBL - You First Phone Banking at 0800-11-825 and provide the following information:

Card Embossing Name (i.e. Name as appearing on the card)
Credit Card Number
Card Expiry Date
Donation Amount

UBL Call Centers are operational 24/7 and will accept the donation and credit the amount in the UBL Account titled "PRESIDENT'S RELIEF FUND FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS -2005" or direct this to MKRF as per the donor's request.

Please donate generously. The infrastructure has just been set up!

Faizan Jamal

Send Relief Goods

If you want to send any relief supplies, food, medicines, etc. to Islamabad, hand-to-hand delivery will be done free of cost. Contact Auranzeb at 0321-200-5000

Buy cloth for coffins

Complete coffin material is available in Delhi Colony for Rs. 600 per piece.
Contact: Khaleelur Rahman
Phone: 537-8016

For bulk latha cloth, contact:

Mr. Arshad
Export Department
Adamjee Enterprises
Tel: 256-8536-39
Cell: 0300-827-5054

They have a few thousand meters ready (exports) which they can spare.

Help Arsalan Hyder

I am leaving for Muzaffarabad in two days i.e 14th of October. I have made a consortium of 4 doctors, one army captain and myself. The primary goal is to take medicine over to the affected areas along with providing medical attention to the victims. We are sticking to providing medical attention to the needy at the outskirts of Muzaffarabad, specially the unattended areas so my appeal to all of you will be to donate as much medical supplies as you can along with financial aid. We don't need clothes, no shawls, only medicine and financial aid.

1. First Aid Kits
2. Painkillers
3. Bandages (Crepe, Fracture)
4. Cotton Buds, Plain Cotton
5. Syringes,Thermometers
6. Medicine: Panadol, Aerothrocin, Asprin, Disprin, Ponstan, Paracetamol, Dettol, Burnol, Polyfax, Iodex

Anything that can relieve pain will do ...

I will personally pick up the aid from your doorstep. If you want to do it yourself, then drop the aid at Al-Warid Franchise (colony gate) at Airport before 14th of Oct. Call me, Arsalan Hyder, at 0321-230-4050

Spend Rs. 150

Drop off a cheque of Rs. 150 crossed to "Edhi Welfare Trust" to any TCS or Edhi Centre. Amounts will be used for coffins.

Help a group of individuals

An independent group of people is gathering goods, donations, medicines and have prepared cargo, which is ready to leave for the following days: October 12, 13 and 14. The cargo route will be from Karachi to Islamabad, then from Islamabad. Helicopters have been arranged to carry the goods and drop them off directly to Muzafarrabad and Azad Kashmir. The items which are most important and are urgently needed in Muzafarrabad and Azad Kashmir are:

- Blankets
- Tents (wigwans, teepees)
- Medicines (Injectibles - pain-killers, drips etc)
- Liquid Milk (Small 250ml packs - NO powder milk)
- Biscuits (Small packs)
- Water bottles (Small - 500ml bottles)

Urgently contact:

Rafhan Siddiqui: 0300-218-2404
Hadi Uddin: 0300-215-1473
Shahabuddin: 0320-405-1131

Buy a relief package for Rs. 1,886

Call Aurangzaib at 0321-200-5000 if you would like to donate Rs. 1,886. Your money will buy one set of relief goods containing 1 tent for 10 persons, blankets, water, milk, biscuits, matchsticks, tea, sugar, dates, bandages, cotton, and panadol.

Donate via SMS

Donate Rs. 5 (plus taxes) to the Earthquake Relief Fund. Type text "HELP" and send it to code 1100. Initiative by Warid Telecom.

Contribute Rs. 10 + tax to the Mobilink Earthquake Relief Fund by sending a blank SMS to 180.

Donate to your nearest Edhi Centre

http://www.paks.net/edhi-foundation/noffpak.html

Donate at a bank

Submit money in any branch of the National Bank, MCB, United Bank, Allied Bank & Habib Bank Ltd. You can walk-in and submit, they will guide you. These donations will go directly to Govt.'s relief fund for quake victims.

Contribute to the Mir Khalil ur Rehman Foundation

Pakistan Earthquake Relief Fund
UBL 0102598-5
For International Transfers
SWIFT CODE ( U N I L P K K A )

Help ARY Digital

For the relief efforts and victims of the earthquake, please send your donations to Khawaja Gareeb Nawaz Trust. Account # 010-4843-0 - United Bank Limited

Contribute to the President's Earthquake Relief Fund

Make a cheque payable to President of Pakistan Relief Fund:

Address:
Habib Allied International Bank Plc
97 Cannon Street London EC4N 5AE
Sort Code 60-95-11 A/C 04916670

Help out at the PAF Museum - Karachi

Donate food and supplies to PAF Museum - Karachi. Volunteers needed as well.

Educational Institutions

National College of Arts Relief Fund

The NCA Relief Fund has sent 5 consignments in trucks escorted by the Military to the affected areas (specifically Mansehra, Balakot, Muzaffarabad and now Bagh). The trucks were carrying packaged food items, bottled water, clothes, medicines and rolls of burial cloth. They have also managed to arrange 3 helicopters from a private charity hospital which will help drop doctors and medicines to a make-shift medical camp in Balakot by nightfall.

You can send goods via TCS and PIA (who are offering free of charge delivery of relief goods) to NCA at the following address:

NCA Relief Fund
The National College Of Arts Hostel
4 Sanda Road
Lahore (Opposite Rahim Hospital)

You can also contact them at the following numbers:
Fahad Rehman: 0300 413 4945
Sana Ejaz: 0333 523 3581
Taimur Sarwar: 0300 948 4060
Ameena Saeed: 0321 845 7899

Email: NCATRUSTFUND@HOTMAIL.COM

Dow University of Health Sciences – Earthquake Relief Measures

Please donate generously in cash and kind to help affected people. Medical teams are being sent to the affected areas.

Cash Deposit at:
United Bank Limited
Baba-e-Urdu Road, Karachi
Local Account # (Code – 0401) 0102257-2
Foreign Account # (Swift code – UNILLPAKKA) 0401 – 0102257-2

Goods Deposition at:
Dow Medical College
Sindh Medical College
OJHA Institute of Chest Diseases

Items:
Blankets
Warm clothes
Medicines (Gypsona plaster for fracture, crepe bandage, pain killers, I/V infusion, syringes and antibiotics)

Tel: 021-201-8312, 274-5824
Fax: 021-921-5763

IBA

IBA Karachi staff and faculty members have donated one-day salary for earthquake victims.

Karachi University Teachers' Society

The Karachi University Teachers’ Society announced donation of one-day salary.

FUUAST

Students of the Federal Urdu University for Arts, Science and Technology raised Rs 130,000 and arranged blankets and medicines for the quake victims. Prof Manzoorul Islam donated Rs 200,000 while some students were providing voluntary services at the airport to deal with relief supplies.

CPSP

The College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan has donated Rs 1 million to the President’s Relief Fund from its own resources. All employees of CPSP head office and all regional centres will donate their one-day salary.

Individual Efforts

Operation Labbaik - Update

HelpPakistan.net's Operation Labbaik just went on air on FM 91. In a 12 minute interview, I had the opportunity to put forward the urgent requirements of the relief efforts, and the necessary steps for volunteer coordination.

Operation Labbaik is swiftly organizing logistics and operational support. We aren't the experts on anything, but GATHERING the experts in relevant fields. We need:

1. writers to issue coordinated press releases
2. wiki and blog experts
3. call center operators - we're simply going to set up a mobile team with citizen volunteers. Need donations of cell phone credit here.
4. database managers and operators - people who'll quickly create and update and link the databases
5. website managers
6. accountant, cashier
7. supply chain managers for expert advice
8. doctors for expert advice and to lead paramedic teams
9. Demand schedule planners - to make a schedule of what needs to be transported first in the light of doctors' advice and weather reports
10. workers, team organizers, guides, help desk operators

-ramla akhtar

A young girl from Faisalabad requesting anonymity has donated her entire dowry to the quake relief fund, being collected bythe Khdimat-I-Khalq Foundation of the Muttahida Qaumi Moviement.

A truck-load of relief items, including her dowry, has now reached the Muttahida at Abbotabad.

Second batch of 78 volunteers leaves

A second batch of 78 volunteers left by Tezgam with stoves, utensils, blankets to assist those engaged in distributing aid items to the victims in areas still cut off by roads. These volunteers are trained to work in difficult conditions. The first batch of 57 volunteers had left for Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

A young girl donates her dowry

A young girl from Faisalabad requesting anonymity has donated her entire dowry to the quake relief fund, being collected bythe Khidmat-i-Khalq Foundation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. A truck-load of relief items, including her dowry, has reached the Muttahida at Abbotabad.

Voluntary Web Portal Launched

A voluntary web portal, earthquakepakistan.com has been established to facilitate coordination of relief efforts for the earthquake that struck Pakistan on 8th October 2005. The portal is already online and expected to be live on 14th October 2005; this will help channel flow of information and will include contact details of national and international organizations participating in relief efforts, locations of relief camps, flow of relief goods, location maps, suggestion box etc. Partner organizations of this portal include RSPN, Sungi, LMKR, WWF, and Halcrow Pakistan. Individuals and organizations wishing to publish information on this portal are requested to send their material to info@earthquakepakistan.com. Volunteers experienced in website administration who wish to help run this portal are requested to apply at volunteers@earthquakepakistan.com

Phone +92 51 220 3459-60, Fax +92 51 220 3496 sms +92 301 5522554

Operation Labbaik (I'm Here)

Dear marketers, managers, students, others:
You already have heard about http://helppakistan.net - a website anyone can edit - created to coordinate people2people quake relief.

When I made this, i didnt know where we'd go. Yesterday, i went to PAF museum. There are two bases there, base 1 camp was very organized, i heard. But i landed at Base 2 which was very chaotic. Tons and tons of goods - and thousands of clueles voluntees. After wandering around awhile myself, i decided to organize.

With the help of 4-5 key "managers" - we formed OPERATION LABBAIK. Labbaik means, "I'm here (in answer to your call)!"

I thought up: what's needed to be shipped first?

So, we divided inventory in:
1. Kafan/ burial wrap. Tents
2. Ready-to-eat Liquid group: milk, water, juices, tea, instant milk
3. ready-to-eat solid group: dates, canned foods, biscuits, cooked food, bread, candy, chocolate, energy bar, etc
4. energy: candles, mathces, torch, battery, etc 5. uncooked rations: rice, lentils/ pulses, flour, sugar
6. Hygiene: soap, shampoo, etc.
7. medicine (over to a camp with qualified parameds and doctors)
8. Clothes/ blankets: over to the camp that dealt with them
9. Packers; got qualified factors packers 10. labelers
11. quality control
12. hunting party (to identify and sort the huge unsorted mess). locate misplaced items
13. guides - some great ladies who
14. coordination desk - info, tapes, markers, lights, etc at one desk
15. human chain. standing at order to carry

Everyone was given an ORIENTATION as they entered the area. I designated qualified engineers and factory owners as managers. Some girls were the criers of the group, marching everyone in order. Energetic boys were in charge of their line.

Once the group got organized, they did a great job and in their own territory, they devised new rules. After a couple of hours, i only did management by running around, and they gave expert advice.

TODAY (12 Oct) we're meeting again at PAF around iftaar time. This time we're calling ourselves LABBAIK to lend sense to operation. We are setting up a coordination center to guide, train, operate citizen volunteers. IN other cities, we're replicating this to create other centers. I am making a master plan as of right now - to make sense of this chaos. Our plan was so well-coordinated yesterday that the operation control set-up by the army people were asking us for advice, and sent fauji jawans to help our "supply chains"...

Operation Labbaik is now going to train the volunteers and organize and mobilize them. BECAUSE IF TOO MANY UNTRAINED VOLUNTEERS GO NORTH, THEY WILL BECOME A PROBLEM THEMSELVES.

I will keep you folks updated, but we need some things to organize urgently:

1. low-cost or volunteer printers or people who can print out the tags, flyers, so we can organize quickly
2. people who can make calls, coordinate things
3. people to organize at their city level. Each person will be set up as a guide in their location, and they will team up doctors, climbing and trekking experts, first aid advisors to train volunteers
4. duty-roster managers
5. SUPPLY CHAIN AND OTHER MANAGERS FROM FMCGs WHO CAN GIVE EXPERT HELP

we're setting up place at PAF this evening. Please call me at 0300.2376959. if not attended, leave msg.
if you have an advice for volunteer organization, please call and tell me orally i saw some great stuff here, but dont have time to read.

-ramla akhtar

HelpPakistan.Net Launched

HelpPakistan.net is a wiki that has just launched. Lots of action, everyone can participate, go there NOW. Funds can also be donated through the GivePakistan Fund.

Attock Refinery Employees and Chinese Students

The employees of Attock Refinery have donated two days salary to the President’s Relief Fund.

Chinese students of the National University of Modern Languages have donated Rs. 30,000 to the President’s Fund.

PakistanHelp.com Network

Initially we saw Tsunami, then Katrina and now it's our own country that has been devastated by an Earthquake yesterday. I know and I believe that you people must have done something for the past massacres but this time we have to think and act as quickly as possible.

EarthQuake 2005 has come and gone but it had made damages that every Pakistani would never ever forget again. But this is not the time to get sad about the incident. This is the moment to get up and raise funds for our people. A site has been established to help raise funds for the Earthquake victims. The site is www.pakistanhelp.com. This site doesn't only allow people living abroad to send their donations to the people of Pakitan through Paypal but has all kinds of information you may need to send money by any means. So kindly spread this information to as many people as you can and try to persuade them to give donations in abundance. It doesn't matter, to be honest, how you give donations, the only thing that matters is that it should be utilized properly and effectively.

Regards
Ammad Asim
Webmaster, PakistanHelp.com Network

The Citizens of Karachi

On the 10th of October, Fakhr-e-Alam announced that he was overwhelmed by the response of Karachi's citizens. He had aimed to collect relief supplies to fill one truck but in under 48 hours, 40 C-130 planes worth of supplies had been gathered. WOW! In fact, he requested people to stop sending goods as they were having a dreadfully hard time organizing all the supplies and also didn't have the means to despatch them.

Thousands of people in Karachi on Sunday flocked to donate generously and help their fellow citizens who have been hit by one of the worst ever earthquakes. The people were coming to the camps set up by different welfare organizations and paramilitary troops to collect commodities for the President's Relief Fund For Earthquake Victims-2005. Banks have established special counters at their branches to collect cash donations. A number of stalls have been seen established on pavements and footpaths along various roads.

President's Family contributes Rs 500,000 to Relief Fund

President General Pervez Musharraf, the First Lady, the President's mother, his son and daughter have contributed Rs 100,000 each to the Relief Fund for victims of Saturday's earthquake, which claimed thousands of life and damaged property in several parts of the countr

NGO and CBO Initiatives

Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation

Contact Ali Asghar Khan of OAKDF: 00-92-300-856-5279

For a direct donation for those outside Pakistan:

Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation
MCB Bank Ltd.
Abbottabad
Pakistan
US Dollar A/C No: 0585-12-02-542-2
Swift Code: MUCBPKKAA

For donations in Pak Rupees:
PAK RS A/C: 0585-01-01-6019-3

OAK Development Fund Street Addresses:

Main Office
2-B, Parbat Road
F-7/3, Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Telephone: (+92-51) 287-9091/2
Fax: (+92-51) 287-9093
Email: oakdf@comsats.net.pk

Regional Office
67, Kaghan Colony
Abbottabad
PAKISTAN
Telephone: (+92-992) 381529
Fax: (+92-992) 384180
Email: oakdfatd@apt.wol.net.pk

Regional Office
Main Haripur Road
Village PO Hattar
District Haripur
PAKISTAN
Telephone: (+92-995) 639137

Sungi Development Foundation

Sungi is the coordinating organisation for the relief committee formed by JAC in Islamabad (a platform of civil society organizations for democracy and justice).

Head Office: House # 881 Mansehra Road Abbottabad
Ph: 92-992-333414; 334750; 336957

Islamabad Office: House # 7-A, Street No. 10, Sector F-8/3. Islamabad
Ph: 092-51-2282481-2

Muzaffarabad Office: B-68 Upper Chhattar, Muzaffarabad
Ph: 092-5881032448

The focal point for coordination in Sungi is Naeem Iqbal (092-300-5164530) with Riaz Ahmed and Francisco D'sa(092-300-9562063)

Their bank account details are as follows:

Sungi Development Foundation, Dollar Account No. 412-2
Branch Code: 0585, MCB Star Branch, Abbottabad, Swift Code: MUCBKKAA

Sungi Development Foundation, Rupee Account No. 365-40-1, MCB Star
Branch, Abbottabad

Concern for Children Trust

Concern for Children is a Trust formed by Glaxo Smith Kline. Concern for Children is taking a team of doctors and specialists to the Northern Areas along with vital supplies which are badly needed. Among the most needed items are clean drinking water, tents, blankets, food, and milk for children. With the onset of winter the provision of these supplies is essential for the survivors to make it.

The Concern for Children (www.concernforchildren.org.pk) team leaves over the weekend. I would appreciate it if all of you could donate whatever you can to them. The dollar goes a long way as 1USD=59 PKR. 50 USD can purchase 1,000 bottles of clean drinking water to give you an idea. If you have already donated, please pass this message on to anyone who might be interested. Even a hundred dollars will help to make a huge difference.

The bank information is as follows:

CFC Bank Account Information:
Title of Account: Concern for Children Trust
Account Number: 5785567007
Swift Code: CITIPKKX
Bank Name: Citibank N.A.
AWT Plaza
I.I. Chundrigar Road
Karachi, Pakistan

The Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN)

RSPN is coordinating relief assistance to communities in the worst affected of the 8 October earthquake. The RSPN was registered as a non-profit company under Pakistan's Companies Ordinance, in 2001. It is the largest non-governmental network of rural development programmes in the country working with 72,000 Community Organisations in 73 of the country's 120 districts. It has ten Rural Support Programmes (RSPs) as its implementing partners. These member Rural Support Programmes have a historical and strong grassroots presence, involving women and men in development activities, through Community Organisations.

Some of the worst affected districts of Pakistan during the recent disaster have strong RSP presence and outreach. The RSPs here are able to efficiently access, identify and provide support to destroyed villages and families, through Community Organisations that they already work with in hundreds of villages. The National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) has a strong presence in Pakistani Kashmir (worst affected NRSP areas are: Rawalakot, Bagh, Pallandari and the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) is present in the North West Frontier Province (worst affected SRSP areas are: Balakot, Battagram, Mansehra). Both organisations have been working in these areas since the early 1990s.

The RSPN has set up a Disaster Relief Cell in Islamabad and is coordinating with the NRSP and SRSP for relief to affected areas.

The RSPN is collecting relief items (tents, blankets, food, medicines and others) and funds. It has effective delivery and distribution systems in place through the NRSP and SRSP. The teams of these two RSPs are already in the disaster zones coordinating relief efforts and distributing items. For this locally-based RSP staff in these areas are relying on local communities to identify the worst affected villages and communities and will deliver your donations to these.

OUTREACH

North West Frontier Province: worst affected areas are Battagram, Balakot, Mansehra. SRSP has a Regional Office in Mansehra which has outreach Field Units in Battagram, Allai, Balakot, Kaghan, Oghi. SRSP Mansehra regional office will also access Shangla near Swat where damage is extensive (there is a regional office in Abbotabad and Haripur as well with full outreach). The SRSP has a Regional office in Mansehra and Abbotabad (NWFP).

Pakistani Kashmir: worst affected areas in Rawalakot, Bagh, Pallandri, Hajira, Kotli (specific valleys which have not been accessed yet and where serious damage has also occurred are Sudangali, Forward Kahuta, Dir Kot). There are Field Units in Rawalakot, Kahuta, Dirkot, Palandri, Bagh and Hajira.

RSPs Regional Offices and Field Units are all equipped with offices & facilities, telephones, fax, transport and staff (accounts, social mobilisers, engineers, drivers and other support staff).

A situation analysis of affected areas is currently taking place and details will be available by the end of the day or by tomorrow morning.

TO CONTRIBUTE

Pakistan-Based Contributors:

Individual and Organisational donations of relief items from within Pakistan may be sent to the RSPN office at No 7, Street 49, Sector F 6/4, Islamabad.

Individual donation of funds for Pakistan-based contributors can be made into RSPN's Pakistani Rupee Account No 5801-501436-090. Union Bank. F 7 Markaz Islamabad. RSPN will purchase most needed relief items in consultation with affected areas (through NRSP and SRSP) and utilise part of the funds to transport items purchased to villages. You can specify where you want things sent or leave this up to us.

Pakistani organisations interested in coordinating efforts with the RSPN and/or donating funds are requested to get in touch with Shandana Khan and Sarmad Khan immediately.

International Organisations based in Pakistan interested in coordinating efforts with the RSPN and/or donating funds are requested to get in touch with either person at the RSPN immediately via e mail, telephone or fax.

Out of Pakistan Contributors

Individual donation of funds in US$ or UK pounds sterling for out of Pakistan-based contributors may be made into RSPN's account in Islamabad (US $ Account No 75127407. ABN Amro Bank, F 7 Markaz Islamabad, Pakistan. To wire to the US $ account the swift code is UNBLPKKAXXX. For pounds sterling Account no 5801-501437-054. At Union Bank F 7 Markaz Islamabad. Swift Code UNBLPKKAXXX). RSPN will purchase most needed relief items in consultation with affected areas (through NRSP and SRSP) and utilise part of the funds to transport items directly to affected villages and communities.

International Organisations based outside Pakistan and with or without local operations and interested in coordinating efforts with the RSPN and/or donating funds are requested to get in touch with Shandana Khan or Sarmad Khan via e mail, telephone or fax.

Currently Most Needed Items

- Tents
- Water - bottled (water souces have shifted and springs dried up in many villages)
- Dry Food
- Milk (dry and liquid)
- Medicines and Supplied Needed are: Surgical supplies, Pyodine, cotton rolles, gauze, bandages, needles and syringes, cannulas, drips saline, anti-tetanus, antibiotics (ciprofloxaene, etc), pain killers, flagyl (injections and tablets), ORS, cough syrup, diazepam tablets, zantac (injections and tablets), antiemetics

Shandana Khan - CEO
Rural Support Programmes Network
No 7, Street 49, Sector F 6/4
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: 00-92-51-282-1736/282-2476
Fax: 00-92-51-282-9115
Web: www.rspn.org

Islamic Relief

Make sure your Sadqah and Zakat donations reach those who need it most. Please deposit your donations in any branch of Union Bank or send them directly to Islamic Relief.

Union Bank Account # 5801-499773-050
For more information or donations, please contact:
6-A, Park Road, F-8/2, Islamabad
Ph: 051-111 237 237
Email: info@irp.org.pk
URL: www.islamic-relief.org.pk

IB-TA-DA Foundation

IB-TA-DA-FOUNDATION has gathered tents, blankets, and life saving medicines for all those individuals, NGOs and humanitarian organizations who want to supply all these items to earthquake victims.

Please contact:
Omar Zaman
0300-981-1547, 0300-523-0035, 0300-950-2236, 051-227-9976, 051-287-7143
Email: tents@ttn.to
Web: Ib-ta-da-foundation@ttn.to

Joint Action Committee - Earthquake Relief Effort

Supplies Needed Urgently

The Joint Action Committee of NGOs in Pakistan has mounted a combined relief effort for the affectees of the earthquake. To provide food, shelter, medicine, clothing, and other essential items to millions of injured and homeless people, JAC urgently needs the following items to be transported to the remote regions.

Tents
Qty: 1,000 | Unit Cost: 4,000 | Est Amt: 40,00,000

Blankets
Qty: 1,000 | Unit Cost: 1,000 | Est Amt: 10,00,000

Folding Beds
Qty: 4,000 | Unit Cost: 1,500 | Est Amt: 60,00,000

Transport and Communication
Est Amt: 5,00,000

Total: Rs. 11,50,00,00

All of these items are needed on an urgent basis. Goods will be delivered through a network of grassroots partners of JAC in AJK including Muzaffarabad, Kohala, Bagh, Rawlakot and in Hazara region including Abottabad, Mansehra, Balakot, Battal, Garhi Abdullah, Battagram and other areas.

Naeem Iqbal: 0300 516-4530 (naeem.iqbal@sungi.com)
Aftab Iqbal: 0333 553-3055 (aftab@spopk.org)

Secretariat, Joint Action Committee – House # 7 A, Street 10, F – 8 / 3, Islamabad, Pakistan
Ph: 051 – 228-2481 – 2 Fax: 051 – 228-2483

Focus Relief Camp at AGA KHAN GYMKHANA

Focus Humanitarian Assistance Pakistan is setting up a relief camp at Aga Khan Gymkhana on 12 Oct 2005 for earthquake victims. You don't need to bring any material, all they need is your help in packing and sorting the items. It will start from 2 PM and will go on till midnight.

DIRECTIONS TO AGA KHAN GYMKHANA:
Near Karachi Zoological Gardens, Garden East, Karachi. It's a huge complex and once you get to the zoo, ask anyone and they'll direct ... you can't miss it. In case anyone needs further directions, please call 0300-829-7621

Blood Donation Camps

HOPE & KCCI are organizing a blood donation camp for victims. 7 pm onwards at the parking lot of The Forum, Karachi. Please participate.

AHSAAS to send team up north - urgent requirements

AHSAAS has decided to send its own team up north to personally help and reach out to victims directly.

This is a massive undertaking and we need your help to make it a success. Our team with trucks will leave within the next 48 hours and we require URGENT ACTION FROM YOU PLEASE!!!!!!

Kindly contribute the following items to us immediately:

1. Ready to eat, biscuits, dates, powder milk & water etc.
2. Blankets
3. Medicines viz. Brufen, Antox, Ponstan/Panadol/Paracetamol, Bandages & ORS
4. Gas ka choola, Machis, Utensils
PLUS
Money for reconstruction of houses OR Money for buying the items above.

Please remember it will take many months for these people to rebuild their lives! They feed off land, tourism and manpower which they will now not be able to do for a very very long time.

With the dead bodies still lying trapped, and malnutrition amongst the living, the outbreak of epidemic is imminent also. We need to ensure that we can help these people rebuild their lives piece by piece.

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE GENEROUSLY. HELP AT ONCE SO THAT WE CAN HELP THE VICTIMS DIRECTLY. WE WILL PROVIDE LIVE UPDATES FROM OUR TEAM UP NORTH AND YOU CAN SEE YOUR CONTRIBUTION REACHING PEOPLE DIRECTLY THROUGH PICTURES.

You can desposit your donations at:
Mehak Garden, Next to P.I.D.C House, Dawood Center or Progressive Plaza, P.I.D.C. Karachi.
Phone: 275-0372-1
Cell: 0345-237-6190, 0300-210-5656
Please call on the following numbers for pledging contributions and items listed above.
Thank you.
Haris Jamil

The Aga Khan Development Network

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) has announced an initial contribution of Rs 30 million in support of the earthquake relief being provided by the government which will be matched by Habib Bank Limited with a further Rs 30 million donation towards the President’s Emergency Relief Fund. A press release issued on Monday also said that AKDN helicopters have been put at the disposal of the authorities to assist in humanitarian efforts.

The Church World Service Aid

CWS AID: The Church World Service-Pakistan/Afghanistan has chalked out a plan for rehabilitation of earthquake victims. The CWS-P/A is immediately providing food items and shelter kits to 600 affected families in the NWFP and Azad Kashmir and later it will provide similar help to 5,000 families and will extend material and financial help for reconstruction of damaged houses.

Hilal-e-Ahmar (Pakistan Red Crescent Society)

Hilal-e-Ahmar (Pakistan Red Crescent Society) is providing shelter, food, medicine and blood to the victims in NWFP, AJ & K and Islamabad. Please send your donations to any branch of Saudi Pak Commercial Bank A/C # 0036-012000146401 or send in cheques, directly to Hilal-e-Ahmar, H-8, Islamabad, Pakistan.

SHARP Aid

Society for Human Rights and Prisoners Aid has announced setting up of a relief camp in Sector F-10/2 to collect relief goods for the affected people.

Islamic Call

The bureau office of Word Islamic Call Society of Libyan International Welfare Organization has converted its annual amount for Iftar into dry fruits package for the quake-hit areas.

SOS Village

The SOS Children’s Village has said it is sending food items for 1,000 quake-affected people in Muzaffarbad. A statement said SOS Village had made arrangement for sheltering unaccompanied children and women in the federal capital.

Al-Khidmat Welfare Society

Al-Khidmat appeals to donate generously for the victims of earthquake. Items required are Food & Mineral Water, Blankets, Tents, Medicines and Cash Support.

Account No. 6-6 BCB, P.E.C.H.S Branch, Karachi
504 Quaideen Colony Near Islamia College Karachi
Ph # 4915361 – 64
Email: alkhidmat@cyber.net.pk
URL: www.alkhidmat.org.pk

The Citizens Foundation Earthquake Relief Fund

The Citizens Foundation, in a two-phased strategy has planned to provide systematic relief to the survivors of the earthquake in the Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir.

Immediate Relief: Starting today, TCF will provide basic care packages including tents, blankets and food rations to 20,000 affectees for the next seven days for which TCF needs Rs. 30,00,000.

Permanent Housing: In the second phase TCF plans to construct 5000 seismically designed homes each costing Rs. 400,000. TCF engineers and experts are already in the area and are monitoring the requirements on site, both short term and long term.

Support TCF's efforts at reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Zakat/Donations should be sent to: TCF Relief Fund
Tel: 021 565-3195, 567-1127
Email: quake-relief@thecitizensfoundation.org

Oxfam to provide tents and blankets to Earthquake victims in Azad Kashmir

The biggest charity in the United Kingdom , Oxfam will provide sixty thousand tents and three hundred thousand blankets to victims of the earthquake in three of the five worst hit districts in Azad Kashmir, said its spokesman here on Sunday.

Talking to APP Oxfam spokesman said here its Emergency Response team led by Raphal Sindaye will fly out to Pakistan on Monday and will buy the relief goods from the region to provide succour to the earthquake's victims which killed over 19000 people while injuring over forty two thousand people.

He said its team had the target of providing relief to three hundred thousand people in the three districts of Azad Kashmir but was not yet aware of their names.

Oxfam is planning to spend half million sterling pounds on its relief operation in the said districts and has already launched an appeal to nearly one million British Pakistanis to generously donate funds for helping the victims.

UNICEF rushing relief supplies to quake-affected Pakistani areas

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Sunday it was rushing assistance to the Government of Pakistan in the wake of Saturday's massive earthquake. Just hours after the quake struck, UNICEF began moving supplies from a Karachi warehouse into the affected region, a press release of the UN's children agency said.

The supplies include blankets, clothing, tents, emergency medical supplies, food for infants, and water purification tablets.

It said UNICEF will work closely with the Government of Pakistan to determine what additional relief supplies may be needed. UNICEF is standing by to mobilize needed supplies from its operations elsewhere in the region and from its global supply hub in Copenhagen .

Speaking from New York , UNICEF Executive Director Ann Veneman said that the agency is preparing for a response to match the scale of the disaster, noting that children make up half the population of the affected areas.

“Children in the affected areas will be vulnerable to hunger, cold, illness, and trauma,” Veneman said. “Getting immediate life-saving relief into the region will be our priority for the next hours and days, even as the search and rescue effort goes on.”

Teams will be deployed from UNICEF's Peshawar office in Pakistan 's North West Province early on Sunday morning into the countryside as part of a joint UN response team. A quarter of the population in the area hit by the quake, is with limited resources to cope with disaster.

Omar Abdi, the head of UNICEF's operations in Pakistan , was quoted as saying that UNICEF and WHO are providing logistics support and supplies to the surgical teams sent by the Pakistan Government to care for the most badly injured.

UNICEF said that emotional trauma will be an important concern, especially for children. Many people are likely to be too frightened to sleep in their houses or apartments tonight because of aftershocks. Schools that were not damaged or destroyed will likely remain closed or disrupted for several days but the agency said that returning children to school as soon as possible will be important to their recovery.

UNICEF has staff, supplies, and ongoing operations in each of the three countries affected by the earthquake.

MKR Relief Fund

The MKR (Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman) Earthquake Relief Fund comes forward to help the tragedy stricken. Take a moment out of your busy lives, and donate generously for those whose lives and loved ones are lost.

This is what you can do for those still in the rubble, those out in the streets, stricken with fear and sorrow.

Local donations: UBL 0102598-5
International transfers: Swift Code UNILPKKA

Aid Agencies Working in the Quake Zone

International aid organizations are accepting donations to help victims of the devastating earthquake in South and Central Asia . The groups include:

AmeriCares
http://www.americares.org/
(800) 486-HELP

American Jewish World Service
http://www.ajws.org/
(212) 736-2597

The British Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org.uk/
(44-20) 870-170-9240

The American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/
(800) HELP-NOW

The International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies
http://www.ifrc.org/
(41-22) 730-4222

The Indian Red Cross
http://www.indianredcross.org/donation.html

The Pakistani Red Crescent
http://www.prcs.org.pk/

Canadian Red Cross
http://www.redcross.ca/
(800) 418-1111

CARE
http://www.care.org
(800) 422-7385

Catholic Relief Services
http://www.catholicrelief.org/
(800) 736-3467

Church World Service
http://www.churchworldservice.org/
(800) 297-1516

Christian Aid
http://www.christian-aid.org.uk/
(44-20) 845-700-0300

Concern Worldwide
http://www.concern.net
(353-1) 850-410-510

Direct Relief International
http://www.directrelief.org/
(805) 964-4767

Episcopal Relief and Development
http://www.er-d.org
(800) 334-7626

Humedica
http://www.humedica.org/
(49-8341) 966-1480

International Medical Corps
http://www.imcworldwide.org/
(800) 481-4462

The International Rescue Committee
http://www.theirc.org/
(877) REFUGEE

The International Rescue Corps
http://www.intrescue.org/
(44-1324) 665011

Habitat for Humanity International
http://www.habitat.org/
(800) HABITAT

Islamic Relief
http://www.islamic-relief.com/
(44-121) 622 0622

MAP International
http://www.map.org/
(800) 225-8550

Medair
http://www.medair.org/
(41-21) 694-35-35

Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders
http://www.msf.org/
(212) 679-6800

Mercy Corps
http://www.mercycorps.org/
(888) 256-1900

Muslim Aid
http://www.muslimaid.org/
(44-20) 7377-4200

Network for Good
http://www.networkforgood.org/topics/international/earthquake/southasia100805...

Northwest Medical Teams
http://www.nwmedicalteams.org/
(800) 959-HEAL

Oxfam
http://www.oxfam.org/
(800) 77-OXFAM

Plan USA
http://www.planusa.org/
(800) 556-7918

Save the Children
http://www.savethechildren.org/
(800) 728-3843

UNICEF
http://www.unicef.org/
(800) 4UNICEF

UNCHR
http://www.unhcr.org/
(800) 770-1100

The United Methodist Committee on Relief
http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/
(800) 554-8583

World Vision
http://www.worldvision.org/
(888) 511-6548

Bright Educational Society Needs Help

A group of welfare workers I work with in Orangi are organizing help for 17 villages in one of the areas worst affected by the earthquake. Most of these young men are originally from that area, so an advance party of 100 volunteers has reached already and collection of goods is being prioritized on the basis of their initial report. There is a dire need for bedding, quilts and blankets as well as medicines. With food stocks expected to last for 5-8 days, flour, rice, lentils, oil. ghee, milk, tea etc. and other dry goods will also be sent, but ready to eat products are currently preferable.

Funds are required for construction materials to rebuild or repair homes as first reports suggest that 70-90 percent of these villages have been razed to the ground. Anyone wishing to volunteer is welcome to accompany the group to the affected area and participate in the distribution firsthand. Donations may be sent directly to the address or bank account given below.

Contact details:

Name: Bright Educational Society
Contact Persons: Waheed, Latif, Amjad
Address: ST-1114, Islamia Colony No.1, Karachi 75800
Phones: 0092 21 665 8999, 0092 300 925 1836
Bank: The Bank of Khyber, S.I.T.E. Branch, Karachi , Pakistan.Bank-Branch Code No. 28 Account
Title: Bright Educational Society Account Number: 1744-3Income Tax Exemption: CIT/COS-V/SO-1/2005-05/2179

Mensa Pakistan Disaster Relief Fund

Mensa Pakistan Disasters Relief Fund (DRF) is collecting assistance for the Earthquake victims, in coordination with some NGOs & Government Departments. You are all requested to donate as much as possible in this grave time of need.

Assistance can be of:

1. Shoes (Check your shoe racks)
2. Blankets (Shawls / Chaddars)
3. Medicines (Anti-Biotics & Pain-Killers)
4. Monetary (Zakat / Khairaat / donations)

You can deposit your donations at:

KARACHI
Syed Irfan Ali Shah (DRF-Coordinator)
Member Parliament - Sindh Provincial Assembly
83/2, street 5, off Khyaban-e-Badar, Phase 5, DHA, Karachi
0300 200 89 49

Hasan Zuberi (Chairman - Mensa Pakistan )
C-309 Rufi Heaven Block 13 D 2 Gulshan Iqbal, Karachi
0345 213-0077 – 0303-728-6997

LAHORE

Uzair Rana (DRF-Coordinator)
CANAL ROAD LAHORE
0321 406-0805

Mustafa Jalil Qureshi ( Mensa City Coordinator)
DEFENCE LAHORE
0300 479-2400

ISLAMABAD
Waqar ul Haq Zuberi (DRF-Corodinator)
ISLAMABAD CITY
0333 517-4375

Syed Aun Raza ( Mensa City Coordinator)
RAWALPINDI CITY
0333 557-0535

International Donors

The folks at SA Tribune have put together a very useful link for people abroad who want to donate - click the following URL to find out how to donate if you do not live in Pakistan .

http://www.satribune.com/archives/200510/P1_RELIEF_AD.htm

AMAL

AMAL is trying to link up with two NGOs, Islamic Relief and Sungi working in Azad Jammu Kashmir and Abbottabad. The drop-off point for donations is the AMAL office located at #7, St. 62, G-6/4, Islamabad . In case of questions you can contact Nighat Rizvi on (+92) 0300 500-3175, Imran Rizvi on (+92) 0300 855-1208 and Mehrunnisa Yusuf on (+92) 0300 500-2657.

Please donate the following items:

• Clothes, shoes
  
• Dry food items such as lentils, sugar, [powdered] milk etc
  
• Basic medicines and medical supplies
  
• Blankets and pillows
  
• Tents

NO PERISHABLE ITEMS and NO MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS.

Media Updates

Washington Doctors Team to Leave for Pakistan Today
14th Oct 2005

A private team of about 25 specialist doctors is leaving Washington 1:00 PM, Friday, October 14 for Pakistan to help the relief efforts in Pakistan’s earthquake hit areas.

The team includes Americans, Pakistanis, and an Indian American doctor. Most of the doctors on the team live in the Washington metro area, but doctors from as far as Tennessee and New York have also joined the team. Two American nurses are also volunteering their team for the relief mission.

Dr. Khalid Athar and Dr, Najam Farzad of the Georgetown University Hospital spearheaded the mission to build the team in the Washington area. Most of the medical equipment was donated by George Washington University Hospital.

For immediate media calls, please contact:
Ms. Sadia Khalid
Tel: 914-320-9560 (cell)
E-mail: sadia_faraway@yahoo.com

Yahoo News Updates (14th Oct)

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan - Pakistan on Friday called off the search for survivors of last week's devastating earthquake to concentrate on helping the millions left homeless. Aid workers rushed to set up makeshift villages before the onset of the fierce Himalayan winter.

Maj. Farooq Nasir, an army spokesman, said the chances of finding any survivors in the rubble a week after the quake were "very slim."

International rescue teams prepared to pull out, and relief workers held mass burials for those found too late.

In Islamabad, police launched a criminal investigation of the builders of an apartment building that collapsed during the quake, killing at least 40 residents, police chief Sikandar Hayat said. The 10-story building was the only structure that collapsed in the capital.

"We will arrest all those who didn't perform their duty well," he said. "They might be the builders, contractors or supervisors."

Supply flights landed at an airfield outside Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, through the night, including a NATO jet that brought in eight tons of blankets, tents and sleeping bags from Slovenia.

A rescue team working urgently to save a trapped 22-year-old woman in Muzaffarabad was forced to halt operations after a frightening aftershock jolted parts of Pakistan. The woman died before the rescuers were able to resume work.

Saturday's 7.6-magnitude earthquake wiped out entire villages in Pakistan's portion of the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir and killed more than 35,000, including many children buried under collapsed schools. India has reported more than 1,350 deaths in the part of Kashmir it controls.

Thousands of survivors spent a sixth night outdoors. At least 2 million people are homeless and face increasingly harsh weather, according to the United Nations. Snow has begun to fall in some parts of Kashmir.

Jan Egeland, the U.N. undersecretary-general and emergency relief coordinator, flew by helicopter to the Kashmiri city of Muzaffarabad, where he said millions of people urgently needed food, medicine, shelter and blankets.

"I fear we are losing the race against the clock in the small villages" cut off by blocked roads, Egeland said. "I've never seen such devastation before ... every day the scale of devastation is getting wider."

The U.S. military was preparing to send a 36-bed Mobile Army Surgical Hospital — or MASH — from Germany. A water purification detachment would also be sent, the U.S. military said.

Pakistan's federal relief commissioner, Maj. Gen. Farooq Ahmad Khan, said the country expected to have 2 million blankets and 100,000 large tents on hand to establish makeshift villages before the onset of winter. The quake wiped out 200,000 houses for 2.3 million people, he said.

New Zealand doubled its earthquake aid to $1 million as the "seriousness of the situation in Kashmir and the northern regions of Pakistan continues to grow," Aid Minister Marian Hobbs said.

About 100 Japanese troops and two military transport planes carrying a helicopter and a power-supplying vehicle left to help with relief efforts, officials said.

A relief team from Britain-based Plan International flew a helicopter carrying water, juice and milk to villages in the Mansehra district of North West Frontier Province and said people were hungry and panicking.

"Conditions are going from bad to worse," said Dr. Irfan Ahmed, the aid group's health adviser. "These people don't have any shelter. Also the school has collapsed, and the children were in those classrooms."

Another Britain-based group, ActionAid International, said its workers tried to reach remote mountainous areas, but had to get out of their truck and walk because of bad roads and traffic jams.

"The problem is that people are facing a shortage of time," said Shafqat Munir, a spokesman for the group. "It's cold, raining. People are without shelter. They have food, clothes, blankets, but tents are a problem."

A 5.6-magnitude aftershock Thursday was centered 85 miles north of Islamabad, near the epicenter of Saturday's 7.6-magnitude quake that demolished whole towns, mostly in Kashmir and northwestern Pakistan. It shook buildings, but there was no significant damage in an already demolished region.

A milder aftershock hit the same area Thursday night, and another early Friday morning, with no immediate reports of damage.

There have been more than 60 aftershocks higher than magnitude 5, including one that registered 6.4, and nearly 500 in total since Saturday's quake. Experts said they could go on for months.

In Muzaffarabad, relief workers wrapped 35 bodies in shrouds and carried out a mass burial on Thursday. The burial was coordinated by Jamat-e-Dawad, a group linked to Islamic militants that is operating dozens of ambulances in the city and running a camp for quake victims.

International teams that have staged extraordinary rescues in recent days said chances of saving more lives were remote. Some prepared to pull out.

"No one is giving up, but it is the acceptance that the actual real chances of finding someone alive are almost nil," said Rob Holden, the team leader for U.N. disaster assessment and coordination.

Earthquake Helpline Numbers - AAJ TV

KASHMIR AFFAIRS EMERGENCY CELL: 051-920-9650

ISLAMABAD MARGALLA TOWERS: 0300- 989-6255 and 0321-530-7085

ISLAMABAD HELPLINE: 051- 926-0187

LAHORE HELPLINE: 042-920-1118

FATMID FOUNDATION: 021-222-5284 and 0300-921-0647

ANSAR BURNEY WELFARE TRUST: 0300-824-3459 and 0301-824-3459

EDHI CENTRE: 115, 0300-826-3319, 021-220-1261, 042-541-4211, 051-282-7844

PRESIDENT / PRIME MINISTER FUND: 051-922-2999, 051-921-3891

Reuters Updates (12th Oct - 1:00 pm)

Relief effort picks up for Kashmir quake survivors

MUZAFFARABAD: Medicine and food flowed into areas of northern Pakistan on Wednesday as rescue operations in the devastating Kashmir earthquake increasingly became a relief mission for those who survived. At daybreak, six huge trucks and three large vans belonging to Pakistan's largest private trust, the Edhi Foundation, arrived in worst-hit Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan

Relief authorities were most concerned about the weather and the onset of winter, which usually comes in mid- to late-October. Reuters reporters saw snow at the tops of the mountains seen from Battagram, 230 km (145 miles) from Islamabad in North West Frontier Province.

AAJ TV Ticker Updates (11th Oct - 1:00 pm)

Peshawar: Relief goods looted by people in Manshera. Several trucks carrying relief goods are waiting clearance but fear lawlessness

Lahore: Pakistan Medical Association announces aid and to send teams in affected areas.

Karachi: PPP Chairperson announces relief for affected people

Pakistan Coast Guards set up camps in Gwadar and other coastal areas

Islamabad: PM Shaukat Aziz makes a personal donation

So far 60,000 feared killed and 250,000 people homeless

3000+ dead in Shaglah

Baagh and Rawalkot: Lack of supplies/emergency relief and medical assistance is causing deaths rapidly

Government Initiatives

Making Relief More Reliable

In this hour of grief and distress the Federal and Provincial Governments have established Relief Operation Offices in all the four provinces and the Federal Capital for monitoring and coordinating relief efforts in an efficient and transparent manner in earth-quake stricken areas.

If you have:

• collected donations or food items for earthquake victims
• any suggestions for making relief efforts more effective

contact the following officials immediately.

Islamabad
Major General Farooq Ahmed Khan
Federal Relief Commissioner
Ph: 0800-00023 (Toll Free)
Fax: 0800-00024 (Toll Free)
Address: Prime Minister Secretariat Constitution Avenue, Islamabad

Punjab
Mr. Irfan Elahi
D.G. Relief Operations
Ph: 042-9210555/9210554
Fax: 042-921055
Address: Board of Revenue Nabha Road, Old Anarkali, Lahore

Sindh
Mr. Anwar Haider
Additional Relief Commissioner Hyderabad
Ph: 033-9203407/9202630
Fax: 021-9203407
Address: Block 79, Sindh Secretariat, Adjacent Sindh High Court Karachi

Mr. Munir Ahmed Memon
Additional Relief Commissioner
Ph: 022-9200569/9200573
Fax: 022-9200569
Address: Shahbaz Building, Thandi Sarak, Hyderabad, Sindh


NWFP
Mr. Shah Sahib
Member, Board of Revenue/Relief Commissioner NWFP
Ph: 091-9213414/9210338
Fax: 091-9210975
Address: Civil Secretariat, Opp, Home Deptt. Peshawar

Baluchistan
Muhammad Humayun
Home Secretary Baluchistan
Ph: 081-9202400/9202217
Fax: 081-9201835
Address: Office of the Home Secretary Civil Secretariat, Quetta

City Government

Employees of the City District Government of Karachi have donated their one-day salary in the President’s Relief Fund. The city government also sent a ten-member fire brigade to Islamabad on Monday to participate in relief operations for helping affected people.

PIA

Pakistan International Airlines has pledged Rs 40 million to President’s Earthquake Relief Fund. Of this, PIA has given Rs 26 million in cash, Rs 10 million in transportation of relief goods and Rs 4 million in carrying relatives of the affected families to Islamabad. PIA was also collaborating with the Citizens Foundation Relief Fund. In the first phase, as immediate relief, PIA will provide basic care packages including tents, blankets and food rations. In the second phase, it plans to construct 5,000 seismically-designed homes over the next two years, each costing Rs 400,000.

PPL

Pakistan Petroleum Limited has contributed R s20 million in the President’s Relief Fund. All the PPL staff and employees have also contributed their one-day salary to the President’s Relief Fund.

PSO

Pakistan State Oil has donated Rs 20 million. The company is also providing free jet fuel to Edhi Air Ambulances from all its eight PSO aviation facilities.

CDC

The Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited pledged Rs 10 million towards the relief fund.

KPT

The Karachi Port Trust has donated Rs 4 million towards the President’s Relief Fund besides contribution of five-day salaries by the employees.

Pakistan Refinery

Pakistan Refinery has pledged Rs10 million in addition to one-day salary contributed by its staff.

NICVD

The staff of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases has contributed one-day salary besides 20 percent of their professional fees.

President's Earthquake Relief Fund Website Launched

http://www.presidentofpakistan.gov.pk

URGENT MESSAGE FROM THE PM's SECRETARIAT

The best way to send donations is to the official relief fund which can be immediately accessed by the relief organisers and make a difference on the ground.

Title of Account: President's Relief Fund for Earthquake Victims
Bank Name: National bank of Pakistan
Branch: PM's Secretariat, Islamabad
Branch Code: 1732
A/c No: CA-251-3
SWIFT CODE: NBPAPKKA02I (that's a zero preceding the 2; at the end is the capital letter i)

Thank you
Mahreen Khan - PM Secretariat

Pakistan Railways Volunteer Train

Pakistan Railways has announced that it has arranged a special train to take Volunteers to Rawalpindi on Wednesday 12th Oct, 2005. Registrations of Volunteers will be at PAF Museum Shahra-e-Faisal, Karachi on 11th Oct, 2005. Volunteers will have to bring their CNIC (Computerized National Identity Cards) with them. Pakistan Railways will also bring Volunteers back home afterwards.

This initiative has been organized by Fakhr-e-Alam at PAF Museum Shahra-e-Faisal and was announced on AAJ Television Network.

Punjab police donates Rs 10 million

The Punjab police donated Rs 10 million for the earthquake victims and sent a contingent of 200 men to Azad Kashmir for rescue work. The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by Punjab IGP Ziaul Hasan, who said the money would be deposited with the president’s relief fund. He said the money would come from the deduction of two-day salary of all gazetted officers and one-day salary of other officials.

CBR

The Central Board of Revenue has said it will provide Rs. 10 million from its Employees Welfare Fund besides donation of two days’ salary of all tax officials to the president relief fund.

NADRA

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has sent a convoy of 10 trucks loaded with food items like atta, sugar, pulses, medicines, bottled water as well as blankets, quilts and tents to the ruined cities of Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Rawalkot.

OGDCL

The Oil and Gas Development Company has donated Rs. 50 million to the President’s fund. Besides, the employees of OGDCL said it had already sent five trucks of relief goods and was dispatching two teams of doctors to the areas.

Utility Stores

The Utility Stores Corporation has dispatched 4,500 packages of different commodities to the affected areas.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has announced that it will contribute Rs. 200 million to the President’s Relief Fund.

State Bank of Pakistan

SBP Governor, Dr Isharat Husain announced on Monday that all employees of the SBP, SBP Banking Services Corporation and National Institute of Banking and Finance would donate their one-day salary to the fund. This would be in addition to the Rs. 200 million announced by the SBP.

President's Earthquake Relief Fund

The Government of Pakistan has established a fund known as “President's Relief Fund for Earthquake Victims 2005”. It is providing relief to the people in the wake of the recent earthquake and is mobilizing resources for relief efforts.

All proceeds on account of “President's Relief Fund for Earthquake Victims 2005” and payment into the fund will be received at all branches of State Bank of Pakistan, National Bank of Pakistan, Habib Bank Limited, United Bank Ltd, Muslim Commercial Bank Ltd. and Allied Bank Ltd.

All proceeds received in the name of the Fund will be credited to the Public Account of the Federal Government. The Fund will receive donations from both domestic and international donors. Contributions from abroad will be received at all the branches of banks where such branches exist. In foreign countries contributions will be received at Pakistan Missions and remitted to the State Bank of Pakistan.

G-12 Special Deposit Fund
G-121 Relief Fund
G-12130 President's Relief Fund for Earthquake Victims – 2005

Accounts of the Fund will be maintained by Accountant General of Pakistan Revenues, Islamabad.

PM Earthquake Relief Fund

Please contact Mahreen Khan on 92-333-547-5012 at the PM's Secretariat. Items required include tents, blankets, wheat, milk, sugar, tea, flour, non-perishable items, and basic medical kits containing pain killers, anti-biotics, bandages, and drips. If you have large corporate clients, please get in touch with them, especially CEOs, and ask them to contribute to the PM's Relief Fund. Large quantities and pledges are required - not small stuff.

Coordination Cell Set Up at the Governor's House

On the directive of Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, a Coordination and Facilitation Cell has been set up at the Governor's House to provide assistance in the collection and transportation of relief good to the earthquake hit areas of the country.

The Cell will function round the clock under the supervision of the Additional Secretary to the Governor, Aftab Khatri, who can be reached at 0333-2202712.

Besides ‘Helpline 136' of the Governor's House, the controller of the Governor's House can be contacted for assistance at phone number 9201201.A consignment worth Rs. 15 million was sent to the earthquake hit areas immediately. The consignment included 10,000 blankets and as many packets of edibles like atta, rice, tea, milk powder, pulses, salt and matchboxes, besides a good quantity of vital medicines.

Corporate Initiatives

Free Geo Spatial Tools Set

PRDS has arranged to offer support to all the organizations engaged in relief efforts and to empower them with FREE Geo Spatial Tools Set from ESRI (Licensed Software) and all the data that is available with either ESRI and/or PRDS, free of cost. We are also in negotiations with Satellite Image providers, to arrange pre and post event high res imagery - although some of it has been released by some vendors at the Government level. However, we will try to get the same for public use as well.

If any one needs ESRI software, to facilitate the efforts of relief, please visit http://gis.esri.com/events/assist/index.cfm?eventID=107

Please note, that PRDS will be more than willing to help any organization engaged in the relief efforts. If you need further assistance, please call Zartash Afzal at 051.265.1997 or write to us at prds@comsats.net.pk or visit us at www.prds.com.pk

Best Regards/Naved Zaheer

Intel Corporation

Intel has announced that they will donate US$1 million for earthquake relief. In addition, they will match everything that their staff contributes.

Unilever Pakistan Limited

This is an internal email received from Unilever's Corporate Affairs Department upon request. They have not publicized their activities but have been extremely active for the last several days. The Director of Beverages, Mr. Rizwan Jamil, sent this e-mail out to all employees:

Team,

Everyone is bursting with the desire to do something, to give as much as we can in support of the earthquake victims. In the last few days, many of you have come forward to give views, make suggestions and to find out what we are doing collectively to help the victims of this tragedy.

So I am taking this opportunity to update you on our activities and plans.

1. Our first task was to trace all UPL employees and I’m pleased to report that our employees and their immediate families are safe. There have been a few tragic incidents in some of the extended families. We are now in the process of tracking our business partners and their employees. Over 90% have been contacted. A total loss of communication with some parts of the affected areas is making it difficult to contact the rest, but our efforts will continue.

2. A number of actions have been taken to help in the relief operations. Even before donation boxes were placed at all locations, individuals had already started coming forward and donating funds to help. These personal contributions are now continuing through the donation boxes, which the Company has committed to match. Inspite of this, I have been approached by so many colleagues volunteering a deduction of their salary towards this fund, that we have decided to open this route also. Those of you who so wish, please send an e-mail to Khalid Husain (Khalid.Husain@unilever.com) requesting him to deduct desired number of days of your salary for the earthquake relief fund, and that will be done.

3. UPL will be contributing towards the relief operations at a Corporate level. This will be announced shortly. We are coordinating with companies locally and with Unilever regional/global.

4. Some examples of the ways in which we have been able to contribute individually & collectively:

- 2 of our Territory Managers, Farooq and Faisal, who were already in Mansehra and Muzaffarabad respectively (their hometowns), are working there providing relief to affected people. From the funds collected on Monday, food and other basic items were arranged for Farooq and Faisal for disbursement.

- A substantial supply of medicines alongwith some tents were dispatched with a team of doctors headed for Muzaffarabad.

- A contribution has been made towards the purchase of medicines for Mansehra hospital.

- The Tea Processing Plant warehouse in Dhodial has been opened up to the Rotary Club to set up a medical camp.

- The PAF Museum grounds at Karachi have become the largest collection point for non-cash donations. Our people’s participation here has been tremendous.

- A large group of volunteers from UPL is found physically working here for a good part of the day.

- 100 members of the Lifebuoy on-ground activation team have been working at the location.

- Walls freezers have been placed for safe storage of medicines.

- A donation of Tea, Energile, Glaxose-D and Soup has been made.

- A large number of old printed skins used in hoardings are being converted into tents.

- Contributions of Company products is ongoing.

Everyone of us is eager to help and many of us are keen to go to the affected areas and participate in the relief efforts. That is very understandable. However, the advice we are receiving at the moment from people already involved in the relief operations is against additional manpower. Current need is heavy equipment and basic items. There are enough volunteers, and too many will add to the chaos. So we urge you to restrain your energies at this time. Remember, getting life back to normal in these areas is going to be a very long and tedious journey. Our collective efforts can be even more fruitful in the next phase, that of rebuilding. We should conserve our energies for they will be much more productive and needed, at that time.

On behalf of my MC team, Thank You all for your overwhelming support. Thank you for living our Values. Let us pray for the well being of all our people.

Warm regards,
Rizwan

Nestle Pakistan Ltd Relief Fund

This communication was circulated by Nestle Pakistan to vendors, contractors, service providers, and distributors for immediate action:

Nestle Pakistan Ltd has taken the initiative to support the cause of Earthquake Disaster Victims. In this regard, Nestle Pakistan Ltd. employees are making various efforts and contributions.

Our Business Partners, Distributors, Sub Distributors, Vendors and Contractors are also requested to join hands and make voluntary contributions in our rehabilitation efforts. The management has immediately instituted a Nestle voluntary relief fund and urges all of you to make generous contributions. The account has been opened in United Bank Limited. Please forward all your donations in the shape of DD/Cheques or Bank Deposit slips to the following account:

Account Title: Nestle Pakistan Ltd Relief Fund
Account No: 010-4731-9

A Crisis Committee comprising senior managers led by the Managing Director has been formed at the head office to closely direct and monitor the relief efforts.

If you have any queries or suggestions, you are welcome to send them at relief@pk.nestle.com

Looking forward to your fullest support.
Roland Decorvet - Managing Director

DHL

Let your shipments carry hope.

For every cash shipment you make, we donate. Alongside DHL Pakistan’s relief efforts, we will also give Rs. 100 to the President’s Relief Fund for every international cash shipment you make at our Express Centres. So the more you ship, the more we collectively contribute. For more information, call 111-500-000. Contributions will continue till midnight, 31 December 2005.

Allied Bank

ABL offers free remittance facility to Muzaffarbad and Abbottabad regions. Allied Bank will accept all remittances made to earthquake-affected areas of Muzaffarabad and Abbottabad regions from its customers and non-customers free of charge until the end of Ramazan. The remittances will be delivered to recipients in the shortest possible time.

Garhi Habibullah and Rawalkot branches have been revived and are offering online services. The rest of the affected branches will be operational on the online network once the telecom infrastructure is restored. Those intending to make cash contributions to the President’s Relief Fund for Earthquake Victims – 2005, may contact Special Counters set up at all branches of Allied Bank. Any agency authorized to collect donations for the disaster-affected areas may consult Allied Bank for facilitation in collection through our online system.

Citibank

Citibank N.A. Pakistan, a member of the Citigroup, and its employees have pledged US $3 million for relief and rehabilitation of quake victims.

Platinum Pharmaceuticals

Platinum Pharmaceuticals has donated life-saving drugs worth Rs 3 million for those injured in the massive earthquake. Chairman of the firm has also pledged construction of four schools in the affected areas.

OICCI

Members of the Overseas Investors Chamber Of Commerce & Industry have so far donated more than Rs 810 million for the relief of earthquake victims. The member companies have also dispatched goods, services and medicines worth millions of rupees to the affected areas. Employees of OICCI have also donated their one-day salary to the earthquake relief fund.

Dawn Group of Newspapers

As part of the national effort to provide relief and assistance to the victims of Pakistan’s worst ever natural disaster, the Dawn Group of Newspapers has taken a first step. We are adopting a group of villages in Northern Pakistan and Azad Kashmir.

1. The first stage of this project will focus on helping provide immediate relief and rehabilitation to the affected people, by making available tents, blankets, drinking water, food and, above all, medical facilities.
2. The project will extend its scope to rebuilding the villages and their environ in terms of housing, civic amenities and utilities.
3. Subsequent steps will involve providing assistance to a larger network of villages in the whole of Northern Pakistan and Azad Kashmir.

We urgently require:

• Doctors, psychologies and sociologists, medical technicians and paramedics
• Engineers, architects and town planners, technicians with a background in automotives, generators, filter plants etc., and public health officials ) especially water and sanitation)
• Graduates and technicians from the above fields, not currently engaged in these professions but possessing an active knowledge in these areas, are also encourage to apply

Dawn will assume responsibility for transportation within Pakistan, housing, food and for obtaining the required facilities to work in the affected areas.

* Teams will be rotated on a 15 to 30 day basis.

Contact Points
Dawn Group of Newspapers

Karachi: +92 (21) 567-0001
Extension: 3184
Fax: +92 (21) 568-3801

Lahore: Rabeea Salman on 0300-426-1992
Fax: +92 (42) 575-7745

Islamabad: Alia Hameed on 0345-500-5525
Fax: +92(51) 220-2707

Hero Pakistani / Pakistan Sports Trust

Pakistan Sports Trust will donate the next two weeks' income from Hero Pakistani Collectors Cards sales for earthquake victims.

Lateef Transport Company

Lateef Transport Company has announced Rs 3 million for the relief and rehabilitation in the quake-hit areas.

Javedan Cement

Employees of Javedan Cement have contributed their two-day salary to the President’s Relief Fund.

Hinopak Motors

Hinopak Motors are sending 10 truck-loads of relief goods, including blankets and mattresses, for distribution among earthquake victims. Employees of the firm have also donated their one day salary to the quake relief fund.

Dubai Islamic Bank

Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) has donated 0.5 million UAE Dirhams to the President’s Relief Fund For Earthquake Victims-2005.

Motorola

Motorola has announced a contribution of US$ 0.5 million towards the quake relief efforts. The amount includes financial support to UNICEF and emergency telecommunication equipment and facilities meant for the affected region.

Nokia

Nokia has given Euro 100,000 donation to support immediate earthquake relief efforts. It has delivered the amount to the Edhi Foundation.

AERO ASIA

Pervaiz Ahmed of Aero Asia told Dawn that the airline was transporting around 6,000 kgs of relief goods free of cost daily from Karachi to Islamabad.

KAPCO

The Kot Addu Power Company has announced support of Rs 50 million besides one million rupees in terms of one day salary from the employees towards the President’s Relief Fund.

MERCK MARKER

German Merck KGaA Darmstadt and their Pakistani subsidiary Merck Market Pvt Ltd donated Rs 20 million to the Citizens’s Foundation Earthquake Relief Fund. It will also donate through the Pharma Bureau (multinational pharmaceutical companies of the overseas chambers of commerce and industry).

PKIC

The Pak-Kuwait Investment Company (Pvt) Limited has donated 20million and one-day gross salary of all its employees.

Union Bank

Union Bank Ltd has donated Rs 15 million to the relief fund.

Allied Bank

Allied Bank Limited announced a donation of Rs 15 million to the relief funds while its staff also decided to donate one day salary.

HUBCO

HUBCO has donated Rs 50 million to the President’s Relief Fund for the victims of the country’s worst earthquake.

PEPL

The Petroleum Exploration Private Limited contributed one million rupees towards the President’s Fund.

Aramex Announces Free Delivery of Relief Goods

Aramex SMS Couriers has announced free of cost delivery of up to 30 kg of consignment of relief goods for earthquake victims. Their office is at Kawish Crown Plaza on main Shahra-e-Faisal, Karachi.

Telenor Announces Emergency Relief Package

Telenor has announced an emergency relief package for the victims of the recent earthquake. Telenor is pledging a sum of Rs. 65 million to go to the Red Cross and President's Earthquake Relief Fund. Tore Johnsen, Telenor Pakistan's CEO said, "We know that the government and Red Cross are working together to mobilize resources for the relief effort and we would like to contribute by all means possible." He said that this is the time for the corporate sector to come together and help save lives and rebuild communities that have been devastated.

Tore further said that Telenor is committed to support the immense effort that was being carried out by the army and the Red Cross as blocked roads were cleared, communication was restored, and truck loads of tents, blankets, food and medicines were distributed today in Manshera and Balakot in the NWFP. He further stated, "We have learnt that several medical teams are on their way to Pakistan-administered Kashmir and more foodstuff and medical provisions will be dispatched very soon." Yesterday, Telenor opened its network in advance in several affected cities and is currently providing free emergency communications services to the National Crisis Management Center. Telenor has also set up phone booths at emergency sites in Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Islamabad and is offering free communication facilities to the affected families.

LMKR Earthquake Relief Fund

LMKR has taken up the task of ensuring timely supply of all categories of relief goods to the inaccessible areas in the mountainous region. Through the past 24 hours, 3 trucks with relief items including tents, blankets, consumables, first aid kits have been sent up north along with LMKR's workforce to ensure timely delivery. People from all walks of life donated generously on day one of the relief supply with hundreds currently donating money and other consumables for continuous supply. LMKR is also in the process of setting up two base camps in Balakot and Bagh respectively with a central control room in Islamabad to keep a continuous operation all the way till the rebuilding phase in the region.

We encourage you to donate to this relief effort in any possible way including donation of money, consumables (blankets, tents, medicines, clothes, long shelf life food items etc.) and voluntary onsite and offsite work.

MONETARY DONATIONS (DOMESTIC):

If you are in Pakistan, you can deposit the funds at any branch of Prime Commercial Bank in the following account:

M/s LMKR Earth Quake Relief Fund
A/C No. 0412-01143512

MONETARY DONATIONS (INTERNATIONAL):

If outside Pakistan you can remit the funds through wire transfer or telex, through the following bank routing:

To:
AMERICAN EXPRESS, WORLD FINANCIAL CENTRE
200 VESEY STREET NY 10285
FEDWIRE # 124071889
SWIFT CODE: AEIB US 33
ABA # 0159

Favoring:
PRIME COMMERCIAL BANK LTD
KARACHI PAKISTAN
A/C NO. 732479 WITH THEM
SWIFT PRCEPKKA

Beneficiary:
M/S LMKR EARTH QUAKE RELIEF FUND
A/C NO. 0412-01143512
WITH PRIME COMMERCIAL BANK LTD.
F-10 ISLAMABAD

All physical donations can be made at LMKR's relief camps in Islamabad on the following addresses:

House No. 29, Main Double Road, F-10/2
Contact No. 0321- 517-5806

House No.56, Street 88, G-6/3
Contact No. 282-8983

National Foods Limited

National Foods has donated two million Rupees through the Citizen Foundation (TCF). 10,000 Kg National Salt has been despatched to the affected area. Three days employees salary has been donated which is approx. 400,000 rupees. Mr. Abrar Hasan, Chief Executive National Foods has donated Rs. 500,000 in cash on behalf of National Foods for the earthquake victims. 15,000 National Foods Jams bottles have been dispatched. Relief goods i.e. salt, vermicelli, 2 Kg Jam buckets worth Rs. 100,000, have also been sent for distribution in the quake-hit areas.

Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also set up a Rs. 1.1 million relief fund. It appealed to the business community to donate articles of daily use like medicines, blankets, warm clothes, atta, eatables, and tents.

TCS

TCS is delivering relief goods free of cost to the Abdul Sattar Edhi Foundation. Make your contribution at the nearest TCS Express Center. For more information, call 111-123-456.

BMG Group

The BMG Group has announced a donation of Rs. 3.5 million on behalf of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the SITE Association of Industry for victims of the earthquake.

Mobilink

Employees across the nation are donating salaries - from one day's worth to a month. The company is also arranging corporate donations. 12 teams have been formed and despatched to the affected areas with scratch cards and mobile phone sets for people to contact their relatives.

Mobilink Earthquake Relief Fund
Contribute Rs. 10 + tax to the Mobilink Earthquake Relief Fund by sending a blank SMS to 180.

The Muslim Commercial Bank

The Muslim Commercial Bank has contributed Rs. 200 million to the President's Fund for Earthquake Victims - 2005.

All branches of the bank will accept donations from people throughout the country. Remittances from abroad will be delivered to earthquake victims without any charge. Remittances sent in by those who might not bank with the MCB will also be handled without any charge.

Coca-Cola

The Chairman and CEO of the Coca-Cola has announced that the company and the Coca-Cola Foundation has pledged $ 2 million (Rs. 120 million) for the earthquake relief efforts under way in Pakistan. 50% of the amount would be deposited in the President's Relief Fund for Earthquake Victims-2005 and the remaining would go to the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies engaged in relief work in affected areas.

National Insurance Company

The National Insurance Company (NIC) has announced a contribution of Rs. 50 million towards the President's Relief Fund. The NIC employees also contributed their one-day basic salary to the relief fund.

CityFM89 Wristbands

CityFM89 is selling 'Make 89 Differences' wristbands for Rs. 100 to collect money for The Citizens Foundation's Earthquake Relief Fund. There are 6 thousand bands, and we hope to gather 6 lakh rupees for the victims of the earthquake. These bands will be available through employees, RJs, at the stations and at various public points through Karachi , Lahore , Islamabad and Faislabad. Look for our people in your city! No band should be bought for more than Rs 100. For more details you can email me on insiya.syed@cityfm89.com or contact any RJ or employee you know personally. Please forward this message to your friends and family that might be interested in helping us raise money for this fund.

Please, help us make a difference.

Insiya Syed – City FM 89

Synergy Advertising

In view of the catastrophic earthquake that has struck our country, Synergy Advertising is also trying to play its part in the biggest ever relief effort organized in the history of Pakistan .

To facilitate the considerable outpouring of generosity and sympathy for the Earthquake victims by the general public, Synergy Advertising has raised a collection depot and facilitation service for all sorts of relief aid both monetary and commodity based at its centrally located office premises at 69/B, SMCHS, Behind Roomi Mosque, Off Shahrah-e-Faisal, Karachi.

Any amount of relief goods be it non-perishable edibles, clothing, shoes, blankets, tents, medicines and any other relief goods and in any amount, however large or small, is more than welcome.

There is also an advisory service on what is most needed for Earthquake victims should you like to know before making your relief supply purchases. Also if you would like to provide the funds and request the supply of any particular relief commodity (e.g. tents, medicines, coffins) even that can be arranged.

Also if there is a logistical problem in sending out relief goods from your location to the requisite relief organizations, Synergy staff will only be too glad to pick up these from any location of your choice and forward these to the Earthquake Relief effort.

I strongly urge everyone to donate anything that they can at this hour of need. Casuality figures are rising fast and most of the affected areas have not even been reached by surveyors and relief organizations, international agencies are fearing that as many as 100,000 of our countrymen may have perished and that is only a fraction of those who need our help.

In this most tragic time the Pakistani nation has risen admirably to support our countrymen in need, let's all play our part in this massive humanitarian exercise, every contribution however large or small will make a difference.

Please forward this message on to as many people as you like who would like to help but need information or help in doing so.

For any further details, please call the Synergy Advertising offices at 69/B, SMCHS, Behind Roomi Mosque, Off Shahrah-e-Faisal, Karachi at the following numbers between office hours: 455-1420, 453-6278, 455-6276-79. You can call any of the following individuals at any time:

Adeel Hashmi: 0300-225-7937
Zeeshan Ahmed: 0321-242-8680 / 0300-899-4510
Kamran Siddiqui: 0321-821-0213
Tariq Ziad Khan: 0321-821-7571
Asim Ghous: 0321-243-1565
Hasnain Rizvi: 0300-226-2696
Ali Raza Merchant: 0321-823-7827

Tariq Ziad Khan - Synergy Advertising

Associations

Message from Association of Pakistani Professionals

Dear All

It makes me feel immensly proud and at the same time emotional that I am around an incredibly sincere, honest and dedicated group of people who are doing all what they can and more to support and help the victims of the earthquake. Kudos to Samad Wazir and Fahad Aziz, two AOPPIANS who championed the process and strategized with the consulate to come out with proper forms and guidelines to guide and help the Pakistani community of New York and New Jersey in donating generously to the victims of the earthquake. Both of them at times drove the truck all night long to collect boxes from various corners of the tri-state area. When all was said and done they lined up more than 7 loads of trucks filled with tents, jackets, blankets and medicines by Saturday. I salute them and pray to Allah to reward them with his best.

I must congratulate the Consulate General of Pakistan in New York also, especially headed by the Consul General, Mr. Haroon Shaukat and incredibly assisted by Syed Fawad Sher who was the person behind making sure that all the NOC's are signed in a timely fashion. Fawad, the Vice Consul General was extremly helpful throughout the process and was easily accessible throughout the process including late nights and over the weekend. What we saw last week was a true sense of unity where everybody from the community, to the consulate and PIA worked like a team and helped and facilitated the process of shipping the boxes asap.

In Central Jersey alone, two more trucks were loaded (almost 2 loads of trucks are being packed as I write). MCMC, the Muslim Center of Middlesex County took the lead and shipped two loads of trucks alone. It must be added that the volunteers, mostly women and children, worked all night long for more than two consecutive nights to sort each box according to the item, mark them and seal them properly. The two trucks were packed so nicely and properly that they lead the loads of trucks that are lined up at PIA cargo. All the local stores that carry tents, The Sports Authority, Costco, Walmart, Sears and all the shops in the area had no tents left by the time.

I must stress however that the work is not complete. The victims of the earthquake still need us and it is imortant to continue and help those who have lost everything. Medicine and tents are still a priority. We are also looking into providing sheets of steel that can be put with the help of two "katchi dewar". Advantage of steel sheets over tents is that one can cook food as well as keep the area warm in cold weather. MCMC is working on getting the process of steel sheets streamlined and I will pass on the information as soon as we finalize the strategy of providing steel sheets. We are also looking in Pakistan to get the makeshift tents made instead of being shipped from other places and again I will keep you guys briefed.

Again, I thank all you who participated in one way or the other to help our brothers and sisters in Pakistan who are going through the worst time of their lives. Please continue the good work as we have lot more to do. AOPP has already started strategizing for Phase 2 and all the information will be posted in a week on http://rebuildpakistan.com - remember, our work is not complete, we need to do a lot more, Let's rebuild Pakistan by donating generously.

Sincerely,

S. Asif Alam
http://aopp.org/eq

P@SHA - Call for Volunteers

Dear friends,

The devastation, destruction and loss of life in the northern areas of Pakistan continues to haunt all of us. It is heartening to see that so many people from all walks of life have got together to help alleviate the suffering of all those that have been affected by the quake and to donate so generously in both cash and kind.

The one weak thread through all of this has been project management or the lack of it, simply due to the enormity of the task at hand. As a community that specializes in automating and improving the processes involved in running businesses and government, it would be a shame if we could not help streamline the relief activities and make them more effective.

P@SHA has therefore offered its assistance to the PM's Secretariat and Relief Cell. We are putting together a team of experts who will analyze the needs of the relief organizations including the government, the army and the NGOs etc and will link it all up to provide some sort of cohesive approach to the activities thus saving a lot of time and increasing the pace of relief activities.

In the process we will need expertise of varying types:

Hardware Installation & Maintenance
Networking
Wireless Communication Installation, Deployment & Maintenance System Analysts
Project Managers
ASP.NET/HTML developers
PHP developers
Java developers
SQL server developers
mySQL developers
Graphic/Interface designers
Data Entry people
People for Information Gathering
Content creation/development/management specialists
Communication specialists able to deal with telecom/satellite equipment

Some of the volunteers may be required to work in their respective cities, others may be asked to work in Islamabad or at the relief sites in the northern areas. Please do therefore specify where you are stationed and whether you will be available or able to relocate to any of the sites if necessary and for what period of time.

P@SHA will be working with various IT and telecom organizations. Some of them including Intel have already volunteered equipment and connectivity. We are also working with Shahida Saleem and Azhar Rizvi on implementing telemedicine in the affected areas.

Please indicate your interest or those of your employees by sending an email to volunteers@pasha.org.pk. I would appreciate it if you would circulate this message to your teams and anyone that you feel would be able to assist.

Jehan Ara

FPCCI

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry has planned to raise Rs 50 million funds for the affected people of earthquake. Rs10 million donations were announced by the FPCCI President, Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed, as an initial contribution.

Lions Club

President Lions Club, Ashok Mehta and Board of Directors of the International Association of Lions Clubs have sanctioned US$ 250,000 for quake victims. US$ 200,000 will be spent on projects of houses, schools and health centers rehabilitation, while US$ 50,000 will be spent on other works.

Association of Builders and Developers

The Association of Builders and Developers has pledged Rs 5 million in cash and relief goods worth Rs10 million.

EOBI

The Employees Old Age Benefits Institution has pledged to contribute Rs 10 million.

Fisherman's Cooperative Society

Fisherman’s Cooperative Society will donate Rs 0.5 million.

Association of TV Journalists

The Association of TV Journalists has delivered a cheque of Rs 50,000 to the Sindh Governor as a donation for the earthquake victims.

Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America

We are all saddened by the tragedy and devastation caused by the earthquake in the northern areas. OPEN has already mobilized for relief, asking for donations off the website of each chapter at http://www.opennewengland.org/. In addition, a Boston charter member who is in a senior position in bio tech has received a commitment for $5 million in emergency medical supplies from Americares. PIA has agreed for free transportation, and we are now working within the OPEN leadership and membership to collect the $25k within the next 72 hours that we have committed to Life USA to facilitate local transportation and logistics once the supplies arrive in Pakistan, hopefully within the week.

Best Regards

Imran Qidwai

P@SHA Earthquake Disaster Relief

As most of you are aware, a massive earthquake devastated much of the northern areas of our country on 8 October 2005 killing close to 20,000 people, injuring thousands and making many more homeless.

The thousands of survivors need our help. You can provide urgently needed disaster relief supplies like tents, clothing, blankets, sheets, etc directly to the Pakistani Government or other relief organizations that are involved in providing comfort and emergency assistance to those that need it.

I am sure many of you have already answered the many calls for emergency relief material. As part of our effort, I think P@SHA should raise funds from amongst our member organizations and then offer it to one of the relief funds as an organization.

We are quite shell-shocked by what has happened. Let us unite in our efforts to help those of our brethren who so badly need our generosity at this time.

Please send all cheques made out to the Pakistan Software Houses Association with a note that indicates that this is for the Earthquake Relief Fund.

Jehan Ara – President P@SHA

Pakistan-Canada Association

PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND
Royal Bank of Canada
Branch No: 05600
Transit No: 003
Account No: 1009067
http://www.pakcan.com/pakistan_earthquake_relief.shtml

Political Parties

PPP donates Rs. 5 million

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Benazir Bhutto has announced a donation of Rs. 5 million on behalf of her party for the quake-affected people. Under her direction, the party has set up a relief fund for the rehabilitation of the quake-affected people. An account has been opened in Bank Al Falah in the name of the PPP Relief Fund and donations can be made into any branch of the Al Falah Bank in Pakistan in account 0035-01014063.

PML President donates Rs. 10 million for earthquake victims

President Pakistan Muslim Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain Sunday announced a donation of Rupees 10 million (one crore) as his personal donation for the victims of the earthquake.

Chaudhry Shujaat, who is in London and returning to Pakistan after cancelling all engagements, had also directed the party leaders and workers to help the quake victims.

The donation of Rs. 10 million of Chaudhry Shujaat would be spent through National Relief Cell of Pakistan Muslim League which has been set up at the PML Headquarters here in the federal capital.

People can contact the National Relief Cell of the PML through 0800-12221 for seeking assistance and providing any information or donating for the relief measures.

Support From Other Countries

Rescue teams from Germany, Turkey, Russia, the UK, France, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, China and Japan have been working in the affected areas since the earthquake struck.

United States

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday assured full assistance of the US government in the earthquake relief effort, announcing that her country would provide more helicopters and equipment for opening blocked roads and removing debris in inaccessible areas.

"The devastation is quite extraordinary," Rice said, adding that the initial $50 million in U.S. aid will be followed by more assistance in the coming months. "The international community will have to be mobilized to help with ongoing rescue efforts, as well as the long-term recovery and reconstruction." Talking to reporters at the PM House after holding separate meetings with President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz during her brief stay in Islamabad, the US secretary of state said that her country was already providing financial and logistic support to Pakistan in the rescue effort, and it would continue its cooperation in the reconstruction of the devastated areas. Ms Rice said the US would provide tents, blankets, medicines, water purification plants and machinery to remove rubble.

Iran delivers medicines

The Consul-General of the Islamic republic of Iran in Peshawar, Mohammad Hasan Imani, visited Ayub Medical Complex in Abbotabad on Wednesday and delivered a consignment of urgently needed medicines to the chief executive of the complex.

Turkey

138 Turkish humanitarian aid workers are operating in Pakistan. A Turkish Air Force plane is scheduled to arrive with 25 tonnes of humanitarian aid and 17 doctors and 20 medical personnel. The Turkish Search and Rescue teams and medical teams along with six aircraft have already arrived in Pakistan and taking part in the relief operations in Muzaffarabad. The Turkish medical team has vaccinated more than 5,000 quake victims so far. A private sector Turkish airline, MNG, has sent an F-27 aircraft with a relief team. The aircraft will remain in Pakistan for a week for use in cargo transportation. The Turkish government would be sending 15 more military aircraft this month, one flight a day, with humanitarian assistance.

European Union

The European Union has promised $4.4 million in relief.

Japan

Japan said that it would offer $ 20 million and was ready to dispatch several transport helicopters and dozens of troops to assist with relief efforts in the earthquake disaster zone.

Cuba

Cuban President Fidel Castro, in a letter to President Musharraf, offered to send 200 doctors to Pakistan to help treat victims of the earthquake.

Egypt

Egypt sent two military planes carrying relief goods on Wednesday, 12 October.

Nepal

Nepal offered $ 50,000 in relief and expressed sorrow over the deaths and destruction.

Cambodia

Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen sent his condolences to the leaders of three countries struck by the earthquake and pledged $ 60,000 in assistance.

Iran

The Islamic Republic of Iran has dispatched, in the first stage, foodstuff, blankets, tents medicines etc, through two aircraft.

Australia

The Government of Australia announced on Sunday it had donated $500,000 for medical and relief assistance to victims of the massive earthquake in Pakistan .

Malaysia

The Malaysian Red Crescent society said a 12 member team, consisting of four doctors and eight relief workers, is expected to leave for Pakistan late on Sunday. MRCS sources said the Malaysian team will be joined by the Red Crescent teams of Singapore , Thailand , the Philippines and Indonesia.

Russia

The Russian ministries for emergencies have sent rescuers to Pakistan to render aid in overcoming consequences of the strong earthquake. A total of 30 rescuers from the Tsentrospas detachments and a group for the ministry under the guidance of a high ranking official of the ministry, Andrei Legoshin, are part of the rescue mission. The rescuers have also brought with them four sniff dogs, trained to spot live people under debris.

Thailand

Thailand on Sunday pledged to send US$100,000 in assistance.

Stories

Balakot and Beyond - Pervez Hoodbhoy's Latest Report
13th Oct

I am back from Balakot. We spent some of last night in ferrying the injured to Abbottabad at the request of the army. A second QAU team went to Muzzafarabad and beyond. Tomorrow 2 other teams will head back to these places. We hope to keep this going, although classes are scheduled to restart on Monday. This is the first time I can recall of ever wanting the university to stay shut longer.

My report is below. But first, the following urgent points:

1. I hope you will concur with the conclusion at the end of my report. What you and I can do is but a drop in the bucket. Please, let us not go for microdrops. Handing out relief supplies just isn't enough, and it left me with a sense of much dissatisfaction. Since it is the use of your money that I am suggesting, feel free to suggest or object. The responsibility of administering the program will be undertaken by others at QAU, and we might even need to hire local people dedicated to the job. I shall retain a distant supervisory role at most. No portion of the funds you have committed to me will be spent on administration and will be raised separately if necessary.

2. You have clear instructions at the end of this email as to where to send money. I will be gone again tomorrow and not available for 3 days. If there are remaining questions, please contact Zia Mian in the US or A.H.Nayyar in Islamabad. If you need my response, please wait until I return. This mailing list started at 40-odd friends, and is now quite a bt bigger.

3. This is no time for credits, but the QAU effort owes entirely to dedicated students, employees, and the tireless coordination efforts of the Academic Staff Association's president.

4. If your cheque is in rupees, send directly to me at the address below. Make it out to "Quaid-e-Azam University and Eqbal Ahmad Foundation Earthquake Relief Fund". Or shorten it to QAU-EAF Earthquake Relief Fund if it is too long for your cheque.

Thanks again, and best regards. Pervez Hoodbhoy

MY REPORT OF THE BALAKOT TRIP

Four days later, they are still not even trying to extricate the dead. From under the rubble of collapsed buildings, a gut-wrenching smell of decaying corpses now fills the town. The rats have it good; the one I accidentally stepped upon was already fat. If there is indeed a plan to clear the concrete rubble in and around the town, nobody seems to have any clue. But the Balakotis are taking it in their stride - nose masks are everywhere.

There is good news. The Mansehra to Balakot road stretch, finally forced open by huge army bulldozers and earth moving machinery, is now available to relief trucks. Goods donated across the country are piled to the truck roofs. If there ever was a time when the people of Pakistan moved together, this is it. Even the armed bandits who waylay relief supplies - to guard against whom soldiers with automatic weapons stand at alert every few hundred yards - cannot destroy the euphoria of having this solitary moment of unspoiled national unity.

Aid from across the world is making its way, and the United States is here too. Double bladed Chinook helicopters, diverted from fighting Al-Qaida in Afghanistan, weave their way through the mountains. They fly over the heartland of jihad and the militant training camps in Mansehra to drop food and tents a few miles beyond. Temporarily birds of peace instead of war, they do immensely more to soothe the highly Islamic, highly conservative, bearded mountain people than the reams of silly propaganda on glossy paper put out by the US information services in Pakistan.

Visibility makes relief choppers terrific propaganda, for good or for worse. This is undoubtedly why the Pakistani government refused an Indian offer to send in helicopters for relief work in and around Muzzafarabad, the flattened capital of Pakistani administered Kashmir. In spite of a much celebrated peace process, Pakistan has also not issued visas to Indian peace groups and activists that seek participation in the relief effort. Sandeep Pandey and other Indian activists are very frustrated.

Islamic groups from across the country have arrived in vast numbers. Some bring relief supplies, others simply harangue poor goat herders and simple tillers of the soil to tell them that their misdeeds brought about this catastrophe. None seem to have an explanation for why God's wrath was especially directed to mosques, madrassas, and schools - all of which have collapsed in huge numbers. And none say why thousands of the faithful have been buried alive in this sacred month of fasting.

Bad news: the aid is still too little, often of the wrong kind, and is not getting to those most affected. Hundreds of destroyed communities lie scattered deep in the mountains. We saw helicopters attempt aerial drops; landing is impossible in most places. But people told us that they often miss and the supplies land up thousands of feet below or in deep forests.

Distribution is haphazard and uncoordinated, done with little thought. In Balakot we saw relief workers simply throw packets of food and clothes from the top of trucks, and a subsequent riot. Hustlers thrive, the weak watch passively. Tons of clothes, lovingly donated and packed by citizens around Pakistan, but mostly useless because of specific cultural and climatic conditions, are mixed and scattered with garbage and rubble throughout the town.

I have mixed feelings about the army role. I did not see enough to validate a previous observation that they were shirking. But certainly, I did not see senior officers anywhere. The Edhi Trust gets full credit and more.

For me personally, there was a sense of dejavu. Nearly 31 years ago, on 25th December 1974, a powerful earthquake had flattened towns along the Karakorum Highway killing nearly 10,000 people. I had traveled with a university team into the same mountains for similar relief work. Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had made a passionate appeal for funds around the world, taken a token helicopter trip to the destroyed town of Besham, and made fantastic promises for rehabilitation. But then hundreds of millions of dollars in relief funds received from abroad mysteriously disappeared. Some well-informed people believe that those funds were used to kick off Pakistan's secret nuclear program.

Shall the present government do better? This will only be if citizens, and international donors, demand transparency and accounts are available for public audit.

The clock is ticking. In barely two months from now, the mountains will get their first snowfall and temperatures will plummet below zero. There are simply not enough tents, blankets, and warm clothes to go around. Hundreds of tent clusters have come up, but thousands of families remain out under the skies, facing rain and hail, and with dread in their hearts. These families have lost everything but the tattered clothes on their backs. Some even lost the land they had lived upon for generations - the top soil simply slid away, leaving behind hard rock and rubble. Those without shelter will die. From a special university fund we have pledged a dozen families to rebuild their houses. This number can be pushed up to fifty with the amount you have pledged so far (assuming Rs 50K per house, where the cost is for wood and stone mostly). But ten thousand or more will be needed in the Mansehra-Balakot-Kaghan area alone, not to speak of adjoining Kashmir.

First person account - Balakot
Anis Jillani is an Islamabad-based lawyer who also works with SPARC (Children's rights NGO)

I was in Balakot Oct 11 and 12. Returned this morning.

Ninety percent of the buildings in the town have been razed to the ground, including all schools and the only tehsil hospital. One big shopping plaza owned by the Tabligi Jamaat has survived (direct cooperation with Allah), the police station and the mobile phone towers. Few have survived. Rest of the town remains in rubble, and there is an acute stench of human flesh.

I arrived and rushed to one school Shaheen Memorial School where 400 children were said to be trapped. About four students till then had been rescued by some students of Abbottabad, and a French Rescue Team led by the French Defense Attache in Islamabad was working. I was with them till midnight. They were able to rescue five children in front of me and worked till four in the morning and rescued some more; they then left stating that rest were dead.

One teacher Kinza was recovered dead and she was shielding two children under her; one had died. The Rescue Team said that she saved the child under her.

I visited all the schools. Bodies remain trapped inside all the schools.

There is absolutely no relief activity going on till yesterday night. None whatsoever. The army is moving in but presently in the process of establishing its camps.

There are absolutely no NGOs working there.

There is bumper to bumper traffic with people especially from the Punjab and the corporate sector bringing immense quantity of goods mostly used clothing (lunda) which is now lying in thousands on the streets, juice, water, some biscuits, some blankets.

The survivors are stunned but for some reason are not going to their houses or recovering the bodies or even their goods; they are all sleeping in the open with sheets of polythene over them; a few have tents and big sheets that tents are made of.

There is no food and not a single shop is open. I could not eat or drink tea during my two days there.

I make a small request. I need money to buy tents for the people as everybody is asking for them. Cooking stoves. Torches. Sleeping bags (optional).

No one is giving them tents probably because they are expensive items and perhaps also because the market is said to have run out of them. We need 1000 to 2000.

This is not a long-term relief activity but an emergency assistance I'm requesting. We will distribute these materials and pull out. We have identified the local contacts in Balakot to help us with this plus we have a Child Rights Committee in Abbottabad that is based in Balakot now along with two of our own staff members.

We are in touch with Sungi and work in coordination with them and all other NGOs. But everybody is spread thin and thus I'm requesting this urgent emergency request. It will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of the survivors including children and women.

I want to look into the possibility of hiring local labor and taking them there to recover bodies at least from schools. This is not an expensive proposition but time consuming. But the least we can do for the children is to give them decent burials since we could not save them. Otherwise, there is no chance that their bodies will ever be recovered. They would simply be bulldozed. The European Rescue teams for obvious reasons are not involved in rescuing children as they say that time is of the essence and they are interested in saving lives rather than working with the bodies.

I'm trying to find out the prices of the tents but in the meantime would request you to look into this matter urgently and see if you could help us with some assistance within this week. It snowed on the mountains yesterday morning; it rained heavily in Balakot yesterday also and thus evenings and nights are getting cold.

I thank you in anticipation.

Anees Jillani
0300 856 1958

Info and Updates from Pervez Hoodbhoy

Dear All,

This has to be quick.

We finally have a university van which we will take to Balakot in a few hours from now and, hopefully, a hired truck as well. Subsequent rounds will have different teams, with one common member for continuity. The road is now open, from what we hear.

This morning I was able to persuade the QAU vice-chancellor to sanction use of the van and open an official university account entitled "QAU-EAF Earthquake Relief Fund". So, the money sent to the Eqbal Ahmad Foundation (see instructions at the very end of this email) will be transferred directly into this account to be jointly operated by the university treasurer, the president of the academic staff association, and myself. You now have all the details that you need. If there are further questions on the procedure, please contact Dr. Zia Mian . I will not be able to respond to emails for a while.

The Azad Kashmir VC in Muzzafarabad called the QAU VC while I was waiting for the signatures to be done. He was pleading for students from QAU to come and dig out some 300 university girls still buried under the rubble. Some of our students have already gone there, but the problem is the stench of rotting corpses. Nature continues to be needlessly cruel. There was rain and hail this afternoon in Islamabad, and probably north of here as well. I hope our 6-hour drive tomorrow will not be too problematic.

I am happy to say that my university students, who I have so often said are disappointing academically, are nevertheless full of spirit and vigour in helping in the relief effort. We have repeatedly had to turn down their offers to help for lack of capacity.

Thank you again for your contributions, which keep increasing. After the immediate crisis passes, we will use the remainder to rebuild infrastructure. Several of you are not Pakistanis, and your solidarity in these desperate moments is appreciated even more. It reinforces hope in our shared humanity.

With warm regards,
Pervez Hoodbhoy
Professor of Physics
Quaid-e-Azam University
Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
Phone (R): 92-51-282-4257
Phone (O): 92-51-282-9914

IMPORTANT REVISION.

I am overwhelmed by your generousity. Not sure how to handle it. In the last few hours, between the 42 people on this mailing list, about $45K have been pledged. Simply splendid.

I shall respond individually as soon as time permits.

A friend on the list gave wise counsel: better to have it routed through the Eqbal Ahmad Foundation, registered as a tax-exempt non-profit organization registered in the US. Else I may be docked with having the above as income! So please let me check with EAF and get back to you. Its midnight in the US, so I can't expect to hear for many hours. In any event, I will use $2.5K of above for today (+2.5K local) and expect reimbursement from EAF. Thanks to you, we have enough to set the first van going.

As I was typing the above, I received a call from near Rawalakot, about 100 miles away from here. Apparently cell phones have now started working again but in limited areas only. Bodies under rubble, no supplies, almost no houses standing. The man (Yunus), an employee of Hajra's school, said that no aid has reached any village that he knows of although he can see helicopters flying towards Rawalakot. Hajra, who called from Abbottabad last night, says that relief trucks are being attacked by desperate survivors. The army simply watches. She could not return last night.

The question of what to do after the immediate crisis passes will remain.

More later.

Warm regards,
Pervez

I am writing to a handful of friends in the US. The earthquake situation is pretty desperate.

Tomorrow a bunch of university students and teachers from QAU plan to go to Balakot where the devastation is total. Rotting corpses all around, I am told. If we don't succeed, then Mansehra. If not that, then Abbotabad. It all depends on the road conditions. Massive landslides all around.

We need to take foodstuff, blankets, medicines. Today I prevailed on the QAU administration to release a university van. No large bus, because it would be useless there. We want to fill it up with stuff, then go again and again.

I think we could use up to 300,000 a trip ($5000/trip). We are limited by having a single university van only. We have collected enough for one trip, which is not a bad achievement given that the university is now closed and there are hardly any people around. The number of trips will depend on the sum collected.

If you want to contribute, say so now. It will have to be a solid promise, and the money will have to be transferred into my personal bank account in the US. I will then give the rupee equivalent to the team. It is not the ideal way of doing things, but the only one I can think of given the time constraint.

Please remember that if you do not transfer, then I lose the money. Also, that I cannot provide you receipts. At most, I can ask the president of the Academic Staff Association at QAU to write you an acknowledgement letter stating that the sum was used for purchase of relief items.

From my office I can hear military helicopters constantly passing overhead. Hopefully they are dropping supplies in the right places.

Hajra is in Abbotabad with senior students of Khadunia High School. They felt that they really wanted to do something after two of their colleagues had been killed in the collapse of Margalla Towers. She will return tonight sometime.

Pervez

From a PIA Cargo Employee

Being at the Cargo Terminal ISB, we have been seeing huge inflow of relief goods since Sunday. We have seen around 10 special military planes, C130s from KHI and the scheduled PIA flights all loaded to capacity with relief goods. These goods mainly comprise of blankets, clothes, shoes, tents, tin food (but in very small quantity), water and un-cooked dry food items inlcuding pulses, rice, sugar, oil etc. Yesterday, the ISB airport was full of foreign rescuers arriving from Germany, Polland, Turkey, France, Japan and England.

We saw 2 trucks loaded with relief goods went off to areas in Azad Kashmir on Sunday and believe me those trucks came back fully loaded again yesterday. Upon enquiring, the driver replied while crying that there is nobody in those areas to whom relief can be supplied. We can see nothing but dead bodies everywhere. This is definitely one of the most unfortunate incidents that we have seen and definitely should do our level best to help people in whatever way we can.

Another unfortunate incident is that sometimes Muslims become so stone hearted that it becomes very hard to even call them our brothers. Yesterday, a Turkish doctor came back from Muzaffarabad and he said that the irony of medical stores in this area is that those people have used this event as a way to increase their profits. They are selling one tablet of Asprin for 250 rupees! Can you believe that? After going through an Azab-e-Ilahi, people still have the courage to do such an inhumane thing.

I would like to make following requests to all:

1. If any one of you know some pharma company, just make them a request that these people need basic medicines like Asprin, Paracetamol, Panadol etc. Please request these companies to supply such medicines free of cost to these areas. This is the first test that all these multinational companies have faced and this should also be their social duty to help in such circumstances.

2. If you guys know some textile mill, please request them for supply of Kafans (White Latha). I have talked to a few suppliers in Pindi who have agreed to send whatever they have in their supplies free of cost. But that is not enough. The demand cannot be met until some textile mill comes into action.

Allhamdollilah, all other items including food are already being despatched daily in huge quanitities. I would request whatever monetary help you guys are sending, please send these basic medicines instead.

Regards,
Usman A. Khan
Dy. CTM & Incharge Dip Cell,
PIA Cargo - ISB Airport
Tel (Off): 051-902-4388, 902-4382
Cell: 0300-500-2177

From a doctor involved in relief efforts

I am in the ER days and nights. The roads are blocked due to land slides. They opened one route for only light traffic for Muzzaffarabad 3 hours ago. Severely inadequate supplies (almost nil uptil today) reaching Kashmir.

Electricity down in that area. Our docs were about to get a good beating from the agitated public in Kashmir yesterday and today, because they had no emergeny medical supplies. There are not more than 7 Pakistani orthopaedic and trauma surgical specialists in the whole of Kashmir at the moment. Imagine that.

People who are doing rescue efforts don't know shit about first aid, and basic life support (how to stop bleeding by ordinary means, how to stabilize the neck, and how to do CPR) because our Government probably preferred NCC training of two weeks in FSc, over basic life support course of 3 days.

The helicopters and army personnel which we see on the TV is not the actual picture of what is being described by patients who are making their way in to Islamabad, PIMS hospital. There are a handful of services and totally, completely disorganised help is being delivered to the casualties.

Imagine yourself being under the heavy rubble alive, with no food and water, and constantly bleeding for that amount of time. There must be many alive underneath, but their only killer is 'time'. Maybe that would make Musharraf and Aziz think about cutting down their Mercedes convoys and the number of foreign visits and the number of delegations they take with them on each one and rather spend the amount on the health services of our country, the amount of which presently is as little as 1% of our nation's annual budget.