Pakistani Earthquake Initiatives
Sister Cities International initiatives:
At the
moment Sister Cities International is facilitating information from media
sources, the U.S.
government, and aid agencies to its members. Also we are channeling donations
from members to aid organizations that are working with communities in the
effected areas. If you are interested in making a donation, select the Donate
Now link to the right or click here.
Other initiatives:
Situation Update:
On October 8, 2005 an earthquake
ripped through northeastern Pakistan,
effecting Kashmir and northern India
as well. The earthquake was a 7.6 magnitude destroying buildings, roadways,
communications, power lines, and other crucial infrastructure causing billions
of dollars in damage. But, the cost in human lives is, of course, priceless:
already more than 48,000 have been found dead and roughly 3 million have been
displaced.
Nearly $360 million has already been pledged by foreign
donors, including the U.S.,
France,
Japan,
and even India,
who has already sent 25 tons of food, tents, medicine and other supplies. U.S.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited Pakistan saying that the U.S.
would commit $50 million to the quake recovery effort. The U.N. has also begun
shipments into Pakistan.
Its first convoy of trucks with emergency food rations carried enough to feed
400,000 people for the initial days of response. The U.N. said that this
is the first of multiple deliveries of high-energy food bars flown from Europe.
However, starvation is not the only danger IDPs (internally displaced
peoples) face as the disaster unfolds. Many IDPs are living in makeshift
shelters without power or proper sanitation and many of the medical facilities
and personnel were destroyed or killed in the disaster. Under conditions like
this IDPs are at risk of:
- Exposure
- Dehydration
- Injury
- Pediatric medical care
- Contagious disease
- Repeat infections
Medical teams from throughout Pakistan
and the world have rushed to the earthquake zone to treat injuries and prevent
life-threatening infections. To combat rising health concerns the World Health
Organization is contributing more than $20 million as part of the U.N. relief
package. Treating injuries and preventing life-threatening secondary infections
that can result from them is the most immediate medical issue. Help is needed
for emergency surgery, while safe food and water is essential to prevent
diarrhea spreading among survivors living in crowded, unsanitary shelters.
Antibiotics to treat pneumonia are also necessary as many are sleeping outdoors
in freezing overnight temperatures. WHO also warned about the possibility of a
measles epidemic, as only 60 percent of children in the region are protected.
Early medical care can not only save the lives of people who would otherwise
bleed to death, but it can also reduce the number of survivors left with
permanent disabilities. Early medical attention can prevent gangrene, reduce
the need for amputations and soften the toll from conditions such as tetanus, a
life-threatening infection that comes from cuts from dirty debris. WHO has
stated that they are trying to coordinate field hospitals that have sprung up
in the days since the quake. Volunteer medical teams have already begun medical
treatment for the effected population.
