Reference :
V-F-CR-F-00890-D
Date :
10/2005
Title :
Pakistan earthquake : the ICRC is calling today for 56.5 million swiss francs : medical relief
Duration :
00:02:00
Editor :
unknown
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Production company :
ICRC
ICRC producer :
MIRANDA, Virginie
Description :
The immediate priority of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for its emergency-aid programme in Pakistan-administered Kashmir is to provide medical care, protection from the cold, food and water, the need for which will remain acute at least until the winter ends next April. Medical care will require intensive staffing and logistics. Over time, needs and priorities will shift and so require other forms of aid such as helping provide more permanent shelter and long-term measures to ensure adequate food and water. Most of the activities planned will depend heavily on weather conditions.
The ICRC is now adding 56.5 million Swiss francs to its original appeal for 5.6 million, bringing the total to 62 million francs (almost 48 million US dollars, or 40 million euros).
Reto Meister, Delegate general for Asia, says “the ICRC is calling today for 56.5 million swiss francs, this is the money it needs in order to be able to save lives so it’s medical activities and the distribution of relief food in the Pakistan-administrated Kashmir in benefit of 30’ 000 beneficiaries” This budget extension will fund the organization’s activities until the end of 2005. During this period the ICRC intends to work closely with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society and a number of internationally active National Societies to:
• provide life-saving medical care for those injured by the earthquake;
• provide enough food, shelter and other materials to enable 150,000 earthquake victims to survive the winter;
• ensure adequate water supply in heavily populated areas;
• restore family links.
The ICRC is operating in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is working in the rest of the country. Both are cooperating closely with the Pakistan Red Crescent. The activities planned will be carried out through a joint logistics network that is being coordinated from Islamabad, with an advance base in Abbottabad. A second base will soon be set up in Mansehra. The operation will eventually involve about 100 trucks and 10 helicopters. In order to carry out its new activities in Pakistan, the ICRC will increase its staffing there to almost 200 delegates and over 500 locally recruited personnel.
English title :
Pakistan earthquake : the ICRC is calling today for 56.5 million swiss francs : medical relief
Colour/B&W :
colour
Original material/format :
DVCam
Best material/format available :
DVCam
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