By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sherry Rehman said the required manpower and material is being despatched for the Balochistan earthquake victims on a continued basis as per direction of the President and the Prime Minister.
Relief efforts for the rescue and rehabilitation of quake victims are guided by a focused approach, she said on Thursday while briefing the media regarding ongoing relief operation for the quake-hit population of Balochistan.
The Minister said the government is aware of enormity of the situation and that is the reason we are stressing that the relief assistance follows a set direction so that the short and long term interests of the victims are well served.
“We are employing manpower and resources from the military and the civil armed forces. The rescue teams comprising the Army and the Frontier Corps troops, the Army Aviation Helicopters and Army Medical Corps have been engaged in intensive search and rescue operation,” she said.
The Minister said special C-130 sorties are also being used for the transportation of relief goods that are being delivered to the victims through Army helicopters.
There are also three medical teams stationed in the quake-hit areas while the Pakistan Military’s Damage Assessment teams have been working tirelessly to gauge the ground situation and draw an order for relief assistance accordingly.
Replying to a question on the provision of relief goods, the Minister said ten helicopters are engaged in the relief operation, and medicines and makeshift medical stores have already been delivered to the affected areas.
Basic necessities such as tents, blankets, warm jackets, plastic mats and sleeping bags are being supplied, she said and added the ambulances and medical teams provided by the Balochistan government are actively engaged in relief operations, as it continues to coordinates with the Centre and other Provinces for assistance.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority and the Pakistan Red Crescent Society are also participating in the relief activities, providing material aid.
Sherry Rehman said though the damage assessment report is being constantly updated, according to the latest estimates, the death toll is over 200.
“Around 3,000 people have been displaced because of the earthquake while over 300 houses have been destroyed. The extent of damage continues to unfold as our teams assess the situation.”
Ms Rehman said earthquake has psychological implications that are compounded by way of displacement.
She said our priority at this stage is the delivery of rapid disaster response in terms of rescue and relief. However, the government is equally committed to the protection of the displaced persons.
“We are devising a comprehensive strategy that includes protection of rights, responsive action to prevent and address any abuse during the process of displacement, and remedial action leading to rehabilitation and reparation. We are determined to ensure that the earthquake victims are not left to fend for themselves once the relief operation fulfills its purpose,” Sherry added.