Rs 2.55 billion paid to survivors in AJK so far: Faisal

Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat has said Rs 2.55 billion compensation has already been distributed among the quake affected peoples of Azad Kashmir.
Talking to PTV he said about Rs 260 million daily was being paid to the victims as compensation. The process would gradually be accelerated and Rs 350 million would be distributed among them from the next week.
An amount of Rs 450 million as compensation would be paid daily to the survivors in Azad Kashmir by the end of current month. 24 per cent victims had been paid compensation, he added.
Furthermore, an amount of Rs 1,550 million had already been distributed among the owners of damaged houses at the rate of Rs 25,000 each. Owners of 26 per cent houses had already received compensation.
About 0.25 million houses were devastated as a result of quake. Most of the people have started rebuilding their houses after receiving the compensation.
Life was gradually returning to normal in the devastated areas, he said adding 500 schools and 70 colleges had been re-opened in Azad Kashmir after repairing. While 30 tent schools had also started the routine functioning.
Daily 160 sorties are being conducted for ensuring delivery of relief goods to the survivors. Seven points in Azad Kashmir had been set up for storing food supply of seven days to Azad Kashmir and NWFP.
Apart from the list of casualties and injured ones, a separate list of missing persons has also been maintained. According to which there are 8,000 to 10,000 missing persons, Some may have gone to their relatives after the catastrophe.
They are gradually coming back in the homes, The final list of casualties and injured would be available within 20 days, he said.
For survivors rendered homeless as a result of killer quake about 500,000 tents were required, out of which 425,000 have already been distributed among the survivors.
Replying to a question about November 19 Donors conference, he said the international community had already committed dollars about two billion. The remaining targets would hopefully be achieved, he added.
Visits of delegates would be arranged in the devastated areas. After seeing the magnitude of disaster with their own eyes it is expected that a new surge in the relief activities would be witnessed, he maintained.