UK NGO to construct over 2,000 shelter houses

The Muslim Hands International (MHI), a UK based Non-governmental Organisation, will construct more than 2,000 shelter houses in District Bagh (AK) for the rehabilitation of the quake-hit families.
This was disclosed by Country Director (MHI), Syed Zia-un-Noor Shah while speaking at the keys distribution ceremony of Muslim Hands shelter homes here at Mandri.
President AJK Muslim Conference (MC) addressing the ceremony as chief guest asked the government to involve reputable NGOs in the relief activities to ensure swift reliable shelter to the masses.
Shelter homes are urgent need of the people in quake affected areas to protect them from freezing cold and avert another wave of deaths in the Himalayan mountains.
He said more than 70,000 people were killed only in Azad Kashmir due to October 8 earthquake and feared that the casualties could double if the people living at high altitudes were not provided shelters in time.
He appreciated the efforts of Muslin Hands International for providing shelters to the people even in far-flung areas of AJK and NWFP.
MHI Country Manger Syed Zia-un-Noor Shah and MHI Bagh co-ordinator Syed Basharat Gardazi were also present on the occasion.
Zia-un-Noor underlined the need of a joint and co-ordinated effort by NGOs and governmental agencies to protect people from looming danger of worsening winter.
"The government should involve NGOs, communities and local politicians to further speed up its relief operation. It is an uphill task and the government alone can not accomplish it," he added.
While apprising about the project, he said 2,000 shelter homes are being constructed only in Bagh whereas 100 in Rahim Kot, 60 in Chanamkot, and 100 in Mandri.
Moreover, he said his organisation would also construct shelter homes in Rawalakot and Balakot.
He asked the other NGOs and government to pay more attention on providing shelter to the people rather than food as tents are not protecting people from cold.
He said that MHI was the first to initiate shelter homes project in different areas on the NWFP and AJK and said more than 6,000 shelters homes would be constructed.
It is race against time and we wanted to provide as many shelters as possible to the people before the snowfall.