Theresa Rhodes, Executive Director, South Asia region of Care- a noted NGO- has said it would spend $11. 2 million to carry out a two-year plan to meet "the immediate and long-term needs" of the earthquake victims in Pakistan and India.
The Care is providing an immediate relief to over 100,000 people in the affected zone, she stated.
In a press talk, she referred to news reports that have begun to mention hundreds of cases of pneumonia. Theresa said an "early wintry spell" has already set in northern Pakistan and Azad Kashmir.
In the wake of massive earthquake, she said "a large number" of affected people have started to mass migrate to Islamabad and Lahore.
"Spontaneous city camps have developed limited water standards for sanitation and waste management system, therefore, there is a serious concern about health risks due to this sudden arrival."
She said the important thing to highlight is that Care is helping community members "form relief committees."
These committees help ensure that aid reaches the most vulnerable people- they learn distribution process and serve as agents for involvement in improved service. By forming such committees, she said Care is helping communities "to take ownership of the recovery process." Theresa Rhodes added that Care wants to help those affected by the earthquake "remain in their communities" rather than relocate to large camps in other parts of the country. "This will lead to faster and stronger community stabilisation," which, she stated was a "long-term benefit."
She said Care also recognises the importance of re-establishing day-to-day relief team tasks-which helps to address and alleviate the psycho-social trauma associated with the disaster. "To that end, our priority includes constructing areas for children to play and help parents rebuild their lives, as quickly as possible."
Started in 1946, the Care completes its 60 years of helping people around the world. It has worked in Pakistan for the last 32-years, and in India for 55 years- and has its presence in 70 countries-helping for solutions to alleviate poverty, and render relief work in disasters.
She said it was imperative to show concern for the less fortunate.
The noted social worker said the world is now suffering so many catastrophic disasters, and referred to Katrina, and Wilma. Disasters operate with no cushion of safety net- and the sufferers simply cannot respond without our help.
She described the October 8 earthquake of South Asia as massive, which had its epicenter lying some 60 miles from Islamabad. The death toll is somewhere around 86,000; people also died due to untreated injuries and from further aftershocks and landslides.
"Some, 3 million people need shelter in Pakistan and India. More than 1400 people have lost their lives and 7,500 have been injured, 200,000 survivors in India are homeless."
Theresa said "aftershocks in Jammu and Kashmir have been reported since October 8, many of the magnitude of 5.0- and, anyone who has experienced an earthquake, knows that an aftershock of 5.0 is traumatising."
About her NGO, she said the strategic edge that Care and its partners have identified is to concentrate its efforts on low income communities- with special attention to women and children, who lack minimum resources to survive, and are more vulnerable."
"Care is increasingly engaging in community discussions in housing and reconstruction in Pakistan," she said, adding it is working with NGO partners in the NWFP and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, helping over 52,000 people with immediate relief. This includes winterised tents and warm clothing." "Our partnership is with Rural Support Programme and is to provide technical assistance and capacity building through their distribution efforts."