Al-Khidmat Foundation on Wednesday started relief work in quake-devastated areas of Balochistan with initial supplies of medicines, food and potable water. Talking to Business Recorder, head of Disaster Management Cell of Al-Khidmat Foundation, Ijaz Ullah Khan, said "three trucks of relief items were sent to the affected areas of Balochistan."
One truck each has moved from Quetta, Karachi and Lahore which are expected to reach the affected areas anytime on Wednesday, he said. "The consignment consist of tent, blankets, hygiene kits, cloths, dry fruits, bags of medicines, tooth pests and other essential items," he said.
The life saving medicines and surgical items will be transported by air today, he said, adding that three different teams along with paramedical staff have already departed for Mushkil to undertake rescue operation. A rescue team is already working in Kharan," he added. The former Karachi mayor, Naimatullah Khan Advocate, is overseeing the relief operation, he said, adding that the Al-Khidmat workers in Quetta are responding to the victims.
"Al-Khidmat representative in Quetta, Asim Ali Sanjrani, is monitoring the relief operation," he said. To a question regarding human loss, he citied a conservative estimate of some 30 casualties in the horrible and powerful earthquake that was measured 7.9 of magnitude at Richter scale. "As per out estimate at least 30 peoples died and hundreds others were injured in the powerful jolts. Most of the injured have been shifted to Dalbandin and Quetta for treatment," he added. He said Al-Khidmat Foundation has set up its base camp in Nokandi Chagai some 100 kilometer off Dalbandin. Mushkil is a backward area of Balochistan lacking basic road infrastructure which largely contributed to the problems in relief goods supplies to the affected areas, he said. Ijaz Ullah Khan said "Al-Khidmat workers are co-ordinating with DC, Muhammad Khan and AC, Mureed Shah to ensure fast relief activities. We are seeking their help for targeted relief operation as well."