ACT Rapid Response Team on the ground
An earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale hit parts of the south Asian subcontinent on Saturday morning, October 8. The quake was centered in the mountains of Pakistani Kashmir, near the Indian border, about 95 km (60 miles) northeast of Islamabad. Early reports indicate that more than 18,000 people are estimated to have died.
In response to an appeal by Action by Churches Together (ACT) for funds to assist 10,000 families with emergency relief of food and non-food items, in addition to shelter construction materials, The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund has issued an initial grant of $10,000.
ACT member Church World Service-Pakistan/Afghanistan (CWS-P/A) has already entered the response phase in Pakistan and is in close coordination with all the international and local organizations and local authorities currently involved in responding in the affected areas. The CWS-P/A offices in Karachi, Islamabad, Mansehra and Murree are organizing relief efforts and strategizing to address the needs on the ground.
With US$50,000 in Rapid Response Funds from the ACT Coordinating Office, CWS-P/A began immediate assistance to 950 families by providing emergency food packages (including wheat flour, rice, pulses, cooking oil, sugar, tea leaves, salt and match boxes) in the most affected and remote areas of the North West Frontier Province and Azad Kashmir and Pakistan.
Robin Greenwood speaking for ACT member Christian Aid reports on further complications in tbe conflict zones of Kashmir and South east Afghanistan. Greenwood says “It is vital that in both these areas that relief work takes precedence over conflict”.
TO MAKE A DONATION
On-line: At Canada Helps; after you fill in a donation amount, you can designate your contribution to “South Asia Earthquake”.
By Phone: Contact Barbara Wilkins at (416) 924-9199, ext. 320 for credit card donations. Please do not send your credit card number by e-mail or fax.
By Mail: Please make cheques out to “PWRDF”, mark them for South Asia Earthquake” and send to:
The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund
The Anglican Church of Canada
80 Hayden Street
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 3G2
MORE INFORMATION
Naba Gurung PWRDF Development Program Officer
Asia-Pacific, Global and Emergencies
Phone:416) 924-9199, ext. 321
FAX:(416) 924-3483
Elsa Tesfay-Musa PWRDF Development Program Coordinator
Refugees and Emergency Relief
Phone:(416) 924-9199, ext. 206
FAX:(416) 924-3483
Links
- PWRDF home page
- South Asia earthquake: update #1 Teams on the ground supported by donors worldwide
- South Asia earthquake: update #2 ACT member rushes shelter and food to survivors
- South Asia earthquake: update #3 CIDA to match funds for South Asia earthquake
- South Asia earthquake: update #4 A horror story without end – pray for parents and children
- PWRDF frequently asked questions about emergency response
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