SITUATION: At least 170 people have died from a powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck southwestern Pakistan early today. Among the villages affected was Ziarat, about 30 miles north of Quetta, where CWS has offices.
The death toll is expected to increase, officials said. Dilawar Khan, mayor of Ziarat, said two areas in his district had been "badly hit," the BBC reported. Many of the homes in the affected area are fragile, mud structures, prone to collapse when earthquakes strike.
RESPONSE: CWS Pakistan/Afghanistan, with offices in Quetta, has a significant operational presence in the region and is planning an immediate assessment and response. CWS P/A implemented a major response to an October 2005 earthquake in northwest Pakistan and Kashmir.
For further information about disasters to which Church World Service is responding please visit www.churchworldservice.org or call the CWS Hotline, (800) 297-1516.
CWS Emergency Response Program special contacts: (212) 870-3151
Program Director: dderr@churchworldservice.org