ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN -- NATO continued expanding its relief efforts today in the air and on the ground as NATO helicopters evacuated hundreds of earthquake victims from remote villages; NATO medics treated hundreds of patients while continuing to expand their hospital facility; and NATO engineers worked with the Pakistani Army to build winterized shelters.
NATO Engineers expand relief efforts; move in water purification capability
As night-time temperatures in the higher elevations drop, NATO engineers began building winter shelters for those left homeless in the higher elevations around Bagh. Working together with the Pakistani Army, teams of NATO and Pakistani personnel will move to areas above 5,000 feet to build critical winterized shelters.
According to the commander of the NATO relief team, Air Commodore Andrew Walton, these teams will operate at high elevations until the weather makes the work impossible.
"We are sending these teams up the mountains to reach those most vulnerable to the bitter winter weather rapidly descending there," Air Commodore Walton said. "Providing this kind of shelter against the elements is just one of the projects we're working in the Bagh area, and it will save lives."
These temporary shelters are metal-covered wooden structures and can be quickly assembled.
NATO Hospital expands capability
Including patients treated by mobile medical teams and those admitted for care, NATO medics working at the field hospital near Bagh have seen nearly 800 patients in the three days since the facility began its inpatient operation.
According the spokesman for the NATO Land Component, which is responsible for the medical and engineering operations, the team continues expanding its capability even as mobile teams move through the area to deliver medical care.
"In three days since opening the facility, we saw more than 180 patients in the hospital itself and the mobile teams treated more than 600 in the area," said Lt. Col. Pedro Vallespin. "We are also pleased to welcome a team of thirty medical professionals from the Czech Republic who are supporting the NATO relief mission."
NATO Air Bridge continues flow of critical relief; helicopters increase flying
Three of NATO's four CH-53 helicopters yesterday flew more than 20 tons of food and supplies to remote mountain villages.
"We have our helicopters flying as often as possible and these crews are doing a great job keeping up the pace," said Air Commodore Walton. "We're pushing hard to generate flights because time is short to bring these supplies quickly to remote areas before the snow sets in."
On one flight yesterday, a NATO CH-53 was able to evacuate more than 70 earthquake victims from their devastated village and bring them to shelter.
Meanwhile on the NATO air bridge, three C-130s flew from a NATO base at Incirlik , Turkey carrying tons of relief supplies including tents, blankets and more. Also Saturday, a C-17 arrived carrying a medical search and rescue helicopter from NATO member Luxembourg and a water purification system from NATO member Lithuania .
The Lithuanian water purification unit also will set up operations in the Bagh area.
NATO is also coordinating for the United Nations the delivery of 400 tons of blankets from Amman , Jordan to be delivered in the coming days.