Islamabad, 5 November 2008 - The latest from the WFP team in Pakistan:
- WFP is distributing fortified ready-to-eat biscuits to the worst-affected District of Ziarat from WFP warehouses in Quetta.
- In addition to biscuits, WFP has started distributing wheat flour, pulses, vegetable oil and salt in ration packets in the worst-affected villages. Initially, nearly 400 tonnes of food will be dispatched as a one month emergency ration for up to 20,000 persons in the most affected areas - 15,000 in Ziarat and an additional 5,000 in Pishin District, both on the outskirts of Quetta.
- UN agencies have carried out a rapid assessment of the earthquake impact to determine the humanitarian response. Six teams from WFP, UNICEF, WHO and IOM have been visiting 63 villages in three districts over the past four days to obtain a deeper understanding on how the earthquake affected the already poor and vulnerable population in these areas.
- With temperatures already very low in the high altitude region and likely to get lower as winter approaches, the UN inter-agency needs assessment determined that the urgent needs of the most affected populations include winterised tents, blankets and warm clothing, food, provision of health services and restoration of local drinking water supplies.
- The Pakistan military Frontier Corps has set up camps in Wam and Kawas in Ziarat district which are currently being used as storage depots. Four additional camps are proposed in Ahmadon, Jangle Banda, Zanbra and Panian in the district. Additional soldiers, vehicles and 10 Pakistan Air Force helicopters are also part of the overall relief effort.
Contacts
Gregory Barrow
WFP Spokesperson
Tel. +39-06-65132330
Cell. +39-3481325018
Amjad Jamal
WFP/Islamabad
Cell. +92-300 8500989
Caroline Hurford
WFP Spokesperson
Tel. +44-20-72409001
Cell. +44-7968-008474
Jennifer Parmelee
WFP Spokesperson
Tel. +1-202-6530010 ext. 1149
Cell. +1-202-4223383
Bettina Luescher
WFP Spokesperson
Tel. +1-212-9635196
Cell. +1-646-8241112