Islamabad, 10 November 2008 - The latest from the WFP team in Pakistan:
- WFP has almost completed distribution of food rations to 15,000 people in Ziarat and 5,000 in Pishin districts. Some 5,000 other people are expected to receive WFP assistance by Tuesday.
- Around 300 tons of food has been distributed for a period one month. Next distribution to take place in the first week of December. Thus WFP will complete its initial response of 700 tons of food to 20,000 persons to cover a two-month period.
- WFP distributed fortified ready-to-eat biscuits to the worst-affected District of Ziarat from WFP warehouses in Quetta.
- In addition to biscuits, WFP is distributing wheat flour, pulses, vegetable oil and salt in ration packets in the worst-affected villages.
"WFP is now in a position to
provide immediate food assistance for all survivors, so at the very least
they will not have to worry about food needs during this time of peril."
Wolfgang Herbinger, WFP Country Director, Pakistan
- 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.
"Today we have received food
rations for the whole family and with this our worries for food are over.
At least now we can concentrate on other essentials. We will try to construct
some parts of our house, but it is not possible for us to complete it.
We require more shelter to survive during winters."
Pakistan earthquake survivor Haji Muhammad Hanif
- 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