IRC Provides Emergency Supplies, Medical Care and Counseling to Earthquake Survivors

International Rescue Committee relief efforts continue in Abbottabad, Manshera, Shangla and Batagramthe four districts of Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province hit hardest by Saturday's massive earthquake.

In addition to distributing food, milk, water, blankets and tents, IRC teams with expertise in natural disasters and refugee emergencies have been carrying out rapid assessments to ensure that relief quickly reaches those who need it most.

In Abbottabad and Manshera, teams of doctors and paramedics have set up medical camps to treat patients. Psychosocial counselors have established a base in the heavily damaged town of Balakot to support traumatized survivors.

Aftershocks can still be felt in some parts of the province, which is creating fear and panic, says Ismail Khan, the IRC's team leader in the Shangla district. People have now started walking out of the disaster zones, trying to make it to safer areas.

Heavy rain, hailstorms and frequent landslides are hampering relief efforts in many locations, including Batagram, where an IRC team will resume work as soon as access to the town is restored. 

The IRC team responding in one of the few accessible areas in Shangla, Chaqaiser, is working to obtain plastic sheeting to shelter survivors there from the harsh weather until tents can arrive.

All of the teams are continuing to work with local officials and IRC colleagues in Peshawar to determine what the survivors will need in the coming days and coordinate quick and effective distribution of aid.

The IRC is accepting donations to support our emergency relief efforts.  Please click here or call 1-877-REFUGEE.