DanChurchAid
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Over DKK 12.2 million raised for quake victims
Around 60,000 people were killed and more than 3.5 million people have been left homeless as a result of the massive earthquake which decimated northern Pakistan and India on 8 October 2005.
DanChurchAid has now raised over DKK 12.2 million (approx. USD 2 million) for the earthquake victims in Pakistan and India. Almost DKK 4 millions are raised through a cooperative collection with four other Danish humanitarian organisations.
In Pakistan, the money is distributed and allocated through DanChurchAid’s partner ACT International . ACT is providing emergency relief for quake affected comprising food packages, household utensils, blankets and shelter kits for approx. 20,000 people – for families in the most isolated areas of North West Frontier Province in Pakistan and the Pakistani part of Kashmir.
Church World Service (CWS), an ACT member, is providing relief aid to the quake victims in cooperation with international and local organisations. CWS, which has had relief and development operations in Pakistan for more than 50 years, was one of the first relief agencies to begin distributing relief assistance in the wake of the earthquake.
Aid to India too
In India, the money is allocated through DanChurchAid’s Indian partner CASA and at first the relief emergency compromises tents, blankets and clothes for approx. 10,000 people (food is provided by the government). Tin plates are also provided in order for them to build temporary shelters shutting out the approach of the harsh Himalayan winter.
Around 1,500 people were killed due to the quake, 5,000 wounded and hundreds of thousands have been left homeless in the Indian part of Kashmir. At least two thirds of the houses in the quake affected area have been shattered by the earthquake.
"We've heard of villages being completely obliterated due to the diaster - meaning that hundreds of thousands are left homeless”, says Sudhanshu Sing, DCA Delhi.
Furthermore, DCA headquarters in Denmark was contacted by several Pakistanis (residents in Denmark) who wished to raise money for the Pakistani part of the earthquake affected area.
Based on an article by journalist Peter Høvring ( ph@dca.dk ),published on www.noedhjaelp.dk , 22 November 2005. Translated and edited by Marianne Lemvig.
