President orders quick relief work in Hunza village

ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed grief and shock over the Hunza disaster which caused loss of lives and destruction to property.

In a statement here on Tuesday, President Zardari directed the local authorities to undertake immediate search, rescue and relief operations to help the affected families.

He also sought a report from the government of Gilgit-Baltistan regarding the measures taken and the provision of shelter, food and medical help for the displaced people.

The president directed the local authorities to provide best possible medical care to the injured. He also asked the local authorities to take note of the blockade of the river and adopt immediate measures to ensure that it does not cause any damage to other villages.

CDA: A team from the emergency and disaster management of Capital Development Authority was also dispatched to Hunza on Tuesday. According to an official announcement, the team comprising 26 rescuers, group and team leaders from the urban search and rescue component of EDM directorate has been sent to the area along with sophisticated equipment, listening and detecting devices in a helicopter.

The CDA chairman, Imtiaz Inayat Elahi has directed the next batch of rescuers to remain on standby in case of further requirement.

The crews of EDM directorate have been trained by the experts in Finland.

PRCS: Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said it has started providing relief items to the victims of the landslide, said a press release.

It said relief items including food, tents, blankets and stoves were being provided to the affected families at Karimabad.

PRCS Vice-Chairperson Senator Nilofar Bakhtiar held a meeting with the society’s Gilgit-Baltistan chapter chief Mir Baz Khan and assured full support for rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the victims and directed the officials to expedite the rescue and relief operation.

Ms Bakhtiar said assistance would be extended to the far-flung areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. She said PRCS national headquarters was at standby to help the victims and provide them support as per requirements.

Meanwhile, noted mountaineer Nazir Sabir expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the Hunza village.

In a statement issued here, he urged the government to mobilise all resources and manpower to provide quick relief to the disaster-hit people.__Courtesy Dawn