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Powerful Quake Leaves Thousands Dead; Millions Homeless
Written by
Amanda Mark
, Staff Writer, American Red Cross
Sunday, October 09, 2005 — Yesterday, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck the region bordering Pakistan, northern India, and Afghanistan at 9 a.m. local time. This devastating quake is estimated to be responsible for at least 18,000 deaths in southern Asia – and the death toll may be as high as 30,000 according to local officials.
Pakistani rescue workers gather at the site of a building damaged by an earthquake in the capital Islamabad, Oct. 8, 2005. A major earthquake shook cities and villages across the south Asian subcontinent on Saturday, ' wiping out' several villages in Pakistan and causing scores of casualties.
(Photo Credit: Reuters/Mian Khurshee, courtesy of Alertnet.org) |
Additionally, government officials in Pakistan report that at least 42,000 may be injured and some 4 million may be left without shelter in their country.
The Pakistan Red Crescent and Indian Red Cross responded immediately and continue to lead search and rescue efforts, provide emergency supplies, and assist with emergency medical needs.
In Islamabad, Pakistan, Pakistan Red Crescent ambulances were deployed to the collapsed apartment buildings to transport the injured to hospitals. Volunteers are assisting with rescue and relief activities, and Pakistan Red Crescent paramedic staff are providing medical assistance at the disaster site. Additionally, Pakistan Red Crescent teams continue to lead the search and rescue effort where several apartment buildings collapsed. According to the Red Crescent, 150 people may still be trapped under the debris.
The response is hindered by the remote mountainous terrain where the epicenter of the earthquake is located. Teams deployed to the north western frontier provinces were unable to reach the worst-hit areas because of destroyed roads. Further hampering the response, the communication systems in the area are overloaded and functioning sporadically.
As a national society linked to the Pakistan Red Crescent and the Indian Red Cross through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the American Red Cross is prepared to help its sister societies. The American Red Cross has its International Response Team, a group of trained relief workers, on-call for deployment to the affected region. Additionally, the American Red Cross has pre-positioned non-food relief supplies located near the region that will be sent upon request.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, which leads Red Cross efforts in conflict zones, will also assist the earthquake survivors in the contested Kashmir region on the Pakistan and Indian border.
You can help the victims of countless crises around the world each year, crises like the Myanmar Cyclone and China Earthquake, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation by either contacting 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish), or mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
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