UN launches flash appeal for quake survivors

The United Nations and its agencies appealed on Tuesday for upwards of US $280 million to help hundreds of thousands people in Pakistan and India who survived the regional tremor that killed around 33,000 in Pakistan alone and left scores more injured. “Every hour counts and I urge the world to respond and respond generously and willingly,” United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan told a news conference in Geneva as the UN was preparing to launch the international appeal. "Given that the disaster occurred 72 hours ago and access is still impossible to many of the areas struck by the earthquake, the projects outlined in this initial flash appeal focus on life-saving issues. The projects are to be adjusted and expanded to include more focus on recovery in the near future as soon as more precise information is available," the appeal read. The worldwide appeal came three days after a devastating quake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale hit northern Pakistan and India. The tremor was also felt in neighbouring Afghanistan. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao confirmed on Tuesday that the death toll now stood at over 33,000 while New Delhi said at least 1,300 people perished in Indian-administered Kashmir. In areas of Pakistan-administered Kashmir and North West Frontier Province (NWFP) many villages were almost wiped out. The region, home to a population of 4 million, has suffered extensive damage. One million people are in acute need of assistance, the UN estimates. Ed Tsui, the director of the New York Office of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), urged the international community to be generous in supporting the quake victims. “We expect all countries and we call on all countries to support the flash appeal,” Tsui said. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland is expected to visit Pakistan shortly to see the extent of the massive damage for himself.