Quake survivors blankets appeal

More than one million survivors of October's South Asian earthquake could face winter without adequate blankets, according to the United Nations.
The UN's chief relief co-ordinator, Jan Vandemoortele has again urged donors to keep contributing to the relief effort.

He says the main focus is now on those below the snowline.

Pakistan says more than 73,000 of its citizens were killed in the disaster, which also left some 1,400 dead in Indian-administered Kashmir.

'Major challenge'

Mr Vandemoortele indicated to journalists in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, that the main needs of those above the snowline were being met.


But he said that some $45m was needed for supplies for those living below the snowline.

"The major challenge for the people is to stay warm and to stay dry," he said.

The biggest worry, the UN says, is for those living in 'tent cities' that have sprung up with no planning or authorisation.

Most people in such areas need additional help, a UN survey found.

The survey warns that:


1.2 million people face not having enough blankets of quilts to protect them from the cold.

There is a shortfall of 170,000 high quality plastic sheets needed to improve protection from rain and snow in tents not designed to withstand the cold.

Some 200,000 tarpaulins are needed for ground insulation in such 'unwinterised' tents.

"We have a concern about the continued flow of contributions," Mr Vandemoortele said.



The amount donated so far for the short-term relief effort for December showed a sharp drop from November, he said.


About three million people lost their homes in the quake.


International donors have pledged some $5.4bn (?3.14bn) in long-term reconstruction funds to help Pakistan recover from the earthquake, the government says.

Many of the pledges are in the form of low interest loans.


Story from BBC NEWS: news.bbc.co.uk