Quake affects at least 700 families in Ziarat: Spokesman
QUETTA
:
At least 700 families had been affected in Ziarat district who either lost their dear ones or their houses were destroyed
completely in Wednesday’s morning severe earthquake in parts of Ziarat district.
Spokesman to Balochistan Home Department Zaffar Iqbal told this news agency here Friday that the earthquake had destroyed
only 10 villages in Kawas and Ahmedoon union councils of Ziarat from where a total of 153 causalities and 347 injured had
been confirmed while a survey is underway to ascertain the exact number of victims. “Apart from these two union councils,
entire Ziarat district remained safe and quake caused partial damage to property and no human loss had been reported from
any part of the district” the Spokesman claimed.
He said the provincial government had also constituted a committee headed by DCO Ziarat and one representative of Pak
Army and Balochistan Frontier Corps to asses the losses caused by earthquake in the district. The committee had been
directed to furnish its detailed report within two days so that the rehabilitation process of the affected could be started
besides distributing compensation amount announced by the Prime Minister among heirs of deceased and injured of the
catastrophe.
When asked as to why the elected members were not given representation in the committee entrusted with the job to asses
quake losses, the Spokesman said the government wanted early start of the rehabilitation process in the quake affected
parts halting relief activities and representation of political elements may detract the committee from its objective of
complete rehabilitation of the affected masses as early as possible.
He termed destruction caused by the tremor of wide‑scale in Ziarat district yet the provincial government is fully capable
to indigenously carry out relief and rehabilitation activities in the quake hit areas. He, however said the provincial
government would welcome assistance from every quarter to provide maximum benefit the affected families.
Referring to relief activities, the Spokesman said the provincial government had so far distributed 6000 blankets, 3793
tents, 1000 sleeping bags, 5600 jackets and tons of food items among the quake affectees through Pak Army, FC, PDMA, the
district government while sufficient relief consignments donated by the Federal government, philanthropists from the
country and foreign countries being dispatched .
He assured that no quake affected family had left without relief assistance as relief and rescue teams had access to every
hit part.
“Four tent villages had been established in worst hit Ziarat district and each tent village had the capacity to accommodate
at least 300 affected families”, he said and added in these tent villages, the affected families were not only ensured food
but also all civic facilities.
About medical assistance to the quake injured, he said 18 medical teams comprising specialist doctors with necessary
medicines provided by the provincial Health department are rendering services. Besides, FC had also established a field
hospital and relief organizations included MSF, ICRC, PPHI, BRMP, Taraqi Foundation and others are also rendering services
in quake hit areas
