Quake toll exceeds 87,000: WB

Published November 9, 2005

WASHINGTON, Nov 8: The death toll in earthquake has jumped to 87,350 after a new count of the dead in Pakistan, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank reported on Tuesday.

According to these reports, Pakistan’s official toll jumped by 13,000 — from 73,000 to 86,000 –- and might increase further. India has reported 1,350 deaths in occupied Kashmir.

The increase in death toll followed the discovery of more bodies in Mansehra and Azad Kashmir from the areas previously inaccessible to assessment teams due to landslides.

The report points out that UN workers are still racing to bring shelter to the 350,000 most desperate survivors one month after the disaster.

But one month after the quake, there is barely enough money to keep relief helicopters flying, and no talk of rebuilding.

The UN stepped up its appeals for more money, urging donors to be as generous as with other recent disasters.

It urgently needs $58 million to keep bringing help through November.

“What is particularly difficult in Kashmir is that people (will) freeze to death if they don’t get assistance in weeks,” UN humanitarian chief Jan Egeland said in New York.

Forecasters predict temperatures will dip to minus-25 degrees Celsius in some stricken areas.

The damage assessment report prepared by teams from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and other donor agencies said the quake devastated a total of 7,197 educational institutions in NWFP and Azad Kashmir.

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram ‘roadmap’
Updated 25 Dec, 2024

Kurram ‘roadmap’

The state must provide ironclad guarantees that the local population will be protected from all forms of terrorism.
Snooping state
25 Dec, 2024

Snooping state

THE state’s attempts to pry into citizens’ internet activities continue apace. The latest in this regard is a...
A welcome first step
25 Dec, 2024

A welcome first step

THE commencement of a dialogue between the PTI and the coalition parties occupying the treasury benches in ...
High troop losses
Updated 24 Dec, 2024

High troop losses

Continuing terror attacks show that our counterterrorism measures need a revamp. Localised IBOs appear to be a sound and available option.
Energy conundrum
24 Dec, 2024

Energy conundrum

THE onset of cold weather in the country has brought with it a familiar woe: a severe shortage of piped gas for...
Positive cricket change
24 Dec, 2024

Positive cricket change

HEADING into their Champions Trophy title defence, Pakistan are hitting the right notes. Mohammad Rizwan’s charges...