UNITED NATIONS, Oct 14: The United Nations on Friday revised its “flash appeal” for earthquake which hit Pakistan to $312 million from $272 million, and so far over $50 million has been pledged, a top UN official said.

As more international aid pours into Pakistan some 50 or more helicopters are operating to speed up the relief efforts in the more inaccessible areas Hamsjoerg Strohmeyer, a spokesman for UN’s Office of Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs, told a news briefing.

On Thursday Mr Strohmeyer said that the monies pledged to the UN “flash appeal” is separate from the bilateral donations made directly to Pakistan government which according to one report is about $400 million so far.

The countries which have pledged to the UN fund include United Kingdom $17m, Sweden $10m, Netherlands $7m, Canada $8m, Australia $4m and another $1.5m by others.

When asked about the relief efforts for the children who were most impacted by the earthquake, he said that United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) had established 10 centres with over 20 staffers to assess the needs of the children.

He said that the priority needs are for logistics support — helicopters and heavy lifting machinery, shelter — winterized tents, blankets heating equipment, water and sanitation field hospitals, medicines, food and qualified emergency staff.

Mr Strohmeyer echoed Pakistan government’s announcement that the UN operations are now concentrating on search and relief of the survivors of the earthquake adding although access is improving road condition remain difficult.

WAKE-UP CALL: The tragic toll in the earthquake that devastated Pakistan last week is a wake-up call for governments, international organizations and all other actors to guarantee the universal human right to safe housing that can withstand such disasters, according to a senior United Nations rights expert.

“The human right of everyone to adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living is enshrined in article 11(1) of the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. ‘Habitability’ is one necessary element of this human right,” the special rapporteur on adequate housing of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Miloon Kothari, said in a statement on Thursday.

“This tragedy must reinforce the resolve of all international actors, including UN agencies and programmes, states, civil society and the private sector, to work towards the progressive development of safe housing standards worldwide, including compliance with building standards based on the fulfilment of the right to adequate housing,” he added.