NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–26 September 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced his sadness at the loss of life and damage to thousands of homes caused by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck south-west Pakistan earlier this week.
“The Secretary-General extends his sincere condolences to the people and Government of Pakistan, particularly the families of those who have been killed or otherwise affected in this disaster,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement.
“The United Nations stands ready to lend assistance to efforts to respond to humanitarian needs resulting from the earthquake and to mobilize any international support needed.”
According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the number of people killed in the quake that struck parts of Balochistan province on 24 September continues to rise. The Government estimates that some 350 people have died and over 300,000 people have been affected.
Awaran and Kech districts have been hit the hardest, with 21,000 houses reportedly damaged and the communication system disrupted in the remote and sparsely populated area. Other affected districts are Gwadar, Panjgur, Chaghi and Khuzdar. The immediate needs of the affected people are food, non-food items, shelter and health care.
The UN and its humanitarian partners are in close contact with the National Disaster Management Authority. So far, the World Health Organization (WHO) has provided kits for the delivery of emergency primary health care services to more than 100,000 people, while the World Food Programme (WFP) has arranged for the delivery of high-energy biscuits to the affected people.
Source: un.org
