|
The earthquake of 8 October 2005 was one of the worst natural disasters in the history of mankind. It struck at 8.52am and measured 7.6 on the Richter scale. Some 25,000 square miles of north west Pakistan and Kashmir were affected.
In the wake of the devastation we were given the challenge to help those who suffered so terribly. The Hashim Welfare Hospital and its supporters joined forces with the whole of the world to respond to the tragedy. Phase two put on holdHWH funds were used to buy a new ambulance and a medical team, along with relief goods, was dispatched to the worst affected area. The first camp was setup in Bagrool, Bagh. Meanwhile, charity members were busy fundraising in the UK.
The Hashim Welfare Hospital had reached the point where further building expansion was planned. It was decided to put this "on hold" when news of the disaster reached hospital staff and friends.
| (above) Cracks in shifted roads and land can be found across the areas affected | | | (left) Pictures cannot fully convey the extent of the devastation caused by the earthquake |
Non-medical relief workIn the initial weeks after the disaster, the emphasis was on treating those who had not been injured enough to need airlifting to big hospitals. | | | | The charity provided tents, ground cover, clothing and other items including blankets and quilts in useful, waterproof plastic packaging which Riaz Malik (above) is distributing
| (Above) The gift of corrugated sheeting enabled families to build a weather-proof shelter using rubble or existing supports for walls.
| Equally important was providing shelter, rehabilitation and things necessary to prepare for the harsh winter: tents, blankets, quilts, sleeping bags, floor mats, etc. | | | | Mr Perviz Choudary (above) handing out gifts. The earthquake struck at the start of the school day. Thousands of children died or were injured | Mr Sajid Mahmood (above) led a team of volunteers and five trucks of food packs for distribution in Balakot |
As can be seen in the table (below) it is only through your generosity and support that we were able to do so much in such a short space of time.
|
Tents
| 50
| 18 | (Ajmal) | | Blankets | 150
| 102
| (Sajid) | | Quilts | 15
| | | | Sleeping bags | | 100
| (Shahid) | | Floor mats | 20
| 137
| (Ajmal) | | Metal sheets | 1100
| 300
| (Shahid) | | Food packs | 100
| 172
| (Sajid) | | Children's clothes | | 150
| (Perviz) | | Staff clothes | 8
| 8
| (Ahsan) | | Cash (Rupees) | | 1000-5000
| (Ahsan/Sajid) | | | | |
|
Sessar Hospital, BaghInitial camps were set up on the 23 October 2005 at Bagrool. After this we worked along side the government of Kashmir to revive the deserted and run-down hospitals in the area. We took over the responsibility of Sessar Hospital and three associated basic health units (BHU) in district Bagh.
We initially planned to run the facilities for 6 months. The executive commitee in the UK planned to hand over control of the hospital and BHU to the local government in April 2006. It was the wish of local people and donors to carry on if possible. The decision was made to continue the clinics in the medium term.
A decision was also made to set up a dispensary in Namli Syadain, Muzaffrabad. This initiative was wholly sponsored by HWH Executive committee members Ahsan Ellahi and Sajid Mahmood. The plan is to build, set up, staff and finally hand over the dispensary to the local people.
UK charity Noor Foundation is building a vocational centre and school in the
same village. | Earthquake relief effort | Bagrool Camp from 23 Oct 05 | Patients treated 1,052 | Sessar Hospital from 21 Nov 05 | Patients treated 10,404 | |
| | HWH team from Shaikh Zahid Hospital, including Dr Ajmal Naqvi Team leader, Dr Amber Malik, and Dr Pervaiz Akhtar | | | | | Dr Mustafa, Sessar Hospital, Bagh | |
| Dr Amber Malik, Sessar Hospital, Bagh | |
Cannot read a PDF file? Get Adobe Acrobat Reader here.  |
