Accounts from Mansehra, Balakot...Needs Expressed:

On a phone conversation with Omar S. today, he gave his assesment of the situation and needs from there. Omar is an executive at Services Corporation in Pakistan who had led initial relief efforts by sending teams from his company to Mansehra and Muzaffarabad and set up relief camps to provide food, shelter and medical attention

He reported that the situation is grim and the highest priority was the need for Tents and warm clothing. The clothing needed specifically, are sweaters in all sizes, scarves, warm hats, gloves/mittens, jackets, etc. Tents are of DIRE need.

He said the most effective of the local NGOs operatig there are ones who have been conducting development operations on an ongoing basis. They have the infrastructure, human resources and knowledge of each of the communities they are working with. The ones which do not have much relief experience are not really able to work to their fullest.

Again, he emphasized that the army is being the most effective as far getting the relief items to the most affected and road accessible areas. It is working because there is some centralized method, to some extent. A lot of the private individual efforts are unfortunately being subject to violence, raiding and looting of their relief goods, so it has also become a security issue for these relief workers.

The Red Cross is providing a significant amout of relief, especially in the medical area. The call is out for racing against time and getting the needed shelter from the harsh elements.