Funds for immediate rehabilitation of Leepa valley fire victims released

MIRPUR: Massive relief funds have been released by the finance department of and Kashmir (AJK) government for early rehabilitation of hundreds of people seriously affected by the inferno which raged through Leepa Valley, gutting 100 shops and a dozen houses while rendering many people jobless and even homeless.

Acting AJK Prime Minister Chaudhy Tariq Farooq had on Monday ordered the finance department to immediately release compensation to people affected by the fire.

Rescue and relief services were under way while a helicopter was arranged by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to transport relief items on Monday but inclement weather conditions prevented supplies to be transported according to Commissioner Muzaffarabad Division Muhammad Tayyeb Chaudhry told APP on Monday.

The Commissioner pointed out urgent measures are being undertaken to ensure the immediate delivery of the relief goods and compensatory cheques for the rehabilitation of people affected by the fire.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2017.