Quake affectees to be given Rs12,000 each

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishter on Saturday said cash relief of Rs12,000 each will be “immediately” given to the families affected by the devastating earthquake, which jolted the Harnai district in Balochistan, killing 26 people and injuring over 300 others.

Speaking to the media after visiting the quake-hit areas, the SAPM said she came to assess the level of assistance needed from the federal government as several houses were destroyed across the district in the quake.

Dr Sania announced the relief package under the Ehsaas programme on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“Social protection is critical to earthquake-induced recovery. The relief assistance would be in addition to compensation being planned for the affected households after detailed damage assessment,” she maintained.

READ Earthquake highlights extreme poverty in Harnai, Balochistan

She expressed deep sorrow over the human and property loss witnessed across the district and went to village Killi Shor as well as other areas of Harnai tehsil to inquire after the affected families.

Sympathising with the affectees, Dr Sania said, “The federal government is with the people of Harnai during these hard times and we will do whatever we can to provide immediate relief. We are fully committed to supporting the earthquake affectees. Ehsaas' shock-responsive registry will also open its desks by Monday in the affected areas.”

The SAPM also reviewed arrangements being made to open Ehsaas Registration Desks at the Irrigation Department of Harnai while the Ehsaas National Socio-Economic registry survey has been completed in Harnai as well. Registration desks will facilitate self-enrolment of missed households who need Ehsaas assistance.
Earlier, Dr Sania visited District Hospital Harnai and inquired after the health of the people injured in the earthquake. As per the PM's directives, two food trucks of 'Ehsaas Koye Bhooka Na Soye' were also made operational in the district to provide cooked meals to the people. Moreover, Pakistan Baitul Mal planned to provide wheelchairs and artificial limbs to the quake victims.

She was joined by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri, Balochistan Chief Secretary Mathar Niaz Rana, Pakistan Baitul Mal Managing Director Malik Zaheer Abbas Khokhar, Sibi commissioner, Harnai deputy commissioner and senior officers of Ehsaas and Pakistan Army.