Govt announces more relief packages for affectees

Initial survey of Bajaur finds over 10,000 houses destroyed

CHITRAL/ KHAR/ PESHAWAR/ SHANGLA/ TIMERGARA: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Major General Asghar Nawaz along with a Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) team visited earthquake affected areas of Torghar, Dassu, Shangla and Swat in Malakand Division. This was stated in a press release issued on Friday.

According to the document, NDMA chairman was briefed by commissioners and deputy commissioners of Torghar, Kohistan and Malakand Division regarding relief measures undertaken by district administrations in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders to address the urgent needs of affected people.



 

“Asghar was told 44,642 tents, 63,721 blankets, 9,794 plastic mats, food packages weighing 1,086.03 tonnes, 22,000 tarpaulins, 14 tonnes of bottled water, 49 water filtration plants, 12 generator sets and 27 tonnes of medicine had been given,” stated the handout. The statement also mentioned five helicopters were continuously supporting provision of relief on behalf of NDMA.

Reaching Chitral

The K-P government announced an amount of Rs10 million for those who had been affected by floods and the earthquake in Khoht, Mastuj sub-division of Chitral on Friday.

Khoht village council chairman Abdul Hameed Khan met Minister for Finance Muzzafar Said and informed him about hardships faced by the people. He said after the floods, the earthquake accentuated the misery of people. Said assured full financial assistance would be provided to the people devastated by natural calamities.



Inadequacy

There are still some areas of Chitral which have not received promised compensation. Muhammad Jalil from Charun Owir said the administration was indifferent to the plight of the victims. “Most tents have been levelled due to heavy snowfall and prime minister’s promised Rs0.2 million relief cheques have yet to be paid,” he added. Talking to The Express Tribune, MPA Sardar Hussain and Mastuj Additional Assistant Commissioner Muhammad said construction of Charun Owir road in Chitral begun after protest by locals.

Assessing Bajaur

Bajaur Agency Political Agent Akhunzada Muhammad Yahya told the media 10,000 houses were destroyed while 30,000 houses were partially damaged in Khar by the recent earthquake. “To relive the agony of people, 4,269 tents, 4,370 blankets, 4,189 food packages, 1,495 tarpaulin sheets, 1,431 sheets, 1,000 plastic canes and 1,000 kitchen sets have been distributed among the earthquake affectees by FDMA,” he said. Yahya added initial survey had already been conducted and remaining survey is being carried out to assess damages.

Exploitation

Police arrested seven people from Khazang in Chakesar, Shangla who took compensation money and relief packages from the government and NGOs, pretending to be earthquake affectees. Under the NDMA act, Besham Additional Assistant Commissioner Javed Iqbal instructed the administration to verify and monitor the procedure of providing relief.



After arresting seven people, Iqbal said cheques provided to fraudsters have been blocked. “Two-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs0.5 million will be imposed on them,” he added.

Moreover, relief cheques were distributed among 271 earthquake victims in Maidan tehsil, Dir at a ceremony held at Red Fort. Timergara naib nazim Hanifullah, Timergara youth councillor Qazi Hanifullah and other officials distributed cheques worth Rs0.2 million each.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2015.