Shangla quake victims protest lack of tents, food

Locals braving bitter cold with no relief

SHANGLA: Earthquake victims in Poran, Shangla blocked the road leading to Martung in the area of Aloch Bazaar on Sunday to demand relief items from the government.

A large number of demonstrators gathered in the area and were led by former nazim Amer Sultan, councillor Muhammad Qayoum and Muhammad Sultan, who also spoke at the protest.

The speakers said Pakistan Army had collected data of the damage, but locals were yet to receive any compensation. They said the local administration was not in touch with them, to know about their problems.

The protesters added earthquake survivors were battling problems like heavy rain and snowfall, while many victims were still living under the open sky.

Muhammad Sultan claimed relief work was continuing at a snail’s pace and they were still waiting for assistance.  “The district administration is deliberately ignoring affected people and is not providing tents or food.”

They warned the protests would continue if the government failed to meet their demands. Pakistan’s representative to the United Nations and former Sindh Assembly speaker Abdullah Hussain Haroon visited Chakesar and met earthquake victims.

He was briefed on the damages caused by the quake. Speaking to the media, Haroon said the outside world was not familiar with the gravity of the situation. “If the government had rectified that, the victims would have received ample relief.”

He recalled knowledge and awareness of the 2005 earthquake resulted in a tremendous response as $1 billion in aid was given to Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2015.