Crisis Management Cell in Washington

Washington, DC: A Pakistan Embassy press release issued on Saturday reads: Today the worst ever earthquake in the history of Pakistan caused widespread damage to the lives and properties in Punjab, NWFP, Tribal Areas and Kashmir. The intensity of the earthquake measured 7.6 degrees on the Richter scale. The death toll is estimated in thousands.

The entire Government machinery has been mobilized to speed up the relief operations throughout the disaster hit areas. President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz are personally monitoring rescue and relief operations. The President has also directed the Pakistan Army and the Air Force to provide assistance to the civil administration in the earthquake stricken areas.

President’s Relief Fund has been established with an initial allocation of Rs. 1 billion by the Government to provide assistance to the affectees of the massive disaster. The President and the Prime Minister have appealed to the Pakistanis and overseas Pakistanis to donate generously in the President’s Relief Fund.
An Earthquake Relief Cell has also been established in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat which will work under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister.
The US Department of State immediately responded to the tragedy and offered US Government’s assistance to Pakistan for the relief of the affectees.
The Embassy of Pakistan in Washington D.C. has established a Crisis Management Cell to provide round the clock consular services to the Pakistanis and Pakistani-Americans who wish to travel to Pakistan. The Cell is also coordinating the travel of relief teams to Pakistan. The Cell will be providing information on damage and rescue operations.

Charge d’Affaires Mohammad Sadiq has appealed to the Pakistani community to contribute generously to help their Pakistani brothers and sisters in this hour of need. The Embassy has opened a designated account to receive donations for the President’s Relief Fund. Donations can be sent to the Embassy of Pakistan, 3517 International Court, NW, Washington, DC 20008. Checks should be made payable to the President’s Relief Fund. All donations made by the community organizations and individuals will be announced on the Embassy’s website.
Pakistani organizations including Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America(APPNA), Rising Leaders, Pakistan Public Affairs Committee (PAKPAC), Council of Pakistani-Americans (COPAA), Pakistani-American Leadership Council (PAL-C) and several other community organizations are also doing the fund raising.

 

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Editor: Akhtar M. Faruqui
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