We hope to organize relief shipments to the following destinations shortly:

1) Pakistan: Earthquake - Oct 2008:
A series of earthquakes struck Balochistan on 29th October 2008. First earthquake of 5.2 magnitude jolted Balochistan early morning at around 0433 hrs. Then the second and bigger tremor hit the areas with the magnitude of 6.4 at around 0510 hrs. Subsequently, aftershocks were felt at 0554 hrs and 0632 hrs of the magnitude of 4.0 and 4.6 respectively. After 11 hours, again a strong earthquake of 6.2 magnitude jolted the area at around 1732 hrs. Information Source: U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program

The epicenters of the earthquakes were about 400 miles southwest of Islamabad. According to the media, more than 150 dead bodies had been recovered so far while hundreds are injured and 15,000 people become homeless. District Ziarat and Pishin are the most affected districts while Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Loralai, Sibbi and Mastung are also affected by the earthquakes. Hundreds of houses collapsed and electricity and telecommunication system also failed in district Ziarat.

The second most affected area is Tehsil Khanozai of district Pishin where more than 500 households are affected. In the Tehsil, two villages Khushab and Negandeh are badly affected where more than 100 houses collapsed. The road from Khanozai to Loralia is blocked due to land slide.

The death toll in the area could rise as more information is coming in.

According to the health authorities of adjacent districts i.e. Killa Saifullah, Zhob and Harnai, there is no serious injury or death reported in their districts.

Needs:
With temperatures already very low in the high altitude region and likely to get lower as winter approaches, the UN inter-agency needs assessment determined that the urgent needs of the most affected populations include winterised tents, blankets and warm clothing, food, provision of health services and restoration of local drinking water supplies.

Response:
We aim to ship out supplies very soon.
2) Bangladesh: Tropical Storm Rashmi - Oct 2008:
Storm Rashmi swept through Bangladesh leaving behind lots of downed trees, damaged crops and houses and power outages in several districts.

At least 15 people were killed and some 300 injured by the tropical storm that battered southern Bangladesh.

At least 10 fishing boats with 50 aboard were missing in the Bay of Bengal after tropical storm Rasmi lashed the south of the country with winds of up to 80 kmh (50 mph), community leaders said.

Thousands of homes and areas of crops were damaged, while electrical and telephone poles were brought down, cutting power and disrupting communications.

At least 1,000 head of cattle died as offshore islands and coastal areas were swept by a tidal surge two meters (nine feet) higher than normal.

The Daily Star.net reported damages and power outages in Faridpur, Madaripur, Chandpur, Dhaka and adjoining districts. When Rashmi came ashore the first areas it hit were the Barguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Bhola, PirojpuTropical Storm Rashmi swept through Bangladesh leaving behind lots of downed trees, damaged crops and houses and power outages in several districts.

The Daily Star.net reported damages and power outages in Faridpur, Madaripur, Chandpur, Dhaka and adjoining districts. When Rashmi came ashore the first areas it hit were the Barguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Bhola, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Bagerhat, Khulna and Satkhira districts.

There were numerous reports of fishermen missing, capsized boats, fish enclosures damaged, and livestock killed. One report from Reuters indicated that at least 1,000 head of cattle died on off-shore islands and coastal areas that experienced the storm surge of over 6 feet.

The remnants of Rashmi exited through Netrakona border in the evening hours of Oct. 27. The Netrokona district is situated in the northern part of Bangladesh near the Himalayan border. r, Jhalakathi, Bagerhat, Khulna and Satkhira districts.

Needs:
clothing, food, provision of health services and restoration of local drinking water supplies.

Response:
We aim to ship out supplies very soon.
3) Floods in Honduras: Since 16 October, prolonged heavy rains have
caused floods and landslides in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The state of emergency was declared in Honduras where, according to the Permanent Contingencies Commission, 33 people died and over 270 000 were affected. All but one of the 18 departments are flooded and several thousands have found refuge in shelters. Some areas are accessible only by boat.

The main health concerns are gastrointestinal diseases, acute respiratory infections and communicable diseases. Primary needs include portable latrines, drugs and health supplies, water purification kits and items for household hygiene.

The United Nations is launching a Flash Appeal for the response to the crisis. PAHO/WHO is appealing for US$ 1 240 937 to support the health sector in the areas of:
  • Epidemiological surveillance and disease control
  • Access and availability of drugs and health supplies
  • Control and surveillance of water quality
  • Coordination with health partners
  • Mental health care at local level
Response:
Will make cash donation to the UN relief fund.