TV appeal launched as Asian quake toll rises

As charities turn to a television appeal to help raise funds for the relief work in the aftermath of the Asia earthquake, the death toll has risen to more than 25,000.

Authorities estimate that at least 63,000 people have been injured and tens of thousands more are homeless, many in isolated villages.

In a bid to add to the £2 million raised from the Asia Quake Appeal, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is to run a television campaign backed by a phone line appeal at 6pm tonight. The phone lines, which will be manned by celebrities and volunteers, will be open for several hours this evening to take pledges.

As relief work switches away from search and rescue operations a number of specialist rescue teams from the UK are expected to return home soon.

However, aid agencies on the ground warn that there is a danger of the relief effort becoming a humanitarian nightmare despite a United Nations appeal, to which the British government has pledged £10 million, that is expected to raise in excess of £150 million towards the relief effort.

On Saturday, the Department for International Development (DFID) put its 24-hour emergency response plan into action with search and rescue teams flown out to the scene along with humanitarian aid specialists.

The DEC confirmed today that equipment from a second UK aircraft, that included family tents to be distributed by Oxfam and 19,000 blankets to be distributed by Islamic Relief, had arrived.

Winter tents and other shelter equipment were delivered by helicopter to villages which are inaccessible by road. Medical camps are being set up, and emergency food rations are being distributed.

DEC Chief Brendan Gormley said: "Our challenge is to get emergency supplies - food, shelter, water and medical kit - to as many people as quickly as possible."

But Mr Gormley said that conditions were extremely difficult: "Roads and mountain tracks to isolated villages and settlements have either been blocked or destroyed. Bridges are down, there have been mudslides and heavy rain. This makes movement very difficult for lorries carrying heavy loads."

More supplies are on the way to the area including tarpaulins, winter family tents and blankets. They left Lahore by truck for Muzaffarabad where they will also be distributed by Islamic Relief.

A third DFID chartered aircraft is due to leave for the area later today carrying tents to be distributed by Oxfam. Also included is an Humanitarian Information Centre, including a vehicle and trailer, which the UK is providing for the UN, to help with logistical support.

In addition, further airlifts of blankets, tents, plastic sheets, sleeping mats and water cans from UK government stores in Dubai are due to arrive in Islamabad today.

Following appeals for more helicopters in the Pakistan area, Britain will be making a financial contribution to the UN and Red Cross helicopter budgets.

Secretary of State for International Development Hilary Benn said: “We are working very closely with the Pakistan authorities, the UN and UK aid agencies to ensure that we continue to send the right sort of support and supplies and that they reach those who need it.

“So far we have committed over £12 million of support and we will continue to do all that’s needed to continue providing support and help save lives. We are ready to respond to further requests.”

Donations to the public appeal may be made at the DEC website at www.dec.org.uk or by calling 0870 6060900.

(SP/KMcA)