Pakistan quake victims need more money, Red Cross’ representatives say

The international Red Cross on Tuesday appealed for an extra 56.4 Swiss francs (US$43.7 million; Ђ36.35 million) in donations to continue providing medical, food and shelter to earthquake victims in Pakistan.

The appeal increases to 62 million francs (US$48 million; Ђ39.93 million) the appeal by the Swiss-run International Committee of the Red Cross for donations since the quake struck Oct. 8.

The amount will cover ICRC operations until the end of the year to provide lifesaving medical care for people injured in the earthquake and provide enough food and shelter for 150,000 people to survive the winter, said the ICRC, which also plans to ensure adequate water supplies to heavily populated areas, the AP reports.

National Red Cross and Red Crescent societies are contributing to the relief effort by providing medical staff and other assistance to hastily erected ICRC hospitals and clinics, Reto Meister, ICRC delegate-general for Asia, told reporters. The organization hopes that governments will add to their donations to make up the rest.

The ICRC is aiming to help 30,000 families with top priority now being given to medical assistance - evacuating injured people to hospitals, performing surgery on those who need it and treating patients. The agency said it is building up a fleet of trucks and helicopters for its operations. A.M.