“It has been a challenge from day one to respond to this emergency because of the high terrain, culture, security – all the challenges you can imagine,” said Marvin Parvez, director of Church World Service-Pakistan/Afghanistan (CWS), a member of the global alliance Action by Churches Together (ACT) International.
Since the giant quake last October, CWS has continued to play a key role in providing assistance to thousands of survivors in camps and mountain villages, especially those at higher altitudes which will be cut off by winter weather and snow.
“As the winter comes in, the situation has gotten grim,” said Parvez, speaking by phone from Pakistan.
He added, however, that thousands are now more able to cope with the winter thanks to the relief supplies from CWS and other humanitarian aid organisations which continue to operate in the affected regions.CWS is currently operating in the Pakistan earthquake zone in cooperation with other organisations in the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum. The first concern of these organisations is how to support the survivors right throughout the winter.
The main issue, Parvez said, is “how do we meet these challenges of winterization, especially at 5,000 feet, with snow all over the place, with winds so strong.”
It was this question that topped the agenda of the latest meeting of forum members on January 17.
ACT members have contributed 43,000 jumpers and blankets, nearly all of which have been distributed by CWS, as the initial focus on providing shelter gives way to the urgent need for other winter essentials. CWS already distributed 19,000 tents and 6,130 sheets in the past three months.It has been a challenge from day one to respond to this emergency because of the high terrain, culture, security – all the challenges you can imagine.
Marvin Parvez, director of CWS-Pakistan/Afghanistan
