17 February 2006

Over 140,000 Blankets And Quilts Distributed By Save The Children In Pakistan

Save the Children has now distributed 143,933 blankets and quilts in Pakistan to help families in earthquake affected areas get through the cold winter. This includes approximately 3,000 from New Zealand donor to our special Blanket appeal.

But snow is still falling this week as much needed recovery and reconstruction work continues, according to John Bowis, Executive Director of Save the Children New Zealand.

"Good progress is being made on reconstruction work. Thirty eight thousand families now have materials to build shelters and more than 210,000 corrugated iron sheets have been distributed by Save the Children. This is especially good news as many children are suffering from respiratory infections, which are likely to be related to the cold weather.

"Children are now able to go to school at either temporary learning centres or schools and every effort is being made to establish educational opportunities for children. Save the Children recently built a school hall using wood salvaged from the rubble in Bagh – now 250 children can sit their final exams inside the hall," John Bowis said.

Save the Children has so far:
- Provided more than 38,000 families with the materials to build shelters.
- Distributed more than 210,000 corrugated galvanized iron (CGI) sheets.
- Established 123 safe play spaces, benefiting an estimated 9,850 children.
- Established 60 temporary learning spaces, which have enrolled of 5,129 students.
- Supported communities to construct transitional structure for 79 schools, which will enrol almost 8,000 students upon completion.
- Provided 15,487 children with warm clothing, including 2,000 school uniforms.
- Received and treated 12,725 patients at the Bana field hospital.
- Distributed 143,933 blankets or quilts.
- Organized communities in 47 villages to establish community-based child protection mechanisms.
- Constructed 41 community kitchens at Meira Camp.
- Distributed 30,455 packs of family food rations

ENDS

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