Concern that Kashmir’s Victims Are Forgotten

Concern that Kashmir’s Victims Forgotten Amongst Christmas Cheer

As Christmas approaches, aid and relief agency TEAR Fund is concerned Kashmir’s earthquake victims have been forgotten. The aid agency is again appealing for funds as snow begins to fall across the mountainous Himalayan region. “We simply cannot afford to let this crisis drop off the radar,” says TEAR Fund Executive Director Stephen Tollestrup.

“Our partners in Kashmir are reporting blizzards and freezing temperatures. Hundreds of thousands of families are right now huddling together in tents and crowding over fires in a desperate attempt to keep warm.”
As icy winds howl through mountainside tent-villages, cold related diseases look set to explode into endemics, particularly amongst vulnerable children and the elderly. More than 200,000 people live above Kashmir’s snow line.

TEAR Fund, through the relief arm of the Integral Alliance and partner Medair, is working in the Bagh and Poonch districts of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. TEAR Fund is also operating in the Uri district of Indian-administered Kashmir.

The agency is distributing winterised tents, plastic sheets, mattresses, blankets, warm clothing, food and water. TEAR Fund is also constructing temporary shelters from the rubble of destroyed homes.

To donate to TEAR Fund’s emergency appeal, visit their website http://www.tearfund.org.nz or call 0800 800 777 or to make an instant $20 donation call 0900 90 777. ENDS

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