November 20, 2005
by Kevin Caruso
Although a Pakistan earthquake donors’ conference held in Islamabad on November 19th more than doubled the amount of pledged money for quake relief and recovery, a very dangerous emergency still exists in the country.
Some 200,000 individuals are still stranded in high mountainous regions in Kashmir because access roads to their communities were cut off by large landslides caused by the earthquake. And with heavy winter snows imminent, many may freeze to death; others will be susceptible to disease and illness.
Representatives from Pakistan are thus indicating that the death toll may rise, and the United Nations is concerned that a second “wave of death” may occur with the winter cold and snow.
A “race against time” continues as supplies are brought in by helicopter and work continues to clear roads.
