Yesterday morning, Pakistan was hit by a earthquake registering 7.6 on the Richter scale. So far, it is thought that as many as 20,000 people might have lost their lives in what is perhaps one of the worst natural disasters in living memory.
CNN writes "Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said 43,000 people were injured in the quake, which struck shortly before 9 a.m. Saturday 60 miles north-northeast of the Pakistani capital. Casualty figures "will certainly go up."
Two major hospitals were badly damaged, and a massive relief effort was under way, with the government working to set up temporary medical centers and evacuating the injured in helicopters, Aziz said. He appealed to the international community to send heavy-lift helicopters, as well as tents, blankets, medicine and "hundreds of millions of dollars" to help rebuild the infrastructure.
"Some of the towns have been flattened, so there's nothing there," Aziz said.
Aid agencies are clear that the crucial time is in the immediate days after such an incident, getting aid and medical support into affected areas. There is a desperate need for help, so please, take the time to visit one of the charities below and help these poor people affected.
Info & donate to Islamic Aid | DEC | American Red Cross | UNICEF
