With the fast approaching severe winter in the affected areas, the government of Pakistan has decided to mobilise all available resources to provide temporary shelter to the thousands of homeless people on urgent basis, said a Pakistani official while talking to newsmen.
Pakistan is facing acute shortage of tents for the quake-hit areas in Azad Kashmir and NWFP. " We wish the tents, as much number as possible should reach the affected areas at the earliest, the official added.
He said Pakistan is thankful to the Chinese government and its people for a big donation that they have already made in form of tents, blankets and medicines. "We are expecting Chinese further help in relief and reconstruction work," he added.
Meanwhile, some leading Chinese companies announced donation of 3,75000 dollar both in cash and material at a ceremony held here at the Pakistan embassy.
Total private sector's donation has reached 5 million dollar, besides official donation of 6.2 million dollar provided by the Chinese government and $one million Chinese Defence Ministry.
Chinese senior officials Hu Deping and Xi Boyang assured that the Chinese side will actively participate in the rehabilitation work in the affected areas.
Hu Deping told reporters that they have launched a nation-wide campaign to mobilise humanitarian assistance for their Pakistani friends who faced colossal loss in the wake of the devastated earthquake.
The ceremony was jointly organised by the UN system in China, China Guangcai Programme, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and Pakistan embassy.
Pakistan ambassador Salman Bashir briefed about 150 representatives of leading Chinese companies about the impact of earthquake disaster on the life of the people in the affected areas.
Chief of UNDP resident mission Khalid Malik proposed that there should be China's consortium for participating in the reconstruction work. A Chinese Vice Minster who attended the meeting agreed to the proposal and hoped necessary modalities to this effect would be finalised soon.