The Senate Chairman attended the donors' conference held under the UN aegis in Geneva and represented Pakistan at the IPU conference at the UN headquarters in New York.
He was in Washington to attend a fund-raiser function held at the residence of Riffat Mahmood at Mount Vernon. Besides Ambassador Jehangir Karamat, the participants included US legislators and officials, academicians, former ambassador Nancy Powell, former assistant secretary of state, Karl Inderfurth, CEOs, businessmen, Ed Guillespe, Dennis Kux, Walter Andersen, Barbara, wife of Senator Tim Johnson, Susan Allen, wife of Senator Allen, IMF and WB representatives, as well as a large number of Pakistani-Americans and American citizens.
"Severe biting cold weather is around; tents and blankets are badly needed to protect the shelterless victims, to keep them warm and comfortable," the Senate Chairman said.
He said medicines were available but more are needed for treatment of tetanus and infectious diseases.
Chairman Soomro drew attention to large amputations that were required to be carried out, which necessitated provision of artificial limbs.
During his stay in Washington, he said he has talked to Dr William Kennedy Smith of Chicago's North Western Hospital, founder of a well-known center for fabrication of artificial limbs.
"The doctor may be visiting the earthquake affected zone shortly," he said.
He said PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has also contacted Dr William Kennedy Smith to seek help in the form of artificial limbs.
"There is an enormous requirement and how to meet it is our utmost concern."
Muhammadmian Soomro said that amputations were required in thousands of cases.
"Providing artificial limbs will take many months; this will be an ongoing procedure to help the affected people overcome the trauma and be able to restart normal life," he added.