Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday said provision of artificial limbs, psychological counselling, care of orphans and single parents was a high priority with the government and an action plan in this regard was in the offing.

Talking to a delegation of Pakistan Red Crescent Society, he appreciated its services in the quake-affected areas.

Shaukat Aziz said a number of NGOs were doing a commendable job, however, he asked them to divide their work and co-ordinate their activities.

The Prime Minister said that 334,000 tents have so far been sent to the affected areas, while 3.2 million blankets and quilts and 40,000 tonnes of relief goods have been distributed.

He said the government was looking forward to the provision of another 270, 000 tents, adding 26 field hospitals have been set up in the affected areas.

The delegation headed by President of the Society Lieutenant General Jehandad Khan (Retd) said Red Crescent was focusing on Chakothi and Chinari Sectors where it would start schools initially in tents and provide basic facilities besides building a village for the orphans.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005