The worst earthquake in Pakistan's history has killed an estimated 73,000 people, wounded another 77,000 and spread devastation over nearly 30,000 square kilometres as well as leaving at least 3-5 million people homeless, their joint statement issued here on Tuesday said.
IUCN, WWF and CARE International feared death of many people unless aid organisations paid due attention to environmental hazards resulting from the quake.
The imminent onset of brutal winter conditions makes getting shelter and supplies to isolated quake victims at high altitudes an urgent priority, but in the rush to beat the winter deadline, it was important not to forget the ongoing threats emerging from the quake.
Following were the most critical risks and pre-emptive measures: aftershocks would continue for some time. These were not predictable and could occur at any moment.
There was a high risk that buildings with structural damage would collapse. Even without aftershocks damaged buildings might collapse with the onset of seasonal rains, snow and melting ice.
Landslides were likely to result from more aftershocks and heavy rains and melting snow would trigger mudslides.
Shelters and roads on foothills and steep slopes were especially at risk. Temporary camps should not be set up at steep slopes and in stream and riverbeds where they might be at risk from flash floods.
Floods were an increased hazard as rivers, blocked by landslides, could break free.
Roads were likely to be blocked by new landslides and snow.
These world research bodies have also cautioned that disease might spread from poor housing and sanitation conditions, especially in urban areas and new emergency settlements.
Providing safe drinking water and proper sanitation should be a top priority.
Debris from collapsed and damaged buildings had created garbage that now posed health hazards as well as environmental concerns.
The provision of relief items had added to the problem of waste to be cleared immediately. The clearing process called for reuse and recycling as much as possible. The debris which could not be reused required to be disposed of in an environment-friendly manner.