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11/10/2005
Britain doubles aid relief for earthquake survivors
Britain has doubled the amount of aid for areas affected by the weekend’s earthquake in South Asia to £2 million, it has been announced.
Another government-sponsored aid flight, carrying 800 tents and 18,900 blankets, is due to leave the UK this afternoon, departing from Nottingham East Midlands Airport for the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
The death toll in the 7.6 magnitude earthquake is continuing to rise. The death in Pakistan is now believed to be between 21 - 23,000, with the worst affected area being Muzaffrabad, the capital of the Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, which was the epicentre of the quake.
The quake, which occurred on Saturday, also affected Indian-controlled Kashmir and it is believed that the death toll there has now risen to more than 1,000.
It is feared that the death toll could rise as high as 40,000. Around 60,000 people are believed to have been injured and the United Nations has estimated that around 2.5 million people have been left homeless.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella organisation of 13 UK charities, including the British Red Cross, Oxfam, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief and Save The Children, has launched an emergency appeal.
Brendan Gormley, DEC Chief Executive said: “Many of our agencies are already working in this part of the world, and we are receiving overwhelming evidence that funds are desperately needed for relief work. Thousands of families are experiencing terrible suffering, particularly children, and we must help in every way we can.”
UK Search and Rescue teams are continuing to work to find survivors in Islamabad and Muzaffrabad, alongside teams from other countries, including Germany, France and Turkey. Forty children were rescued from a school, which collapsed in the town of Bakalot on Monday.
Aid is beginning to reach those areas affected by the earthquake, but progress has reportedly been slow. Torrential rain and landslides, which have blocked many roads, has meant that many people have been left without food, water or electricity since the earthquake struck. Scuffles have reportedly broken out amongst survivors, desperate for supplies.
The UN World Food Programme has mounted a major operation to airlift emergency supplies to Pakistan, with most planes due to arrive later on Tuesday.
In Britain, many people with relatives in the affected areas have been flying out to Pakistan and Kashmir to search for their loved ones. It is understood that the Pakistan High Commission in London has issued hundreds of visas. It is thought that as many as 1.5 million Britons could be affected by the earthquake, with reports that 90,000 people in Birmingham alone originated from the area devastated by the quake.
The telephone number for donations to the DEC’s Asia Quake appeal is: 0870 6060 900.
(KMcA/SP)
Another government-sponsored aid flight, carrying 800 tents and 18,900 blankets, is due to leave the UK this afternoon, departing from Nottingham East Midlands Airport for the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
The death toll in the 7.6 magnitude earthquake is continuing to rise. The death in Pakistan is now believed to be between 21 - 23,000, with the worst affected area being Muzaffrabad, the capital of the Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, which was the epicentre of the quake.
The quake, which occurred on Saturday, also affected Indian-controlled Kashmir and it is believed that the death toll there has now risen to more than 1,000.
It is feared that the death toll could rise as high as 40,000. Around 60,000 people are believed to have been injured and the United Nations has estimated that around 2.5 million people have been left homeless.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella organisation of 13 UK charities, including the British Red Cross, Oxfam, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief and Save The Children, has launched an emergency appeal.
Brendan Gormley, DEC Chief Executive said: “Many of our agencies are already working in this part of the world, and we are receiving overwhelming evidence that funds are desperately needed for relief work. Thousands of families are experiencing terrible suffering, particularly children, and we must help in every way we can.”
UK Search and Rescue teams are continuing to work to find survivors in Islamabad and Muzaffrabad, alongside teams from other countries, including Germany, France and Turkey. Forty children were rescued from a school, which collapsed in the town of Bakalot on Monday.
Aid is beginning to reach those areas affected by the earthquake, but progress has reportedly been slow. Torrential rain and landslides, which have blocked many roads, has meant that many people have been left without food, water or electricity since the earthquake struck. Scuffles have reportedly broken out amongst survivors, desperate for supplies.
The UN World Food Programme has mounted a major operation to airlift emergency supplies to Pakistan, with most planes due to arrive later on Tuesday.
In Britain, many people with relatives in the affected areas have been flying out to Pakistan and Kashmir to search for their loved ones. It is understood that the Pakistan High Commission in London has issued hundreds of visas. It is thought that as many as 1.5 million Britons could be affected by the earthquake, with reports that 90,000 people in Birmingham alone originated from the area devastated by the quake.
The telephone number for donations to the DEC’s Asia Quake appeal is: 0870 6060 900.
(KMcA/SP)
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27 June 2013
Small Earthquake Hits North Wales
A small earthquake, measuring 2.8 in magnitude has hit north Wales. The quake was reported late on Wednesday night, just before 11.30pm, the British Geological Survey (BGS) has said. The epicentre of the quake was located on the Lleyn peninsula, Gwynedd, but was felt throughout the north Gwynedd region.
Small Earthquake Hits North Wales
A small earthquake, measuring 2.8 in magnitude has hit north Wales. The quake was reported late on Wednesday night, just before 11.30pm, the British Geological Survey (BGS) has said. The epicentre of the quake was located on the Lleyn peninsula, Gwynedd, but was felt throughout the north Gwynedd region.
09 January 2004
Bam earthquake survivors receive UN food aid
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) today announced the launch of a three-month emergency aid operation to feed 100,000 victims of the earthquake that devastated the Iranian city of Bam two weeks ago. The $2.9 million package is part of the $31.
Bam earthquake survivors receive UN food aid
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) today announced the launch of a three-month emergency aid operation to feed 100,000 victims of the earthquake that devastated the Iranian city of Bam two weeks ago. The $2.9 million package is part of the $31.
07 January 2014
Flood Warnings Remain In Place
A number of flood warnings remain in place across the UK today as further heavy rain is expected. The south and south-east of England, as well as Wales are thought to be the worst affected areas. Three severe flood warnings have been issued for Dorset, with more than 100 lower-level warnings given for across England and Wales.
Flood Warnings Remain In Place
A number of flood warnings remain in place across the UK today as further heavy rain is expected. The south and south-east of England, as well as Wales are thought to be the worst affected areas. Three severe flood warnings have been issued for Dorset, with more than 100 lower-level warnings given for across England and Wales.
02 March 2005
More wintry weather ahead in parts of England
The Met Office has issued more warnings as the southeast and northeast of England has once again been hit by severe winter weather. Met Office forecasters have issued flash warnings of severe weather for Greater London, Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire, as heavy snowfall continues to disrupt travel in these areas.
More wintry weather ahead in parts of England
The Met Office has issued more warnings as the southeast and northeast of England has once again been hit by severe winter weather. Met Office forecasters have issued flash warnings of severe weather for Greater London, Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire, as heavy snowfall continues to disrupt travel in these areas.
18 April 2003
Boarding schools adopt SARS quarantine measures
Boarding schools across the UK are warning parents to keep their children at home if they have visited any SARS affected areas over the holiday period. The nation's most prestigious boarding school, Eton College in Surrey, has contacted parents to say that some pupils should not return for the summer term before serving a 10-day quarantine period.
Boarding schools adopt SARS quarantine measures
Boarding schools across the UK are warning parents to keep their children at home if they have visited any SARS affected areas over the holiday period. The nation's most prestigious boarding school, Eton College in Surrey, has contacted parents to say that some pupils should not return for the summer term before serving a 10-day quarantine period.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
