Pakistan Earthquake

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale hit Pakistan's southwestern province of Baluchistan in the early hours of Wednesday 29 October. Donate now

The situation

The epicentre of the earthquake was in the Chiltan mountains. Some of the worst hit areas include Pishin, Ziarat, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Loralai, Sibbi, and Mastung. An estimated 230 people are thought to have died. More than 300 people have been injured, mostly women and children.

On the ground: Khalid Gill reports on when the earthquake hit

In total, around 25,000 – 30,000 people have been affected by the earthquake.

Oxfam's response

Our rapid assessment visit found homeless communities, especially women, in a traumatised state, made worse by having no facilities or privacy. The most urgent needs were adequate shelter to cope with the oncoming winter, and good water and sanitation facilities. Medical health is being provided by local and provincial health authorities, and the World Food Programme, as well as many local voluntary organisations, are providing food.

Our contribution to the relief effort is focussed in the badly-affected Union Council of Kutch, where we are providing locally-made winter tents, buckets and jerry cans, tools, and essential hygiene items, to some of the worst-off families. The items have been purchased in Quetta, and we are working closely with our local partners to ensure they get to those who were most badly affected by the earthquake.

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Update: 6 November 2008