Earthquake hits Pakistan

At least 160 people are thought to have been killed in major earthquake in Pakistan close to where SOS Children is currently building a new Children's Village.

The earthquake, which hit 6.4 on the Richter scale, caused damage and destroyed mud and timber buildings close to the regional capital of Quetta. Rescuers are still trying to reach some remote villages in the mountains above Ziarat valley, where many people are believed to be buried.

SOS Children's new Children's Village in Quetta has not been damaged by the earthquake. The 25 children who are currently in temporary accomodation waiting to be moved into the Village are all safe according to Ms. Rabia Masood Khan of SOS Children Pakistan.

Pakistan is no stranger to natural disasters. On 8 October 2005, an earthquake caused widespread destruction in northern Pakistan. According to official figures, approximately 73,000 people died, over 2.8 million were left without shelter, and it was estimated that about 2.3 million were without adequate food. Immediately after the disaster, SOS Pakistan began an SOS Emergency Relief Programme, focusing on the delivery of relief items, the establishment of a paediatric field hospital, provision of safe shelter and care for orphaned and vulnerable children as well as vulnerable women with or without children, and a family reunion programme. SOS Pakistan was the only organization authorized by the government of Pakistan to care for Kashmiri orphans in the long-term.

At present, there are eight SOS Children's Villages in Pakistan, one SOS Children's Home, six SOS Youth Facilities, six SOS Schools, five SOS Vocational Training Centres, five SOS Social Centres, one SOS Medical Centre, and one SOS Emergency Relief Programme.

To find out more about our work in Pakistan visit: SOS Children in Pakistan