Govt making assessment damage: PM

ISLAMABAD: Earthquake is a major tragedy and the government has to deal not only with injuries but also with psychological traumas as there are a lot of widows and orphans to look after whose families have lost their bread earners and despite the colossal losses, the people are in high spirit, facing the tragedy with courage and fortitude, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said.

He expressed these views while talking to Kuwaiti Red crescent society delegation headed by Mohammad Rahman Mohamed Al-Oun who called on Prime Minister at the Prime Minister house Sunday evening and discussed matters relating to further expediting the relief measures being undertaken to help the affectees of the earthquake.

Talking to delegation, the Prime Minister also thanked the government of Kuwait for its generous assistance to Pakistan and appreciated the efforts being made by the Kuwait Red crescent society.

The prime minister said presently the government is making damage assessment along the world bank, ADB and the UN Agencies with a view to launching the reconstruction phase.`

Prime Minister expressed the view that reconstruction could take as long as five years. He also gave details of the programmes intended for income generation for the affectees.

Refereeing to the Donors conference being organized on November 19 the prime minister said we would like the Kuwaiti government to participate in the conference.

The leader of the Kuwait delegation said that the Kuwaiti Red crescent society is already co-coordinating with the Pakistani Red Crescent to help the victims of the earthquake.

He informed that society has established field hospitals in Islamabad, Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Balakot.

He said the government and the people of Kuwait will always standby their Pakistani brethren.