Daytime: School Tent Nighttime: Sleeping room

Urgent Winter Aid from ADRA Arrives for Earthquake Survivors in Kashmir

Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 16.12.2005 | APD | ADRA

More than 90 trucks loaded with tents, blankets, stoves, and hygiene kits provided by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) European Union have been sent to the Bagh District of Azad Kashmir, where ADRA is working to deliver and set up tents, as well as distribute winter supplies for an estimated 8,500 displaced earthquake survivors.

60 heavy-duty winterized army tents were also flown into Islamabad on November 24 by three Hercules C130 planes provided by NATO (National Atlantic Treaty Organisation). Each tent measures 18 by 30 feet, and weighs approximately 1,000 pounds. They can each hold between 30 to 40 people. The tents are equipped with two stoves to fight the winter weather. They are used as classrooms for children during the day, and shelter for displaced persons during the night. They were provided by the ADRA office in Germany as part of this project.

“It is unusual to have received such little snow for this time of year,” noted Frank Brenda, programs coordinator for the ADRA office in Germany. “This is allowing ADRA the opportunity to provide more tents and emergency supplies to the earthquake victims”.

ADRA is also constructing 552 temporary shelters with corrugated iron sheets and wood to provide housing for displaced persons.

ADRA has recruited and trained five workers who are distributing hygiene kits among survivors, while also promoting improved hygiene practices for families.

The project, which is valued at US$298,818, is providing a total of 60 heavy-duty tents, 552 temporary shelters, 3,000 hygiene kits, 8,500 heavy-duty blankets, 5,520 sleeping bags, and 120 wood burning stoves. It is funded by ADRA offices in Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, and Belgium.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, or ethnicity.

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