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AID workers for Plan International are on stand-by after a devastating earthquake rocked Southern Pakistan.
More than 200 deaths have been reported in Baluchistan with entire villages flattened by the 7.8 magnitude quake on Tuesday (24).
Army and police are leading rescue efforts in the region and the government has declared an emergency in the district of Awaran.
“Tremors were felt for two minutes in several cities, including Sindh,” says Plan’s country director in Pakistan, Rashid Javed.
“Officials said the tremors demolished dozens of mud houses and it was feared that the death toll would increase.”
Plan has been operating in Pakistan since 1997, helping marginalised children to access their rights to health, education, livelihood and protection.
The charity works with communities across the country, benefiting about 21,000 children.
It also helped families rebuild their lives in the north west of the country after a huge earthquake in 2005.
Damaged infrastructure and security concerns in remote, hilly areas are expected to hamper access to survivors of the latest quake.
“Residents of cities in Sindh province, where tremors were felt, ran out of their offices and homes onto the roads,” says Mr Javed.
For more information on Plan’s work or to make a donation call 0800 526 848 or visit www.plan-uk.org
