Red Cross Winter Blankets
October 8, 2005: an earthquake strikes northern Pakistan, killing over 73,000 people and leaving over 3.5 million homeless. Relief efforts are complicated by the remote location of the quake, which includes mountain ranges and the long-disputed territory of Kashmir.
The Canadian Red Cross had no physical presence in Pakistan when the quake occurred, which added to the logistical challenges of its involvement. Working with the Norwegian Red Cross, Canadians deployed technical assistance and a hospital operation to Kashmir. Relief supplies were drawn from around the world – mostly Panama and Uruguay – along with Canadian federal relief stocks.
“One by one each man came forward and stood poised as a 60 kg tent, blankets and a tarpaulin were loaded onto his shoulders.”
As winter approached, distribution of supplies to maintain warmth became critical. Red Cross relief worker Shehryar Sarwar described in his diary how relief was parcelled out in Batang nearly two weeks after the quake. “Some 500 men were waiting silently and patiently for the relief supply distribution,” he wrote. “They clasped crumpled bits of paper, their assessment slips entitling them to a tent, a tarpaulin and seven blankets for their families. Once five jeeps from the convoy had arrived with supplies, a volunteer started calling out names on the distribution list. One by one each man came forward and stood poised as a 60 kg tent, blankets and a tarpaulin were loaded onto his shoulders.”
Due to the remote location, the Red Cross’ relief operations took longer than usual: six months to complete the emergency phase, then several more years to aid recovery efforts.
October 8, 2005: an earthquake strikes northern Pakistan, killing over 73,000 people and leaving over 3.5 million homeless. Relief efforts are complicated by the remote location of the quake, which includes mountain ranges and the long-disputed territory of Kashmir.
The Canadian Red Cross had no physical presence in Pakistan when the quake occurred, which added to the logistical challenges of its involvement. Working with the Norwegian Red Cross, Canadians deployed technical assistance and a hospital operation to Kashmir. Relief supplies were drawn from around the world – mostly Panama and Uruguay – along with Canadian federal relief stocks.
“One by one each man came forward and stood poised as a 60 kg tent, blankets and a tarpaulin were loaded onto his shoulders.”
As winter approached, distribution of supplies to maintain warmth became critical. Red Cross relief worker Shehryar Sarwar described in his diary how relief was parcelled out in Batang nearly two weeks after the quake. “Some 500 men were waiting silently and patiently for the relief supply distribution,” he wrote. “They clasped crumpled bits of paper, their assessment slips entitling them to a tent, a tarpaulin and seven blankets for their families. Once five jeeps from the convoy had arrived with supplies, a volunteer started calling out names on the distribution list. One by one each man came forward and stood poised as a 60 kg tent, blankets and a tarpaulin were loaded onto his shoulders.”
Due to the remote location, the Red Cross’ relief operations took longer than usual: six months to complete the emergency phase, then several more years to aid recovery efforts.
