International Medical Corps (IMC) is responding to a series of earthquakes in Baluchistan on Wednesday that have killed at least 160 people, injured hundreds, and left thousands homeless.
The quake, measuring 6.5 in magnitude, followed by several aftershocks, the highest at 6.2, struck just northeast of Baluchistan's provincial capital of Quetta and has caused widespread damage in the region. International Medical Corps, has sent an emergency response team to the affected region. The team includes a doctor, a paramedic a logistician and an assessment specialist, along with sufficient quantity of essential life saving medicines and supplies. The team is coordinating their activities with the relevant government and UN agencies and will provide immediate medical assistance to the injured in the most affected areas of Ziarat District. The team will also carry out rapid assessment of the situation to ascertain the level of damages and
immediate needs of the survivors assess health, shelter, food and water needs and assist in the delivery of medical care and supplies.
As winter approaches, those with damaged or destroyed homes face increasing risks from exposure to the cold temperatures. Materials including winterized tents and blankets will be needed for the many left homeless.
Pakistan experiences frequent seismic activity. In 2005, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake killed more than 75,000 people and left more than three million homeless. International Medical Corps responded to that disaster, dispatching medical and relief teams to the remote, hard-to-reach locations within 12 hours. IMC administered emergency medical care and established basic health units to meet the long-term needs of affected communities.
International Medical Corps Pakistan assistance programs focus on providing primary and secondary health care services, health education, and basic livelihoods activities for Pakistani communities and for the Afghan refugee population in the Northwest Frontier Province.