Affected Swatis shift to homes of relatives

MINGORA: Scores of families in Swat district shifted to the homes of relatives after the devastating earthquake left more than 3,000 dwellings unfit for living.
Elected representatives claimed that the affected families started living with their relatives due to the non-provision of relief items. The elected representatives, including Dr Khalid Mehmood Khalid, Tabsum Adnan, Fazal Rehman, Salahuddin and others said that several of the affected families had not received relief items. They said that the government representatives visit the area for publicity purpose. The councillors said that the affected families in upper parts of the district were living in the open. They said that these areas could face food shortage if the food items were not supplied forthwith.
Deputy Commissioner Mehmood Aslam said that 100 schools along with one basic health unit were damaged in the earthquake. However, local sources claimed that more than 300 schools and 10 basic health units were damaged. They said that the earthquake that jolted the country on October 26 damaged or destroyed around 12,000 houses in the district.
The district administration established special counters at the National Bank, Allied Bank, UBL, MCB, Askari Commercial Bank, Bank of Khyber and Alfalh Bank branches in Mingora for the affected families.
The district opened the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zahid Al Nahyan Hospital and deployed staff at the hospital where 11 patients were admitted. The administration also constituted committees for damage assessment which included personnel of the security forces.
A joint Control and Coordination Center was established at the Brigade Headquarters in Mingora where the rescue and relief activities in Babozai and Charbagh tehsils are monitored. The affected persons were asked to dial 0946-721902-3 and 0310-5777167 and 0312-2171993 to report any anomaly.
The security forces reopened all the roads in the district which were blocked due to landsliding.
Meanwhile, the councillors at the District Council meeting complained that they were being ignored in the damage assessment committees. However, District Nazim Muhammad Ali Shah asked them to complete the damage survey in their areas.
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq and Benazir Income Support Programme chairperson Marvi Memon also visited the district.
Marvi Memon left after visiting Saidu Sharif Hospital while Sirajul Haq met victim families in Akhun Killay.