PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE
SPECIAL | Tears and trauma for the victims of the earthquake.
Photo
- AFP/Getty Images |
We look at the trauma faced by the
Southern families with no news about loved ones caught up in the South Asia earthquake. In
the aftermath of the October 8 earthquake disaster, money and support are desperately
needed to help the victims of the crisis. Help is also needed to assist
those still living in the worst-hit areas of Pakistan. We look at how families
in the region are responding to the disaster, and how they are coping with their
fears about relatives missing in the aftermath of the earthquake. Inside
Out South focuses on Reading's taxi drivers who are predominately from the earthquake
region. Taxi driver Tahir Abdullah fights back tears, "When you lose
your loved ones, you realise how small this life is". | KEY CONTACTS | |
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)
DEC Asia Quake Appeal, PO
Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA. Donation line - 0870 60 60 900
High Commission
of Pakistan Helpline - 07946 476 616 / 020 7664 9284 International
Committee of the Red Cross
Missing persons tracing team - 0845 053 2004
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
020 7008 0000.
The
Samaritans
Support to anyone in emotional distress. 08457 90 90 90 (UK)
or send an email to jo@samaritans.org |
Twenty-nine-year-old Tahir is one of the many Reading taxi drivers
originally from the region affected by the South Asia earthquake. His cousin
who died in the earthquake was the same age. Now he and his fellow cabbies
are playing their part to help those caught up in the tragedy. Inside Out
South focuses on a community within a community. It is estimated that 70%
of Reading taxi drivers are from Pakistan or Kashmir. We talk to two of
them about the loss of family and the devastating effect on their lives. "She
still hears the screaming", laments Kurshid Ahmed, recalling his six-year-old
nieces cries for help while her mother lay helpless under the rubble. The
little girl died. Her mother has shattered legs and is still in hospital.
Kurshid is setting up a trust fund to help the two surviving children. In
the aftermath of the October 8 earthquake disaster, money is desperately needed
to help the victims of the crisis and those still living in the worst-hit areas
of Pakistan to get back on their feet. We look at how families here are
responding to the disaster - united in grief, united in the resolve to help. Links
relating to this story:The BBC is not responsible
for the content of external websites | 
Inside
Out - South: Monday October 17, 2005