Medical teams from MSF were in the area when the earthquake struck and have scaled up their work substantially since. Last week they were working in 18 locations and carried out more than 4,000 medical consultations. As the treatment of wounds and fractures - a direct consequence of the earthquake - has decreased, the focus is now on ensuring primary health care in remote areas. The teams have been travelling to valleys and communities so far cut off from aid. Most of the illnesses are respiratory and skin infections and diarrhoea, all related to the very poor living conditions. MSF is providing the survivors of the earthquake with thousands of winterised tents or construction kits (including iron sheets), blankets, sleeping bags and relief items such as cooking and hygiene kits. The operation is a race against the winter snows, which will cut off access to the most remote villages.
Staff and material
There are more than 150 international staff, including doctors, nurses, surgeons, psychologists, social workers, logisticians, water and sanitation experts together with more than 240 local staff working on these relief operations in Pakistan. MSF has already brought close to 800 tons of relief goods into the country, including medical items such as emergency medical kits, drugs, surgical material, dressings, plaster, dialysis machines, high-protein food, oral rehydration solution etc. Then there is the logistical material, especially water and sanitation equipment such as tanks, pumps and water treatment units, and shelter materials.
India
MSF teams in Indian Kashmir provide medical and logistical kit to hospitals and distribute relief goods. They also give mental health support, which has been one of MSF's longer-term projects amongst people affected by the conflict in the region.
