WFP to start helicopter service to quake-hit areas

Islamabad, Oct 6 (UNI) The World Food Programme (WFP) plans to start a helicopter service in quake-hit areas of Pakistan occupied Kashmir and Northwestern Frontier Province to help the affected people cope up with the coming winter season.

The 7.6 magnitude earthquake on October 8 last year had killed more than 73,000 people and rendered over 3.5 million homeless.

Daily Times quoted Michael Jones, Pakistan country director of the WFP as saying that the agency has three million dollars available to run a fleet of about four to five helicopters from November to February next year.

''With the emergency phase over, the same conditions will return to haunt us during the peak winter months,'' Mr Jones said, adding medical evacuations could be foreseen.

He said, ''We have done this many times before in many countries and know that many people will have to be brought down for medical facilities.'' An international donors conference had donated over six billion dollars last November for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the quake-ravaged areas.

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