United Nations Radio

The International Committee of the Red Cross has appealed for 9 million Swiss francs to help the victims of the earthquake which struck Pakistan on Tuesday.

The agency estimates that between 20 and 30,000 people have been affected by the earthquake in the Baluchistan province of Pakistan.

The agency estimates that close to 4,000 houses built with mud and timber were destroyed, leaving many people without shelter.

Red Cross spokesperson, Carla Haddad, says the people have been transported to the town of Quetta but many of them fear continuing aftershock and have decided to sleep outside.

"Even in the hospitals in Quetta some people who are wounded wanted their beds outside of the hospitals just for fear of aftershocks. The place is at 2, 500 metres above sea level so it's extremely cold. The priority at this stage is shelter. Medical is important but now shelter is becoming a crucial priority for everyone"

Red Cross teams in the field say that more than 200 people have died in the most affected areas.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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