United Nations Radio

United Nations agencies are stepping up efforts to assist some 20,000 people displaced by Wednesday's deadly earthquake in Pakistan.

At least 225 people are believed to have died, and hundreds more are injured in the earthquake which measured 6.4 on the Richter scale. The numbers are expected to rise with many people missing and feared buried under the rubble of homes that have been damaged or destroyed.

The World Health Organization is sending two truckloads of essential medicines and supplies for 50,000 people for three months to the most affected districts of Ziarat and Pishin. In addition to food, water and essential health services, WHO is also concerned about low immunization coverage in the region, especially for measles and tetanus. Meanwhile the World Food Programme plans to provide 700 tons of dry food rations to the affected communities, including wheat flour, pulses, oil and salt for two months.

The epicenter of the quake is a mountainous area northeast of Quetta, the provincial capital of Baluchistan. A wide area, comprising small villages in several Pakistani towns, has been affected.

Diane Bailey, United Nations Radio.

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