The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.6, struck at 0350 GMT (4:50 British time) and was centred in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, about 95 km (60 miles) northeast of Islamabad.

just heard it on the news! looks really bad!

:help: Following todays Earthquake in South Asia the Pakistan Muslim Centre in Sheffield are starting a collection of clothing etc for people in Kashmir, will post further info on the Forum as and when I hear

:help: Following todays Earthquake in South Asia the Pakistan Muslim Centre in Sheffield are starting a collection of clothing etc for people in Kashmir, will post further info on the Forum as and when I hear

The military said an entire village in the Pakistani Kashmir district of Bagh was "wiped out". chief military spokesman Major-General Shaukat Sultan said.

"In Kashmir and the northern areas we are receiving reports of severe damage.

"The damage is widespread and we have activated troops and relief work is under way. Helicopters with medical teams have been sent from Rawalpindi and Islamabad," Sultan said.

More News Here (http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/2C92F686-2CE3-49D4-AFC2-8CFF2501CE33.htm)

My hopes and prayers are with all the affected people and their families.

I heard that there were over 19,000 confirmed deaths as of mid morning today.

Rescuers haven't even got into the mountains yet and are appealing for large transport helicopters from other nations.

The latest BBC news (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4323008.stm)

Originally posted by Tony
I heard that there were over 19,000 confirmed deaths as of mid morning today.

Rescuers haven't even for into the mountains yet and are appealing for large transport helicopters from other nations.

The latest BBC news (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4323008.stm)

OMG! that is absolutely horrendous news!!:o

I hope that the other countries can help in this time of need.

It is almost unimaginable, isn't it?
It is difficult to even begin to know what to say when so many have suddenly lost their lives.
My thoughts and prayers are with those trying to assist with the rescue and those whose lives will be changed for ever as friends and family have died.

It's nice to see so many forummers sending their heartfelt respects on this thread . . . . . it's been going for almost 2 days, 140 views and only 5 posts,.

Wonder if it would have had the same response if it had happened to an english speaking country.

that really sad to here

The Uk has pledged more money to the relief effort than the USA ($117,000 +medical teams IIRC as opposed to $100,000).

Is it just me that thinks this isn't enough? Even India is helping more than both the UK and US.

Wilf

Originally posted by BrainThrust
The Uk has pledged more money to the relief effort than the USA ($117,000 +medical teams IIRC as opposed to $100,000).

Is it just me that thinks this isn't enough? Even India is helping more than both the UK and US.

Wilf

Have I understood correct and that UK is only donating $117,000 + medical teams? How on earth can that possibly be enough of a contribution for such a major disaster

I got it wrong, but it's only slightly better: $177,000 and a 60 strong medical team from the UK

The article goes on to say this is initial and could be increased if necessary. Based previous events, my feeling is that this only happens if there is a public outcry. Spread the word people, for us to help so little is ridiculous.

source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4324014.stm

Wilf

Money doesnt always help at first after a disaster strikes. 60 people helping dig peeps out of rubble, and the equipment and supplies they are taking out with them that aren't mentioned in the report will, however :thumbsup:

Looks like they'll have to gather up donkeys etc to get into the mountains....

Hopefully India will work miracles like they did after the Tsunami :thumbsup:

Why post sympathy on here just to get attention ? dig into your pockets like we did at work yesterday !

Originally posted by Lestat
It's nice to see so many forummers sending their heartfelt respects on this thread . . . . . it's been going for almost 2 days, 140 views and only 5 posts,.


Not sure how posting on here helps the people of Kashmir.

As poppins says.....its money not words that count.

Originally posted by poppins
Why post sympathy on here just to get attention ? dig into your pockets like we did at work yesterday ! Do they ever finish up receiving the money though ? According to "The Mail On Sunday" more than £5 billion was donated after the Asian tsunami last year.The worst affected area.Aceh,has so far received £1.6 billion.Ten months after the tragedy,rebuilding work has hardly begun,and victims live in tents.It seems bungling charities,have condemned the victims to greater suffering. Even when my mum died last year,I told everyone to donate their money to the Tsunami.I wonder now if I had been better telling them to donate to "The Sheffield Childrens Hospital" or "The Blue Bell Wood Appeal" ?

How about a collection for Sheffield roads? We have got plenty of pots to put the money in....:suspect:

Guys;
Why do we always dis our country's resolve to help (no matter how small or large) in these events??

Why don't we ask what the oil rich Saudis are doing for their 'Muslim brothers'???

I heard they gave $5 million for the Tsunami. Where was the public outcry about that??

Besides which, I agree with the other poster on here, I think sending rescue teams is far more beneficial.
Giving money in to the hands of corrupt governments??
Well, if you feel happy doing that then fair enough.

yeah very true, if something like this had happenend in usa or any other english country there would be over 200 posts on here!

but there again just proves how ignorrant some of us are!

Originally posted by kay_cee
Guys;
Why do we always dis our country's resolve to help (no matter how small or large) in these events??


Indeed, lots of peeps seem to miss the fact that the EU has given $3.6 million - and despite what you may think - we are part of europe - so we've given through that as well.

Oh, and when you're giving money to Pakistan, consider giving some to El Salvador and Guatemala too - the hurricane has left a trail of destruction including one place where 1,400 people have been buried under a 40-foot deep mudslide. Looks like they will have to declare the village a mass grave. The EU is giving 1.7 million euro to El Salvador and Guatemala :thumbsup:

Originally posted by poppins
Why post sympathy on here just to get attention ? dig into your pockets like we did at work yesterday !

Because he is implying that SF is frequented by anti islamic posters or put another way, he is **** stirring ;)

Originally posted by Mo
Because he is implying that SF is frequented by anti islamic posters or put another way, he is **** stirring ;)

Nicely put Mo. It's great to have such compassionate people on the forum ain't it. This is a thread about the destruction in Pakistan, where near 20,000 people have lost their lives - over 49,000 injured, and what do you post . . . . .

'He's s**tstirring' - if thats not the most hypocritical post I've ever read then I don't know what is. Go back to your knitting old lady.

Just to remind you what you said;


Originally posted by Lestat
It's nice to see so many forummers sending their heartfelt respects on this thread . . . . . it's been going for almost 2 days, 140 views and only 5 posts,.

Wonder if it would have had the same response if it had happened to an english speaking country.


How dare you suggest that forumers aren't posting their condolences because it has happened in a non english speaking country. You are becoming paranoid. I wept when I saw tv footage of the dead and trapped in the wreckage.

I am not well off but I have done as I always do when there is a disaster of this kind. I posted a cheque for what I could afford to Oxfam, even though no official appeal fund has been set up as yet. It wasn't for a lot and the likes of you would probably mock it but at least I have contributed.

Not everybody likes to shoot their mouth off about their genoristy.Some just prefer to do their bit quietly without any fuss.

I hope that everything that can be done is seen to be being done. It was good to see a decisive quick response with no thought to the consequence of aftershocks.

Terrible casualties, but dont worry- we can supply more than enough replacements!

Not sure what you mean "we can supply more than enough replacements"

please expand

wont get any donations from me charity begins at home:)

wont get any donations from me charity begins at home:)

i think it will an individuals choice of whether they donate or not not sure if people could sleep well when they child, women living on the edge of life or death regardless of where it is in the world. I must say that in relation to the problems that we have here they are never of the same scale as in africa or asia. i think we need to remember our ties with these area, British Raj etc.

i think it will an individuals choice of whether they donate or not not sure if people could sleep well when they child, women living on the edge of life or death regardless of where it is in the world. I must say that in relation to the problems that we have here they are never of the same scale as in africa or asia. i think we need to remember our ties with these area, British Raj etc.

Originally posted by panda79
wont get any donations from me charity begins at home:)

Thanks for sharing at lesat something with us, Panda.

Actually, I have great hopes that the relief effort here will be handled with greater skill on the grund than the Tsunami one. It would appear that the this time there are more community based initiatives with people going out there to help their families - perhaps this will ensure that the aid gets in teh right place at the right time.

Good luck, Action_kid, and thanks for posting.

Joe

Originally posted by panda79
wont get any donations from me charity begins at home:)

Well when you post details of the charity work you're doing, I'm sure forum members will be delighted to help. Who is it you're helping? In the mean time, why not leave this thread for people who do care about what happenes elsewhere in the world, to organise aid.

Action_Kid, I, and I am sure other forum members would like to help; Please keep us updated on how we can do this.

Action_Kid, do you have any more details about the collections?

I have sorted out some decent quality clothes (some still with the labels on)! But can you let me know what type of clothing is required?

What about other things like bedding?

Where is the collection point/s?

Cheers

Hi

Does anybody know, or have you read. if any local charities are running charitable collections on behalf of the survivors of the earth Quake in Pakistan.

Should you do so, please can you post any details so i can contact the relevant parties.

teh company I work for, have decided they would like to donate time and energy in providing assistance to those concerned and I have been asked to contact any charities in Sheffield.

thanks in advance.

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=64598 see there

Cheers

Just found that thread.

Action Kid - Info required please. A contact number for the Pakistan Muslim community would be beneficial.

Eyespy and other: The main organisation leading the appeal in sheffield is the Pakistani Muslim Centre (PMC) I think the main contact for the centre are Muhammad Ali or Arshad Akbar on 2436091. They are collecting clothing etc at the centre between 9.00 to 5.00 . I am also aware that one of the sheffield Cllr's Shaffaq Mohammed is also co-ordinating a wider response within South Yorkshire, as well as linking in with the work of the PMC and his contact details are on the City Council website. I think he is a Cllr for the Broomhill area of sheffield.

I will pass on any other bits of info as and when I get it.

The main organisation leading the appeal in sheffield is the Pakistani Muslim Centre (PMC) I think the main contact for the centre are Muhammad Ali or Arshad Akbar on 2436091. They are collecting clothing etc at the centre between 9.00 to 5.00 . I am also aware that one of the sheffield Cllr's Shaffaq Mohammed is also co-ordinating a wider response within South Yorkshire, as well as linking in with the work of the PMC and his contact details are on the City Council website. I think he is a Cllr for the Broomhill area of sheffield.

I will pass on any other bits of info as and when I get it.

Hi I also forgot to mention that a local charity based in the Rotherham area called "World Aid Foundation" has in the past carried out work within this area of pakistan and I assume that they would also be doing more work this time around. i think it would best if people contact Cllr shaffaq Mohammed to see if he has any futher info on this than I have at the moment.

Originally posted by Andy
Well when you post details of the charity work you're doing, I'm sure forum members will be delighted to help. Who is it you're helping? In the mean time, why not leave this thread for people who do care about what happenes elsewhere in the world, to organise aid.

Action_Kid, I, and I am sure other forum members would like to help; Please keep us updated on how we can do this.

i was giving an opinion no need to go on the defensive i do donate to charities i just dont feel the need to say which ones to have a ego boost

good luck with the fundraising anyway:thumbsup:

Originally posted by JoeP
Thanks for sharing at lesat something with us, Panda.

Actually, I have great hopes that the relief effort here will be handled with greater skill on the grund than the Tsunami one. It would appear that the this time there are more community based initiatives with people going out there to help their families - perhaps this will ensure that the aid gets in teh right place at the right time.

Good luck, Action_kid, and thanks for posting.

Joe

joe like i said on another part of this thread i was just making a comment nothing nasty was intended

I think its wonderful to see that soo many people have got together and showed support for such a cause.
Ive just spoken to someone at PMC, were doing a charity event at work for the appeal.

The reason people should discuss issues like this is that it may prompt some of us to actually do something about it!

its a shame that there seem to be some people on here (generally the same ones!) who still find a way of criticising other peoples efforts!

There are three threads that running with this topic would it be better if they were merged into one. Could those in the know please see if this can be done. this is important issue for many people in sheffield not least the 15 000+ kashmiris that live in sheffield.:help:

Mod: Various threads merged.

South Asian Fund Earthquake Relief

Sheffield City Council has launched an appeal fund in conjunction with South Yorkshire's Muslim community to raise £100,000 to help rebuild the region worst affected by the South Asian Earthquake.

Many people in Sheffield have relatives in the Azad Kashmir capital of Muzaffarabad and the money raised by the appeal will provide aid to rebuild the city's hospitals and schools.

People wanting to donate should make their cheques payable to 'South Asian Fund Earthquake Relief' (SAFER). The cheques can be posted to:

South Asian Fund Earthquake Relief (SAFER),
Sheffield Town Hall,
Surrey Street,
Sheffield,
S1 2HH.

Cheques and cash donations can also be handed in at the First Stop Reception in the Town Hall. Arrangements are also being made for Members of the City Council to meet with representatives of the Muslim community to see what practical assistance can be given.

A book of condolences will also be set up in the Town Hall for members of the public to sign. This will be available very shortly.


www.sheffield.gov.uk

Mod Note: Cut out the personal bickering and abuse please or you're all in for a ban. This is a serious thread and a tragic topic; show some respect please.

Originally posted by BrainThrust
I got it wrong, but it's only slightly better: $177,000 and a 60 strong medical team from the UK

The article goes on to say this is initial and could be increased if necessary. Based previous events, my feeling is that this only happens if there is a public outcry. Spread the word people, for us to help so little is ridiculous.

source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4324014.stm

Wilf

Tony Blair has today announced an extra £10 million and helicopters etc

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4333034.stm

The UN is aiming to raise £151 million for first 6 months

I am disgusted that some of you seem to think it clever to try to score points about what has become one of the worst natural disasters ever.

I have spent a lot of time watching the various aid agencies try to find survivors, and am amazed that some of the search and rescue organisations are already pulling out of the disaster zone citing lack of coordination as their reason for leaving.

the organisation on the ground seems to be a bigger farce than the tsunami effort - perhaps in light of the need , perhaps some of the billions of pounds worth of aid that's still not be allocated to the tsunami survivors should be filtered to help the dire need in Northern Pakistan. The winter will be here soon and the death toll of 25,000 will be nothing once the poor weather arrives.

The US and British have huge resources sat in Afghanistan and Iraq - helicopters and transport vehicles which could be more usefully deployed to help - its not like its a million miles away.

Originally posted by Internetowl
the organisation on the ground seems to be a bigger farce than the tsunami effort - perhaps in light of the need , perhaps some of the billions of pounds worth of aid that's still not be allocated to the tsunami survivors should be filtered to help the dire need in Northern Pakistan. The winter will be here soon and the death toll of 25,000 will be nothing once the poor weather arrives.

The US and British have huge resources sat in Afghanistan and Iraq - helicopters and transport vehicles which could be more usefully deployed to help - its not like its a million miles away.

From what I have heard it is getting clearance to operate safely inside Pakistan that is one of the drawbacks that a Turkish aid agency quoted for pulling their people out of the disaster zone, and as you rightly say when winter arrives those poor souls will perish in the cold unless they get help fast.

Northern Pakistan is like the 'wild west' I hear too. I'm sure lots of the aid is getting knocked off by these 'warlords' and profiteered from - then again I'm probably being racist for suggesting that. There was a bloke from Bradford on the TV complainig that the aid he was bringing from the UK was getting ripped off by these 'poor victims' and the Pakistani authorities were unwilling to do anything about it.

Makes you wonder if it is worth donating if its just going to fund these 'bandits' and not get to the people who need it.

Bumping this - the DEC are now taking donations like they did for the Tsunami earlier this year.

Online: http://www.dec.org.uk/
Telephone: 0870 60 60 900

This is horrible. Please help if you can. :|

The trouble is converting the donations from cash at this end to aid in Pakistan, something which sadly appears to be lacking.

Thanks for the info Andy :thumbsup: I've donated cash but now want to donate loads of clothes which I don't use - they are in good condition and would be of major help to those unfortunate people in Pakistan.

Did someone mention that the PMC in Attercliffe was taking donations of clothes?...is it open today?

Originally posted by Lestat
Thanks for the info Andy :thumbsup: I've donated cash but now want to donate loads of clothes which I don't use - they are in good condition and would be of major help to those unfortunate people in Pakistan.

Did someone mention that the PMC in Attercliffe was taking donations of clothes?...is it open today?

I expect they'll be very grateful for all those old Michael Jackson t-shirts and single white gloves

(it's a joke, before anyone spits the dummy) ;)

Bizarrely, Pakistan has factories that make clothes, tents and medicines just like us! :wow:


This is a fair point in that I understand that cash is far more use than clothes as it's far easier to purchase clothing, food, water, supplies, tents, in fact everything close or at source.

All these things are freely available at very cheap prices all over the world.

It's not very economical sending of tons of clothes by plane to trouble spots, so the charities just sell them in their shops to ... raise money!

Originally posted by Tony
This is a fair point in that I understand that cash is far more use than clothes as it's far easier to purchase clothing, food, water, supplies, tents, in fact everything close or at source.

All these things are freely available at very cheap prices all over the world.

I understand what you're saying Tony, but there are very, very poor families over there too who need clothes as well as food. :thumbsup:

The point that i was making is that your clothes won't get there - they will end up in a charity shop on Ecclesall Road. When they are sold in a while the money will end up going to the next disaster. Clothes donated for the Tsunami victims are probably funding Oxfam in Pakistan right now.

Apologies - I'm not trying to be disparaging, but this is what I understand to happen.

When you think about it there is little sense in sending clothing when it can be bought locally. Pakistan has hardly run out of clothing. The agencies need cash to buy stuff, not clothes or tinned Irish stew.

:thumbsup:

Was with you there Tony till you started slating 'Irish stew'.

Nowt wrong with Irish Stew and you well know it :)