Media CenterAs Temperatures Dip, CRS Provides Shelter for Pakistan’s Earthquake Survivors

Following a powerful earthquake that struck northern Afghanistan and Pakistan at the end of October, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is working with partners to provide shelter and cash grants to help families cope with winter.

On October 26, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Badakshan Province in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush mountains. The quake had a profound impact on remote and difficult-to-reach parts of Pakistan’s northern KPK province, which shares a border with Afghanistan.

“With the onset of winter, we want to make sure families have appropriate resources to cope with the colder weather,” said CRS Pakistan’s country representative Andy Schaefer. “Temperatures have already dropped to below freezing in some areas, which will prevent communities from rebuilding their homes until the spring.”

As a result of the earthquake, many families who lost their homes continue to sleep outside or in makeshift tents nearly two months later.

CRS will build 300 shelters for earthquake-affected households in Pakistan’s Shangla District, which was one of the hardest hit areas. CRS will also distribute one-time, unconditional cash grants that will support 7,000 people in the Chitral District. The money will help them purchase things like blankets, rugs and warm clothing to get them through the winter.

In addition, CRS is helping people identify safer spots for rebuilding their homes.

“We want to be sure that when people eventually do re-build their homes, that they’re doing it in the safest way possible, away from potential hazards like landslides or rivers,” Schaefer said. 

CRS has had a presence in Pakistan since 1954, and continues to work closely with the government to ensure that relief efforts are sustainable.