Friday, October 28 2005 10:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has ordered immediate release of US$ 33.3 million for the reconstruction of homes in quake-hit areas of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and POK and directed that relief be provided in areas yet to be assessed.

He also said that tents should be provided to those without shelter to save them from severe cold. The United Nations estimated the number to be about 800,000.

The amount will be divided between the two worst affected areas of NWFP and POK, a media report quoted Musharraf as saying at the first meeting of the Earthquake

Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) in Rawalpindi yesterday (Oct 27, 2005).

Musharraf also expressed concern that some people in remote areas had not received any relief goods.

"We must aim at the provision of tents to the shelter less within two weeks to save them from severe cold. It is imperative that we sustain provision of life-saving medicine and succour to the affected," he was quoted as saying by the sources.

Musharraf also asked leaders of POK and NWFP to quickly disburse compensation among the quake victims and emphasised the need to create a database about loss of houses, buildings and infrastructure.

The October 8 earthquake is believed to have killed more than 50,000 people in Pakistan. India yesterday made a fresh offer of aid worth USD 25 million for quake-victims in PoK.

The offer was made at the meeting of UN Office of the Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs at Geneva by Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation Oscar Fernandes.