Saturday, November 19 2005 17:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad : Having assessed relief efforts in quake-hit areas of Pakistan and PoK, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan today (Nov 19, 2005) sought an 'unprecedented response' from the world community to help hundreds of thousands of people devastated by last month's temblor.

"The sheer impact of magnitude is still emerging but one thing all of us know already is that we must be prepared to work together in the long run," he said, addressing an international donors' conference here.

Annan had told the media here yesterday that he would appoint a Special Envoy to raise funds for quake relief work, much on the lines of former US President Bill Clinton's appointment as the envoy to step up drive for Tsunami funding.

He said he visited the devastated areas yesterday and saw that the losses in the tragedy are greater. People and the Government of Pakistan would need the enduring support of the international community in the reconstruction and rehabilitation programme.

"The earthquake of October 8 was an unprecedented disaster. It requires us to mount an unprecedented response," Annan told representatives from over 50 countries and financial institutions.

Annan, who left Pakistan after his speech, said that to face the greatest challenge a three-pronged strategy of immediate, medium and long-term is needed and all three must happen in parallel.

"There are no readymade solutions to many challenges that catastrophe has brought with it," Annan said, adding that pooling of assets and resources and expertise remained vital to the relief efforts. The 7.6 magnitude earthquake has left at least 73,000 people dead, some 69,000 seriously injured and an estimated 35 lakh without shelter.

Annan also called for moving simultaneously on meeting the needs of relief, saving life, early recovery, restoring livelihood and building economies in the devastated areas.

Highlighting the urgency of meeting immediate humanitarian needs, Annan said difficult terrain in PoK and the northern region had made it one of the most challenging relief operation anywhere in the world.

"Pitiless Himalayan winter is almost upon us and growing more and more severe every week. We must sustain our efforts to keep people healthy, strong as possible until we can rebuild," he added.

Annan said there was an urgent need to provide people with shelter, water, clear drinking water, medicines and asked to ensure that people were safe in camps.

"We must do all we can to help them stay safe in their own communities if they so choose," he said.

The UN Chief also called for jump-starting process of recovery for those affected by the disaster by providing them money and material to build their houses.