Geneva, Switzerland – The IRF has offered its assistance to the countries affected by the earthquake which struck in Pakistan on 8 October. In letters addressed to the governments of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, Tony Pearce, IRF Geneva/ Brussels Director General, said the IRF was on hand to help in any way possible. He suggested that providing engineers to help assess damage to road and bridge infrastructure and prioritise repairs was one way in which the IRF could be of assistance.

The offer of assistance follows a declaration adopted during an IRF ministerial meeting in Bangkok on 13 June, which discussed recovery of infrastructure in the wake of natural disasters such as the Asian tsunami. The declaration called on the IRF to assist in promptly assessing damage to infrastructure and to support the implementation of measures to restore functionality.

According to reports from the region hit by the earthquake, many villages and towns are completely cut off by land, with the only current mode of access by air. Restoring access as quickly as possible will be an essential element of the relief effort.