On November 1st, a team of 15 members went to the earthquake affected area, bringing blankets and tents, warm shawls, jersies, jackets, caps, wheat flour, tea, buiscuits, grams, sugar, warm clothes, water and quilts, and some cash for the victims. All these items were collected by the Pastoral Institute, Multan, the La Salle Parish Multan, URI MCC Pakistan and the Christian Study Center Rawalpindi. It was a wonderful manifestation of mutual support and coordination.

We distributed these items to 120 Muslim, 15 Christian and 15 Bahai families in Rawalpindi, Muzaffarabad, Gohari, Chhon, Mansehra and Balakot. It gave us great spiritual satisfaction that we were able to reach these people. It looks like a drop in the ocean but we have put our little contribution to lessen the miseries of the devastated people. All these people were deeply impressed both with our relief goods and especially for our concern that we had travelled hundreds of miles to reach them in these difficult times.  Although thousands of people are affected, we manifested our solidarity by helping these people in person. God bless all those benefactors and donors who made it possible for us.

I will be sending detailed report of our solidarity trip with the whole URI along with photos. It is very painful to see the destruction which has been done by this earthquake. In Muzaffarabad more than 70 percent of the houses, schools, banks, shops are destroyed. The Military Hospital, Kashmir University, Post Graduate College are several schools are completely destroyed. Thousands of students are killed. The entire city of Balakot has turned into ruins. Unbeliveable! Thousands of dead bodies are still under the debris of these building and we could smell the dead bodies. 

We are planning another trip in December. Now we know the needs, the way and the people. Snow fall is going to begin in mid November so it will good to offer them tents and blankets so that they may fight the winter season and make the effort to survive.