The European Union has allocated 300,000 euros to provide emergency assistance to the victims of the earthquake that shook Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Punjab on September 24.
According to a press release issued by the European Commission on Friday, the funds, equivalent to Rs51.4 million, "will meet the most pressing needs of around 3,000 vulnerable people in some of the most affected areas."
In addition, it will guarantee access to clean water for communities in the affected areas, paying special attention to the most needy, including people with limited sources of income.
The city of Mirpur of AJK suffered the greatest damage of the 5.6 magnitude earthquake, which left at least 38 people dead, more than 500 injured and damage to thousands of homes and road infrastructure. After the earthquake, at least 67 people were injured after surface tremors hit the city of Mirpur.
Read: 500,000 rupees announced for the family of each earthquake victim
On Tuesday, the AJK government declared areas affected by the Mirpur earthquake and adjacent areas as a "calamity strike" to facilitate survivors.
The European Commission press release added that EU funding was being made available by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) through its "Small-scale response" mechanism, which was described as a "global mechanism that allows rapid financing for 300,000 euros for humanitarian aid in countries affected by natural and man-made disasters."
The head of the ECHO office in Islamabad, Bernard Jaspers-Faijer, said: "We are acting quickly to channel emergency aid to the most affected in Pakistan."
"Our funds will help the most vulnerable and provide shelter to those who have lost their homes and belongings after the strong tremor. Our thoughts are with all the victims and the first responders working 24 hours to save lives." .
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1508946/eu-allocates-300000-euros-to-provide-emergency-relief-to-victims-of-sep-24-earthquake